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Your Guide to Dragon Street Shopping

Visit Lower Oak Lawn for everything from antiques and modern art to the top beer selection in town.
By D Magazine |
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photography: gallery courtesy of vendor; bracelet by Chris Plavidal; chair and Ceylon et Cie by Elizabeth Lavin


Interior designers have long known that Lower Oak Lawn is the place to be. But now that art galleries abound, apartments and lofts are ready for move-in, and shopping opportunities are no longer limited to the trade, it’s time for you to become a superfan. Although the entire area is a little much for the casual walker, we encourage you to take a walk on the wild side with a day on divine Dragon Street. A word of caution: after a day of shopping for everything from antiques to modern art, save a couple of bucks for a beer (and valet!) at Meddlesome Moth on your way out of LOL.

Inessa Stewart’s Antiques
So you like antiques? Inessa Stewart has your antiques—25,000 square feet and five showroom areas. In the market for a little stained glass? No problem. Need a little rococo refurbishment? You’ll find it here. Even if you’re looking for something more modern—say, a desk for your iMac or a cabinet for your new flat screen—problem solved. They customize period pieces to make them work for the needs of today. 1643 Dragon St. inessa.com.

Joel Cooner Gallery
One of the original galleries on Dragon Street—it has been around since 1979. Tribal, Asian, contemporary, and ancient works are on display. And Cooner will describe the history of any piece—African masks, wood carvings, Buddha heads, and Asian paintings are just some of the unique items you’ll find here. 1601 Dragon St. joelcooner.com.

Ceylon et Cie
Owner Michelle Nussbaumer is one of our favorites. In addition to great stories, a killer fashion sense, and an exceptional recipe for a margarita, the lady also has great finds in her store. Her yearly quests for antiques take her all over the world—this year she hit the south of France and Mexico. What does that mean for you? Well, a visit to Ceylon could net you anything from a Murano lamp to a zebra screen and custom ikat fabrics. And the trip to Dragon is a lot cheaper than a ticket to France! 1319 Dragon St. ceylonetcie.com.

The Cameron Gallery
Owner Kristi Cameron ensures that there’s something for everyone—from first-time buyers to seasoned collectors. She showcases vibrant, colorful works by artists such as Rick Griggs, Jonathon Kimbrell, and James Michalopoulos. On our last visit, we couldn’t get enough of Sheela Birnbaum’s funky jewelry. 1414 Dragon St. thecamerongallery.com.

Holly Johnson Gallery
Contemporary art lovers should be sure to stop by Holly Johnson Gallery for a peek at some very stimulating artwork. The nearly 6,000-square-foot space is divided into two rooms—a sunny, light-filled front room and a spacious back room—for its works on display from artists such as Mark Sheinkman, Il Lee, and Garland Fielder. Johnson is also happy to advise private clients, as well as corporations and museums, on framing, installation, and more. The gallery also offers an appraisal service for a minimal fee. 1411 Dragon St. hollyjohnsongallery.com.

Pittet Architecturals
Bet you didn’t know that the country’s largest selection of antique limestone mantels and fountains is right here in Dallas. At Pittet Architecturals, to be exact. The showroom spans 24,000 square feet, which is twice the size of any other building in the Design District. If, for some reason, you can’t find what you’re looking for in the showroom, just tell them. The good people here will help you figure out just what it is you’re looking for, and they’ll even custom order it for you. 1308 Dragon St. pittetarch.com.

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photography: gallery courtesy of vendor; others by Elizabeth Lavin

Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery

Dedicated solely to the art of photography, Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery moved from its original Routh Street location to the Design District in 2006. It’s been going strong ever since, with a stable of artists ranging from the regional to the internationally known. Currently on view is a collection of Frida Kahlo portraits by Hungarian-born artist Nickolas Muray. 1202 Dragon St., Ste. 103. pdnbgallery.com.

Anteks Home Furnishings
After a 20-year stint on Lovers Lane, Jason Lenox decided to make the move to the Design District a little more than a year ago. Now situated in an 8,000-square-foot showroom, Anteks maintains its reputation for “sophisticated rustic” furniture. Lenox also enjoys combining unlikely elements. “I like upholstering pieces of furniture in different types of materials—old rugs, old blankets—and I like taking classic rustic frames and upholstering them in modern fabrics like mohair, things you wouldn’t expect,” he says. 1135 Dragon St. antekshome.com.

Talebi Rugs
This rug shop has been in the Talebi family for three generations. Current owner Masoud Talebi maintains a selection of new and antique rugs ranging in style from modern to traditional. The rugs are directly imported from all over the world—Turkey, Afganistan, India, and Iran. So you can find the right rug without having to deal with DFW. 1130 Dragon St., Ste. 140. talebirugs.com

Samuel Lynne Galleries
Dallas restaurateur and artist Philip J. Romano and artist JD Miller opened this sprawling gallery (11,000 square feet!) in 2008. The focus is on reflectionists as well as 21st-century contemporary art, and you’ll find mixed media, 3-D oils, sculpture, and more. Artists on display in the space’s four galleries include Romano and Miller as well as Burton Morris, Ray Phillips, and Richard Davis. 1105 Dragon St. samuellynne.com.

Art of Old India, Inc.
Don’t have the vacation days to sustain a trip to India, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and East Africa? No worries. Might be tough getting a visa to some of those places, and Art of Old India is all about bringing the special to you. Here you’ll find incredible pieces ranging from beautifully crafted armoires and hand-carved marble tubs to  mother-of-pearl inlaid chairs and everything in between. 1030 Dragon St. artofoldindia.com.

Smink
Talk about a family affair. Sisters Jennifer, Autumn, and Dawn Smink opened the doors to their first showroom in 1989, and they made the move to Dragon Street in 2009. In the last 20-plus years, they have become go-to people for all things modern—furniture, accessories, art, you name it. Pop by and say hi to the ladies, and check out the work of Diane McGregor. Autumn also informed us that she has a new line coming in—Molteni & C—as well as all the new 2010 models from the Minotti furniture line. 1019 Dragon St. sminkinc.com.

Craighead Green Gallery
Partners Kenneth Craighead and Steve Green opened their namesake gallery in the Arts District in 1992, later moving it to Dragon Street. CGG represents more than 40 contemporary artists of varying styles, and the gallery recently wrapped up the 17th installment of its annual New Texas Talent exhibition. This year, juror Thomas Feulmer, director of educational programming at the Rachofsky House, reviewed more than 1,000 submissions from young Texas artists. 1011 Dragon St. craigheadgreen.com.


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