British design darling Timothy Oulton’s first stand-alone U.S. outpost has our inner Anglophile swooning. The space has an Exile on Main St. meets Ralph Lauren feel, perfect for Oulton’s signature mix of English manor-worthy furniture, vintage treasures, and whimsical flourishes like the giant aquarium that houses a 9-foot-long submarine. In addition to fun finds,the store boasts a full-service coffee and pastry bar and a giant working fireplace around which you can take your tea and confections.
D: Why Dallas?
TO: When we were considering where to open, we got a lot of input that our style and approach suited Dallas’, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this mindset and our brand connect.
D: You’re known for your collaboration with Restoration Hardware. Who is your dream collaborator?
TO: I love to collaborate with people who dare to take risks for something authentic. Confidence to try new things, or to try things in a totally new context, is the fundamental hallmark I look for in a collaborator.
D: You’ve been called “a master of reinvention” and “a pioneer of design.” Which of your designs are you most proud of?
TO: The things that really keep me motivated are the things that are extremely intricate and detailed to make, because I know no one else will attempt them. Our trunks, with hundreds of hand-applied studs and tacks, are meticulously handcrafted. And the drums—I love the drums. They come from my past—my father was a major in the British Army—and they are totally unique.
D: What do you want folks to experience when they visit the store?
TO: You need to surprise people, by doing something unique that’s also relevant. But after that, you need to deliver with plain old good service. Staff can no longer afford to just sell; they have to listen and understand.
