The Scoop on Local Stores and Showrooms

1 / Setting Pretty

After eight years working in Los Angeles under designer Rose Tarlow (on projects for the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Oprah Winfrey) and then striking out on her own, building her own roster of who’s who clients, interior designer Jennifer Littke and her husband, Adam, decided it was time to open shop. They set their sights on Dallas, and specifically Oak Cliff, where they found not only a home for themselves but the perfect location for their first storefront. S E T & C O., their luxe kitchen and housewares store, opened in May at the corner of Tyler and Davis streets, and Jennifer says their landing in Dallas was no accident. “Dallas is a really strong market,” Jennifer says. “A lot of creative people are moving here now and we felt like they needed a store like this.” 

The store’s interior is bright, clean, and exudes California cool. But the heart of the shop is in the thoughtful care taken to curate its inventory. Each item is handpicked by Jennifer, whose goal is to create an environment that celebrates artists from around the world and bring a little bit of Paris, New York, Amsterdam, and London to DFW. 

S E T & C O. celebrates the art of the table, so shoppers and designers looking to add something distinctive to their (or their clients’) kitchen or dining space will have plenty of unique, utilitarian, and beautifully made items from lines like Caroline Hurley, David Mellor, Henry Dean, Blackcreek, Sawkille, and Haand to choose from. Thus far, the Texas transplants have felt right at home in their new digs. “Oak Cliff is a destination and an artistic place,” Jennifer says. “It’s a really special neighborhood.”

2 / Opportunity Knocks

Keith Emmons and Robert Ungemach first made their mark in the Bishop Arts District about eight years ago, selling all-natural, made-from-scratch bath products out of their storefront, Shambhala. As time went on, their collection of Fair Trade and Made in America products grew along with their interest in selling jewelry, candles, and home goods, and they knew it was time for a change. 

To accommodate their new vision and to incorporate Fair Trade’s fast-growing clothing market, the Oak Cliff shop was completely remodeled and rebranded to become Opportunity Market. The design of the store, which opened its doors on May 9 (World Fair Trade Day), has a clean, cohesive look. The shelves and clothing racks can be moved around like puzzle pieces to display the works of the many artisans they carry including Rescued Wine, Hands to Hearts, Mata Traders, Acacia Creations, and Bright Endeavors. 

New wood-planked walls complement the retro copper ceiling and serve as the backdrop for their unique display system, but the focus of the rebranded store remains on the stories, people, and worthy causes behind each product. “If we really want to create a better world,” Emmons says, “we have to start living better lives that include care and concern for the people who provide our goods.”

3 / Lovely Beginnings

Nestled in a converted Uptown cottage, the Loveliest—a new venture from sisters Britni and Kelsey Wood and their mother, Joni—is filled with unique Fair Trade items by makers from all over the world. “Almost everything we have comes straight from the source,” Kelsey says. Shoppers will discover delicate vintage fabrics, Moroccan blankets, and vibrant materials just waiting for monogramming, an area where The Loveliest really sets itself apart. Inspired by their favorite embroidery shop, Jan de Luz in Carmel, California, the Woods have on hand more than 40 monogram designs (though Britni can hand draw customs), 120 colors of thread, and an in-house embroidery machine that allows them to churn out monograms on the spot. Every design gets saved in their system for future orders as well as their bridal and baby registry programs. “We love the fact that you can come in and get something personalized immediately,” Britni says. 

With varied creative backgrounds (Britni was as a style editor for Martha Stewart Weddings; Kelsey worked on events for presidential campaigns in D.C.), the Woods have found the perfect outlet for their talents to come together. 

4 / Better Than Ever

After three years honing the style of their beloved Bishop Arts shop, {neighborhood} co-owners (and husband-and-wife duo) Erin and John Paul Hossley were ready for a remix. After a six-week renovation this spring, they reopened their doors in May with a fresh new inventory and a lighter, roomier feel courtesy of an extra 200 square feet. Shoppers can stick to the front of the store to peruse personal accessories, quirky knickknacks, and clever greeting-card lines (“the smalls,” as John Paul calls them), or head to the back for an expanded selection of the shop’s real bread and butter: sustainable, handmade furniture that’s also fully customizable. Lines include Gus* Modern, EQ3, and Younger Furniture. 

Art lovers won’t want to miss {neighborhood}’s new 56-foot gallery wall. Each month, the Oak Cliff mainstay will exhibit a new Texas artist who will have free rein to completely repaint and redecorate the wall however they want to display their works.  

John Paul and Erin, who also offer architecture and interior-design services, plan on constantly finding and developing new products. “Bishop Arts is always changing and growing into its own thing,” John Paul says. “It’s always progressing, so we want to keep providing what we think is a good product for everyone that comes down here.”