The phrase “to the trade only” means interior designers can purchase lots of fabulous things regular folks can’t. Many stores and showrooms in the Dallas Design District and around the city are “to the trade only,” so you can look, but you can’t buy, unless you’ve got a designer on speed dial to meet you there.
Dallas interior designer Kristin Mullen is bucking that trend with her first home decor boutique. She recently opened Curated by Kristin Mullen in Snider Plaza. In this 800-square-foot space, designed to feel like a home, Mullen is showcasing “a few of her favorite things,” as she describes the current aesthetic. These are types of items that would regularly be “to the trade only,” but this store is open to everyone.
You’ll find furniture, accessories, case goods, and lighting, all either custom designed by Mullen, or hand-selected because they’re unavailable anywhere else in Dallas.
Some of her favorite things include aspects of the outdoors, the patina of old objects because of the texture and interest they bring to a space, and the juxtaposition of rustic or “crusty” textures with a clean-lined piece.
“The shop reflects all of those elements — we have so many unique and unusual pieces with a great story to them that my customers can utilize for drama and interest,” Mullen said. “We have a lot of natural objects that perch on tables and shelves in the shop; a number of the items we are selling have a great patina to them, and the shop walls and floors sport great texture through the faux bois wallpaper and seagrass carpet.”
Mullen will be changing the look of the store four times a year to reflect a new theme.
“When I first started buying for the shop, I decided to just select things that I absolutely adore and would be happy to see in my own home or a client’s home, so there is no particular ‘look’ to what is on the floor right now,” she said. “But I do know the next few ‘looks’ to the shop, and I expect to do a changeover in early April to my next design inspiration—I can’t wait!”
In Curated by Kristin Mullen, customers will find a warm, homelike place where they can comfortably shop, chat, and relax.
“I do hear from customers that they love the fact that the shop is laid out like a room, rather than a traditional store, so it gives them a better sense of how things will look in their own homes,” Mullen said. “Also, I make a huge effort to be sure I carry items that are one-of-a-kind and can’t be found elsewhere, so I am always on the hunt to gather beautiful and unusual treasures.”
A particular joy has been designing lamps and accessories for the shop, she says, as well as curating the selection of art and antiques, including prints over 250 years old.
“Right now, I have some fantastic art hanging on the walls, ranging from some great abstract pieces to lovely antique herbiers,” she said. “I do love, love, love Swedish antiques for their versatility, clean lines, and gorgeous colors, so I will probably always have a great piece or two on the floor.”
Part of the reason Mullen opened her shop was to eliminate wait time for her clients. Getting some items created took months. One area that makes a huge difference, in particular, is her custom furniture—she sources all of the fabrics on the upholstered pieces from showrooms at the Design Center, and she can switch out the fabric on anything in the shop.
Mullen and her family spent 20 years living and traveling in the United States, Europe and Asia, and are settled in Dallas. She established her firm, Covetable Designs, in 2005 and took an immediate shine to her design colleagues.
“I love the Dallas design community—they have been so lovely to me as I was starting out on my own,” she said. “So many designers have already made their way into the shop, and I am delighted—I feel that I found and filled a niche in the home furnishings space and so if I can help designers finish their projects with just the right piece, then that makes me happy.”
Mullen’s easygoing-but-elegant style and adventuresome spirit are reflected in the store’s vibe.
“I hope the shop will become a go-to source for Dallas shoppers who are looking for something that speaks to them, whether it is a great architectural fragment for a bookshelf, an evocative piece of art, or the perfect dining room table they have been searching for for years,” she said.
Curated by Kristin Mullen is located at 6725 Snider Plaza, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment.
