Sometimes you have a vision for a certain piece of furniture for your home — and no matter how many stores and websites you search, you come up empty. Fortunately, Dallas is home to a cadre of master craftspeople who can create just about anything you have in mind. Here’s what to know about the custom furniture making process, plus a roundup of some local artisans to consider.
The different levels of custom furniture
First, decide the level of custom you want. Most local furniture makers have items on their websites that they have already designed; you get to customize certain aspects of the final product, and these pieces are still produced one at a time. “We do all kinds of different wood veneers, so somebody can choose their wood species and their stain,” explains Grace Moreland, director of marketing for Scout Design Studio. “We have curated options on our website, but you could tell us you want, say, a walnut wood with this stain, and we can do it.”
Some local furniture makers also source vintage items, which they can then update to your specifications. “Our most affordable line is vintage,” says Moreland. “You can buy it as is, or we offer reupholstery or lacquer. Even if you’re adding on refinishing for vintage, that’s usually less than what it takes to build a fully custom piece.”
Finally, you can work with a furniture designer to make a completely unique piece based on your space, your aesthetic and your needs. “People may choose custom for creative functionality — if you want to hide a dog bed in a credenza or if you want to hide a wine fridge in a cabinet,”says Hadley Jackson, marketing coordinator for The Collective. “One that [The Collective Studio Designer Taylor Cunningham] just recently completed was a credenza with a TV lift.”
The fully custom design process could start with a mood board, a basic sketch or just a description; a designer will then create a full sketch, 3D rendering or, in the case of The Collective, a watercolor painting. Once that’s approved by the client, the craftspeople get to work creating it.
No surprise, commissioning a piece of custom furniture is pricier than ordering something mass-produced. You can expect to spend thousands, even tens of thousands, with the total cost dependent on the type of furniture and the finishes you select.
How long it takes to receive a custom furniture piece
When you’re working with craftspeople to make a customized or fully bespoke piece, be prepared for a wait. Fabrication often takes in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 weeks, and bespoke takes that long plus the span it takes to get an approved design. “Good things take time,” says Cunningham. “A lot of people don’t realize that at first, or they think that maybe theirs is the first order in line.” She helps clients through the wait by sending them updates as pieces come together. “That’s one of my favorite parts,” Cunningham adds.
It takes a signficant amount of time to receive custom furniture because it’s less efficient to make one piece at a time, points out Moreland. One perk is that your piece will come assembled, and full-service delivery is typically included. (That’s especially beneficial because custom pieces tend to be heavy.) Moreland says Scout Design Studio invested in its own delivery service to ensure the best experience. “You’re getting a high-quality piece delivered to you, white glove” — and the piece will be placed exactly where you want it.
Dallas custom furniture sources
Ready to get started? Here are some local custom furniture designers/makers to check out.
The Collective, thecollectivedallas.com. The Collective is women-owned and offers interior design, styling, art, decor, in-stock furnishings and custom pieces. Customizable furnishings include everything from swivel chairs and stools to credenzas and game tables. You can also create a bespoke piece with the help of Cunningham, The Collective’s studio designer. The Collective’s storefront is located at 5838 Live Oak St. in Dallas.
Scout Design Studio, scoutdesignstudio.com. Scout Design Studio started as a vintage booth in an antique mall and grew to include vintage refurbishing — choose your own colors and fabrics — its own custom line and bespoke furniture design. There are also quick-ship pieces in stock, plus wall art, rugs, gifts and more. The Scout Design showroom is located at 155 Howell St. in Dallas.
CasitaDallas, casitadallas.com. Casita was founded in 2017 and offers a wide range of custom-upholstered pieces; you can also get wood tables and case pieces. Clients can customize selections with their choice of finish, fabrics or unique dimensions.
Madre, madredallas.com. Look to Madre for colorful interior design services, furniture, home decor and gifts. The Made by Madre line offers custom headboards, beds and daybeds, as well as custom tables, desks, nightstands and consoles. You can also shop the in-stock collection of furniture for bedrooms, living areas, dining rooms and kids’ rooms. The storefront is at 4715 W. Lovers Lane in Dallas.
Childress Fabrics & Furniture, childressfabrics.com. Founded in 1958, Childress Fabrics & Furniture is now operated by the second generation of the Childress family. The focus is on custom traditional/transitional furniture and a wide range of fabrics; you can create your perfect sectional, ottoman, bed, dining room chairs and more.
Childress also offers a wide range of waterproof fabrics for outdoor living spaces and reupholstery services. There are stores in Dallas and Addison.
The Wright Edge, thewrightedge.com. The Wright Edge specializes in modern, live-edge wood furniture. Owner and creator Doc Wright puts an emphasis on resin work and 3D designs, like a double-waterfall-edge countertop that has the appearance of melting around the island. You can also commission a desk, table or other piece.
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