Local Shops Purvey a Fine Array of Furniture and Design Services
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From opulent Spanish-inspired villas to modern loft apartments, homes in the Rio Grande Valley are as diverse as the residents themselves. Fortunately, the city boasts an equally eclectic array of locally owned furniture shops and design-service enterprises that are well versed in the classic, the trendy and every style in between.
Located at 1200 N. 10th St., Stilo Design is a relative newcomer to McAllen’s home furnishings scene. The storefront may be new, but CEO Ismael Garcia and Owner Lourdes Cabeza de Vaca have decorated the best homes in Monterrey, Reynosa, McAllen and South Padre Island for more than 20 years. In June 2008, the mother-son team set out on their first retail venture and opened Stilo Design, offering customers more than 12 lines of furniture, accessories, art and rugs ranging from contemporary to classic.
“Basically, we give the client what he is looking for,” Garcia says. “The difference is that we have everything customers need, regardless of their style.”
Stilo Design also offers free in-home consultations to help customers find the best pieces to showcase their style.
Family-owned Tierra Dulce opened in 2001 and has taken its place among the city’s most distinguished furniture and design retailers. Literally translated “sweet earth,” Tierra Dulce sells handmade furniture and accessories as well as custom-built furniture that incorporates wood recycled from antique doors.
CEO Jesse DeLeon says the store’s rustic style can be taken to various levels to suit individual taste.
“We can soften items with colors, textiles and paint, and blend antique items with the newer,” he says.
While many items are imported from nearby Mexico, DeLeon also carries pieces from India, Turkey, Greece and Italy. Tierra Dulce provides customers with in-home consultations and in-store merchandise at its 410 Ash Ave. location and also operates an online business, www.mexicanimports.com.
A McAllen mainstay, Stroud’s Home Furnishings has been a leader in the region’s furniture and design scene since 1948. President and CEO Gus Mikael attributes the company’s longevity to a commitment to quality and to providing timeless furniture and design solutions tailored to meet the needs of customers in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Stroud’s customers will find something out of the ordinary,” Mikael says. “The store is more design oriented, with a lot of thought given to the selection of materials, textures, fabrics, colors and accessories. It’s a combination of everything.”
Stroud’s, which is located at 320 S. 20th St., has long been known for carrying the best in traditional and grand pieces. However, it has grown to include contemporary, streamlined styles from The Loft at Stroud’s, as well as even more creative pieces through the store’s private label, Gus Mikael.
“What sets us apart is that we’re not just there to sell, but to make sure a house is a home,” Mikael says.
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Story by Melanie Hill
Photo by Jesse Knish
