At first glance, you may think that Rustic Design Imports in Dripping Springs is too far to drive for furniture. But then you'd really be missing out on original, high quality items that you won't be able to find in Austin, San Marcos or San Antonio. There's an experience that is offered by the owners, Paul and Fumi, that is refreshing and new in an age of commission-based sales. You walk into the store and they greet you. They don't ignore you if you're wearing jeans and pulled up in a beat-up truck. They let you look around and they answer any questions you have - with honesty. When I was in the store, I actually over-heard Paul telling a lady where she might be able to find a certain style of lamp - at a competitors store.
The Furniture and Accessories are collected from all around. They have hand-made furniture from Mexico. Mata Ortiz pottery. Chilean cactus furniture (it's not as painful as it sounds - look on their web site) - and there is so much more. They even mentioned they have furniture coming in made of old doors.
They also can have their furniture made to your specifications.
As a new home-owner, I've spent a lot of time and money in big box furniture stores looking and buying their versions of Rustic Furniture only to have the "rustic" finish fall off and show the exposed particle board or whatever cheap wood they are using underneath. I could have spent a little more for a LOT better quality if I had known about this store.
Pros: Great customer service, selection and quality
Cons: none
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