Out of Area
Area’s Expansion on Kirby Drive
By: Laurann Claridge
Image: Daniel Cuellar and Don Connelly. Photo Jenny Antill.
One of the city’s chicest home shops has more room to spread out. Area on Kirby Drive recently expanded into the 1,500-square-foot space next door — which means a grand total of 5,000 square feet of covetable furnishings and accessories. “We get new pieces in daily,” says store director Daniel Cuellar who, along with Area owner Don Connelly, travels east and west and to Europe to procure Area’s ever-changing inventory, which also includes antiques and vintage pieces from the Continent. “Chances are, if you come in every couple of weeks, the place will look completely different,” says Cuellar. Also new to the store is a floor-to-ceiling wall with provenance: A farm neighbor gifted Area owner and decorator Connelly with the wide-planked, reclaimed wood from an old barn in Flatonia, and here it provides warmth and texture to the crisp interior. Area has always drawn designers and the style-minded seeking the perfect objet. Just imagine the magnetism now. 5600 Kirby Dr., 713.668.1668.