Stepping into the Dallas Market Center at different times of year means different things for me. There are Dallas Design Days I love, and the Apparel and Accessories Market, too. In early January, going to the Dallas Market Center means I’ve arrived at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.
Vendors and manufacturers at this event showcase innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship that my designer eyes feast on. This year, I had the additional pleasure of acting as your “Style Eyes,” one of the interior designers and tastemakers selected by the Dallas Market Center to find and share the finest pieces of all.
You might remember when I was one of the “Market Pros” at High Point Market and did something similar. This time, though, I had a NEW focus…lighting. I scoped out Lightovation and found new pieces that left me not only impressed with their beauty, but GENUINELY inspired by their lifestyle implications.
And now, I’m sharing my 10 product picks with you!!
Click on ANY title to see a video demo I recorded of the piece!!
Gravy Wall Sconces by Koncept
When I first saw the Gravy Wall Sconces, my immediate thought was, “are these lighting fixtures, or are they wall art?!” The level of customization and versatility blew me away.
For starters, you can select ANY combination of materials in a long list of different colors, or even felt, wood, or mirrors…and the best part? These were designed to be switched on a whim, using just a small magnet.
These sconces don’t just light a space…they engage it.
The sconces’ ability to rotate and point in any direction gives you total control over both form and function, too. Compared to anything else I’ve seen, the Gravy Wall Sconces stand out as an elegant fusion of practicality and creativity.
Places to use them:
- Illuminate a hallway with mirrored sconces that bounce light and create amazing reflections…
- Add a playful, colorful touch to a child’s room by mixing felt and wood finishes
- Use them as functional art in a living room, rotating the light to create dynamic patterns on your walls and ceiling
Cipriani Ceiling Fan by Craftmade
For just an instant, I looked up at the Cipriani Ceiling Fan without realizing that it was a fan and not a chandelier. The fan blades are so subtle and elegant that they almost disappear into the design, making it perfect for spaces where you want airflow without the visual clutter.
What sets the Cipriani apart is that combination of exquisite design with function. The brass and black finishes offer the timeless appeal you’re after, along with the even, ambient lighting. The Cipriani is truly a standout piece offering discretion and sophistication.
Places to use it:
- In an indoor-outdoor entertainment area to keep guests cool in style
- In a formal dining room where airflow is needed but understated elegance is key
- Or, in a home office to maintain a comfortable workspace without that “whrrrr” look of regular fan blades spinning!!
Pendants by Lib and Co.
Lib and Co. pendants are what happens when artistry meets engineering!!
I first saw these pendants last year, and when I visited the showroom again this month, I was thrilled to see even more options and personalizations.
These pendants are 100% customizable, from the materials (think stone, glass, metal, quartz…) to the height, number, and mix of styles!! Lib and Co. offers exquisite attention to detail, too. Each pendant is a statement piece, yet they work beautifully in groups or clusters.
Oh…and EQUALLY important…they’re VERY easy to detach and replace or service!!
Places to use them:
- Hang a cluster of pendants over your kitchen island for a show-stopping centerpiece
- Create a cascading effect with progressive heights along a staircase
- Use a single bold pendant as an eye-catching statement in a powder room
Bulbrite Warm Dim Bulbs
Lighting design isn’t just about fixtures!! It’s about the BULBS you choose, too.
What first impressed me about Bulbrite’s Warm Dim collection was the absence of that annoying flicker you get with many dimmable LEDs. These bulbs deliver smooth and consistent light AND come in a variety of shapes, even for candelabras. You have multiple glass type options, too.
Oh, by the way, the brightest setting is REALLY, REALLY bright!!
Watch my demo on Instagram to learn some of the technical specs, too, like how many lumens the brightest setting is, and how many thousands of hours these bulbs are graded for…
Specific ideas of where to use them:
- Swap out standard bulbs in your dining room chandelier for the perfect warm, ambient glow during dinner parties
- Use candelabra-style bulbs in a vintage fixture for a modern-meets-classic touch
- Choose the amber glass bulbs for a cozy vibe in your bedroom
Pooky Rechargeable Lights
The Pooky rechargeable lights were a revelation!! And they’ll be a design revolution.
Seriously…I’m talking lighting that requires NO electrical wiring. Just attach them to the wall, and you’re done. The design implications to this are huge.
This simplicity, by the way, combines with impressively elegant designs that render the whole Pooky showroom a place of magic and imagination. Pooky’s rechargeable lights are especially handy for renters (including vacation rental owners), spaces without wiring, or anyone who wants to avoid messy installations.
Ways to use them:
- Mount them above bookshelves to create a library atmosphere
- Add them to a gallery wall to highlight an art collection
- Or use them in spaces where traditional wiring isn’t possible
Chroma Lamp by KalCo Lighting
The Chroma lamp is mesmerizing. If I’m being honest, it might have been my favorite lighting piece of all! I truly fell in love with its swirling, shifting colors. Depending on the light, this lamp seems to shift right before your eyes, creating a sense of movement and life.
What sets it apart from a design perspective is its resolute uniqueness. NO one you know will have one of these in their home, or anything like it. This is a lighting piece that’s as much about artistic expression as it is about function.
Places to use it:
- Place it in a sunlit room to watch the colors transform throughout the day
- Use it as a focal point in a space to add a pop of brilliance and vibrancy
- Pair it with neutral furniture to let the lamp’s beauty take center stage
Lexington Outdoor Lighting by LivEx
When I touched the Lexington series by LivEx, I could feel the quality immediately. These solid brass fixtures are designed to stand the test of time, both in durability (in OUTDOOR conditions, mind you) and in timeless design.
Ways to use them:
- Flank your front door with wall-mounted lights for a welcoming glow
- Install a post light along your driveway for added curb appeal
- Use a series of smaller fixtures to illuminate your garden paths
AKIMBO Chandelier by Maxim Lighting
The AKIMBO chandelier stopped me in my tracks. Its walnut wood shades and mixed materials bring a warmth and authenticity that’s hard to find. I mean…I’ve seen PLENTY of mixed materials in lighting trends…but walnut?!
With natural wood finishes making a big comeback in other elements of interior design, this chandelier is going to be perfect for a growing number of spaces. This piece also offers a unique blend of rustic and modern design, meaning its elegance will last.
Places to use it:
- Hang it over a dining table with natural wood finishes for a cohesive look
- Use it in a breakfast nook to create a warm and inviting space
- Pair it with industrial elements for a multi-sensorial contrast
Vickerman Trees
Vickerman’s Christmas trees are my dream trees!! They all feature engineered lights that won’t short out whole sections, and many are what’s called a “shelf tree” designed to support heavy ornaments RIGHT where you want to show them off (i.e., on the ends of branches).
Features aside, another thing made these trees stand out is their 10-year warranty. I mean, WOW. That speaks volumes about the quality!!
Places to use them:
- Showcase your nicest (often heaviest) ornaments on the “shelf tree” where people can actually see them!!
- Decorate early and often—with a 10-year warranty, these trees are built to last
- With multiple heights and widths, you can set up multiple trees, too
Weighted Rugs and Pillows by Wugs and Willows
The weighted rugs and pillows by Wugs and Willows are pure genius. As the ONLY weighted rugs and pillows on the market (and graded for indoor or outdoor use), they stay exactly where you place them, no matter the conditions…or weather.
With custom designs and sizes, too, Wugs and Willows offers unmatched practicality that fits perfectly with every project.
Places to use them:
- Use them on a patio or deck in a cozy, wind-proof lounge area
- Add them to an outdoor dining space for a permanently put-together look
- Use them indoors where foot traffic tends to move rugs around
- And don’t forget the weighted pillows!!
Each of these pieces stood out for its beauty, functionality, and the potential to transform any space…or even define an interior design project.
This year, the January Dallas Total Home & Gift Market was an extra-incredible experience, and it was the most natural thing in the world to share the best products with you.
If you’re as inspired as I am, let’s talk about how to incorporate these fabulous finds into your own home!! Remember…great design starts with great ideas!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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