dlb Design & Design Bar

dlb Design & Design Bar

Words by Natalie Caudle | Photos by Topograph

Derrick and Sarah Brinkman walk side by side with complementary energy that feeds their partnership in both marriage and work. Married for over two decades, the couple has journeyed together, creating two thriving downtown Visalia businesses: dlb Design and recently opened Design Bar, a shopping experience and showroom.

Inspired by the greats—Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock—Derrick dove into art courses at San Diego State, but eventually returned to the Valley and the family business of trucking. Growing tired of life behind the wheel, Derrick teamed up with Jonathan Van Ryn of Bravo Farms.

As Bravo Farms expanded, Derrick’s involvement in the design of new restaurants grew. Word spread and the phone rang as locals sought a fresh look in residential design. Feeling confident in their experience and abilities, Derrick and Sarah opened dlb Design in 2010.

dlb Design, the name taken from Derrick’s initials, continued to flourish through word of mouth, yet the desire to open a furniture store burned in Sarah’s heart. The timing never seemed right with a growing family and commitments to the children’s activities. Sarah remembers, “Design Bar was something we had thought about and tried to do for years. We prayed a lot about it and waited for the right opportunity and location.” Eventually, the moment came. Sarah continues, “After the pandemic, people were craving interaction and wanted to walk into a store. We were craving that as well, and it was a catalyst for us. We’re excited to be a part of the amazing downtown community and culture.”

Design Bar and dlb Design, two distinct entities sharing space on Main Street, offer a unique experience to clients and shoppers. Design Bar invites customers to explore a curated collection of products, from candles and pillows to furniture, all intended to inspire. Upstairs, the dlb dream team collaborates with clients to create personalized spaces that reflect their unique needs and tastes, drawing inspiration from sources beyond the realm of Instagram influencers.

Derrick and Sarah blaze the trail while the team of designers is encouraged to contribute their creative perspectives and ideas. dlb Design strives to bring functionality and beauty to each project, always eager to jump in, no matter the phase. Both Derrick and Sarah hold to the philosophy that there is nothing new under the sun. They seek not to reinvent the wheel, but to capture “repeated goodness.”

Encouraged by their travels, Derrick and Sarah hunger to bring new and unique styles to their clients. “We live in a Valley bubble, a good bubble,” says Derrick, “but there is so much more. We’re getting outside our comfort zone, seeing what’s out there, and bringing it back.”

If you're in downtown Visalia, be sure to visit Design Bar for a warm and inviting shopping experience. For more comprehensive design services, the team at dlb Design is located right upstairs, ready to assist you with bringing your beautiful design dreams to life.

Design Bar | designbarvisalia.com | @designbarvisalia

dlb Design | dlb.design | @dlb.design

506 W Main St, Visalia | 559-901-1140

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm