REFINED DESIGN SISTERS

Autumn, Jennifer, and Dawn Smink make modern furnishings accessible.

BY ELAINE RAFFEL

When Autumn and Jennifer Smink speak about their eponymous Design District showroom, SMINK Inc., their passion is evident, and it’s clear they love what they do. For more than three decades, the supremely stylish sisters have been making modern design accessible to all. “The overall idea was to bring this product to Main Street America,” says Jennifer. “We always knew we would be selling to both the trade and the public. Our goal was to open people up to design.”

“If you have passion, if you wake up every morning excited about what you get to do, that’s what you need to succeed in this industry,” adds Autumn. “Jennifer and I will talk about business any time of the day.” Autumn’s background is in interior design; Jennifer’s in architecture; and Dawn handles human resources and operations. “Playing on each other’s strengths has definitely worked for us. We all bring something different to the table,” Autumn continues.

The first SMINK opened in 1989, a 3,500-square-foot shop on Mockingbird Lane across from SMU featuring an unprecedented mix of Italian furniture, gifts, and local art. Dallas was intrigued. “I think people were ready for it. The general public was like, ‘Wow, we wondered what had happened to modern,’” Autumn describes. Ten years later they moved to a larger space in Inwood Village.

In 2008, the sisters were looking to buy a property—until the banking industry imploded. Instead, they decided to rent in the burgeoning Dallas Design District. The 11,000-square-foot location clicked. “When it became available, we made the decision to purchase the space,” says Jennifer.

As the business has evolved, so has the roster of manufacturers and designers. Mainstays include Minotti, Porro, Finn Juhl, and Arflex. “All very classic lines, timeless yet evolving with the present-day designs in the industry,” enthuses Autumn. “You can spot Rodolfo Dordoni’s designs a million miles away! The sense of proportion and balance are unmatched by any other designers in the industry.” Of equal prestige she says is “Finn Juhl—the godfather of modern, with his first design introduced in 1940: the Pelican chair.” Always looking to add to the mix she says her current favorite is “Inoda+Sveje [Kyoko Inoda and Nils Sveje], who take their inspiration from their two different yet minimalist environments of design and create simple, elegant pieces.”

As to the overall quality of their brands, she says, “It doesn’t have to be expensive. There are beautiful, handcrafted things that are just stunning.” Fine art is integral to their vision as well. “It’s the same muse for the artist as it is for the designer.” The showroom’s current lineup includes works from Dara Mark, Gary Faye, Robert Szot, Zachariah Rieke, Richard Hogan, and Paula Roland.

A high percentage of their clientele are regulars. After furnishing first homes, they’ve done second homes, and even third homes. With success so evident, expansion plans are in the works. “The new space will be a little different, a little more polished,” reveals Jennifer.

Beyond the showroom, the Sminks are very involved in the architecture and design community. They are huge supporters of The Dallas Architecture Forum. “They bring great value in the education and information of architectural design and its technologies,” says Autumn.

As for the long-term, Autumn says, “One of the highest compliments we ever got from our European vendors was that we took the Italian look and adapted it to our own vernacular. Our whole premise was to bring design to the community. We hope we’re always still doing that.” P