Designers Want to Mix Form and Function
Patrick Farrell hates the term “decorative accessories.”
So you won’t find any such one-dimensional trinkets at ACDC Aesthetic Content.
The Preston Hollow resident and his partner, David Hairgrove, launched the provider of unique home decor and fragrances in June, and they’ve already started selling items in a handful of specialty shops nationwide, including several in Dallas.
Among the company’s top-selling products are innovative ceramic bowls with cork-based stands from Portugal.
The bowls are an example of the types of products in which ACDC hopes to specialize.
“They’ve got great sustainability but they’re also functional,” Farrell said. “You don’t want to sit them around and have them gather dust.”
While Farrell’s passion is in fashion and home decor, Hairgrove loves candles, and his assortment of fragrances was fine-tuned through a painstaking process that includes everything from wick consistency to blending scented oils and wax from scratch like a chef crafting a delicate dish.
Farrell has a degree in industrial design and experience as an executive for chains such as Pier 1 Imports and Urban Outfitters.
Hairgrove was in the airline industry and operated a retail home accessories store in Philadelphia before the duo moved to Dallas in 2013.
Many of their ideas come from their affinity for trends and their extensive travels.
So the first venture into wholesale for both men feels less like an entrepreneurial venture and more like a labor of love.
“Our goal is to build a lifestyle brand,” Farrell said. “We felt like there was a niche in the market that was growing but kind of missing the mark. We want to bring good designs but do it in an affordable way.”
ACDC plans to unveil several new products early this year — everything from textiles and pillows to lamps and small furniture — and continued growth could lead to a storefront.
“Eventually I think the retail aspect will fall under the umbrella of the brand,” Hairgrove said.
