Maaribu Austin Spotlight

Austin is home to many thoughtfully curated spaces, but few stand out quite like Maaribu. A trusted partner to designers, brands, and artisans who value exceptional quality and timeless style, Maaribu has become a destination for those seeking inspiration, craftsmanship, and intentional design. From its inviting in-store experience to a carefully considered selection, Maaribu offers something truly distinct. In this feature, we take a closer look at what sets Maaribu apart and why it continues to be unlike anywhere else in Austin.

How did maaribu grow from one to two locations?

Maaribu began as a passion project rooted in conscious living, beautiful design, and mindful eating. What started as a single location combining a curated home & design showroom with a gluten-free, health-focused food truck has grown thoughtfully over time into two vibrant spaces in Austin. The journey has been about staying true to the original vision—creating welcoming environments where people can find unique, high-quality furniture and decor alongside nourishing food and drinks—while listening to the community and expanding to make the experience at each store tailored to the neighborhood and clientele. Opening the second location and building out our bakery was a natural step to serve more of Austin and really expand our food and beverage offerings. It's been rewarding to see both spots become gathering places for locals and visitors alike.

What services does Maaribu offer?

At Maaribu Home & Design, we offer personalized interior design services to help bring your vision to life—whether you're refreshing a single room or furnishing an entire home with pieces that feel timeless and intentional. We love working closely with clients to select from our curated collection of high-quality,

sustainable furniture from brands like Verellen and Cisco Home, layering in textiles, lighting, and accessories that make a space feel uniquely yours.

From initial concept and space planning to sourcing, styling, and installation, we're here to make the process enjoyable and stress-free, creating beautiful, conscious living environments you'll love coming home to. Many of our clients start with just one piece in the showroom and end up letting us help transform their whole home—it's always rewarding to see how the right design can elevate everyday living.

What is the story behind the name Maaribu?

Our story is in our name, Maaribu, pronounced Mahr-ih-boo, Marfa meets Malibu which derives from the creative desert energy of Marfa, the relaxed beach lifestyle of Malibu and the balanced principles of Scandinavian comfort. Inspired by our travels and rooted in our love for Austin.

Describe Maaribu in three words.

Conscious, beautiful, welcoming.

What makes Maaribu unique in Austin?

What truly sets our home and design showroom on Guadalupe apart from other

furniture and decor stores in Austin is the deeply curated selection—we carry only

brands and makers we genuinely love, like Verellen and Cisco Home, that emphasize exceptional craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and timeless pieces built to last generations. Unlike bigger box stores or trend-driven spots, we focus on intentional, high-quality design that feels personal and elevated, not mass-produced; every item in the showroom is chosen for its beauty, comfort, and conscious ethos, creating a space that inspires rather than overwhelms.

Having our talented on-staff designers right here also makes a big difference—clients get thoughtful, collaborative guidance from concept to installation in a relaxed, no-pressure environment, turning what can be a stressful process elsewhere into something enjoyable and truly tailored to how people want to live.

How do your Guadalupe and South 1st locations differ?

Our South 1st Street location is the cozy “little sister”—a casual, welcoming spot that feels like stepping into a friend’s beautifully curated home, where the focus is on our gluten-free café with fresh coffee, house-made baked goods and seasonal treats made with clean ingredients. Here you’ll find an inviting mix of thoughtful gifts, kitchen essentials, cookbooks, decor books, candles, and all those charming knick-knacks that make perfect presents or little indulgences for yourself. It’s the kind of place where people love to linger, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a quiet moment. Our Guadalupe location is the heart of Maaribu’s home and design side, a dedicated showroom focused on high-quality, timeless furniture and larger decor pieces. This space is calm and inspiring, perfect for browsing substantial pieces that elevate entire rooms or homes, with plenty of room to see how things feel and fit together in real life.

Where do you see Maaribu in 10 years?

It's exciting to think about Maaribu's future because I truly believe in our potential to become a cornerstone of Austin's vibrant design scene. In the next 10 years, I envision us as an established, integral part of the local retail and design community, evolving into a trusted brand that's synonymous with thoughtful curation and timeless beauty. Right now, at our South 1st store, we're connecting with customers in their 20s who are just starting to build their personal styles, maybe picking up unique pieces for their first apartments or as gifts. As they grow, I see them transitioning with us to the Guadalupe store, where we'll help

them curate full homes with heirloom-quality items that reflect their evolving lives. Ultimately, we aim to be that welcoming, multi-generational destination where families return over the years, passing down the appreciation for beautiful, meaningful design. My role as a collector and curator would play into this by continually sourcing pieces that bridge trends and traditions, ensuring our inventory feels fresh yet enduring. Collaborating with our design team and clients will keep us innovative, perhaps expanding our community events or partnerships to deepen those Austin roots. It's about building lasting relationships, not just transactions, so Maaribu becomes a beloved part of people's stories.

Favorite treat at the South 1st cafe?

The almond bar and cheesecake bar have been a really fun addition this year. We also love the chocolate cupcake- a staple in Serene’s house. It’s the cake she grew up baking for her kids' birthdays.

What inspires your design choices and creative direction?

I’ve always loved the magic of mixing high and low in home design. It’s about investing in a few timeless, high-quality pieces that feel luxurious and built to last, like a beautiful Verellen sofa, while layering in affordable finds from thrift shops and antique markets that add personality and keep things approachable. This contrast creates spaces that feel authentic and lived-in, not overly perfect or stuffy. Glam-organic is another favorite aesthetic for me. It blends the sparkle and

sophistication of glamour, like mirrored or antique brass accents, plush textures, or elegant lighting, with the warmth and grounded feel of organic elements, such as natural woods, linens, stone, or soft curves inspired by nature. It’s that juxtaposition of shiny and raw, polished and earthy, that makes a space feel both elevated and inviting. At the heart of it all is this idea of luxury mixed with cheap and cheerful. Pairing those investment pieces with joyful, budget-friendly touches that bring energy and fun, like colorful vintage pillows, quirky knick-knacks, or simple fresh flowers. It keeps homes feeling happy and accessible, celebrating conscious beauty without taking itself too seriously.

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At its core, Maaribu is about thoughtful design, exceptional quality, and creating an experience that feels both inspiring and enduring. With a carefully curated selection and a clear point of view, it continues to set a standard for what intentional retail can look like in Austin. Whether you’re visiting in person or browsing online, Maaribu offers a space where quality, design, and intention come together.

Fore More Information Visit Maaribu on Instagram @maaribuatx.