Brownsville, Harlingen and San Benito
Iron, plank and beam furniture for Brownsville and Harlingen homes
Brownsville's Border Brick buildings set brick rooms around open patios, with French doors and, on two-story buildings, wrought iron balconies. Furniture in plank, beam and iron belongs in rooms like those. We have sold to clients in the Rio Grande Valley. Here is what to choose, and what to ask about a piece before you order from the lower Valley.
Border Brick
Furnishing a brick and iron room
A National Register nomination for the 1915 Fernández and Laiseca Building, in Brownsville's Original Townsite, traces the Border Brick Style to Matamoros in the 1820s and 1830s: rooms one deep along the street enclosing an open patio, built of brick, with French doors instead of sash windows and wrought iron balconies on two-story buildings. Inside the building are chamfered wood posts topped with zapatas, a wood deck ceiling, wood plank floors and exposed brick walls. Its patio walls show rose- and gold-tinged local brick.
In rooms like these, let the brick and iron lead. Plank and cross-braced cabinets, a beam bench and an iron chandelier repeat what the walls already say, and one carved piece adds the ornament.
- Exposed brick: dark wood and iron rather than bright painted finishes.
- French doors to a patio: a low bench or console that keeps the doors clear.
- Wood beams overhead: a beam or plank piece repeats them at eye level.
Three cities
Brownsville, Harlingen and San Benito
Brownsville
Brownsville was laid out in 1848 across the Rio Grande from Matamoros, and its historic sites include Fort Brown and the Charles Stillman home. About 291 miles from the showroom, roughly five hours and 15 minutes without traffic.
Harlingen
Lon C. Hill founded Harlingen in 1904 on the north bank of the Arroyo Colorado and named it for a city in Holland; his home was the first residence built there. About 268 miles, roughly four hours and 50 minutes without traffic.
San Benito
San Benito's town lots went on sale in January 1907, and in its early years a market was held under the arcade of the San Benito Bank and Trust Company. About 274 miles, nearly five hours without traffic.
Examples
Examples in brick-room materials
Examples from our catalog. Our floor changes often, so a piece shown here may have sold. Ask us about any piece, and we'll confirm whether it's available and share pricing.
Church Relic Elite Bar
A dark plank bar front with a carved center panel in gold tones and carved corbels at each end.
See the listingRustic Cross-Bracing Wine Cabinet
A tall, narrow cabinet with X-shaped cross-bracing and nailheads across its door.
See the listingViga Backless Bench
A thick wooden plank seat on black iron frame legs bolted over the top.
See the listingCastillo Grand Chandelier
A large wrought iron ring chandelier with onyx candle shades and pointed iron trim.
See the listingReclaimed Tanning Barrel Mirror
A mirror in a frame of rough, weathered wood with its knots and splits left showing.
See the listing
Everything listed now
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From a distance
Shopping our showroom from here
Brownsville is about 291 miles from the showroom, roughly five hours and 15 minutes without traffic. Harlingen and San Benito are each a little under five hours away.
Shortlist online
Browse by room and open any listing to ask about it.
Ask before you decide
Our showroom floor changes often. Ask us about any piece, and we'll confirm whether it's available and share pricing. Ask about each piece's dimensions too.
See it on a video call
We can schedule a FaceTime or video call to show you a piece before you order. Ask for a call when you ask about a piece.
Arrange shipping
We ship anywhere in the world. Shipping arrangements are handled directly with The Rustic Gallery after the sale.
Common questions from Brownsville
How far is the showroom from Brownsville?
About 291 miles, roughly five hours and 15 minutes without traffic.
Do you have a showroom in Brownsville?
No. Our one showroom is at 1401 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78258.
Can you ship to Brownsville?
Yes. We ship anywhere in the world. Shipping arrangements are handled directly with The Rustic Gallery after the sale.
Can I see a piece before I buy it?
Yes. Visit the showroom, or ask for a FaceTime or video call and we will show you the piece before you order.
What should I ask about a piece before ordering it from Brownsville?
Ask for its dimensions, whether it is still available and a close look at the finish, back and sides on a FaceTime or video call. Tell us the doorways, stairs and turns it has to pass through on the way in.
Are the pieces on this page available now?
Our showroom floor changes often. Ask us about any piece, and we'll confirm whether it's available and share pricing.
Questions about a piece?
Call us or ask on any listing. Our showroom is at 1401 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78258, open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.