By Rachael Lindley
Photos by Jill Johnson
RQ Designs sits on a bustling corner of Aledo’s town center at 241 N. Front St., suite 300. The once-tiny town is rapidly growing and has proven hungry for thoughtful design.
Briana Moss’ store has become a beloved destination for homeowners looking to infuse their spaces with meaningful pieces rather than big box furniture. What began as a personal project and creative outlet, has blossomed into a curated home and decor boutique and refinishing studio that values great craftsmanship and nostalgia.
Moss didn’t set out to own a home furnishing and decor store. In fact, the full time nurse and mother started refinishing furniture she found in antique stores as a way to fill her new home on a limited budget.
“I really wanted unique, different, cool pieces that you can’t find anywhere else,” Moss says. So, she taught herself how to sand, strip and paint her vintage finds. Before she knew it, her friends were admiring her refinished pieces and requesting their own.
Shockingly, Moss began to realize that this side gig had become a much-needed creative outlet from her emotionally demanding work in oncology nursing.
“Being a nurse, it was so relaxing — just a nice outlet, a totally different world,” she says.
As her son grew older and more independent, Moss found herself with more pockets of free time that she filled, transforming old, forgotten furniture into something beautiful again.
A friend finally pushed her to take the leap and rent space and start a business. Moss found the mere idea daunting.
“I’m a nurse, I don’t know anything about running a business,” she says. But, she trusted her gut and set up shop in Aledo. She chose the west of Fort Worth city because of its tight-knit community and love of local shops. The response was immediate and overwhelmingly warm.
When Moss opened RQ Designs in 2023, it became a reflection of her evolving aesthetic — classic, timeless style but not afraid of a little personality. She finds herself gravitating to well-made, solid wood pieces in classic silhouettes that have some history.
“I love taking something that has seen better days, but has potential and making it new again,” she says.
Moss sources many of her finds from estate sales and secondhand stores, a habit she traces back to childhood days spent treasure-hunting with her grandmother. That kind of nostalgia is woven into everything she does. She loves hearing remarks like “My grandparents had a table like this,” or “This buffet reminds me of my childhood.” She loves when a piece triggers nostalgia because it’s a reminder of someone they loved.
As RQ Designs grew, Moss began incorporating new decor that she finds at market including florals, artwork and other decorative accents, all carefully selected to blend seamlessly with her refinished furniture. The result feels warm, layered and cozy.
As the design pendulum swings back to a more traditional aesthetic with warm woods, ornate frames and nostalgic colors, RQ Designs feels perfectly of the moment. Moss has watched her customers move away from mass-produced pieces and embrace items with a backstory and staying power.
“I feel like people are hungry for a more curated look,” she says. “They want furniture with history and that is made well and built to last.”
She helps her clients reimagine heirlooms, rethink scale and incorporate vintage elements in fresh ways. It can be as simple as updating hardware or pairing an antique frame with modern art. She encourages experimentation: “Don’t be afraid to mix old with new. Stick with what you love, not just what’s trending.”