Dream Rock Silo Story
Dream Rock Silo stands as an oasis of creativity and tranquility, nestled in the rolling meadows outside Independence, Virginia—a place where the story of DUX Outdoors furniture truly began. Decades ago, the property held only the faded echoes of a 1950s dairy barn, the silo at its heart standing watch over a sleepy creek winding through the pasture, framed by the distant blue ridges. Renovations began in 2013, transforming weathered wood and crumbling mortar into a four-story silo and barn that would soon capture imaginations and foster innovation.
The Birth of an Oasis
Brought back to life with unwavering vision, Dream Rock Silo became much more than a bed-and-breakfast—it evolved into a living laboratory for both hospitality and design. Guests could step inside the round sitting room on the third floor, climb winding stairs to a custom king-size bed surrounded by panoramic windows offering a 360-degree view of valleys and mountains. Below, the sleepy creek danced through rock gardens, wildlife dotting the fields and chickens clucking lazily by the rustic footbridge.
Three distinct Airbnb spaces were crafted from the barn’s bones—each with its own character and story. The flagship Silo suite, with its private deck, invited couples to sleep in the clouds. Nearby, the Creekside Bungalow let travelers fall asleep to the music of running water, and the spacious Rustic Rooster Room offered sweeping windows and space for families to relax. Over the years, a treasure hunt was added: arriving guests received clues to secret hiding spots fashioned by a master cabinetmaker, each discovery providing a unique gift to remember their stay.
This magical transformation did not go unnoticed. For two consecutive years, Dream Rock Silo was named the #1 most wished-for Airbnb site in all of Virginia, drawing guests from across the world to its peaceful retreat in the pasture. Musicians and artists have gathered along the creek each autumn for the annual Ag & Art tour, filling the barn with steam-punk housewares, handmade toys, and glassworks while guests sampled lunches by the water.
Prototyping Comfort: The DUX Furniture Vision
Within this creative environment, the roots of DUX Outdoors furniture began to take hold. Bill Simpson, already a skilled woodworker and founder, realized the barn was the perfect place to manufacture, refine, and test—an ideal setting for honest feedback and iterative improvement. Guests from all walks of life, drawn by the property’s reputation, became integral partners in the design process. Hundreds of guests were invited to test my furniture, providing direct and often insightful comments and suggestions. Each new design was improved with their honest feedback, ensuring our finished pieces truly blend comfort with perfection. Using our guests' feedback, we were able to create truly comfortable furniture from actual experience, not theoretical ideas.
Day after day, guests lounged in the evolving DreamRocker designs, assessing everything from the curvature of lumbar supports to the ideal height for armrests. Notebooks filled with scribbled comments and ratings. Some praised the back support, others suggested tweaks. Through this relentless process—refinement, feedback, and adaptation—the DreamRocker line emerged: the perfect set of chairs, the largest, grand and stately for deep relaxation and ultimate durability, another nearly the same size but less beefy, and one more, slightly smaller for more petite guests. We found that "one size fits all" really means that it doesn't fit anyone well. With three sizes, we can confidently say we have nearly everyone covered.
The inspiration comes from the area we call home—where living the good life outdoors is a daily ritual. That sense of connection and ease is at the heart of our furniture, each piece designed to bring a welcoming, relaxed spirit to every porch and gathering. Durable materials and thoughtful design details became signature elements, echoing the spirit of relaxed, elegant outdoor living that defines Dream Rock. Today, every DUX chair carries the legacy of hundreds of guests whose insights shaped its form and function.
More Than a Place: A Living Story
Dream Rock Silo remains more than just a scenic getaway—it’s the heartbeat of a community, a gathering place for hikers, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts venturing through Grayson County. With views of the Appalachian Mountains, easy access to New River kayaking and legendary hiking trails, and Grayson Highlands State Park nearby, it serves as the perfect launchpad for adventure and reflection alike.
Each year, the property hosts artisan exhibitions where visitors tour both the barn and woodshop, discovering not just furniture but the creative spirit behind it. Guests can relax by the creek, explore nearby Blue Ridge Music Center, or simply breathe the tranquility infused into every stone, beam, and blade of grass.
Dream Rock Silo’s journey from forgotten dairy barn to top-rated Airbnb and the birthplace of DUX Outdoors furniture is a testament to vision, craftsmanship, and the enduring value of guest collaboration. In the gentle lull of the rocking chairs—designed, tested, and perfected in this quiet oasis—the story lives on, one guest at a time.