This shop is located on the corners of Pennsylvania and Wallace Avenues. They have more fabric and wallpaper sample books than you can imagine. To some, this could be overwhelming; to others it’s a wonderful sea of options. The staff was helpful and able to locate samples based on the information that I gave them. They let me take a book home to live with a standard sample size and they followed up by phone to see how I was doing with the sample and inquire if I needed more. The other convenience is that since the paint store is right there, if you forgot your sample, it’s only a few steps away (assuming you went with Benjamin Moore).
What I wanted was a selection of fabrics and the labor to create what I wanted. My observation is that some of these home décor places seem to insist that they need to come out to my house to measure and “consult”. And maybe they have seen it all, but as someone who has lived in their house for 7 months and still has empty rooms, I don’t feel comfortable having strangers walking through. So when given the option of going with the vendor who insists on doing a home consultation (hear me J.C. Penney’s) and the vendor who will take my word that I know what I want, I will go with the vendor who will take my word. The consult is a nice option, but should not be required.
The other “complaint” is that the fabric prices were not competitive at all and in fact, they seemed to be charging full retail. I was able to source the fabric on the internet and in a local brick and mortar shop (not on Fabric Row) for significantly less (read $10 less) per yard. When I returned my sample book, I was honest about the reason I went with another vendor and they seemed surprised. With fabric so available on the internet, at JoFab and CalCo, the suppliers should be able to do a better job with price. I wasn’t looking at fabric from mills like Kravet (which they have), that you cannot get except through authorized retailers.
I think this vendor is worth consideration if you don’t know what is out there and the idea of trekking to Fabric Row leaves you considering buying off the rack from Target (not that there’s anything wrong with that). They have a lot of books to look at and a comfortable setting. If you’re fabric illiterate, they can explain the differences between fabrics, the magic of linings and pleats, and the differences and advantages between draw and stationary. If you don’t know what kind of window treatment you want, they could be a good resource, especially if the idea of a home consultation appeals to you. The good news is that once you do become a little educated about how things are made, it makes thrifting that much more satisfying – you know when you’re getting a deal on quality. The folks here are attentive and helpful. But the prices on fabric were not competitive, in my opinion.
What I wanted was a selection of fabrics and the labor to create what I wanted. My observation is that some of these home décor places seem to insist that they need to come out to my house to measure and “consult”. And maybe they have seen it all, but as someone who has lived in their house for 7 months and still has empty rooms, I don’t feel comfortable having strangers walking through. So when given the option of going with the vendor who insists on doing a home consultation (hear me J.C. Penney’s) and the vendor who will take my word that I know what I want, I will go with the vendor who will take my word. The consult is a nice option, but should not be required.
The other “complaint” is that the fabric prices were not competitive at all and in fact, they seemed to be charging full retail. I was able to source the fabric on the internet and in a local brick and mortar shop (not on Fabric Row) for significantly less (read $10 less) per yard. When I returned my sample book, I was honest about the reason I went with another vendor and they seemed surprised. With fabric so available on the internet, at JoFab and CalCo, the suppliers should be able to do a better job with price. I wasn’t looking at fabric from mills like Kravet (which they have), that you cannot get except through authorized retailers.
I think this vendor is worth consideration if you don’t know what is out there and the idea of trekking to Fabric Row leaves you considering buying off the rack from Target (not that there’s anything wrong with that). They have a lot of books to look at and a comfortable setting. If you’re fabric illiterate, they can explain the differences between fabrics, the magic of linings and pleats, and the differences and advantages between draw and stationary. If you don’t know what kind of window treatment you want, they could be a good resource, especially if the idea of a home consultation appeals to you. The good news is that once you do become a little educated about how things are made, it makes thrifting that much more satisfying – you know when you’re getting a deal on quality. The folks here are attentive and helpful. But the prices on fabric were not competitive, in my opinion.
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