Builder Décor Stores

By Amy West

Some think of it as interior decorating for the new millennium or the latest trend in home shopping. No matter what you call it, bringing everyone together under one roof in a décor store helps make the homebuying process more pleasant and convenient, and it also makes good business sense.

Décor stores combine construction, sales, purchasing, customer service, vendors, and subcontractors, increasing communication between all of those entities while simplifying the home-personalization process for homebuyers. With design options ranging from flooring, carpeting, plumbing, and lighting to electronics, fireplaces, doors, window treatments, and countertops, it's easy to see why homebuyers appreciate the personalized attention available at décor stores.

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a builder that offers a décor store is having all the products available in one place with consultants on hand to help customers personalize their new homes. Since there is no inventory stock to sell, each product is specifically ordered for an individual homebuyer's needs.

"A lot of builders are starting to upgrade their décor stores," says Domenic Bauco, sales and marketing manager for Arista Homes. "There is pressure from the consumer to step it up, and we as builders are always working to improve so we can better serve our consumers."

Arista did their homework before opening their décor store in Vaughan almost two years ago. To them, the way the products are presented is just as important as what products are being offered. There's a natural flow that leads customers through their house and product offerings, and the items are grouped in a way that makes sense to shoppers.

Upon entering the store, you step into a foyer complete with flooring choices. Your next stop brings you to fireplaces and wall units. Staircases with various wood and spindle choices, a wall devoted to faucet and fixture options, and vignettes of bathrooms and kitchens help buyers visualize the products in functional settings.

"We found that laying the store out this way made it less overwhelming for buyers," says store manager Andrea DeGasperis.

The store's biggest asset, according to DeGasperis, is the abundance of natural light. The large windows allow buyers to see what things really look like.

"This also makes the store seem more open and less daunting for our clients," says DeGasperis.

A close relationship with tradespeople was also pivotal to the success of the Arista décor store. "We discussed what they'd like to see, how they'd like to have their products displayed, and cared about what they thought," notes Bauco. "We went into this project with a very openminded approach."

The usual lifespan of décor store displays is three to five years, and according to Bauco, Arista is keeping a close eye on market changes so that they can move with the times.

Anything you see in the Arista Homes décor store can be purchased, and although they showcase many different styles and trends, the main theme of the store is warm, welcoming, and timeless. Everything from flooring to window treatments to air purification systems can be bought in one easy trip.

"It really is one-stop shopping," says Bauco.