Personal space

With the largest selection of American made furniture in New England, Chariho Furniture is a go-to destination for the homeowner with hopes of enhancing or revamping their living space. Even better than the hundreds of furnishing options available, Chariho offers attentive, personalized interior design service.

Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Smith beams. “We can do anything a customer wants,” she says. “People like it when we come to their homes and do all the measuring and planning. They can tell us what colors they want, what feel they want for a room, what happens in that room.”

Chariho’s interior design service has thrived since being introduced 20 years ago. The six staff members are well-trained in helping customers make decisions. Three of the designers have college degrees in interior design, and the other three are trained consultants. All the staff at Chariho have significant experience in some phase of home space enhancement.

“The staff are all trained on placement, sizes, what should go together, and what should not,” Smith emphasizes. “We have a very strong and eclectic staff.”

Interior designer Sandy Gulino is a graduate of the Paier School of Art in Hamden and has been with Chariho for eight years. When asked how she comes up with her best ideas for a client, her answer is immediate. “The first thing to do is listen. What the room will be used for is so important.”

Sandy looks for answers to questions like: are there pets in the family? Is the room sunny? What are the client’s favorite colors? Will they be keeping particular pieces of furniture that need to be considered in a new design?

“After compiling all this information, my ideas begin to form,” says Sandy. “My ultimate goal is to meet the needs of the client. When this happens, I have done my job well.”

With a 25,000 square foot showroom, customers have many choices. Smith mentions the wide variety of styles available to a homeowner planning an interior redecoration. “We have over 33 Amish lines, modern, traditional, contemporary, European style, country, and outdoor.” she says. “If a customer sees a sofa or chair and wants it in a different fabric or wood, we can do that. A customer can even provide their own fabric.” Additionally, the store carries dozens of upholstery lines, lamps, rugs, and artwork, but does not do window treatments.

Sandy Gulino adds that the use, size, fabric, and finish of furnishing pieces are extremely important. “It all has to work in the room, and work for the client,” she says. The collaboration is respectful, and disagreements are few and far between.

The first step is to get an understanding of the client’s personal preferences and style. From there, a tour of the possibilities that are either on the showroom floor, or available through one of the many catalogs, is the next step. When the customer wants the designer to make a home visit, there is a $250 fee, and if a purchase is made within 30 days, then the fee is applied to the deposit on the purchase. The designer then makes all the home measurements, puts together floor plans, and factors in traffic flow, suggests fabrics, colors, and finishes, to help the customer make final decorating decisions.

Chariho design services are not limited to private homes. Recently, the company redesigned and decorated the Rhode Island Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy offices in Providence, and has provided design support to several corporate offices in the area.

Chariho Furniture is a 30-year, family owned business located at 10 Richmond Townhouse Road, Richmond, R.I., 02898. Call 401-539-9043, email web@charihofurniture.com or visit charihofurniture.com for more information.