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As Demand for Home Furnishings Surges, Local, Family-Owned Seville Home Sets Record Pace
Pandemic notwithstanding, Seville Home in Leawood is poised to have one of their biggest years in recent history. It’s refreshing news given the overall shopping climate. Even during the height of the shutdown, Seville’s designers were busy – working remotely – with customers wanting to refresh their favorite retreats, according to owners Stuart and Sue Wilkins.
Homeowners are nesting more than ever. It’s motivating record demand for new home furnishings to dress out reimagined spaces—and Seville Home is here to help. “When we reopened, we were standing as bright and tall as ever,” says Stuart Wilkins. “We were so immediately impressed by all the newfound interest.”
To answer the overwhelming demand, they’ve taken the unprecedented step of making nearly their entire in-stock and warehouse inventory available for immediate purchase and delivery. Even those items normally held back for feature displays and custom-order reference are now available, according to the design team. “We’ve actively been buying stunning inventory from our premiere partners and will be bringing it in throughout the next several months,” says Stuart. “These customized statement pieces will assure your home will be ready for holiday festivities.”
Seville’s ever-changing, ever-evolving floor displays are courtesy of visual merchandise artist Sherry Cook. “She’s a super talent,” says Stuart. “She creates a very curated, interesting mix. We’ll have clients come in and see a showroom vignette and say they want it all. That’s a testament to her great ability to create ambience and help our customers visualize their own spaces.”
‘Tis the Season
Because so many spring and summer vacations were canceled, the upcoming holiday season will take on added meaning. Families are looking to reconnect, and they want to refresh their homes to make them cozy, comfortable, and beautiful. “Family spaces—whether they’re lower levels or TV rooms—absolutely should be all about comfort and style,” Stuart says. “Can the entire family—including the dog—be in this space and enjoy it? That’s the goal.”
Right now, homeowners are focused on preparing their homes for the holiday season, agrees Carrie McColgan, Seville Home’s gallery manager. Projects that were put on hold are now top priority. “This holiday season, you may be seeing friends and family you haven’t seen in months. The holidays are always special, but this year will be even more special and our customers are anxious to make every detail in their homes perfect.”
“The traditional family Christmas is familiar, it’s safe,” Stuart concurs. “I predict more holiday decorations going up as people focus on their homes.”
If the team at Seville learned one thing during the extended shutdown, it is that family time now has new meaning. “That would explain all the plush sectionals we’ve been selling,” says McColgan. Seville’s six veteran design specialists have been busy creating everything from spacious family rooms to cozy nooks. Sleek home offices are quickly becoming a must-have. “Executives realize they may be working from home for an extended time, perhaps forever,” says Stuart. “Besides function, comfort, and fashion, they want these spaces to be beautiful. Sophistication is becoming a necessity.”
According to Stuart, there’s another trend that’s pandemic driven. Master bedrooms are now becoming exquisitely designed sanctuary spaces. “We’re seeing people indulge themselves—from the bed to the bedding to the upholstery choices.”
Make it Yours
If you want a fabulous custom piece before the holidays—better hurry, McColgan advises. Seville Home fills an exceptional place in that market. It’s rare to find such an elaborate and expansive in-house collection paired with a boutique approach to custom-order. “There has been, shall we say, pent-up demand,” says McColgan with a smile. “Our customers want what they want. And now our fine furnishing vendors offer so many options—from the wood finish to the depth of the cushion. Our customer wants unique and different. They don’t want cookie cutter or what their neighbor has—they want exclusivity. And they get it at Seville Home and always realize tremendous and enduring value, especially now as many of our top lines are priced 40-50% off.”
Will “Cocooning” Continue?
Industry insiders predict that, for at least the next couple of years, families will continue to put effort, energy, and resources into redesigning their homes. “For a local, family-owned business now in our 20th year, this could have gone either way,” says Stuart. “We’re so fortunate to be in the right business at the right time to fulfill a need—for the holidays and beyond.”
Personalized service is the watchword for Seville Home. “We intentionally curate our product line to be both beautiful to look at and wonderful to live in,” says Sue Wilkins. “With our menu of specialized products and amenities, including complimentary design services by one of our professional designers, it’s no wonder we’re reconnecting with our family of customers. That’s the most gratifying thing—clients who have re-done, perhaps, a family room, come back to us to furnish a bedroom or outdoor space. After 20 years, our customers keep coming back. That’s saying something.”
With plenty of space to social distance and enhanced protocols in place, customers can be assured of a safe, confident shopping experience at Seville Home’s expansive Leawood gallery. And for those homeowners who want the extra touch of an in-home visit with a Seville Home designer, that service is also available at no extra charge.
This holiday season, the team at Seville Home is taking the phrase “there’s no place like home” to heart. Not only are they at the ready to help you find inspiration, they’re eager to help you rediscover the home you love. “Families are reconnecting and spending more time together,” Stuart affirms. “Let us help you make this a beautiful, luxurious, comfortable experience from top to bottom. We all want to have our homes—our safe place—ready for whatever is next.”