Spotlight: Lakeville Interiors
The Spotlight corner is a place the paper introduces a new business in town, or highlights those in town who have contributed towards the betterment of Goshen, or a question that will be asked for input from Goshenites. In this edition we are highlighting a new business.
LAKEVILLE INTERIORS
In 2006, two sisters, Courtney Saulnier and Ashley Marchand, joined in partnership to create an interior design company encompassing all areas of design for homes and businesses. Their clientele includes those already in the business of designing, which points to their competence and business sense. After all, when those in your own industry choose you to help them with their projects, that’s quite a recommendation. They serve the public in Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, and New York City.
The name is representative of the town where they first opened their doors, Lakeville, Connecticut. They have since closed the doors to the Lakeville store in favor of moving the company to Goshen. Though they have resided in Litchfield County for most of their lives, each has lived in other places. Courtney spent time in Hawaii before moving back to Litchfield with her family, where she currently resides. Ashley moved to Goshen with her husband and children in 2009. When the opportunity arose, both sisters decided to purchase the corner building that sits between the intersection of Routes 63 and 4; the former Ducci Kitchen site. Lucky for us, they did.
You have only to enter their renovated shop to see all the choices open to those who choose to use their services; fabrics, wall hangings, design books, and more. The journey for both of them has been one of determination, education, and good business sense. For those of us who have had to juggle home, children, marriage and business to earn a living, their story is one of a realistic vision and, ultimately, talent and lots and lots of hard work.
The result of that work has been the well-earned success of Lakeville Interiors. In their previous shop, they not only did the design work, but also sold goods to the retail market. Items that were complimentary to their design efforts such as candles, kitchen items, decorative knick-knacks and the like, were available. However, time is money and they chose to abandon the retail goods side of the business in favor of spending more time in the service and design side of their business. The Goshen store, thus, has few manufactured goods for sale thereby allowing more customer service and design time for all the public to enjoy.
On the upper floor of their shop is where the actual design, sewing and completion of their projects takes place. They have five employees who work with Ashley, who prefers the sewing and staff interactions of the business. While Courtney enjoys meeting with the customers and helping them choose the appropriate designs and items for their respective homes or businesses.
When asked what they do with their leftover material scraps, they discovered there were recycling textile bins in town. They decided to use them for their discarded scraps, instead of throwing them in the trash. That is good for Goshen, which receives monies for every ton of recycled textiles.
During the early days of Lakeville Interiors, like so many other new businesses, it took these women seven years before they actualized a profit. Today, they enjoy much success. And though they always make time for new and old clients, their greatest challenge is finding more time to do it all. It is clear that this company’s future looks well designed.
