Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Roberts.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My husband and I opened our first Roberts Carpet store in 1984 where we sold carpet, flooring and custom rugs made from carpet. When the trend for using wood floors became more popular, our customers requested more area rugs choices to help define their living space and soften the look. In 1998, I decided to attend a popular rug market and consider bringing in woven rugs as a complement to our existing, growing flooring business.
It was love at first sight! I loved learning about all the weaving techniques that created the various styles and qualities. I appreciated the design element of rugs and how they added the finishing touch to décor, much like jewelry adds to fashion. A room could be transformed by choosing the right rug. I loved helping our customers create their personal touch with their perfect rugs. The rug business was now in my blood.
Everything about rugs intrigued me no, from where and how they are made to the differences between machine made, hand tufted, hand woven, hooks, braids, etc. I learned all the various weaving techniques that produced the variety of textures and finishes. I asked many questions of the experts in the field. And soon, I became an expert at identifying the quality as well as the value of each rug I brought into my galleries.
Our first rug galleries were small spaces in all the Roberts Carpet stores, but as the inventory and selection grew I needed more space to sufficiently showcase all the options. Eventually, we consolidated into three large rug gallery showrooms at our Fondren, Webster, and Woodlands locations.
I often thought how difficult it was for customers to decide on a rug by simply seeing it hanging on the rack. Out of that idea sparked the Dazzling Décor concept, in which rugs are showcased in furniture vignettes, with many dazzling accessories and accent furniture options available for immediate purchase as well.
When, in 2011, the space in our Fondren Center, next door to Roberts Carpet, became available, I knew it was meant to be. We gutted the 3000-sq. ft. and opened Dazzling Décor in September of that year.
Has it been a smooth road?
When Sam and I first opened Roberts Carpet 33 years ago, I could not have envisioned where we would be today. We worked hard, seven days a week while growing our family and raising three wonderful children.
We now have 10 Roberts Carpet locations, throughout the greater-Houston area, as well as our sister store, Dazzling Décor. We are truly blessed to also have a wonderful extended family of all our dedicated and hardworking staff. As a local, small business, we are proud to be a part of the Houston community.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dazzling Decor story. Tell us more about the business.
Dazzling Decor is the anti-mass merchandise home decor store for customers who want their own personal style. We pride ourselves in selecting unique one-of-a-kind items that set us apart from the competition. We have new product arriving each week and keep fresh with the latest designs and colors. Shopping at Dazzling Décor is like going on a treasure hunt as you will find unique and interesting home decor items in every corner and on every tabletop or console.
In addition to our inventory of specially designed custom sofas and chairs, we have a fabric room filled with thousands of fabrics available to select from to create your own personal touch.
We also welcome designers to use our showroom and work directly with their customers. Whether furnishing your entire home or buying a lamp or gift, Dazzling Decor will take your shopping experience to the next level.
Dazzling’s in-house design team works together with customers to assist in creating, or adding, a special touch to their perfect dream home. Whether one item or the entire house, our goal is that the experience is enjoyable and effortless.
We pride ourselves on our customer service and our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff. The Dazzling Décor sales staff all have design backgrounds and extensive experience in the home décor field while specializing in area rugs.
But most importantly, we care about our customers and are genuinely gratified to help them achieve the look they want to walk into when they come home each day.
We promise to be jam packed with really amazing and unique merchandise! Every time you come in, you’ll notice a new piece. Area rugs are the central theme, custom or woven, but the presentation is both unique and design friendly. Walking in you get the feeling of home, with custom designed sofas, unique lamps, artwork, accessories and, of course, rugs strategically placed in vignettes to create home decor ideas for the consumer.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We expanded our showroom last year and now show even more product. We would love to start hosting events at the store and collaborating with other small businesses.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3003 Fondren Rd.
- Website: https://www.dazzlingdecorhouston.com/
- Phone: (832) 377-4665
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlingdecorhouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dazzlingdecorhouston
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dazling-d%C3%A9cor-rugs-and-accessories-houston
Image Credit:
Credit Dazzling Decor
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