Transforming the look of a room need not be expensive.
Sometimes, it can be achieved by simply re-upholstering a sturdy piece of furniture or an antique into a funky-cool piece, adding some unusual detailing to give a space an entirely different appearance.
Cindy Laws, the owner and general manager at Anslie’s Interior Décor in Devonshire, has been helping clients design and decorate their homes in style for more than three decades.
She said: “You’ll be amazed at what a simple fabric change, and some extra padding can do.”
Ms Laws and her team specialise in transforming interiors and upholstery with core services that include drapery and window treatment manufacturing, re-upholstery, and supplying retail fabrics, drapery hardware and custom blinds.
They are carrying on the business started 38 years ago by Ms Laws’ mother, Anslie. Now 92, the retired matriarch is affectionately known to everyone as “Mrs Anslie”. Her portrait overlooks the reception area at Anslie’s.
“My mom had exceptional talent with her hands. You could show her a picture, and she would make her own pattern and just create it, bringing the idea to life. Her legacy continues at Anslie’s in custom window treatments.”
Ms Laws, who said she has “always been creative”, joined the business full-time 35 years ago.
The headquarters on Tee Street features a fabric showroom with a large selection of in-stock materials, a sample room from which to order fabrics and blinds, and manufacturing workrooms located on the lower level.
The business primarily caters to homeowners, but clients also include restaurants, offices, condominium complexes and hotels.
While commercial work must appeal to a wide spectrum of people, residential work is more personal.
Ms Laws said: “The client has got to like it, because that’s where they spend most of their time. So, you’re appealing to that client and their family.
“I always find a bit about what their preferences are, if they have any … what their likes are. Sometimes what they do comes into play. If somebody is a lover of horses or dogs or something, I might be able to throw something in there that brings that to life for them in their designing or decorating.”
Sprucing up can be simple
Sometimes it’s a matter of re-purposing a forgotten piece.
Ms Laws said: “I have refurbished spaces using everything that belongs to the client — items that had been packed away in a suitcase or a chest somewhere.
“And they’ve come to me and said, ‘Look, I don’t have a lot of money, but I need to spruce my place up’. So, my first question is, ‘Well, what do you have’?”
She added: “I try to look at what the space dictates to me and how the customer is going to use the space. Then I’m able to put a project together that would enhance their space, giving them options of privacy, sun control, sun protection and/or light filtering.”
Ms Laws said it’s often a better idea to re-upholster an older piece of furniture rather than purchase something new.
“We like to recycle furniture because the old furniture is of better quality and value. If you buy something new, you might get ten years out of it if you’re lucky.”
She added: “No job is too small for us. We accommodate everybody, and we put the same effort into every project.”
Ms Laws said most residential work can be turned around in 10 to 14 days.
Anslie’s is located on the corner of Middle Road and Tee Street in Devonshire.
