Recently I decided to give Tony’s home office an update. His space is right off the kitchen and directly in line the sunroom; which, if you recall, was professionally designed back in June – see my post Sunroom Sanctuary.
Well, you know how it goes; the sunroom looked so fresh and nice, I suddenly began to feel Tony’s office looked drab and haphazard. I couldn’t stand to look in there when everything outside of the room was so bright and pulled together.
Well, with my design budget exhausted and my newfound distaste for Tony’s office décor, I decided to take on the facelift myself. A new rug, a cool map of the world wall hanging, a fun cowhide bench and some colorful new accessories added just enough life to the room to put me on a path to satisfied. The only thing missing was window treatments to tie it all together.
I knew this would be an important element of the room and while I might typically find something good enough at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware, I decided to go the extra mile and investigate custom window treatments. I knew I wanted roman shades and I had already found a gorgeous Thibaut fabric that would go perfectly in the room. Now, I just needed someone to create them.
I popped into Distinctive Window Coverings in North Andover; a place I’d been by hundreds of times. I was with my youngest, Ally, and there we met Julie. Julie Sinopoli is the owner of Distinctive Window Coverings and an absolute doll. The moment we walked in, our positive customer experience began. Julie was helpful, but not overbearing. We talked through what I was thinking and she pointed out my options. She was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. Conversation went well beyond window treatments. By the time we left, I figured Ally would be completely frustrated that we’d been in there so long. Not the case; in fact, she commented on how nice Julie was. This, coming from Ally, was indeed a compliment of major proportions. Ally said, “You should buy your shades from her.”
I agreed, not only because Ally said so and I was able get exactly what I wanted at a price I could afford, but because it felt great to give my business to someone who is committed to excellent customer service. Outside Distinctive Window Covering’s storefront, Julie came to my house for in-home consultations twice before I finalized my order. She guided me on whether my roman shades should have an inside or outside mount, on the lining that would work best with my selected fabric and whether I needed a coordinating valance to top my shades – something I was considering but decided against per Julie’s suggestion. On installation day, the gentlemen who hung my shades were prompt, quick and professional.
The experience was a very positive one. I am thrilled with Tony’s new office and the roman shades look fabulous. They operate flawlessly and give the room just the pop of pattern and color that I hoped they would.
I am happy to have discovered Distinctive Window Coverings – they are a good local business with good people. And while the high quality shades I received are what I was after; it was the exceptional customer experience that made the biggest impression.
No matter where you are, seek businesses that go beyond just selling you a product. Look for those who want and are willing to make a connection with you as a person, not just a customer. For me, that is what makes a good business, great.
