Park Place Interiors is home for design ideas
Kathleen Newhouse likes to show people how to put together a room.
That's why her shop, Park Place Interiors at 407 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva, is set up in vignettes. Each vignette features a complete look with furniture pieces and accessories like lamps and draperies to help "inspire" customers.
"We have it set up so people can see how the rooms look -- they can see what they can do," said Newhouse, who recently opened a second shop in Elmhurst three months ago.
"When a person steps into the door here, they get an instant feeling  ¦ they can look at each vignette and see their home transforming into something like that," she said.
Newhouse opened her boutique, which has a European feel, in Dodson Place two years ago. Newhouse prides herself on having "something for everyone" Ã¢â‚¬â€ť whether it's a new couch or a model of a sailing ship.
"Most of the things we have in the store are unique to this store," said Russ Newhouse, who owns the shop with his wife. "Kathleen handpicks everything."
The couple, both retired from the airline industry, decided to open the shop after Kathleen discovered her love for design. Kathleen said she first got hooked during her travels to Europe, so after retiring she went back to school for interior design. She spent several years working in retail but was encouraged to open her own shop after her colleagues noticed how she would go the extra mile to find her clients just the right piece.
"I liked putting a room together and seeing the reaction of the homeowner when it was all put together," she said.
The couple said opening the shop in Elmhurst helped increase their buying power and their ability to buy various furniture lines. The two shops typically feature different items.
In addition to being a boutique furniture shop, Park Place Interiors also offers design services. Customers can, for example, have a designer visit their home to make room recommendations that include furniture choice, accessories, lighting and even color choice. Designers also can help customers with choices of window treatments, accessories and even placement of furniture.
Either a portion or the entire design service fee is credited back to the customer when purchases are made at the store.
Kathleen Newhouse also recently began working with Amore Homes in Geneva to decorate model homes. Her work will be showcased during a free preview event at a Sugar Grove home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
The shops are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, The Elmhurst shop is at 125 N. York St. To reach the Geneva shop, call (630) 232-7799.
For additional information, visit www.parkplace-interiors.com and www.chicagohometour.com.
E-mail Alicia Fabbre at afabbre@sbcglobal.net.