Fabric, design studio makes debut in St. Charles
Details have always been important to Kathleen Hanzel, who recently opened a shop specializing in fabrics in St. Charles.
Hanzel, an interior designer with a passion for fabrics, launched Mariposa Design Studio, where she offers an array of products and services.
The business at 115 Cedar Ave. in Century Corners provides upscale designer fabrics at discount prices as well as Hanzel's own bedding line. She continues to provide design services as well.
"It's a small, cozy shop with golden yellow walls," Hanzel said. The front of the studio features Hanzel's bedding line, including duvet covers, throws, pillow cases, pillow shams, bolsters and more. "I can add to an existing set to make it custom or start from scratch and dress the bed from top to bottom," Hanzel said.
She says she only uses high-end trims and quality fabrics. "It's a work of art. I make each piece the best it can be," she said.
The rest of the shop features walls and walls of fabrics, many of them designer names. She offers stock rolls and end bolts that have anywhere from 3 to 15 yards. Most of the fabrics are offered at discount prices. For example, a fabric that is usually $150 a yard is sold for $30 a yard at her shop. She is often able to do this because there is a limited supply of the fabric. She noted that it's perfect for replacing cushions on kitchen chairs, making slip covers or bedding pieces.
End bolts range from $10 to $46 a yard while "to the trade" fabrics are discounted 30 to 40 percent off retail prices.
Some of the designer fabrics she carries include Donghia, Thybony, Fabric Cut, Lee Jofa, Highland Court, Kravet and Ralph Lauren. She features fabrics and trims from Italy, England, India and Africa. "I try to pick stunning things," she said.
Hanzel has been in interior design for the past 15 years. She graduated from Harrington Institute and worked from home while raising her children.
The entrepreneur plans to sell host creative workshops monthly and can host private parties as well.
The name of the store, Mariposa, means butterfly in Spanish. She came up with the name because she liked the sound of the word and because everything she creates is "uniquely different," like a butterfly.
The shop is open Monday and Tuesday by appointment, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
For more information, call (847) 417-0137.
Satisfied: The owners of Two Men and A Truck in North Aurora earned top honors in a recent J.D. Power and Associates study measuring customer satisfaction among full-service moving companies. The company's office is at 370 Smoke Tree Business Park in North Aurora.
Alex Petrusha is in his 6th year as franchisee of this location. He believes his team's execution of "The Grandma Rule," a proprietary approach to moving that is the foundation for the company's training program, has played a key role in gaining the top ranking.
"It's exactly as it sounds," said Petrusha. "We train our staff to treat customers the way you would want their own grandmother treated, and the result is an incredibly caring environment that exceeds the expectations our customers have."
The company includes more than 200 franchise locations and more than 1,300 trucks on the road. Each location is independently owned and operated.
• Kim Mikus' column appears Tuesday through Friday. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.