A Note From Jason

We always love to fill our showroom with industry colleagues. This was taken at an event we hosted in collaboration with trade associations and a regional design magazine and sponsored by Franz Viegener. | Photo: Ev Dow Photography

Hi everyone!

This week I had shopping experiences that reminded me why it’s important to support local, family owned and operated businesses.

I needed to return my kids’ ski rentals we used for the season. I am glad to report that the local ski shop we used provided an exceptional experience in regard to customer service. We were working with one of the family members who owned the shop and she took time with us to explain the benefits of renting versus purchasing equipment for my nine and eleven year old boys. She went on to tell us if the boys had a growth spurt during the ski season we could come in and get new boots that fit better — they would adjust the bindings, consider exchanging the skis for longer skis, and do anything else we needed to enjoy the ski season. She couldn’t have been more accommodating and really made us feel taken care of.

Contrast that to our soccer cleat purchasing experience this week at a chain sporting goods store. For my boys to try on cleats we needed to go to a small computer screen, select the cleats we wanted, verify they were in stock in their size and color, and then submit the request. After 10 minutes and no cleats, we asked for help, and they said they didn’t see our request. We went through the process again. After another 10 minutes or so, an associate called out my name and handed me a shoebox. I laced them up and did my best to determine if they fit my son. There was virtually no human contact and by no means did I feel taken care of.

I really appreciated the human interaction at the ski shop and knowing they would be there for me if I needed them. The shopping experience made me feel good and was enjoyable. Shopping for cleats this week left me concerned for the future of retail. Shop local friends — let’s keep the spirit of family business alive.

At our recent event in Watertown, I was excited to see that our business continues to be all about creating a personal experience for our clients (we don’t just deliver boxes of goods). But we don’t do it alone; we do it with our trade partners. The event was attended by architects, designers, contractors, and other trade professionals. We all work collaboratively to create unique spaces for our clients. It’s a close connection that requires effort, strong communication, and history and experience to make it work. I am proud to say we are part of an amazing network of design and build professionals. Together we do amazing things!

For the fourth month in a row, we invited one of our designer friends from the Northshore into our Beverly showroom to pick out items for our blog. We have completely renovated our Beverly location over the past few years and we are excited to have people see it and view the enhanced displays and floor layout. Megan Meyers has been one of our long-term partners. It has been fun to watch her client roster grow and her jobs get even more exciting! Go Megan!

Until next month,

Jason Sevinor
President

A native of the Northshore, Megan Meyers graduated from UMass Amherst. As a young professional, she spent time in South Florida, where she was introduced to “green” design and worked for an award winning firm in North Palm Beach. In 2009, Megan moved back to New England. In 2011, she started Megan Meyers Interiors, where she helps clients create unique spaces ranging from bathrooms to living rooms and all the rooms in between.

STONE FOREST BORDEAUX VANITY IN CARRARA MARBLE

I have literally loved this Stone Forest vanity for over a decade. It is a classic, timeless piece that I’m always drawn to. It can work in multiple types of bathroom spaces, from powder to primary, and could go with modern, funky wallpaper or a more traditional look.

CROSSWATER MPRO ONE PIECE SINGLE FLUSH TOILET IN MATTE BLACK

I’d describe her as “sleek and sexy,” which you never hear said about a toilet. It has pretty, clean lines, and I absolutely love the black — it’s such a total departure from the white toilets you see everywhere. I also like how it’s matte but it has a little sheen to it so it doesn’t look dead. In my head it would be in some sort of dramatic, dark, moody powder bath. I can think of three bathrooms I’ve done in the past decade where a black toilet would have been phenomenal, but back then they weren’t available from a trusted brand like Crosswater.

GRAFF SINGLE HOLE LAVATORY FAUCET IN MATTE BLACK AND WHITE

With this GRAFF faucet, it’s the sharp, clean lines and the tuxedo black and white look that drew me to it. I love that it’s a small and unassuming faucet, but it has unique details, like the knurling on the tip and the way it moves with the white piece rotating around. You can also order this in multiple finishes and colors, so for a designer, the sky’s the limit. It’s a small piece that packs a lot of punch and contains so many options.

FRANZ VIEGENER KONIC WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET IN POLISHED CHROME

This Franz Viegener faucet, to me, is the epitome of modern elegance. It’s taller than your normal widespread faucet and it’s very sleek and simplistic. Because it’s so smooth, it actually reflects what’s around it. It almost creates an optical illusion by showing reflections, which add a little drama and movement within the piece itself. I’m drawn to how it has a straightforward outside package that has a lot of detail going on when you dive into it.

NATIVE TRAILS POSITANO BATHROOM SINK IN ABALONE

This Native Trails Positano sink is perfect for the area we live in. The interior looks like the pearlescent inside of a seashell and each piece is handmade and unique. I’ve used this in the bowl-shaped version in a powder bath. It really draws you into it — you want to go over and wash your hands in it and look inside because it’s so mesmerizing. It could work with a ton of bathroom styles, from coastal traditional to sleek contemporary.