Q: You carry on the Von Hemert name, is this still a family owned and operated business? CARRIE VON HEMERT: Yes, I am the fourth generation of our 82-year-old legacy. We are still family owned and operated. My sister Kelly and I are here at the company every day, and my father Barry is still involved too. My great grandmother, Anna Martin von Hemert, started our company in 1920 in Los Angeles. Anna had a passion for interior design and luxurious fabrics, which their store called the Chintz Shop was known for. One of their shops was located in a strip of boutiques called The Del that was adjacent to the famous farmer’s market at The Grove. Her son, Theodore, joined the business after he studied interior design. My father, Barry, came into the business after earning a business degree. He helped the business grow into what it is today. My sister Kelly graduated with a business degree some 18 years ago and has been instrumental with her vision as CFO. I came into the company almost 20 years ago after majoring in interior design. In 2010, we had a private party celebrating our 80th Anniversary. Q: How many locations do you currently have? CVH: We have three locations. Our smallest and oldest location located on Pacific Coast Highway is our Laguna Beach store (5,000 sq. ft.). We leased it in 1953 and later bought it. In 2010, we completely tore down the original building and redesigned it in the Tuscan Andalusia style architecture to compliment the surrounding homes of Newport Coast. Our headquarters is Costa Mesa and is the largest. It is 30,000 sq. ft. My grand father Theodore and my father Barry built the CM store in 1978. They also had our South Bay location built in the late 60s early 70s. It is 11,000 sq. ft. All three showrooms are built on or near PCH, close to affluent neighborhoods.
Q: There is quite an array of pieces and styles here. How do you acquire everything on the showroom floor? CVH: We travel to High Point, North Carolina twice a year. It is the furniture capital of the US. We spend almost an entire week searching for new furniture and accessory lines that are unique to our market place. We are constantly updating our look to keep our showrooms looking fresh, interesting and current. When we go on buying trips we arrive with a plan in mind to meet the expectations of our clients’ sophisticated taste and the ever-changing trends. We also have spent years traveling to different regions in Italy and Spain. In Italy we import incredible pieces which have been handcrafted by artisans that use some of the most unique techniques that have been passed down from the Middle Ages. Many of the manufacturers are cottage industries owned by generations of families. Most of the time we’re in Italy, we are driving throughout the countryside to reach these small factories. Q: That sounds amazing. Are there certain things you go out looking for or do you just know you have to have a piece when you come across it? Maybe love at first sight? CVH: Most of the time we know exactly what we are looking for. Before going to Market, we are planning for weeks. We also rely a lot on our designers to inform us of the styles,
colors and items their clients want. I would be lying if we didn’t also buy different pieces that we simply have to have. It seems more often that our taste of what we love is also what we know our clients will love.
Q: How does sourcing play into these decisions? How concerned are you with where these pieces are actually coming from? CVH: We are definitely concerned with where the pieces we purchase are manufactured. The majority of the items we buy are made right here in America. The other balance of our furniture comes from Italy, Vietnam, Philippines and some pieces are from China. We try to be mindful of where the pieces we buy are made. Let’s face it, anyone can buy a knock-off, but who knows what that piece is really made of and how long it will last. We like the idea that by buying locally, we are actually helping to keep the American work force busy. Q: What are the best selling lines you carry, and why do you think they’re popular brands? CVH: Baker, Century, Hancock & Moore, Stickley, and Theodore Alexander. The first reason for all these brands is they are trusted brands and are widely known as being the cream of the crop lines, so to speak. It is also because of their quality of materials, their sophisticated designs and techniques, skilled craftsmen and company credo.
e like the idea that by buying locally, we are actually helping to keep the American work force busy. CARRIE VON HEMERT
Q: In addition to selling furniture, you also have
a staff of interior designers. Can you tell me about what role they play here at von Hemert? CVH: Our von Hemert Interior staff of accredited interior designers is a group of individuals with a remarkable breadth of design knowledge, experience, and most of all, passion. Our interior designers can put together a design concept and floor plan that can help their clients visualize the kind of interiors that will compliment their lifestyle. Our designers can assist with everything from selecting fabrics for a re-upholstery job, to custom drapery, to designing and furnishing everything in an entire home. Many of our interior designers have been with our company for over 20 years. This business is truly their passion.
Q: In these economic times, how have you managed to not only stay afloat but also do quite well? Any secrets? CVH: Instead of being afraid of our weak economy, we did our best to stay positive and look at all the possibilities for a better future. For example, so many of our consumers were shopping online, so we realized that we needed to improve our website, so we started over from scratch. We made ourselves more transparent, visible and accessible to anyone that wanted to communicate with us. Rebranding ourselves has been something that we have also recently focused on. We have remodeled every single location and we have re-skinned all our delivery vehicles. We also realized that continuing to feature luxury brands was something that we needed to continue; in fact we have brought on several upscale brands into our product mix. All of these efforts big and small have kept our clients coming back for the products and services we offer and do best. Q: What is your favorite part of your job here?
CVH: My favorite part of the job is going out on a photo shoot to one of our client’s homes, getting to talk to the client and see first-hand their beautifully designed interiors and also hear about their positive shopping experience at von Hemert’s. Another part of my job that I love is seeing the new design trends on our annual buying trips I go on, especially when I get to go to Italy. It’s my favorite place in the world to visit even if I have to work! I also love the people I work with; they are truly family to me! Q: What are von Hemert’s plans for the future? CVH: The plans for the future are endless, but for now let’s just say we want to continue to improve our overall shopping experience at von Hemert’s by offering the best interior design services and unique home furnishings at a value. We are always looking for ways to be the best.
Q: I have one more, very serious question: Can I have that really fancy chair over there? CVH: Of Course!
von Hemert Interiors 1595 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (949) 642-2050 www.vonhemertinteriors.com
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