My
intention was to pop in for a quick look around and come back when I
had more time. But Stratford Court
in Phoenix stopped me in my tracks. Two hours and 22,000 square feet later, I had been treated to a rare
experience and felt as though I should be paying someone an admission price for it.
This store understands that we all need help to visualize where and how to place the home furnishings that we buy.
At Stratford Court, every room is a complete vignette so you can see how that couch, side table, buffet, bed armoire
or any other piece will look with the right lighting, color palate and accessories.
Many of the pieces you'll see at Stratford Court are handcrafted by what are called "heirloom companies," which are
building tomorrow's antiques today.
"These companies have studied and researched the pieces they are remaking," general manager Cheri Kahrhoff said.
"They're using the same tools and skills that were used many years ago and are bringing back the quality of
craftsmanship, like a true veneer on a tabletop or dovetail joints in the drawers."
The use of modern technologies and materials helps make the pieces stronger and better built than ever.
"As far as I know," she said, "we are the only store that offers this combination and variety of fine furnishings and fine European antiques blended together in completely accessorized vignettes that let you experience how the room would
actually feel when complete. We name each room and try to add an element of surprise."
The Diego has an Old World Spanish feel, while the Manor's main feature is a 10-foot-high and 10-foot-wide Gothic
bed made from a church bench from the 1800s. Other themed rooms are filled with bookcases, desks, sinks, vanities,
garden and patio pieces like fountains and garden art. The use of a current color palate, tapestries and artwork helps
to bring the pieces to life.
"People are buying a lot of sideboards and serving pieces these days, but armoires used for home entertainment
centers are not as much in demand because of the plasma screens," Kahrhoff said.
So Stratford Court will take out the armoire doors, add decorative lighting and glass shelving to retrofit the
armoire into a gorgeous display cabinet or bookcase.
"We look at an antique and it's function today and make it work for the homeowner or business," Kahrhoff said.
"You don't have to necessarily do high-end furniture in every room of your house," she said. "You may want to
choose the rooms that are the more public to display these pieces."
She said you'll make deciding much easier if you stick to the same palate throughout the house.
Besides fine furniture, antiques, accessories and design consultation, you'll also find unique jewelry from
up-and-coming designer Amy Mac as well as display cases filled with new, antique and heirloom jewelry.
You can spend an hour or an afternoon. At Stratford Court Fine Furniture, Antiques and Design, you'll
walk in for furnishings and walk away with an experience.
The store is at 4848 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. Call (602) 788-6300 or visit www.stratfordcourt.com
in Phoenix stopped me in my tracks. Two hours and 22,000 square feet later, I had been treated to a rare
experience and felt as though I should be paying someone an admission price for it.
This store understands that we all need help to visualize where and how to place the home furnishings that we buy.
At Stratford Court, every room is a complete vignette so you can see how that couch, side table, buffet, bed armoire
or any other piece will look with the right lighting, color palate and accessories.
Many of the pieces you'll see at Stratford Court are handcrafted by what are called "heirloom companies," which are
building tomorrow's antiques today.
"These companies have studied and researched the pieces they are remaking," general manager Cheri Kahrhoff said.
"They're using the same tools and skills that were used many years ago and are bringing back the quality of
craftsmanship, like a true veneer on a tabletop or dovetail joints in the drawers."
The use of modern technologies and materials helps make the pieces stronger and better built than ever.
The right blend
Although the selection of furnishings is massive, Kahrhoff maintains that Stratford Court is very much a boutique store."As far as I know," she said, "we are the only store that offers this combination and variety of fine furnishings and fine European antiques blended together in completely accessorized vignettes that let you experience how the room would
actually feel when complete. We name each room and try to add an element of surprise."
The Diego has an Old World Spanish feel, while the Manor's main feature is a 10-foot-high and 10-foot-wide Gothic
bed made from a church bench from the 1800s. Other themed rooms are filled with bookcases, desks, sinks, vanities,
garden and patio pieces like fountains and garden art. The use of a current color palate, tapestries and artwork helps
to bring the pieces to life.
Retrofitting
At Stratford Court, furniture that is not in vogue today gets a new lease on life."People are buying a lot of sideboards and serving pieces these days, but armoires used for home entertainment
centers are not as much in demand because of the plasma screens," Kahrhoff said.
So Stratford Court will take out the armoire doors, add decorative lighting and glass shelving to retrofit the
armoire into a gorgeous display cabinet or bookcase.
"We look at an antique and it's function today and make it work for the homeowner or business," Kahrhoff said.
The public rooms
The first trip through Stratford Court can be a little overwhelming, so I was relieved at Kahrhoff's advice."You don't have to necessarily do high-end furniture in every room of your house," she said. "You may want to
choose the rooms that are the more public to display these pieces."
She said you'll make deciding much easier if you stick to the same palate throughout the house.
Besides fine furniture, antiques, accessories and design consultation, you'll also find unique jewelry from
up-and-coming designer Amy Mac as well as display cases filled with new, antique and heirloom jewelry.
You can spend an hour or an afternoon. At Stratford Court Fine Furniture, Antiques and Design, you'll
walk in for furnishings and walk away with an experience.
The store is at 4848 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. Call (602) 788-6300 or visit www.stratfordcourt.com