When South Florida residents begin decorating their permanent residences or Winter homes their first stop is Consign & Design.
Owner Nanci Smith proudly helms the two South Florida locations – Consign & Design Wellington and Consign & Design Gardens Gallery in Palm Beach Gardens. Smith knows that the furniture industry has changed so much over the years, and this has resulted in a lot more “same-ness” of products. This means it is difficult to get a distinct design feel in your home or space when everything for sale tends to look the same. On the other hand, Consign & Design offers totally unique pieces that aren’t available in the mainstream furniture stores, giving each customer the look that they want to capture their personality and give their home or space a look and feel that is truly their own. Smith started her consignment adventure in 2001, after managing and buying for Saks Fifth Avenue and the May Company Department Stores for 20 years. Smith could see that the industry was consolidating and she was anxious to start her own business. “I have a love and talent for design; so, furniture was a natural fit.”
New items arrive daily; each day the store is literally different, evolving and changing with the new arrivals based on the lives and travels of the wonderful consignors. For Smith having these two locations means that she and her team are able to assist two distinct communities; the equestrian area of Wellington and the coastal community of Palm Beach Gardens, and she has been doing so for several generations of customers. “It feels wonderful to know that someone will have an item in their life for years to come because they walked into my store,” Smith explains. “To think that I have provided something that could be passed down for generations is a magical feeling.”
FWM: Your mother was an interior designer and artist in Washington, D.C. How did she inspire you to launch, Consign & Design?
My inspiration for design started at a young age having visited so many showrooms with my mom. I loved it! My mother definitely taught me how to make something stylish even if you have very little to work with.
FWM: What have you learned after being in business for 20 years?
The number one thing is that people want to tell you their stories. They want to share with you how they came about getting these items. They love what they purchased. If they are going to release something they want you to know how valuable it is. Like any thriving business, it’s about listening and being heard. Successful consignment store owners listen to their consignors and customers, not just to what they need and want, but to the stories about the items from the life they had to the excitement of the new life their new owner is going to give them.
FWM: When South Florida residents begin decorating their permanent residences or Winter Homes their first stop is Consign & Design. Tell us why.
They come to us because we carry luxury items that are previously used or previously-loved. It is a sustainable business because those who are from GenX, GenY and GenZ are going to be our future customers. Coming to our showrooms is an opportunity to see things that you can’t find any more. The furniture stores have changed and consolidated over the past 10 years, and every store pretty much has the same items. It is a gift to come to us and learn about our items.
FWM: What unique items can we find in your two South Florida locations – Consign & Design Wellington and Consign & Design Gardens Gallery in Palm Beach Gardens?
We sell a mixture of new and consigned pieces. Our business is unique in the fact that we specialize in high-end and custom furniture, and we mix in new furniture, art, and accessories to present an extremely beautiful and complete package. Many people who shop with us are surprised by the many items that have been pre-loved and are in top-notch condition. We are not a used furniture store; we are a Designer’s Gallery. We curate our collections and welcome in only high-quality pieces to our showrooms. We are not a used furniture store we are a Designer’s Gallery.
FWM: Please talk about the unique gifts that you sell.
Our philosophy for our curated gift department is to have something for everyone. We have distinctive gifts for the discerning grandfather or uncle, to gifts that will make your girlfriend chuckle. We have a large audience of equestrian professionals and show dog professionals so you will see a lot of these motifs mixed in with nautical and ocean themes. We also sell cutting and charcuterie boards that are custom-engraved – an example of items that people enjoy giving as hostess and housewarming gifts.
FWM: What is the philosophy of your business?
We are very customer-focused. I feel that you need to listen at every stage of the process. So often, we make assumptions about people and their needs. I try to convey how important it is to get all of the information and find out someone’s motivations. These days customers want, expect, and deserve exceptional service.
FWM: What do you believe sets your stores apart from other shopping options?
We are proud to offer excellent customer service and to know you don’t have to stand in a long line at the cash register to buy your items, while most retail stores have one cash register and the cashier has a cell phone in one hand. There are also stories behind the items we receive. I call myself “an old retail dog.” I grew up with elegant departments stores that had brass banisters, wood floors, and a tea room. Now we are seeing big box stores with little ambiance and no stories. There is no opportunity there to see the same person day after day or year after year. Most of our sales associates have been with us for many years; our showrooms are set up vignette style, and our customers love that they can purchase a look or an entire room.
FWM: What decorating trends are you seeing right now?
I am seeing rustic farmhouse and coastal looks. Color is coming back, so instead of white, cream, beige, and gray, homeowners are more open to color. People are getting tired of pale grey. Gold and black accents are coming back and the Asian feel with bamboo is popular.
FWM: Do you have one or more favorite pieces in your home that came from the store?
Yes. My favorite piece is an Old Florida painting of the swamp in the moonlight. It is an older painting that is signed. When I first looked at it, I found myself transported back to Louisiana and its beauty. There is one practice I have with the shop; I make myself wait 30 days before I take an item home because there is always something new and I want someone else to get it. That particular Old Florida painting was just something I knew I had to have the minute it came in. Everything else comes and goes but, that work of art has been proudly hanging in my home for 20 years.
FWM: How did your business pivot during COVID-19 restrictions?
We hired a really good website developer & digital marketing company to help take our web presence to a level where we could compete head-to-head with large online competitors. We started using social media in more strategic ways and we increased our local and national presence with more strategic marketing tools and campaigns. We offered more shopping, delivery and pick-up options and really listened to our Consignors and Shoppers and shifted with their habits.We were able to pivot quickly and swiftly, and this has been a great advantage for us. We also launched a Rewards program to thank our loyal shoppers and encourage them to shop with us more often. They now receive points with their purchases and can redeem points for discounts on purchases. The furniture market was one of the few markets that saw an increase during the tough pandemic restrictions. Both homes and offices were getting a redo, and overall, people wanted a new look after staring at the same four walls for a year.
FWM: Talk about your repeat customers.
We have been in Wellington for 20 years and have a large equestrian following. They head to a second home in the summer and when they head back in October, they say they don’t go to their South Florida home first; they come right to my store. Our Palm Beach Gardens store has been open for five years and while some of them are snowbirds, others live here all year long. So, many of them love stopping once a week. Our repeat customers feel like members of our extended family.
FWM: Tell me about your consignment process?
It’s very simple. You send us or show us photos. We say yes or no to the items. If it is yes,
you get a contract, we set you up for a pick-up and you get paid based on the selling price
FWM: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy hitting the walking trails with my dogs, Tucker and Bethany, and partaking in some fine dining that is paired with a nice full-bodied wine. I love to finish the day off with a great book while snuggled in my comfy bed and I am all set!
FWM: Tell us about your fundraising efforts.
One of the poodle rescues came in one weekend and we had four or five animals that needed forever homes. Since I don’t have children, I would say that my animals are my kids. So, I enjoy giving to animal charities like the Equestrian Aid Foundation and Danny and Ron’s Rescue, and many of the people who consign with me also have given money to these worthy animal charities. Also, 10 percent of our sales on Rescue Saturday go to the Ventura Humane Society. I try to keep an eye out on where the needs are. Giving back to our community is very important to me and my team.
FWM: What are your goals for the future of your thriving shops?
We want to continue to grow and evolve with the next generations. I have seen babies come in with their parents, grow up, go to college and come back and shop with us. It is really special to be in someone’s life for so long and to make an impact in their life on an ongoing basis. I love that many of our customers have decorated and redecorated not just one but several of their homes with furniture and decor from our stores.I love the personal connections we have with our customers and I look forward to being there for them in all the ways they need as they move into the future. We are continually moving forward with technology and practices that keep us competitive, on the cutting edge and relevant to new generations. It’s really special to be in someone’s life for so long and to make an impact on their lives we look forward to continuing that.
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