House + Town is ready to shake up the design world.

Like Laura Umansky, many interior designers have relied on Custom Designs by Greenerobin for bespoke home furnishings.

Through her dealings with the company, Umansky knew it might soon be on the market. She bought it last year and renamed it House + Town.

In January of 2017, the owner of Laura U Interior Design began the process of evaluating what she had and what she wanted to do with it: filling out the staff, starting a new website, streamlining operations.

First, House + Town will keep the skilled artisan staff from Custom Designs, but the new company will take on more employees with experience in the design industry and operations processes.

“It made a lot of sense for me, knowing how much we use them, to launch a new-old business,” Umansky said. “It won’t just serve Laura U. It’s a to-the-trade resource — for the architecture and design community.”

She’ll focus on streamlining operations, merging a designer’s perspective with that of a manufacturer. “I know the information that I have to relay as a designer to my custom workroom. I know exactly what is needed to produce it exactly as I want it. It’s an insider’s view of the process.”

Through the years, Umansky has used Custom Designs for a number of projects, from custommade or reupholstered sofas and chairs to a Lucite and velvet chaise to tufted banquettes, elegant dining chairs, headboards and upholstered wall panels.

Interior and architectural designers will take their own furniture designs and fabric to House + Town, which then manufactures the pieces. It offers no standard furniture designs; it’s strictly custom.

The firm will handle work for both residential and commercial projects.

Karen Kramer of Karen Kramer and Associates, said that she has used Custom Designs exclusively for the past 35 years.

“They are the gold standard here,” said Kramer, who does design work in the multifamily residential industry. “Everything you see going up in this city has used Custom Designs. They are always the go-to upholsterer for us and my competitors.”

While there are other custom furniture makers in the city, Umansky said that House + Town is likely the first to be owned by an interior designer.

“The company is focused on designers because we know what this community is looking for. It’s by designers for designers,” Umansky said.

Julie Soefer photos House + Town is keeping the skilled staff from the former Custom Designs by Greenerobin, known for doing creative work like this upholstered wall panel.

These whimsical stools were custom made for Laura U Interior Design.