SHIFT OPTION RE- DO
Remote Stylist a click away
Sure, most of us are quite comfortable going online to buy shoes, books, and even light home decor such as accessories. But would you buy a sofa off the Internet? Kelly Fallis, the Toronto- born entrepreneur and founder of Remote Stylist, has set out to make that process fear- free.
Fallis launched Remote Stylist in 2009 as a way to combine online decor shopping with personalized design advice. She claims that her site, which offers over one million home improvement and decor products in some 100 categories, is more convenient and more personalized.
“When we first launched the site, we were very design- oriented,” she says. “But we soon realized that wasn’t really the proper focus. A lot of people came to the site already having done some research and had clear ideas, but they needed specific items and buying advice. So it became about streamlining the purchase process.”
Fallis acknowledges that for many shoppers, the idea of buying something as large as a sofa on the Internet can be intimidating.
“It’s not like buying a $ 20 T- shirt, where if it doesn’t fit or you don’t like it, you can just send it back.”
By focusing on the practical aspects of the purchase as much as the design, the site seeks to alleviate a lot of these fears, and remove the chance of disappointment — or disaster. ( The stylists know, for example, to ask you to measure the doorways of your home to make sure the product can come through them.)
You can select from items posted directly on the site, but if the item you’re looking for isn’t in the database, the stylist can do research to find it, or something close to it, for you. The stylist will select a range of options that fit your criteria and present it to you, and once you make the final choice, will expedite shipping and delivery to your door. ( They’ll also help with picking fabrics for custom upholstery and can send fabric samples to your door in about 48 hours.)
“The idea is that you discuss with the stylist what you are looking for and your budget, or you can look through our site — but you don’t even have to spend time on that aspect if you don’t want to. We ask you certain questions, get the measurements and other important information, and then get back to you in a few days with five or six options that meet your criteria.”
When Fallis first launched the site, she assumed that accessories and smaller items would provide the bulk of the demand, but in fact, upholstery and case goods ( large furniture items such as tables, bureaus, armoires, etc.) have become a major part of the business. Last year, she decided to beef up the seating and upholstery section, and the result is the 2016 Seating Guide, which will launch early in February.
“Last fall, I went to High Point ( Furniture Market), and walked over 30 miles — I know exactly how far it was, I had my FitBit on — just going through the various showrooms. I probably sat on every sofa and chair in the whole town. I then narrowed it down to the very best from a variety of brands and price points, looking for reliable, comfortable, really surefire online- suitable seating. So these are the items that will be available in the new Seating Guide.” Along with upholstery, the guide offers occasional seating, bar stools and more, along with design tips and photos for inspiration.
One of the more unusual attractions of the service is that shipping is $ 1 across the board — regardless of distance, weight or country of origin. Duties are also included in the price. ( Exchange, and some- times placement and setup in your home are separate.) Fallis realized early on that shipping costs are often a major drawback for online shoppers, and in some cases can add up to more than the cost of the item. She began investigating alternatives, and assembled, in essence, a customized fulfilment network.
“We have over 80 shippers in our custom network, so we have a lot of control over the process, and we are able to negotiate bulk rates with manufacturers. It’s not only convenient for customers and less costly for us, but the manufacturers are interested in it, because it takes the whole issue off their backs.” In many cases, it can make for faster — or at least more reliable — delivery dates, as the stylist can ascertain exactly, for example, when an item is arriving from offshore by container.
In April, the site will offer an outdoor furnishings guide, including seating, pillows, tables, umbrellas and accessories, all with the same seal of approval. And in the fall, Fallis plans to give bedding the same specialized treatment, offering everything from duvets to mattress sets.
“With all of these items, there’s so much product knowledge that often just gets lost — not just decor advice but the practical questions you might never have thought of, especially when you’re buying online. I just figured there had to be a better way.”
It’s not like buying a $ 20 T- shirt, where if it doesn’t fit or you don’t like it, you can just send it back.