Nicolette’s for the Home has found a new home itself.
On Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the haute home store invites style enthusiasts, locals and passersby to enjoy light bites from Southold General and shop 15% off all purchases; there’s also an opportunity to win a $200 gift card when you spend more than $50.
This fresh start brings the studio away from its house-bound prior identity and into a brighter, more style-forward Southold stomping ground.
The new location, sandwiched between Century 21 and Southold General on the Main Road, has a full kitchen display in the storefront, featuring Nicolette’s custom cabinet line; false walls housing a conference and style room with door styles, cabinetry, cabinetry hardware and countertop displays; plus a television showcasing all the designer’s projects.
Formerly, the kitchen and bath design studio with a supplemental decor-filled retail floor operated out of a literal home at 53245 Main Road in Southold. Since the new location opened earlier this year it has seen lots of success, thanks to new customers stopping in out of sheer curiosity and returning for design guidance and custom decor.
“It makes more sense for a store, because even though it’s a vanilla box when you look at it, people are noticing our merchandise a lot more,” says Amanda Giuliano, principal designer.
At the former location, Giuliano’s goal was to make the consultation process a more welcoming one.
“When I first developed the concept of the very curated design studio with retail, I loved the idea of it being in the house,” says Giuliano. “It felt better because I think most people are so used to going for cabinets and countertops to these big box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, even Riverhead Building Supply; it’s very industrial when you walk in, so it’s very hard to imagine what something might look like in your home.”
The various styles sold by the store and studio were worked into home-style space, including three different door designs hung up on cabinets or three unique countertops plus mismatched hardware finishes.
“As it progressed, it was more apparent that people didn’t realize we were a kitchen and design studio because they came in and just saw such a well-curated space,” says Giuliano.
The new location that was once Body Smart gym was transformed by adding all new vinyl flooring and painting the interior entirely white. Giuliano jumped on the opportunity to take it over when the space became available last December.
Much of the store’s retail offerings have remained the same. “I think they are just displayed so much better now,” says Giuliano.
There will be more kitchen and bath displays installed in the future, but for now shop the retail and set up a design consultation. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
