THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September, 9, 1994 TAG: 9409070168
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
SEA-BLUE STONE dolphins greet customers at the door. Abstract paintings, massive floral arrangements and unusual pieces of furniture compete for attention.
Sondra Koonce of Chesapeake has realized her dreams in her new store, Creative Designs.
``I wanted to attract people that want a refreshing, attractive look,'' said the Great Bridge resident. ``So far, they seem to love it. We have a lot of people that come in and tell us they can't find anything else like it.''
Located next to the popular Courthouse Cafe on Waterway Circle, Creative Designs opened its doors Aug. 2. It features merchandise Koonce finds on buying trips to Texas, North Carolina, Atlanta and Florida, as well as locally.
The 750-square-foot business offers furniture, picture frames, lamps, paintings, candles, sculptures and other household items for sale. But probably the most unusual aspect of the business is that Koonce, an established interior designer, can help customers pick out and order wall coverings, floor coverings, window treatments and special decorative items in any color or style.
``I supply everything,'' she said.
Though anyone can browse through the store, Koonce is also available for consultations. For a small fee, she walks through a home and advises color schemes, styles and furniture. She makes it a point to stay within the client's budget.
``I like changing something and creating a new image,'' she said. ``I like bringing things up to date and creating a unique look.
``A lot of people think interior designers are too expensive, but I've worked with some people for four or five years and they just do one room at a time. I don't put on a lot of pressure.''
Koonce said a lot of people suffer from ``the fear of furnishing.'' Choices can be overwhelming, and many people simply don't know how or where to start decorating. What comes first, they wonder, the windows, the floor coverings or the furniture? Other people are just afraid to make a mistake in what colors or styles match. ``They're afraid to make decisions,'' Koonce said.
Though 95 percent of Koonce's interior design clients till now have been in Virginia Beach, she feels there is a strong need for her new store and her services in Chesapeake.
``They can't find unique things like this here,'' she said, pointing to a glass-and-stone coffee table.
Her taste is mostly contemporary and southwestern, but she can find and order any type of furnishings.
Koonce, who currently decorates model homes for Bernard Builders, has had customers from Suffolk, Norfolk, Smithfield, Richmond and West Virginia. She will have a booth at this year's Homearama in Church Point.
Koonce said she is thoroughly enjoying her new store, though things have been a bit hectic. Her husband, Glenn, is the principal at Oscar Smith High School. The school is opening its new building this month, so time together for the Koonces has been sporadic with both working long hours. Her 16-year-old son, Jeremy, sometimes lends a hand with deliveries for Creative Designs. MEMO: Creative Designs is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. More information is available by
calling 482-2568.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Sondra Koonce opened Creative Designs last month. The
750-square-foot business offers furniture, lamps, paintings,
sculptures and more.
by CNB