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Volume 21, No. 2, Section A
February 2021
C AT T E L A N I TA L I A • T O M A S E L L A • K E T TA L • T O N I N C A S A • G A M M A • E I L E R S E N • G L O S T E R • P I A N C A • C A L L I G A R I S • B O N T E M P I
nouveau C L A S S I C S . C O M
“Your home is a reflection of YOU. It is so important to your quality of life to live in an environment that is comfortable, functional, inspiring, peaceful and energizing, fashionable, and COOL.”
business. In retrospect, I had no idea what lay in front of me! Here was a young girl with no experience, putting herself into competition with big established furniture stores, selling product not geared to the masses. Contemporary furniture was definitely not as popular then! However, I was totally fearless, a bit flamboyant, and determined to make the business work. I have always pushed the boundaries by offering uncommon products and was not (and am not) afraid to be different. Luckily, people found me, and I began to develop a strong client base, many of whom still shop with me today. My business has grown and evolved a lot since those early days. I like to say it grew up with me. Friends
Photo by Teela Shandess Photography
P
and sales reps have mentored, encouraged, and supported me and GRATEFULLY, loyal clients have helped me continue in the business I love. MV: How does your store continue to stand out from the other area businesses that also sell furniture? Paula: Nouveau Classics sells Modern and Contemporary furniture, while most stores in Knoxville and Nashville focus on Traditional or Transitional furniture. Most of my lines are from Europe and are exclusive in the Southeast region to Nouveau Classics. I carry several lines that are otherwise only available in cities like NYC or LA. It is exciting to have these sources to offer my clients. Not only is the quality
of my product outstanding, but so are the designs of the furniture pieces themselves. MV: What is your overriding business philosophy? Paula: It is of the utmost importance that each and every client feels they had a great experience after working with me. My goal is to always give more than expected and my client be beyond thrilled with the outcome. To succeed with this philosophy, I learn about my client, listen and ask questions in order to understand how they live, and then I am able take them to how they WANT to live. Each space, like each client, is unique. High design and quality are also key. After changing the atmosphere in someone’s home or business, in many cases, the end result can be like a personal reinvention. That is heady stuff and very fulfilling. MV: Tell us more about the services you offer. Paula: 30+ years of experience working in the contemporary furniture field is significant. This means I have developed a relationship with many credible vendors and have extensive product knowledge of the pieces I offer to my clients. Going to trade shows every year, visiting manufacturing facilities, building relationships with the companies, buying and placing furniture in real life situations helps you understand quality, scale, and what works and what doesn’t. In addition to Continued on page 2A ...
AC C E S S O R I E S • JAC K E T S • SW E AT E R S
INFANTS • ACCESSORIES • JACKE TS
DRE S SE S • GIF T S • INFANT S • ACCE S SORIE S • JAC KE T S • SWE ATERS • JE ANS • DRE S SE S • GIF T S • INFANT S
r See ou n o article 3A page 1
JE ANS • DRE S SE S • GIF T S • INFANT S • ACCE S SORIE S • JAC KE T S • SWE ATERS • JE ANS • DRE S SE S • GIF T S
AULA CLANCY, designer and founder of Nouveau Classics and Design, began her business shortly after graduating from the University of Tennessee. Nouveau Classics, located downtown at 101 S Gay Street, has definitely filled a void in the Knoxville area by offering clean, contemporary furniture and creative design services. East Tennessee’s Mountain Views had the opportunity to talk to Paula about the start of her business and how she hopes to continue to broaden Knoxville’s concept of interior design well into the future. MV: What made you decide to open your own business, and how were you able to accomplish this at such an early age? Paula: I have loved modern furniture and interior design since I was a little girl. In 1989, there was no place in town to buy the type of furniture I liked. There was a huge opportunity to fill a niche in the market while pursuing a field I was passionate about. Bartending my way through college and continuing well into the third year of being open enabled me to self-fund my