Your Style
Furniture Styles as Individual as You Are By Peggy Werner
P
eople furnish their homes in ways that are as unique as they are. Today’s furniture style options respect individualism, says Brittany Brouer, marketing director at Van’s Home Center in Auburn, Ind. “Today, furnishing one’s home is very individualized, depending on what people need and want, their budget, and what features they’re looking for,” she says. One thing is certain: it seems like everyone is buying something. “We’re selling a lot of everything,” says Brouer. “The vast majority of our business is furniture and people are buying because of the stimulus money, tax returns, unspent vacation money, and because they have spent so much time at home, they’re seeing things they want to change and are looking to be more comfortable at home. “Our industry has seen one of the busiest times ever and manufacturers are still trying to catch up with the demand. The pandemic has crippled the global supply chain and people are sometimes having to wait two months or more for orders to This Allyson Park two-tone, versatile dining set fits comfortably into decor styles ranging from farmhouse and beach cottage to industrial or traditional. come in.” Because many people are remodeling or The choices people make also depend upon their stage in building new homes, there are material shortages. Bad weather life. A young couple with young children and pets will likely around the country has slowed deliveries in some cases and COhead for the budget buys. Empty nesters may opt for more exVID-19 has forced the closure of some businesses. Other busipensive pieces they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. nesses are operating with reduced staff. All of this disrupts the Among many other brands, Van’s carries Palettes by Winesability to import goods. burg, furniture that is 100 percent American-made. This all“Having to wait was a big shock to people at first, but now wood, handcrafted furniture is made in Ohio’s Amish country they’re getting used to the idea because it’s the standard everyand a third-generation lumber company selects the best cherry, where,” says Brouer. “Things will settle down eventually and oak, walnut, maple and hickory woods for its products. we’ll fall back into ‘normal crazy’ rather than heightened crazy.” “Because people’s tastes vary, the Van’s Home Center Bringing the outdoors indoors is one popular style trend and showroom features a wide selection of furniture styles and pricfarmhouse style furniture accommodates it well. Farmhouse emes. You can get affordable furniture that’s good quality here,” phasizes both form and function. It’s informal, cozy, relaxing and she says. practical, with industrial and rustic features. Soft textured fabA local family business, Van’s Home Center opened in 1973 rics combine with sturdy materials like wood and wrought iron, and has expanded from a 1,500 square-foot store to a 75,000 sometimes with vintage finishes. Wicker rattan furniture, left natsquare-foot “one stop” showroom for the home. Along with furural or painted, also adds to the lived-in feeling of farmhouse livniture, it sells appliances, furniture, flooring, mattresses, cabineing. The farmhouse look is achieved with neutral paint colors on try, countertops, outdoor furniture, grills and much more. the walls, a mix of old and new elements, and the incorporation “We’re large enough to compete with big-box stores and we of wood and painted furniture, Brouer says. price competitively,” says Brouer. There’s an added emphasis on multi-functional pieces toLearn more by stopping in at Van’s Home Center, 106 Peckday. For example, many people want ottomans and tables that not hart Ct., Auburn, Ind. ❚ only look good, but also have storage compartments. Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
September 2021 • I
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