4 minute read
Muse Kitchen & Bath
An Experience That Truly Feels Like Home
By Natalie Downey
After Christi Richardson earned her degree in education, she expected to begin teaching.
Instead, she was inspired by her husband with a surprising question: “Do you want to take a risk?” Not usually one to take risks, Christi did decided to take the plunge this time, and three years later, she’s glad she did.
Christi & Mother Claudia, Owners of Muse
As a builder in Columbus for over 20 years, the idea behind the business was his in part. Understanding that a lot goes into designing a kitchen and bathroom, they had the idea of a one-stop shop, a showroom where clients could see and touch products in a home-like setting. From tile, to lighting, to cabinets and everything in between, Muse Kitchen and Bath Gallery was built from the ground up to be a showroom and retail store in one.
Before beginning the process of opening the gallery, Christi took on the task of learning the construction trade. “If you’re going to sell the products, you need to understand the install,” she explained. She worked on her husband’s construction crew for 6 months, learning how to do just about any job related to bathroom and kitchen remodeling. She put her knowledge to use when Muse was being built, installing some of the tile in the store.
The gallery is a wonder. From colors to texture, to structure, the space gives clients everything they need to choose the right products for their home. Floor to ceiling tiles display an array of patterns, while sections of the store showcase various design styles from traditional to industrial. “I wanted to create an environment that is inspiring to people,” Christi said. Hence, the name, was selected to pay homage to her parents who are also her partners in the business.
In addition to giving customers a physical example of products, Christi strove to cultivate a space that would be enjoyable to visit. “Remodeling and building can be so overwhelming,” Christi said. “There are so many options.” In large home improvement stores, one doesn’t have the opportunity to sit back, relax, and consider the options in a comfortable and unrushed setting with one-on-one attention. At Muse, the customer finds all of this, and more.
Christi is not a designer, but she does have an eye for it. “I’ve always loved colors and design,” she said. “I love putting all of the products together like pieces in a puzzle.” Even though she doesn’t work with clients as a designer, she is always happy to help customers find just what they’re looking for. “I help guide selections because it’s a huge investment. I want the client to have no regrets when the job is done.”
In the case of an indecisive client, Christi says she has an almost foolproof way of steering them in the right direction - she simply listens to their reactions as they walk around the store. “Design is more about how it makes you feel, because what I think is beautiful and what you think is beautiful are going to be two different things. And I’m not living in your home.” For that reason, Christi makes it her goal to get a feel for what makes her customers happy.
Adding a technological element to design planning, Muse has a feature called 320 Design capability - a program which allows Christi to draw a client’s kitchen on a screen and perform a virtual walk-through. This gives clients a realistic view of what their finished product will look like, and enables them to play around with ideas.
While Muse is a breathtaking gallery created with complete attention to detail, what stands out most about this business is its owner. Christi knows the trade inside and out, from the actual labor that goes into remodeling, to the specific details and finishing touches that make a house a home. But more than that, she makes it a point to operate her business with a genuine respect for all whom she works with, from builders to competitors. Refusing to beat quotes, she doesn’t try to steal clients from other businesses. She trusts that everything will work out in the end, and there will be enough business to go around. “You have to have integrity and honor,” she said.
For a client who is spending a lot of time and money on a remodel, being able to trust the business owner walking you through the process can make a world of difference. Christi Richarson has put her heart into Muse Kitchen and Bath Gallery, and it shows.
A visit to the gallery is a must for anyone who wants to get truly inspired for their next home remodel. You can visit the gallery Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8451 Fortson Road. For a virtual tour just go to their website MuseKitchenAndBath.com
