Long known for singular, sophisticated, and entirely bench-made traditional 18th century furnishings, Scarborough House is headed to Market this week (200 Steele, Space 119) with a thoroughly modern and timely introduction: A user-friendly website that is focused on providing retailers and designers with accurate and up-to-the-minute product information.
At a time when product availability is top-of-mind for customers and clients, Scarborough House has invested significantly in its online presence. “We know that accurate pricing and product information has always been important,” relates Di-Ann Williams, president, “but with so many brick-and-mortar dealers amplifying their omnichannel focus this past year, and more consumers shopping online for furniture than ever before, it’s become absolutely critical. There is nothing more detrimental to business than having a customer or client fall in love with a product only to learn that it is indefinitely out of stock, or that there’s been an unexpected price increase after the sale. Consumers don’t care about container shortages; their only interest is in the realization of a beautifully furnished space in a timely manner.”
For this reason, the manufacturer’s new website is designed to make selecting and specifying products from the Scarborough House line a seamless experience— narrowing the search using a variety of criteria, including product category, style, dimensions, finish, and pricing, while enabling users to view stock availability and receive delivery updates. Better still, the new Designer Studio allows designers to create project folders that can be emailed directly to their clients—without enabling those clients to view the designers’ pricing—and to place purchase orders directly from the site.
“Our goal was to protect designers’ businesses and ensure that their clients can’t shop them,” Williams explains. “We’re thrilled with the finished product, because the site accomplishes that while making it easy to take a project from beginning to end, with both designers and their clients confident in the entire process.”
The high-end maker is also pleased to highlight the more than $2 million worth of inventory here in High Point and available for quick delivery. Largely focused on formal reproductions of renowned English cabinetmakers for bedroom, dining, living room and office, in both residential and commercial-grades, Scarborough House’s more traditional offerings are constructed with mahoganies, walnuts and myrtles in exquisite finishes, while a more relaxed casual living collection is made of alder and veneers. Its transitional collection mixes stainless steel, metals, paints and etching with exotic veneers.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the company remains a family-owned business. Indeed, “our founder—a Brit—continues to be very hands-on, and there’s no eye as discerning as an owner’s,” Williams says. “He is in the factory everyday making sure that we exceed the standards of today’s industry. While we are much smaller than other high-end manufacturers, we believe our size is part of what makes us special. We’re able to respond quickly for one thing, but the key is that everything we do is still by hand; we don’t cut corners based on mass production.”
At Market this week, the company will introduce more than two dozen new dining and occasional designs. Watch for an elegant Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Faux Bamboo Cocktail Table with under tier; Five-Leg Crotch Mahogany and Amara Dining Table with two drop-in extenders; Ebonized and Gold Lady’s Kidney Desk with brass gallery and accents, and the Crotch Mahogany and Amara Sideboard with mother of pearl inlaid brass handles. The showroom is open from June 3rd to June 9. Appointments are appreciated, but not required.
