Business side of design firm keeps owner fresh for creative side - Charleston Regional Business Journal
By Chelsea Hadaway chadaway@scbiznews.com
Work is an exercise in opposites for Jennifer Ferrell — creative versus business, residential versus commercial.
Ferrell is the owner of Riverside Designers interior design firm, which is about to celebrate its 35th year in Charleston.
“It’s weird to own a company older than I am,” she said. The company was started by Gloria Thiem in 1975, but after 30 years of living and breathing it, Thiem was ready to pass the torch.
Ferrell knew Thiem through Thiem’s sons, who were classmates of hers at Porter-Gaud. After interning at the firm during college, Ferrell decided to pass up the larger cities she originally wanted to start out in and returned home to work at the firm upon graduation.
When Ferrell bought out Thiem in 2005, she moved the business from Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston and split off the workroom, which she incorporated separately as Threadhouse Inc. Thiem now runs Threadhouse, which is next door to Riverside.
Although Ferrell doesn’t have formal business training, she, like many small-business owners, went through a trial by fire to earn her business credentials.
“I enjoy the business side,” she said. “It’s easy to get burned out doing all creative all the time.” Her position now lets her be creative half the time, and the other half of the time she can use the other side of her brain, she said.
Ferrell has seen the recession take a toll on her clients, but her business has been somewhat insulated from the immediate effects.
“Having long-term projects that last one to two to three years has helped,” she said.
But she is grappling with clients’ household budget cuts. “We just have to deliver a lot more bang for their buck,” she said.
Ferrell makes it a priority to set realistic budget goals with clients from the beginning. “The shows on TV give people the wrong idea: They, too, can renovate their kitchen for $1,000 in a weekend,” she said. But many times when clients have done their own extensive renovations, they have ended up spending more to fix costly problems.
She applies that caution for herself, too — in part a result of the recession.
“I’ve learned to be a more frugal business owner overall — to prepare for a rainy day,” she said. She considers herself lucky she’s learning this lesson relatively early on in her career.
Within the past year or two, Ferrell has expanded her scope of work from strictly residential interior design to commercial — designing offi ces and community spaces.
Two big projects have included designs for the waiting areas at Imaging Specialists of Charleston and the Kiawah Island Community Association Building.
Working in the commercial and residential arenas “keeps me really fresh,” she said. The mindsets are entirely diff erent, Ferrell said. With residential clients, the relationship is very personal, as is the space being designed.
“You need to know how many socks they have,” she said, illustrating the minute details that help with the design of a closet or bedroom.
In commercial spaces, designers have to think about many people, she said: Furniture must be sturdy, fire codes must be followed and fire-resistant materials must be considered, for example.
Switching among all these diff erent wavelengths helps keep her on her toes, Ferrell said. And throughout everything, she manages to keep things pretty light-hearted and focused on the reason she got into the business.
“I was definitely the little girl rearranging her room and requesting lavender carpet,” she said.
Her tastes have matured from her lavender carpet days, but she still maintains that outlet of creativity through design.
Interior designer takes blank space and creates masterpiece - Moultrie News, Oct 14, 2009
Riverside Designers paired owners Diane and Richard Ryan’s existing antiques with new contemporary furnishings to create a fresh modern look that complements the view of the Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor. Custom-made draperies open to reveal a wall-mounted television.
Located in the prestigious Tides waterfront development in Mount Pleasant this spacious corner unit showcases panoramic views of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge and Mount Pleasant’s new $14 million, 9-acre Memorial as well as the Waterfront Park; Charleston Harbor, Cooper River and scenic marshland.
This two bedroom, 2.5 bath condominium leaves no stone unturned in its quality and craftsmanship. The floor plan features a master suite with private sitting room, den and terrace, as well as a grand terrace, music room and full dining room.
The owners hired Jennifer Ferrell of Charleston’s Riverside Designers to transform the interior space using fabrics by Kravet, Harleston and Highland Court, furniture by Kravet, Baker Furniture, special-order antiques and repurposed pieces of the owners’. This unit at The Tides was built in 2007. It features 2,673 sqft. and 2 / 2.5 bathrooms.
Interior designer and life-long native of Charleston, Jennifer Ferrell, serves as owner and principal of Riverside Designers Inc., Charleston’s oldest interior design studio serving clients since 1975.
With more than 40 years combined experience in the profession, Ferrell and her colleagues at Riverside Designers have made creating award-winning, inspirational environments their life’s work through client rapport and service.
In 2005, Ferrell purchased Riverside Designers from founder and then-owner Gloria Thiem, who still plays an integral role managing the firm’s subsidiary workroom, threadhouse, inc.
Ferrell as well as her professional staff have been Members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) since 1999 and hold degrees with concentration in residential interior design from the University of Georgia’s Family & Consumer Sciences residential design program.
Riverside Designers can be reached at 377-2600 or by e-mail at info@riversidedesigners.com.
Riverside Designers Named Designer Liaison for Charleston Custom Cabinet Maker
Charleston, S.C. – Two of Charleston, S.C.’s home décor experts have announced a strategic alliance. Riverside Designers, Inc., located at 11 Isabella Street, has been named “Designer Liaison” for William C. Pritchard Co., Inc., one of the area’s most esteemed cabinet makers.
As Designer Liaison, Riverside Designers’ owner and principal designer, Jennifer Ferrell, will help guide William C. Pritchard Co. clients through selections of style, color, finish and hardware, and communicate the clients’ preferences to Pritchard’s manufacturing facility to ensure the client’s vision is perfectly executed. Clients include home owners, architects, contractors and other designers. Ferrell will be trained by Pritchard staff and will be accepting up to four consultations per week with Pritchard clients.
“This collaboration is very exciting for us and will certainly add to my knowledge base in interior design and construction,” notes Jennifer Ferrell, owner and principal of Riverside Designers. “I am proud to say that I have used William C. Pritchard cabinetry both in my own home and many of my clients’ projects. I have always been extremely pleased with the quality of their construction, and I love that their cabinetry is completely fabricated here in the Charleston area.”
“Pritchard’s use of a CAD-CAM program is as impressive as their workshop,” Ferrell continues, “and as a designer, I appreciate that they can design and build cabinets for truly any space. Too, their finish sets their work apart from any other cabinetmakers because it is as practical as it is beautiful.”
“Being able to collaborate with Jennifer from Riverside Designers allows us to provide top service to our customers and clients. From the beginning, we can ensure that the whole design process is integrated with the client’s style and the aesthetics of the environment in which the cabinets will ultimately be installed and enjoyed,” states Phil Mansker of W. C. Pritchard & Co.
Custom cabinetry from William C. Pritchard, Inc. has been featured in numerous publications, including Beautiful Homes, Kitchen and Bath Ideas, and Charleston Home & Design. Pritchard’s showroom is located at 3750 Savannah Highway and is open to clients and prospective clients by appointment by calling 843.889.1313.
About Riverside Designers
Riverside Designers, Inc. is a very seasoned interior design firm with a progressive, ever-youthful spirit. Serving more than 1,500 clients since 1975, Riverside is the most established interior design studio in Charleston, S.C. A team of professionals led by principal designer and owner Jennifer Ferrell bring more than 50 years combined experience and award-winning interior design to serve Riverside's clients. All are members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). Think signature style infused with a fresh take on classic, timeless looks, and you have the trademark for which Riverside Designers has built its business, one client at a time, for the past 35 years. Learn more by visiting www.riversidedesigners.com or calling 843.377.2600.
Riverside Designers, Inc. Celebrates 35 Years in Business
Charleston, S.C. – In August of 1975, Riverside Designers’ original owner Gloria Thiem opened a modest interior design service on Rivers Avenue in downtown Charleston, S.C. Thirty-five years and more than 1,500 clients later, Riverside Designers is celebrating 2010 as a major milestone: it is Charleston’s most established interior design studio.
Riverside Designers’ owner and principal since 2005, Jennifer Ferrell, reminisces with Thiem, who now manages threadhouse, inc., Riverside’s in-house fabrication workroom: “I admit it’s bizarre to own a company older than I am,” Ferrell said. Ferrell, 32, was born and raised in Charleston, attending Porter Gaud School and graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in residential interior design.
“We are so grateful for so many families opening their doors to us and allowing us to come into their homes and transform them to reflect a timeless, memorable style that they can be happy with for many years. Often, our clients become our friends because we are so connected to the project,” Ferrell continued.
In tribute to its 35th anniversary, throughout 2010 Riverside Designers will be offering every new and existing client up to three hours of consultation and design services by Ferrell herself for $35/hour, more than a 60% discount.
“Naturally, we want to do something special to commemorate 2010 as our 35th year. We also feel that this kind of incentive allows many more families to test out our services if they have a room or an area of their home they’d like to polish,” Ferrell explained.
In addition to its anniversary-special pricing, Ferrell and her team are also planning to launch a new web site and blog, as well as find additional ways of adding value for its clients, in the coming year.
About Riverside Designers
Riverside Designers, located at 11 Isabella Street, is Charleston, S.C.’s oldest interior design studio, serving residential and commercial clients since 1975. With more than 40 years combined experience in the profession, principal, owner and lifelong Charleston native Jennifer Ferrell and her colleagues at Riverside Designers have made creating award-winning, inspirational environments their life’s work through exceptional client rapport and service. A signature style, unique to the client, is the trademark of Riverside Designers: fresh, classic interiors that speak for themselves. Ferrell and Riverside’s professional staff are Members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). Learn more by visiting www.riversidedesigners.com or calling 843.377.2600.
Media Contact: Jamie Prince | FLOURISH Integrated Communications
864.248.0255 tel. | jamie@startflourishing.com
Riverside Designers Nominated to “100 Best Bulldog Businesses”
Charleston, S.C. – The University of Georgia Alumni Association recently recognized Riverside Designers as a nominee for its inaugural 100 Best Bulldog Businesses program, a new award given by UGA for the 100 fastest growing businesses owned and/or operated by UGA alumni.
Riverside Designers’ owner and principal, Jennifer Ferrell, along with assistant designer Shay Simpson and workroom manager Gloria Thiem, graduated from University of Georgia’s Family and Consumer Sciences residential interior design program.
“We’re delighted to have received a nomination in this award’s first year,” commented Jennifer Ferrell. “Riverside Designers has had the good fortune of serving the Charleston community for 35 years in 2010, and being considered for this honor is even more reason to celebrate.”
Nominations for the Bulldog 100 list must come from a fellow UGA alumnus or alumna, and once confirmed, nominees submit a formal application that is then independently audited by Atlanta’s CPA firm Gifford, Hillegass & Ingwersen, LLP. The top 100 companies will be revealed at a banquet held in Atlanta on January 30, 2010, and will be featured on the UGA Alumni Association’s web site.
“We at Gifford, Hillegass & Ingwersen, along with the UGA Alumni Association, believe this recognition to be a very special, distinctive and celebrated honor for all the companies involved,” stated the CPA firm’s Manager and UGA graduate from 1998, Eddie Carneiro.
More information about the 100 Best Bulldog Businesses program is available at www.uga.edu/alumni/100bbb.
About Riverside Designers
Riverside Designers, located at 11 Isabella Street, is Charleston, S.C.’s oldest interior design studio, serving residential and commercial clients since 1975. With more than 40 years combined experience in the profession, principal, owner and lifelong Charleston native Jennifer Ferrell and her colleagues at Riverside Designers have made creating award-winning, inspirational environments their life’s work through exceptional client rapport and service. A signature style, unique to the client, is the trademark of Riverside Designers: fresh, classic interiors that speak for themselves. Ferrell and Riverside’s professional staff are Members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). Learn more by visiting www.riversidedesigners.com or calling 843.377.2600.
Media Contact: Jamie Prince
FLOURISH Integrated Communications
864.248.0255 tel. | jamie@startflourishing.com
