“That’s when the light went off,” she said. “These people want to actually work with me. They didn’t care where I was working.”
Three customers from Killingsworth’s former furniture job in Houston contacted her within a week of her move. While trying to add a furniture line to her new employer’s shop, Killingsworth said she was instead convinced by the line’s sales representative to set up her own account.
That decision led to the opening of Furniture Boutique in Friendswood.
Furniture Boutique features home decor items that customers can purchase in-store.[/caption]Before opening her storefront in November 2013, Killingsworth began working with her initial three clients out of her one-bedroom apartment in Houston. A year and a half later she decided to look for retail space in the city but found the rent cost and contract lengths less than ideal.
After almost abandoning the idea of finding a place, her cousin’s wife—who owns Bergamos Spa Retreat in Friendswood—offered Killingsworth the space next door under much more desirable terms, she said. Killingsworth stayed at that location until moving across Edgewood Drive when Bergamos announced an expansion into her store’s space.
Killingsworth said she saw a need around Friendswood for a type of decorating business that went beyond the traditional home decor options that were available.
“All the women in this area who are decorating or redecorating wanted that style, but they didn’t know where to get it,” she said.
Most of Killingsworth’s work comes in the form of custom decorating. Killingsworth makes house calls at $75 an hour to take photographs and measurements of the space before beginning the decorating process.
Killingsworth carries a wide variety of fabrics for clients to choose from for custom furniture.[/caption]With the dimensions and pictures, Killingsworth electronically creates a preliminary design arrangement so clients have a vision and cost estimate of their possible room makeover. Killingsworth works with customers to perfect the look and set up a furniture order.
Killingsworth credits her creative skill set to working with past employers who helped her get started in the industry. Outside of her former employers, she said she has not had formal training in design.
“I don’t think you can teach it,” Killingsworth said. “You kind of just have to have an eye for it.”
Killingsworth said she does not expect to ever exit the business. She enjoys her profession because her tasks do not feel like work.
“It’s such a blessing to be able to come here every day, play with fabrics and paint splotches and help people decorate,” Killingsworth said. “It’s just neat how it all worked out.”
