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Back Door to the Trade
Austin Design Center accomodates the vision of interior designers. By Birdie Michaels and Joelle Pearson Photos by Jordan Golembeski Back Door to the Trade does business exclusively with designers. For 12 years, the business has served as Austin’s only wholesale design center, providing a shared space for four distinct showrooms that offer products for commercial and residential use.
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Before opening BDT, Priscilla Laffey and her business partner, Donna Stockton-Hicks, worked for English’s Drapery & Interiors. They had larger goals that flourished, and the two consequently established relationships with a core group of designers. Laffey’s vision was to be the technical mastermind behind the creatives, who often dread the organizational side of business. Stockton-Hicks’ primary concentration is the Stockton Hicks Laffey showroom, while Laffey concentrates on, above all, designers receiving exactly what they want. Together, they embrace the role of a professional middleman. This concept has been long awaited, and sales are reflective of the need. BDT is currently comprised of four individual showrooms, and each showroom works as an agent for the companies they represent, allowing designers the freedom to create without the stressors of smallbusiness operations. Each showroom has a distinct look and group of design lines they represent, giving clients access to a wide variety of fabrics, furnishings and accessories. What Back Door to the Trade promises is a custom-built experience. “We do this because the designers are artists, and it’s their vision that we accommodate,” Laffey says. 1. Objets, LTD.
Objets, Ltd. is an aesthetic treasure trove of found objects and furniture, some of which have been made by the hands of emerging artists. With elements ranging from contemporary to antiques, fabrics to furniture, lighting and accessories, Objets offers a broad range of lines that will fit any decor. Owner Sandy Sieracki values craftsmanship and uniqueness, which is reflected in the eclectic, high-end objects found in her showroom. The merchandise at Objets,
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Ltd. has a refined, Old World, antique influence, complemented by modern European twists. With stores in Denver and Austin, Objets Ltd. emphasizes customer satisfaction. Visit objetsltd.com or call 512.467.0301. 2. Sonno Domestic Living
Artisan Heather Toolin specializes in luxurious bedding. As with the other showrooms at BDT, Toolin’s refined creativity is not limited to one specialty. With Toolin as a conduit, designers are capable of creating custom-made patterned fabric, embroidered towels and almost anything they can dream up. Sonno also includes fabulous beds, furnishings and unique lighting. Visit sonnodomesticliving.com or call 512.452.4005. 3. Black Sheep Unique
Damien Clark and his wife, Erica, operate this showroom, which features handmade antique,
contemporary and custom-made rugs. Sketch a picture of your fantasy rug and Black Sheep Unique can actualize it, drawing from an expansive color selection. However, once you have seen the antique and modern offerings from Afghanistan, Turkey, Nepal and beyond, you may decide to forego a custom creation. Visit blacksheepunique.com or call 512.465.2273 to schedule a showroom tour. For outbound appointments, call 512.466.2109. 4. Stockton Hicks Laffey
The central hub of BDT provides more than 85 classic and contemporary lines of textiles, trims, furniture, wall coverings and accessories in a 15,000-square-foot showroom. This inspiring space also allows clients to order customized furnishings, as well as purchase any accessory directly from the floor. For more information on product lines, visit stocktonhickslaffey.com or call 512.302.1116.