B&E Home Improvement | 2022

HOME IMPROVEMENT A

marillo is growing. New businesses are opening. New residents are showing up. New developments are selling out, and existing homeowners are deciding it’s time to upgrade their environments. From innovative outdoor spaces to custom furniture—and from home automation to unique blinds and decor— these local businesses are making sure Amarillo’s homes are as comfortable as they are functional.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

Rockwood Furniture Co. What is your business, expertise or area of interest? We are Jake and Stephanie Rempel and Jake’s brother, Henry Rempel, and we own Rockwood Furniture Co. Impeccable craftsmanship is the essence of value. The furnishings we curate for our customers are designed for today in a range of aesthetics and styles, yet crafted to last a lifetime using methods passed through generations by skilled makers.

How did you get your start? We grew up in small-town Texas and have been in business in Amarillo for nearly 15 years. We first opened in August 2007 at the entrance to Westgate Mall. We have since grown into a much larger showroom and retail location on I-27, between Amarillo and Canyon, and serve customers all across the tri-state area.

What is your specialty? Service, selection and a wide range of in-stock styles for every room of your home.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? In a world where quality and solid hardwood furniture is becoming increasingly rare, we are proud to offer American-made brands and handcrafted furniture by Amish craftsmen and other American artisans. We have ventured out into other lines throughout the years, but these lines still excel.

What new technology are you excited about for 2022? We are excited to offer new technology that helps us connect with our customers and understand their wants and needs. Our online “Find your Home’s Design Style” Quiz is a quick, fun and interactive series of “this-or-that” questions to help clients feel more confident and give clear design direction when choosing furniture and decor.

We’ve also launched a series of Augmented Reality furniture pieces you can scan from your phone’s camera and place virtually anywhere in your space. When placed, these items are lifesize-scaled, which allows you to design, rearrange and experience pieces in your room with your existing furniture.

We know, more often than not, when customers buy from a big box chain retailer they do not get the experience they were hoping for. They cannot visualize the pieces in their home, have to rely on small swatches of fabrics and finishes when attempting to customize an item, and are disappointed when the quality is poorer than expected.

We pride ourselves on having a full showroom for you to see, touch and experience the comfort yourself. In addition, we have implemented technology that allows us to build each piece of furniture by picking wood, stain and fabrics to see a real-life representation of fully customizable pieces and how they can complement each other in your home. From the first day we opened our showroom doors, we have been committed to giving our customers the best possible experience and service. By implementing the most cuttingedge technology, it allows us to stay connected with our customers and continue to serve them in the best way possible.

What kinds of challenges are you facing in your industry right now? While we have had the same long lead times and industry issues as most larger retailers, we have learned to have patience and look at creative solutions for our customers. We spend hours searching for companies with quality items that we can have delivered quickly. We have tried to keep our stock supply healthy, enabling customers the ability to take home items off the floor.

We are in constant contact with our suppliers, trying to get our customers’ orders in a timely manner, all while maintaining exceptional customer service.

What is one piece of advice you would give to homeowners? When you are choosing furniture for your home, invest in quality pieces as timeless staples. Then, when it’s time to change the look and feel of your space, it can be easily accomplished with artwork, accent pieces, rugs and pillows, always leaving your home feeling curated but current.

11570 I-27 | 806.358.8778 ROCKWOODFURNITURECO.COM

The Pergola Shop “P

ergolas have been around for years, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be improved,” says Brice Stater, owner of The Pergola Shop.

“We are constantly looking for new products that will enhance and improve your outdoor space.”

That includes outdoor kitchens, heaters or fireplaces for cooler weather, custom patio furniture, made inhouse, and a lot more on display at the company’s new downtown showroom.

Stater got his start at age 14 working for his father’s construction company in Iowa. After the family moved to Amarillo, he found work as a framer, then spent 17 years in law enforcement. He kept doing construction on the side, though, and in 2006, he made a career transition. He started Stater Construction, and began focusing on home-building and remodeling full time. But it wasn’t long before he realized “people love pergolas and we love building them.”

That’s when The Pergola Shop was born. In the spring of 2021, the company opened its showroom— and it features more than just pergolas. “We are able to display almost everything we offer so that you can see exactly what you are getting from the beginning,” he says.

Still, custom-built pergolas remain the company’s specialty. “We offer traditional pergolas that have an open, slatted roof, pavilions that have a pitched roof, and we even have a pergola with a louvered roof that opens and closes with the push of a button,” Stater explains. “Each one that we build is designed to meet the specific needs of our customers. We want you to have the ability to completely customize every aspect of your pergola, from motorized screens to fireplaces and fire tables, and so much more.”

The indoor showroom sets The Pergola Shop apart, but so does Stater’s use of the dovetail method when building pergolas. This method does away with bulky metal hardware that, from his perspective, takes away from the structure’s natural beauty. “The dovetail method is known to be the strongest method used to join two pieces of wood,” he says. “Because it has been used for centuries, we feel confident that what we are building will last for many years to come.”

701 SE 10TH AVE. 806.681.2157 | THEPERGOLASHOP.COM

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

OWNERS PEDRO AND TANYA LIMAS (SEATED) WITH THE SOUND BY DESIGN TEAM

Sound By Design How did you get your start? During my fourth year of working at Circuit City, I found myself helping clients with installations on my time off and enjoyed that more than the retail environment. This was also when the 18-inch dish and new service offerings from DirecTV and Dish Network were growing in popularity. There was exciting growth in home electronics and I wanted to be a part of it.

I left Circuit City in 1998, and with the support of my wife Tanya, we founded Sound By Design. With the help of our great community have grown it to what it is today.

What is your specialty? “We deliver magic by making technology simple.” We help clients enjoy the content being delivered to their homes through internet, cable and satellite by making their home electronics easy to use.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? We listen to our client’s wants as well as their struggles and strive to deliver a valuable solution to their needs. We have a technically advanced staff that can quickly meet our clients’ needs. Our team stays ahead of the competition through research and training, to keep up with the ever-changing industry, and we provide services you wouldn’t expect from a typical sound company. Sound By Design offers lighting design and control, motorized shades, and full-service security.

What new technology, service or product are you excited about for 2022? We are excited about the AI features that will be available for homeowners. Artificial Intelligence will soon be an integral part of our lives. With the increase in demand, the need for ensuring that our clients’ privacy and personal information is protected has increased, as well.

What kinds of challenges are you facing in your industry right now? We are experiencing a supply chain issue that has become commonplace across a variety of industries. Our industry is competing for the same silicon chip needed by the automobile industry. It is frustrating and at the same time satisfying that our customers have been very understanding and thankful for any adjustments we can make.

What is one piece of advice you would give to homeowners? Invest in your home. Over the past couple of years, we have all realized the importance of our homelife experience. If you’re building a new home, prepare for a connected home with a top-notch wired infrastructure.

A wired environment is much more reliable and secure than a wireless environment.

5 21 5 S . C O U LT E R , S U I T E 3 0 0 806.352.5884 SOUNDBYDESIGN.COM

HOME IMPROVEMENT

La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor How did you get your start? Our family has been in the furniture business since 1974, when my dad and his brother-in-law opened opened a furniture store in Pampa.

My dad opened La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in Amarillo in 1997, and I took over the day-to-day operations in early 2020 after spending 8 years working in the wholesale side of the furniture industry.

What is your specialty? We specialize in seating for the home. We offer everything from sofas to sectionals to chairs, and of course, recliners. We also carry occasional tables, accessories and even dining, bedroom and home office items.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? We’re unique in that we only carry LaZ-Boy products or La-Z-Boy-owned lines (excluding our accessory lines). We know every detail about our products, and we can customize a chair or sofa to fit each customer’s taste and style. We’re proud to be locally owned and operated for 25 years.

What new product are you excited about for 2022?

We are excited about the increased offerings of power headrest and power lumbar on more products. Although these features have been around for a few years, they have taken off in popularity in recent years. La-Z-Boy has continued to increase the use of this technology on not just recliners, but sofas and loveseats, too.

OWNER JOEY HAWKINS

What kinds of challenges are you facing in your industry right now? Increased and/or inconsistent lead times due to multiple supply chain disruptions have been a thorn in our side. Although we have no control over how quickly something will be produced and shipped to us, we do everything we can to keep our customers updated with the latest information. However, we have also increased our in-stock offerings, so we can get products to our customers faster.

What is one piece of advice you would give to homeowners? Think about where you spend the most time in your home and invest there. Oftentimes, consumers are looking for the lowest price point and will end up regretting their purchase. So much of our mornings and evenings are spent at home, and often in the living room. Make yourself as cozy and comfortable as you can, while creating a space you’re proud of.

3636 SONCY ROAD 806 . 352.4600 | L A-Z-BOY.COM

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Budget Blinds How did you get your start? We wanted to move from working in our previous careers to owning our own business.

During our research, we came upon the Budget Blinds franchise. What attracted us to Budget Blinds was the family atmosphere among the various franchisees, the service culture that existed at the franchise and individual owner level, and the wonderful support they offered.

What is your specialty? Customer service is our specialty at Budget Blinds. We consult with you to understand what you want to achieve in relation to function and design. We bring the showroom to you to make selections for your new window treatments, measure your windows to make sure you have a true custom fit, and offer a professional install.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? We offer the best of both worlds—local ownership and being part of Budget Blinds, which is the largest window treatment franchise in the country. With the size and buying power of our franchise, we are able to choose from a variety of vendors and products that best fit our market and the customer’s needs.

What trends are you excited about for 2022?

Motorization for hard-to-reach windows is a dream.

With automation, you can raise or lower your shades on a schedule or even if you’re away from home. We are also big believers in cordless, child-safe and pet-safe products. We encourage everyone to consider these options. We have solutions for most window treatment types.

What kinds of challenges are you facing in the industry right now? Our biggest challenge is shipping and availability. Our vendors are constantly working on improving ship times and making sure the supply chain is working correctly. Shipping issues are improving, but there are still challenges.

What is one piece of advice you would give homeowners?

Be creative. Window treatments are as much a part of home design as wall color, furniture, and even the décor. You can improve the feel and look of your home with the type of window treatment you choose. Allow us to help you see how window treatments can make your home more beautiful.

And remember that window treatments have a lifespan.

They grow old and need replacing just like an appliance.

3 3 5 0 O L S E N B LV D. , S U I T E 1 0 0 0 806.553.2696 | BUDGETBLINDS.COM

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

The Urban Giraffe How did you get your start? We got our start in retail with an outdoor decor store called Back Yard 2 Go, which featured metal yard art. We then made the move to the home decor side in 2013. We moved to our current location in 2016.

What is your specialty? I like to think that what makes our store special is the number of options we provide. We can help clients personalize their homes no matter their design style, from modern or contemporary to Western or Boho. We have it all! We also offer a variety of price points for every budget.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? We are a one-stopshop. We carry all the items you need to make your house a home: lighting, mirrors, candlesticks, furniture, accessories, pillows, wall art and more. Our stock is updated every week!

What new products are you excited about for 2022? We are focusing on more home and gift ideas. We want our customers to be able to find the perfect gift for any occasion.

What kinds of challenges are you facing in your industry right now? Like every other business in town, shipping delays and the cost of doing business have been very challenging.

There are no time frames for getting inventory and prices are increasing with every order. We are grateful for the patience and understanding of our loyal customers!

What is one piece of advice you would give to homeowners? Only purchase what you love. When you do, the decor will be cohesive throughout your home and reflect your unique personality.

4 0 0 0 S W 51 S T AV E .

8 0 6 .41 8 . 8 9 62 THEURBANGIRAFFE.COM

PDC Construction & Fabrication

HOME IMPROVEMENT

How did you get your start? I started building metal buildings as a side job while working at Pantex. Eventually, I was able to leave Pantex and pursue my business full time.

What is your specialty? We specialize in custom metal buildings, whether it’s metal pole barns, weld-up, bolt-up buildings, or barndominiums.

What sets you and your business apart from your competitors? We take pride in what we build and never leave a job site unless the customer is satisfied to the best of our ability. I also make it a point to call prospective customers back to give them a bid when asked. It is a common courtesy that each customer deserves.

What new technology, service, or product are you excited about for 2022? We would be excited by declining gas, materials, and home prices in 2022! We plan to continue delivering the best quality construction for the price no matter the challenge.

What kinds of challenges are you facing in your industry right now?

Like everyone else, material price increases make it difficult to bid jobs that will begin in the future. We also have to be innovative at times to be able to meet schedules due to material shortages.

What is one piece of advice you would give to homeowners? Your place would look better with one of our buildings on it!

C H A D C U LW E L L 806.654.3658

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