Unfinished business By Leigh Patterson Photography: Michael Roberts
For 36 years, Faveri’s Wood Furniture has been Manitoba’s go-to store for quality, unfinished, solid wood furniture. Now under the new ownership of Lynda Wilson and Robert Kreis, Faveri’s is poised to usher in yet another generation of customers with its fresh, vibrant selection of heirloom quality traditional and contemporary furniture, accessories and friendly customer service. The comforting scent of real wood – pine, oak, birch and maple – welcome visitors to the store’s Wall Street location, home to Faveri’s since it was established in 1976. Dining tables, islands, chairs, complete bedroom suites and much more are displayed throughout the beautiful, spacious showroom. Faveri’s keeps a large inventory, and will special order or custom build to meet your needs. “We pride ourselves in offering affordable, solid wood, North American furniture - about half of our products are Canadian made,” says Lynda, who adds that “using North American wood and builders ensures long lasting quality and beauty which may not be available with some other the types of materials or fabrication.“ In fact, long time Faveri’s customers often comment that the furniture they purchased from Faveri’s 20 or more years ago is as solid as ever. These same customers and new ones alike will be glad to know that Faveri’s standard of excellence established by the former (now retired) owners continues under the care of Lynda and Robert. For example, most chairs are hand built in the store. “This ensures that someone has 44 | STYLE MANITOBA | autumn 2012
physically inspected each chair and customers can be assured that they have been built with pride and craftsmanship,” Lynda says. Faveri’s ready-to-finish pieces can be stained by the do-it-yourselfer using the store’s extensive line of more environmentally-friendly, waterbased stains and finishes. For a realistic vintage look, Faveri’s has the largest selection of milk paint in Winnipeg. Faveri’s knowledgeable staff, some of whom have been with the store for over 35 years, are always available in person or by phone to offer one-on-one instruction or advice on finishing application. For those who don’t have the time, space or desire to finish the piece themselves, Faveri’s carries many of the ready-to-finish items in prefinished form from the manufacturers, available in a wide selection of colours.
Faveri’s still offers a custom finishing service for customers with a specific design or colour requirement. “We can create a piece exactly how you want it, with colour and finish, including unique milk painting,” Lynda notes. Lynda is seeing a strong interest in Faveri’s storage furniture, particularly storage beds. These are great for dorm rooms, children’s rooms and cottages, replete with convenient cubbyholes for books and electronic items, and seasonal storage underneath. “Our newest ’Smaller Living Space’ collection is a stylish, practical option that’s perfect for seniors’ residences, and condos,” Lynda says. “Downsizers love the idea of lots of storage,
especially when transitioning from a house to a condo.” Solid wood storage benches, low profile media cabinets, armoires and bookcases are other storage options – and many can be customized and tailored to meet every lifestyle and décor. In keeping with the current home trend of eclectic, casual elegance, many Faveri’s customers are gravitating to the rustic “Live Edge” or Yukon Turnbuckle one-of-a-kind tables that showcase the texture and natural beauty of the wood. Complementing the furniture pieces are carefully selected accessories and accent pieces, as well as a great fabric selection for Faveri’s upholstered chairs. Lynda’s design background is an asset for customers and designers looking to enhance a living space with Faveri’s furniture. As they expand their business, the couple says they are keen to maintain the community connections established over the years by supporting a number of local charities. Whether your taste is rustic, casual, refined or contemporary, Lynda knows Faveri’s furniture will provide fabulous style and unsurpassed quality well into the future. “Generations of customers shop here because they are looking for responsible furniture pieces that will last.”