WRITER | CANDIE CONAT
PHOTO| DELIGHT IN DESIGNS
Jessica Crosby and Monica Denhof, the talented pair behind Delight in Designs in Grand Rapids, are also the ultimate mother and daughter-in-law design team. Crosby was looking for a career move, and since she had always loved connecting with new people and helping friends and family with home design, it seemed a natural path to take. She also knew that Denhof would be a perfect fit, bringing her savvy marketing, social media, and promotional skills to the mix.
In less than a year, Crosby and Denhof have built an amazing following that has expanded beyond the immediate Northeast Grand Rapids area. Delight in Designs uses a three-pronged approach to serve its customers: their online store, the brick-and-mortar design store, and residential and commercial on-site design appointments. Customers get the attention they need from every direction.
The Delight in Designs store, with its mix of country cottage, shabby chic, and boho with splashes of contemporary mixed in, is intended to be an incubator. A variety of design ideas are set up in ways to help customers imagine what they can create and how it might translate to their own home or office.
The store carries everything from a single candle to full lines of furniture. There is an endless supply of home accessories as well as women’s boutique clothing and mixed-media jewelry that can serve as a perfect gift. An experienced design team is ready to assist with the many options available for finished fabrics on everything from couches to chairs to ottomans and more.
Crosby says various shades of blue are becoming very popular, slowly creeping up on the ever-popular gray. In the way of accessories, she suggests throw pillows as a way to add pops of color or make a fun statement as well as the growing trend of using lighting to give a room a whole new look. The store carries several full lines that range from wall sconces and chandeliers to lamps and lanterns with interesting shades to grab attention.
Good artwork seems to have become a niche for Delight in Designs, setting them apart and helping them build the reputation as a trusted place for quality pieces. The store carries art that is perfect for a nursery or teen’s bedroom to exquisite pieces for above the fireplace.
In addition to all they offer in the world of design, these ladies really do delight in bringing customers in for creative workshops to keep things fun and interesting. “Coladas & Canvas Shoes!” was one particularly fun event that had participants painting and otherwise bedazzling their new canvas shoes in all sorts of fun ways while socializing and sipping.
For Crosby and Denhof, it’s all about helping clients choose what speaks to them personally, all while enjoying themselves and making new friends. The public seems to relish both the level of product selection and the special customer service the two serve up.
Delight in Designs
5426 Northland Drive
Grand Rapids MI 49525
(616) 288-9780 l DelightInDesigns.com
