Billed as “the ultimate problem solvers” the team at Store with Style can help you find—and maximize—storage space
By Patricia Nugent
Real Simple is one of the few glossy monthly magazines still on the shelves—and for good reason. On almost every cover, within the teaser blurbs, you’ll see the word “declutter.” Everyone wants cleaner, simpler, more streamlined lives.
Much like the magazine, Store with Style in Mentor has all the answers to make your life functional, with out-of-the-box storage design solutions, professional craftsmanship and installation.
“We take the time to discover our clients’ pain points, then come up with a strategy to make them go away,” says Tony Wallace, who, along with his wife Kathy, opened the custom storage business in 2008. With so many newer homes and luxury homes in Avon and Avon Lake, he reports they have crews there all the time.
“Sure, we do over-the-top luxurious master closets, with spacious islands and glamorous chandeliers,” he says. “But, surprisingly, our fastest growing jobs are pantries and laundry rooms. Everyone wants to declutter the heart of their living space and we give them the inspiration and tools to do that. When I go into a room and see visible wall behind what’s currently being stored, I see wasted opportunity.”
The next most popular makeovers are home offices and niche spaces, such as craft rooms, hobby rooms and sewing rooms, as well as basements and garages.
“We’ve done more than 4,000 projects, so we know what does and doesn’t work best,” he says. “Our clients see us as the ultimate problem solvers.”
In addition to custom closet solutions, over the years the family has evolved to also specialize in kitchen and bath remodeling.
The Showstopping Showroom
Shop from amazing life-sized vignettes that show all that’s possible at the Store with Style showroom. Although appointments are recommended so someone can spend time with you, the Wallaces love it when folks drop in.
The consultation process begins with measurements and getting to know the scope of the job. Then Tony creates a CAD drawing with the flexibility to make changes.
“Kathy and I share a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for helping our clients get organized,” he says. “And we love working with an American cabinet manufacturer, Redline, that shares our devotion to quality and craftsmanship, with loads of beautiful selections to match any décor style.”
The partnership has been wildly successful. Store with Style has been in the top 10 of national dealers in sales volume for Redline since it opened.
Laundry Room Transformation
Meet the Dave and Julie Kuhar. They moved to Willoughby three years ago into a beautiful and spacious home. All it lacked was a laundry room.
“The previous owners had moved the washer and dryer from the basement to an unused space that was not very spacious,” she says. “We brought in an architect to design an addition for a laundry room, half-bath and hot tub room. When it was finished, we basically had an empty box of a room for Tony to work with. He was meticulous and amazing, coming up with very creative ideas to maximize the long, narrow room.”
Creating six different zones, Tony found places for everything, even things they never thought of.
“Tony uses a product called HandiWALL, a PVC slatwall solution that allowed for us to change the functionality by snapping in hooks and baskets,” Julie says. “There were many thoughtful little details to house everything. For instance, he measured my Swiffer and created a false- bottom kick plate for our vacuum closet, so it rolls out without having to be lifted. There’s a storage bench to sit down and take off your shoes, an ironing board built into a drawer, beautiful racks for drying delicate laundry and swimsuits after the hot tub, and we have a nice mix of open and closed storage, to put away things you don’t want to see and keep the ones you do in your line of sight for easy usage.”
A highlight of the space is the dog bath, an easy-to-use haven for their adorable 100-pound Labrador-mix named Roland. He’s been skunked a few times and loves to play outside, so having the shower just off the garage saves the house from his “post-bath shake and splatter.”
Cassi Birtley from Store with Style helped the Kuhars with making selections that complemented their craftsman décor in the rest of the home.
“The installers are Tony and Kathy’s sons, Aaron and Adam, and as master carpenters, they were fastidious, professional, skilled and impressive at their job,” says Julie. “They were also polite and funny. I can’t say enough about our experience in working with this family. Everything came out perfect, better than we ever would have dreamed it would.”
Store with Style is located at 8250 Tyler Boulevard, Suite E in Mentor. The company has won numerous awards, including the Angi Super Service Award, Best of Houzz and A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, by appointment only. Call 440-974-8201 or visit StoreWithStyle.net for more information.