A former auto parts store in St. Joseph has taken on a new life as an architectural and interior design center, complete with a showroom.
Karen Garlanger Designs, LLC celebrated the opening of their new space, dubbed Welcome Home, with a ribbon cutting ceremony April 22.
Garlanger and her team, including husband David Schuck, have been renovating the former Ridge & Kramer Auto Parts site at 813 Highland Avenue since purchasing it in 2015. The location offers design space for Garlanger’s studio, plus a showroom and retail store, warehouse and room for truck deliveries.
“The ribbon cutting was amazing; we had an awesome turnout,” Garlanger says. “Several Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce members attended as well as the mayor’s representative.”
Having a showroom is the most exciting perk of the new location, Garlanger notes. “We can show all the lines we carry … our Welcome Home Custom Cabinet Line, our own Welcome Home Furniture line, rugs, bedding, and counters. We have a kitchen, beverage bar, benches and contemporary and traditional cabinets to show.”
Garlanger launched Karen Garlanger Designs in 2010. Her work has appeared in Women's Day Magazine, Distinctive Kitchen Solutions and Food Network Magazine, and she’s also been a featured designer on HGTV's website, according to
karengarlangerdesigns.com. Garlanger’s work can also be viewed at
Houzz.com, where she’s listed in the Pros section.
A St. Joseph native, Garlanger studied interior design at Western Michigan University and architecture at the University of Miami, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Andrews University.
The firm offers residential architecture (remodeling, additions, and new construction), residential interior design, space planning and kitchen and bath design, plus assistance with contractor selection and project management. They provide furniture, re-upholstery, fabrics, rugs, window treatments, bedding, wall coverings, tile, plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, counters, hardware, mirrors, art, and lighting.
Writer: Cathie Schau, Second Wave Media Southwest
Source: Karen Garlanger, Karen Garlanger Designs
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