Manufacturer web sites should still be checked and catalogs gathered to garner every piece of the puzzle for your home. Actually seeing a quality product from one manufacturer and being able to compare it to products on the next wall help you tie together all the elements of your décor. The bad news is that there are so many beautiful and unique choices, the decision-making process may be just as daunting.

To prevent your head from spinning off your shoulders, consult the experts. At the showrooms of Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, consultants are trained to walk you through the process, from determining what fits with your décor to insuring sufficient space for an appliance. I suggest browsing through a showroom once or twice so that you don’t pass out from shear delight when showing up for a serious consultation. Next, make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation and bring your house plans, room colors, perhaps a cabinet photo and tile sample and, for sure, your ideas. The process becomes even more exciting as trained personnel absorb your input and begin eliminating certain options and enhancing others. The rooms of your house utilized to the greatest extent, like the kitchen and bathrooms, are conceptually molded into spaces that are uniquely you.

Design, functionality and high-usage reliability are factors for consideration. Energy efficiency and water conservation have also moved up the ladder of importance and have actually leaped into the spotlight. All this can be accomplished without sacrificing the ambiance that is a key to your comfort and the goals for your living space. From classic elegance to bold contemporary, innovative answers can be found with a little guidance from the experts who deal with these issues full-time.
Equally important is the follow-up on your products. Once decisions have been made, timely delivery of the right products and fittings are critical, and Ferguson, with 1400 stores nationwide and over 180 fully stocked locations, has the strength to make it happen. If alternative products are chosen that might require a change in the house plan, Ferguson contacts the builder to determine if additional charges will be required, and that information is included in a formal review. As your investment accounts are being shuffled for finalizing loans and fees, it may be comforting to know that your appliances and fixtures can be financed for six months with no interest.

The latest product lines from manufacturers like Kohler, Jacuzzi and Mirabelle are all handled by Ferguson. An effort has been made to carry brands and models not found elsewhere, which is evident in their choices of innovative light fixtures and sinks. Visiting the showroom is truly an experience in itself and it can be a step in the direction of turning your own home into a statement about yourself. Please be aware, however, that covering the total “you” may also require a new wardrobe. But that’s a feature story for some other magazine.