This past week, I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with the CEOs of Chic, Ivan Pitoni and Anthony Thomason. As I walked through the showroom (Not open to the public yet) and gallery, I was in awe of the vast number of materials and the depth of the unique designs that Chic had to offer. Ivan was kind enough to take me on a tour and give me an in-depth look at the inner workings of the business.
During our conversation, Ivan shared with me the extensive testing that they have done over the years with various materials such as wood, fabrics, leathers, marbles, sponges, feathers, and stones. He explained how they have nearly perfected their craft to help further immerse customers in the warmth and comfort of their own home. Anthony explained that through their determined research, they have trialed and vetted all their custom materials to allude towards a “high-end deluxe feeling” with modern and artistic tones.
One example that stood out to me was the process they go through creating their couches. They have found that using three different layers of high-quality and high resilience density sponge, topped with white goose down feathers, results in the highest comfort rating according to their manufacturing scientists. They also survey thousands of customers with samples to try and test for themselves. This way they get the customers’ full articulate idea of what their needs are.
Another aspect that impressed me was the quality of wood that Chic uses. They primarily work with walnut, Ashwood, and Russian Pinewood, with the latter being their factory favorite. Russian Pinewood is 4 times stronger than the industry grade wood that 95% of other companies use, according to a recent study they confirmed, ensuring that their pieces are built to last longer than the house it rests in.
In terms of stones, Chic offers an extensive range of high-quality options. From natural slabs of Paraguayan Emerald marble to raw cuts of pink quartz from the Philippines. There is much more detail in their marbling and striations than most stones that I myself have seen. They have truly searched the globe to ensure authenticity and quality for their customers.
Finally, the upholsteries and fabrics that Chic offers are pure, simple, and cozy. They prefer to use large grain tight loop fleece designs for optimal, long-lasting comfort and import the majority of their fabrics from Belgium and New Zealand. They offer a long range of customizable textile fabrics using different cross patterns, dyes, and textures. They offer free samples and Chic textile books for any new customers or intrigued guests.
Overall, my visit to Chic Hospitality & Home was a true highlight and I left feeling impressed and excited about all that they have to offer. I highly recommend checking them out for yourself and seeing what the team and their vision is all about.