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From Home Furnishing Business

Laura U Launches Studio U Concept

February 5, 2014  by in Designer Weekly   

Laura U, Houston, began testing the Studio U storefront concept earlier this month; and plans a grand opening party and Web site launch in mid-March.

“The decision to expand the Laura U brand came following the strongest year in Laura U’s seven year history," said Michael Umansky, CEO of Laura U. "After experiencing a 30 percent increase in revenue and expanding our team by more than 40 percent, we decided it was the right time. Laura has wanted to do something like this for a while. We meet people everyday that we would love to work with that just aren’t ready to commit to redesigning their entire home. By introducing a 'walk-ins welcome' side to our business, we are not only filling that void in the market but, more importantly, we are reaching this broader audience, helping them solve design challenges, and starting to build long-term relationships with them.”

Studio U sets its sights on small to mid-sized projects and individual room design, while Laura U Interior Design will continue to focus on full home, turnkey design services. Studio U hopes to introduce a new group of design savvy, budget conscious homeowners to interior design by leveraging the Laura U process and resources through a modified “pay-per-room” flat-fee cost structure.

“I am extremely excited about the future of Laura U Interior Design and bringing Studio U to life,” said Laura Umansky, president and creative director at Laura U. “Studio U will extend the same dedication to service we offer at Laura U Interior Design to clients wishing to only design one or two rooms at a time. The key to Studio U is our accessible, interactive approach where anyone can walk in or easily make an appointment to gain the advice they need to solve a design challenge. By providing everyday access to amazing design we are opening up the world of interiors to clients who may not have worked with a designer before.”