Five things you may not know about Vander Berg Furniture & Flooring

Who knew that in the early 1900's you could buy a new Ford at Vander Bergs?  Or that each year our designers have a great excuse to meet TV stars?  This week we wanted to tell you a little more about our story.  Here are 5 things you may not know about Vander Berg Furniture & Flooring (make sure to check out #5):

1. The Vander Berg family originally opened their doors in 1919 as a Ford dealership with John E. Vander Berg at the helm.  He later sold out to Mouw Motor and started selling pianos in 1941 when Dave (Dad) started tuning pianos as a junior in high school.  In 1968 Dave Vander Berg took over the piano business and hired a few Dordt College students to sand and finish the pianos.  They would cut down big upright pianos and transform them into smaller ones by adding a mirror on the top and re-shaping them to modernize their look.

2. Vander Berg Homes was started in 1984 when Doug and Jeff were looking to get rid of carpet remnants from the furniture store.  Initially, they would buy mobile homes, fix them up and put in carpet remnants.  That opened the door for new mobile home sales, which were sold until 1991.  People appreciated the craftsmanship and wanted a nicer home than what mobile homes could provide, so in 1991 Vander Berg Homes made the leap to selling fully customizable Stratford Homes.  

3. In May of 2007, Gladys retired from running the furniture store.  There was a big retirement sale and everything left was donated to Dordt College and Hope Haven—a local non-profit.  The store was emptied, re-carpeted, and a new storefront was added. 

4. Each year, our designers head to the biggest furniture markets in the country to see what trends are coming to the world of interior design.  Somehow they also always manage to run into a few of their favorite HGTV stars.  Our designers handpick every piece of furniture, accessory, and blind that makes it on to our showroom floor and into your homes.  They’re heading out again next week, so be sure to stop by the store in early March to see what they’ve come back with!

5. Our designer service is complimentary for any furniture, flooring, blinds, or accessories purchased from our showroom.  There is no catch.  There are no strings attached.  We’ve found that our customers are most satisfied when our designers are in their homes and making recommendations based on their homes’ layout and style.

Karma and Lindsey Vander Velde

Can you believe it?  Karma and Lindsey are our final contestants in DesignIt 2012!  Here's what they had to say about their design:

Why did you choose the pieces that you did to design around?  

When my daughter and I first walked through the store, we were overwhelmed with all the beautiful possibilities, so we knew when we came back to pick out the furniture for our room, we would have to let our ideas spring from one piece that really "spoke" to both of us.  We were no sooner through the front door when Lindsey said she really liked the painting on the wall.  When I saw it, I knew that would be the foundation for our choices.  We loved the color, movement, and texture of the painting and those things helped dictate what other items would fill the room.  In the painting were golds, greens, and a beautiful poppy red, and we tried to have those colors reappear in the room in other pieces. 

How would you describe your design style?

I really don't know what our design style is!  Warm, comfortable, inviting, colorful, textural are some words we would use to describe our approach. 

Why did you sign up for DesignIt 2012?

I first heard of the contest through a friend and coworker.  I knew it would be a great opportunity to stretch myself and also a fun thing to do with my daughter.  I must admit I approached the challenge with nervousness and uncertainty, but am so thankful how things came together and how much we enjoyed the process! 

What would you do with the $1000 shopping spree?

If our room is chosen, Lindsey and I would split the money.  My husband and I are planning a remodel for our TV room next summer so I would chose something for that project. As a college student, Lindsey said she is not sure right now what she would choose, but she isn't worried about not having enough options!

Jay Van Dyken

Jay Van Dyken took to the Center Mall to show off his design chops this week.  Vote for his design by liking and sharing his photo on the Vander Berg Furniture & Flooring Facebook Page.

Why did you choose the pieces that you did to design around? 

I wanted to incorporate rustic and contemporary pieces to create a warm, modern feel.

How would you describe your design style?

Simple.  I feel in most cases less is more.  I try to use large décor and furniture and allow the pieces to be the focal point of the room.

Why did you sign up for DesignIt 2012?

My wife and friends encouraged me to enter.

What would you do with the $1000 shopping spree?

I’m not sure.  I didn’t really enter to win the prize.  I wanted people to see maybe a different approach to design.  

What else would you like us to know?

Anybody can design.  You don’t necessarily have to be creative, handy or a visionary.  Most of my ideas come from magazines I like, websites I follow or friends.  Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive either.  Grab an idea say from Pinterest and try making it yourself. 

Julie Winter

This past week, we had the privilege of watching Julie create her space for DesignIt 2012.  Here's a glimpse into what inspired Julie:

 

Why did you choose the pieces that you did to design around?  

I challenged myself to do a contemporary room. I started with the grasscloth wallpaper remnants, the green bedding, and black bed frame.  It was really fun finding pieces in the store that tied together from there; like the linear dresser, area rug, and artwork to the grasscloth; the vases, pictures, and small accessories in the green color; the black in the drawer pulls, pillow, trunks, and the candle sticks; and the “bling” of the glass table, nailheads on the chairs, the tall vases, and the lamps on the dresser.

How would you describe your design style?

I like several styles, but prefer clean lines, functional spaces, and an “uncluttered” look.  

Why did you sign up for DesignIt 2012?

I was excited as soon as I read the ad in “The Shopper” and have been thinking about it ever since.  I wanted to see if I could design a 20x12 room from scratch.

What would you do with the $1000 shopping spree?

I would share it with my daughters-in-law; they were great help setting up the room!  I would like to have the benches and chairs in my own bedroom.

What else would you like us to know?

What a fantastic experience—designing a whole room without a budget!  Thanks to Vander Berg Furniture for this fun opportunity!

Premier Communications

 

We hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving celebrating with family and friends.  Last week, we had a team of contestants from Premier Communications and here's what they had to say about DesignIt 2012.

Thank you to Vander Berg Furniture for giving us the opportunity to come together as a team outside of our workplace to do something fun & different!

We chose the design for our room as a group and really think it portrays a warm, cozy place that is always a pleasure to come home to.  We had quite a large group of girls with many different design techniques, so it was fun to put it all together and see the outcome.

We were asked what we plan on using the $1000.00 shopping spree to Vander Berg Furniture for, if in fact we won the competition…We have decided as a team, representing Premier Communications, that we would like to donate this to the Family Crisis Center.

Again, thank you to Vander Berg Furniture for giving us this FUN opportunity!