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Furniture South Continued Growth In Housing and New Construction Fuels Boom in Furniture Sales b y Te s s F a r m e r
More and more customers are taking advantage of the hassle free one-source shopping to get their home or condo move-in ready.
Frank and Julie Kovach
W ith the largest showroom in Santa Rosa Beach, Furniture South offers quality furniture, home décor, and accessories, as well as complimenta- ry design services to their customers. Established in 2012, Frank and Julie Kovach opened the store when the housing market was beginning to grow after the last eco- nomic recession. They are seeing those same trends return with the surge in home sales in Walton County. The couple had been in the furniture and interior design business for 30 years in Destin and prior to that for ten years in Birmingham. They operated the largest furniture and interior design store on the Emerald Coast called Resort Interiors, which closed in 2009 due to the downturn in real estate. Now in 2021 Frank Kovach notes how the surge of home sales and new construction has increased demand for home furnishings and once again created a growth in their business. “We’ve been able to offer more people the opportunity to view and purchase furniture and home décor for their new home, usually before they end up moving,” says Kovach. “The impact of COVID-19 has allowed us to be even more accessible to our customers.” The showroom has over 3,000 pieces of furniture stocked for the bedroom, living room, office, dining room, and kids’ room. Customers will find distinctive styles from a large selection of mostly American-made manufacturers. Each piece of furniture is hand-picked for its quality, value, and durability. The store also offers same day delivery, which has been a real value for customers who otherwise would be facing shipping delays this year. Furniture South’s team of five designers, which in- cludes Julie Kovach, who holds a NDCIQ national inte- rior design designation, offers customers all services re- motely, including virtual tours of the Santa Rosa Beach
more. “With that comes our responsibility to give back to this wonderful community we serve,” says Kovach. The company supports Haven House’s faith-based treatment program through the annual clearance sale each December. “I saw firsthand the importance of their mission in our community and we are
showroom and collaborating on design boards via email. The team can also measure rooms and gather dimensions to plan the best layout of the furnishings, provide paint and floor covering selec- tions, lighting and window treatments, cabinets, and down to the details of bed- ding and kitchenware.
More and more customers are taking advantage of the hassle free one-source shopping to get their home or condo move-in ready. This model has proven to be much appreci- ated during this time. They also offer private appointments after hours in addition to online consultations. “Our services are seamless, so there’s no need to make multiple trips to different stores or to stress over what colors will work best—we can marry the function, style, and comfortability to make your home flow beautifully,” adds Julie Kovach. Another trend continuing to grow is performance fabrics and the extra durability of furnishings to hold up to seasons of use in rental properties. “The wear and tear on a product is a big consideration and we have a range of options for customers to consider,” says Frank Kovach. “You’ll find you can still get the linen look with a performance fabric more suitable for a beach house.” The Furniture South team also has a depth of expe- rience working for commercial properties, including hotels and local banks. With the surge in new develop- ment in the area, the company is positioned to grow even
proud to support them each year through their pro- grams.” They also support the work of the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, serving families in Walton and Okaloosa counties. “My mother always told me you have to give to receive and that’s true in any facet of life, especially in business. To give back to your employees, your commu- nities; it’s just what we do, always stay humble and kind,” adds Kovach. Furniture South is celebrating eight years in Santa Rosa Beach and is located at the Landings Shopping Center on Highway 98. The Kovach’s chose the central location between Destin and Panama City to make it convenient to 30-A shoppers as well as all of Walton and Bay counties.
Furniture South is open Monday through Saturday, 10a.m.–5p.m., (850) 267-1411, furnituresouth.net
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