Derrick Clark & Warren Clark, Co-founders
Domaci’s new location in Southside Bethlehem is an interior designer’s wonderland. With furniture that’s built to last, a diverse line of fabric upholstery and even locally crafted candles, just about anyone can discover his or her inner decorator here.
First off, tell us about the desire to relocate the shop but the decision to stay in Bethlehem.
The biggest driving factor in our decision to relocate the shop was our need for more space. We knew that if we were truly going to grow our furniture business, then we would need more than the 2,000 square feet we began with on Main Street. Bethlehem is home for us and we’re committed to the economic revitalization of the area, so there was never any question as to whether or not we would stay in Bethlehem. It was just a matter of waiting for the right (larger) space to open up for us.
You say that you offer tomorrow’s antiques today. Tell us a little bit about the quality furniture sold at Domaci.
We are committed to offering pieces that are constructed from solid wood and other durable materials, such as cast iron, solid stone and concrete. We will not bring in pieces that are constructed from MDF, veneers, cardboard, etc. Furniture is an investment and should be built to last. We want to dispel the notion that well-built, quality furniture has to be boring and stuffy. You can find unique, fun pieces that will last a lifetime, and that, in reality, are not that much more expensive than a lot of the inferior goods that are out there.
Explain why eco-friendly materials and construction methods are so important to you.
As proud members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, it’s important for us to offer products that are not only keeping our precious natural resources intact, but that are also not causing any additional harm to the environment and our own well-being.
All of the wood in our products is sustainably sourced (often using reclaimed or renewable plantation-grown woods), and all of the finishes used in treating the wood are low/no VOC, so that our customers don’t have to worry about harmful off-gassing in their homes; they can rest assured that the finishing process is safer for the craftsmen building the furniture as well. By using time-honored construction techniques that result in quality furniture, we ensure that this furniture won’t end up in a landfill in a few years just wasting away.
How can anyone discover his or her inner designer?
Decorating your home shouldn’t be about following a strict set of rules; instead, it’s about trusting your instincts, and creating a home that’s more colorful and more comfortable—all the while fitting right in with your lifestyle. No one knows more about how your own home functions than you, so think about how you actually use your space (or would like to use your space), and go from there when you are planning out furniture placement.
When you are choosing a color palette for your space, find one item (no matter how big or small) in your home that you absolutely love or that has special meaning to you, and plan around that piece. If you’re one of those people who knows what you like when you see it, but how to get from one piece of furniture you like to a cohesively designed room is still sort of a mystery, then we are happy to offer our Studio D design services.
Is there a certain something that continuously flies off the shelves?
We have a few items that are tried-and-true best sellers. Our Salted Caramel candle from Bethlehem-based Verde Candles is constantly on re-order. We also offer a line of vintage-inspired posters that do very well for us. At only $5 each, they’re a quick and inexpensive way to add some color and whimsy to your walls, whether you choose to frame them or hang them with one of the coordinating poster kits. We’ve actually doubled our assortment of these posters since moving into the larger location, so there are now more choices than ever before.
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What are some products readers might not know you carry?
We have just added a fantastic new upholstery line to the shop. Being severely limited on space in our old location, this was something we weren’t really able to show previously. We now offer more sofas, sectionals and accent chairs than ever before—many of which can be ordered in alternate fabric options. We have several options in the showroom and even more on our website. Additionally, we have expanded our rug selection in the new space, with a much larger assortment on display and even more available for special order.
Even if a customer doesn’t live in the Valley, they can still purchase Domaci goods. Tell us about the store’s online shopping element.
We’ve always viewed our website as a virtual extension of the showroom. Even now in our larger space, it’s impossible to physically show everything that we offer. That’s where the online shopping element comes in. We have an expanded assortment of furniture and décor that we showcase on the website, and we still make sure that anything we offer on the website meets the same standards of sustainability and quality craftsmanship as what we showcase in the shop. We offer nationwide shipping on most items we sell, so whether you find us in person while visiting the area or stumble across us on your computer while browsing the internet from the comfort of your own home, you’re able to purchase those items you fell in love with.
You recently made an exciting announcement on your website! What can you tell us about that?
We will be opening a second Domaci location in downtown Lancaster in 2019! Our new location will be part of a project that is converting one of the most undeveloped properties in the city into what will become a vibrant hub of activity, so we are beyond excited to be a part of that change and to grow our business even further.
21 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.419.4111 | domacihome.com
