There's a new girl in town. And she's painting the world with style with her new store,
C.Michele Interior Lifestyles.
Carly Burns, the owner of C.Michele, recently opened up her boutique decor and furniture store in downtown Mercer Island. Conveniently located for both Seattleites crossing over to the eastside and suburbanites, C. Michele is Ms. Burns leap into the world of retail.
On a personal note, I have known the owner since she was a child and can tell you that her eye for detail and work ethic is a sure sign that the C.Michele boutique store is only the beginning for this luxury brand.
I've also spoke with many happy customers who have bought a number of gifts and accent pieces from C.Michele. All speak the same tune: they love supporting local small businesses.
Learn the name C.Michele. It's one you'll soon hear all the time.
I recently spoke with Carly about becoming a new business owner.
JVP: Tell us what inspired the opening of C.Michele, especially in an economy that still has high unemployment and instability.
CM: I was at the point in my career where I needed to figure out my next steps. I wanted to be able to bring my great finds and design ideas to a larger market. I felt like starting a product line was not needed, but a really unique lifestyle store was. I was tired of finding the same items at every store I went to and at absurd prices. I wanted to give people a place to shop that you can find a unique and thoughtful gift without breaking your bank. I also wanted to give people a place that offered varied design services that would allow them the flexibility to work at their own pace and be able to stay within budget. I try to teach my clients and customers that when you’re bored with your space and want to redo everything but aren’t able to at the time, often all it takes is a little re-accessorizing and changing of the placement of items.
CM: I was at the point in my career where I needed to figure out my next steps. I wanted to be able to bring my great finds and design ideas to a larger market. I felt like starting a product line was not needed, but a really unique lifestyle store was. I was tired of finding the same items at every store I went to and at absurd prices. I wanted to give people a place to shop that you can find a unique and thoughtful gift without breaking your bank. I also wanted to give people a place that offered varied design services that would allow them the flexibility to work at their own pace and be able to stay within budget. I try to teach my clients and customers that when you’re bored with your space and want to redo everything but aren’t able to at the time, often all it takes is a little re-accessorizing and changing of the placement of items.
JVP: Why did you choose Mercer Island as your location? Did you consider Seattle?
CM: Seattle was on my radar for a brief second. To be honest, I had been trying to decide between New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. New York always has my heart, so I knew I couldn’t go based on that alone. I created a pros and cons list and under Seattle wrote “only if I can be in Finder’s location”. (Finder’s had been the only gift store on Mercer Island and was open for 31 years, so when I wrote this I considered it to be a completely ridiculous thought). Three days later it was reported that Finder’s was closing… So here I am! And it’s exactly where I should be. Mercer Island is the perfect location – I get traffic from Bellevue and Seattle and have great Island support.
JVP: Which designers/decorators inspire you?
CM: Amy Lau of Amy Lau Design, of course. She is hands down the greatest mid-century modern interior designer. She has the ability to create minimalistic interiors in the most complex ways.
JVP: Who is the C.Michele customer?
CM: Someone looking for a unique gift for your home or someone else’s that you can’t find at a department store or any other store in the area for that matter. I have a little of everything, for every customer and occasion – I even have amazing presents for the special guys in your life!
CM: Amy Lau of Amy Lau Design, of course. She is hands down the greatest mid-century modern interior designer. She has the ability to create minimalistic interiors in the most complex ways.
JVP: Who is the C.Michele customer?
CM: Someone looking for a unique gift for your home or someone else’s that you can’t find at a department store or any other store in the area for that matter. I have a little of everything, for every customer and occasion – I even have amazing presents for the special guys in your life!
Carly Burns, owner of C. Michele
JVP: What do you want your customers to know about shopping at C.Michele?
CM: That we have beautifully elegant AND affordable items. We are here to help you and try to take the guess work out of finding the perfect gift or piece for your home. If there is ever something you’re looking for and haven’t been able to find anywhere, ask us – there’s a great chance that we can get it for you.
CM: That we have beautifully elegant AND affordable items. We are here to help you and try to take the guess work out of finding the perfect gift or piece for your home. If there is ever something you’re looking for and haven’t been able to find anywhere, ask us – there’s a great chance that we can get it for you.
JVP: Finish this sentence. My favorite item in the store is......
CM: That’s a tough one – we have such a wide variety of items that I don’t know how to choose an absolute favorite! I am really excited about the new DwellStudio furniture line that we are carrying in the area exclusively. Christiane Lemieux, the Founder of DwellStudio, has done an unbelievable job at recreating trademark mid-century modern pieces.
Like C.Michele on Facebook!
Located at: 7605 SE 27th Street
Suite 102,
Mercer Island, WA 98040
CM: That’s a tough one – we have such a wide variety of items that I don’t know how to choose an absolute favorite! I am really excited about the new DwellStudio furniture line that we are carrying in the area exclusively. Christiane Lemieux, the Founder of DwellStudio, has done an unbelievable job at recreating trademark mid-century modern pieces.
Like C.Michele on Facebook!
Located at: 7605 SE 27th Street
Suite 102,
Mercer Island, WA 98040
