Elegance is rediscovered at Fairlawn's Doug Jones & Co.
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Mimi has been known to remind people that oftentimes the best small businesses are located off the main drag—tucked away on quiet side streets. But it’s the foray into these tiny territories that typically yields the best results.
Mimi’s latest foray took her to Doug Jones and Co., a delightfully spacious showroom that is the brainchild of hairdresser turned chic interior designer and style guide Doug Jones. Housed in a revamped office space, this blink-and-you-might-miss-it business features a treasure trove of spectacular home décor.
Twenty-five years ago, Doug began his career as a high-end hair designer, amassing a clientele that still includes most of Akron’s elite. On the side, he bought and remodeled homes. The two passions collided when Doug hosted a party at his home with hair clients included among the guests.
“People could see what I had done in my own home and asked if I could give them design advice in their homes,” Doug recalls. “Things just kind of took off from there.”
In February, Doug decided to dive into the home décor business with both feet, while still keeping his hands in hair. He’s teamed up with design consultant Ashleigh Bender and dear friend Michelle Cherotti to bring unusual, on-trend, fashionable home furnishings and accessories to the masses.
“We don’t carry the ordinary,” Ashleigh states. “You won’t find what we have to offer at Home Goods or Pier 1. Our lines are original and distinctive.”
It’s an oversimplification to describe the goods at Doug Jones and Co. as furniture, gifts and home accessories.
“These are fine pieces of art,” Doug smiles. “Even the couches and side chairs we feature are waiting to become heirlooms.”
Gifts, Gifts, Gifts
While the showroom is quickly becoming known for highlighting distinctive lines of home furnishings, art and accessories, Doug and Ashleigh have packed the place with an energized selection of gift items.
“We have unique items starting as low as $25,” Doug shares.
To prove his point, Doug hands Mimi a small glass box edged in brass. Inside is a slip of paper on which to inscribe a special date, along with a wine cork included as an example.
“It’s a wine cork safe,” he shares. “You put the cork from, say, a wedding, anniversary or other special life event inside and write the date on the slip of paper. It’s a beautiful way to display something simple yet obviously treasured.”
Votivo is the fine line of candles found at Doug Jones and Co., along with the company’s reed diffusers and air fresheners.
“The fragrances are sophisticated,” he says, waving a spiced chai candle beneath Mimi’s nose.
An adorable assortment of animal-themed, crystal-topped keepsake boxes lives on a table near the front of the showroom. At $39 each, they’re the perfect little places to stash something meaningful.
But not everything inside the Doug Jones and Co. showroom glitters. Picture frames abound, with or without crystals, and a fresh assortment of vintage-themed acrylic trays is pure perfection.
In total, there are more than 30 different product lines available in the store, including the distinctive Global Views.
Get Fresh
Doug says it doesn’t require a big commitment to change to make a dramatic impact in your home. The holiday season is a perfect time to freshen interior accessories to breathe new life into a space.
With ombre still the trend in hair, the look has also been translated into home accessories. A collection of three vases features the look, graduating from charcoal gray to snow white in color. Piles of pillows are everywhere here, with ombre artfully applied to a selection of faux fur puffs.
“Just a few new pillows in a room is all it takes,” Doug suggests.
Mimi was drawn to the vintage silver cup-style trophy filled with greenery and feathers, a mod gold-toned ball that resembled an oversized game piece and the trios of mismatched nesting tables arranged throughout.
“Nesting tables are very trendy and are a terrific way to change the look in any room,” Doug says.
If you’d like to take your room redesign a step further, you can order a side chair, sofa or sectional in a custom fabric.
“We feature the Bernhardt line of custom upholstery,” Ashleigh says.
“There are more than 350 different fabrics to choose from for any of our pieces. We also feature Theodore Alexander handcrafted furniture and accessories for your home. And we offer free design services to anyone who visits, and charge a modest hourly rate to come out to your home for design services to anyone who visits, and charge a modest hourly rate to come out to your home for design and color consultations.”
Doug Jones and Co. is located at 55 Shiawassee, Suite 2, in Fairlawn. The showroom is on the north side of the building. The phone number is 330-836-4410, and hours of operation are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Find them on Facebook at Doug Jones and Co.