Saums Interiors Hopewell New Jersey

Press Release:

SAUMS INTERIORS MARKS FIFTY YEARS OF FINE DESIGN
Hopewell Business Grew from a Small Paint Store To Major Interior Design Center
Still Owned and Managed by Four Generations of the Saums Family

HOPEWELL , NJ ---When Bob and Wanda Saums purchased a small paint store on Greenwood Avenue in 1957, interior design was not part of the American vocabulary. “Decorators” were for the wealthy and householders usually felt that a new coat of paint was all they needed to keep up with the Joneses. No one foresaw that the paint store would grow to become the area’s leading interior design company, still in the capable hands of the Saums family and now offering services and products to meet every design need.

Initially, Bob and Wanda Saums were successful selling just paint and paint supplies. But by the 60s, Americans were becoming more affluent,independent and well traveled. The Do It Yourself movement that started in the 50s was gaining steam. Bob Saums, whose father, Clarence, owned the Donald Shade Shop in New Brunswick, worked there learning about blinds and window shades while Wanda ran the paint shop.

It was on-the-job training and soon, the young couple were ready to expand their business to include not just paint and supplies but window shades, carpets and wallpaper. They moved to a building on Princeton Avenue in Hopewell. Since then, Saums Interiors has grown, changed, and prospered. The building was expanded several times and now encompasses several departments featuring the most prestigious brands of wallpaper, paint, and furnishings. But it is the vision of the next generation of the Saums family that makes Saums Interiors exceptional.

That vision took shape in 1976, when daughter Eileen Saums McCandlish joined the family firm on what she thought would be a temporary basis. But she was soon gripped by a vision of what the store could become. Eileen had studied Interior Design in college when it was still a relatively new field. As a Certified Interior Designer, she knew that architecture and building services were changing and impacting interior design styles in a major way. Clearly, it was time to take the store to the next level and Eileen, whose title is President and Chief Visionary Officer, added a range of services and products to the store’s offerings.

Today, Wanda and Bob’s paint store is a major interior design center that incorporates its roots in a complete department selling Benjamin Moore paints. Saums Interiors is a one-stop shopping mecca offering design services, resources and a range of products that meet every interior design needs from a major renovation to new carpeting or a special paint job. Wall coverings, upholstery and furniture, window treatments, lighting, kitchens and bath and of course, paint can be found at the showroom.

And not just paint for wall and exteriors but custom mixes, decorative paint, faux finishes and murals. Eileen’s sister, Sharon Saums, heads this department and provides expert advice in matching both interior and exterior paint. She also creates the custom stains and custom colors that are part of the designs created for Saums clients. The Saums family is eager to share their knowledge and provides seminars in applying these finishes. More artistically demanding projects are best left to the Saums own decorative painter, Sam Vail who creates striking murals, faux strips and faux finishes.

Assisting Sharon in the paint department is the fourth generation of Saums to join the family firm – niece Jennifer Dragert. The family’s fascination and expertise with color and paint is clearly inherited. The Saums are related to the great Impressionist painter, Pierre Bonnard. The artist was reknowned for his use of color and the vivid blues, sunlit yellows, ochre and burnt orange that mark his painitngs are evident in the interior designs that Saums has created for some of New Jersey’s finest homes. Bonnard painted many beautiful interiors – kitchens, baths and dining rooms populated with friends and family members.The Saums’ strong sense of family and commitment to creating an attractive, comfortable and welcoming environment may well stem from their famous ancestor. For 50 years, the Saums have maintained that commitment. Bob Saums passed away in 2003 but Wanda is alive and well and still takes a keen interest in the business. Saums Interiors is still very much a family firm.

Services extend to every corner of a client’s home, Saums designers can take on every aspect of an interior design project. Says Eileen Saums McCandlish, “We will design the interiors, help you hire a reliable contractor, supervise the project, and oversee every detail.” Noting that today’s families rarely have the time to devote to a major project, she also realizes that these families, who may be new to the area, are not familiar with local building and zoning codes. “That’s another advantage we have,” says Ms. Saums. “We know these things. We’ve been here 50 years.”

Press Release:

A GRAND DESIGN
Eileen Saums McCandlish
President and Chief Visionary Officer, Saums Interiors

It takes foresight, talent and courage to take a small Mom and Pop paint and wallpaper shop to the status of a full service interior design center. But in 1976, Eileen Saums McCandlish, still in her 20s, had the vision to do just that. Today, Saums Interiors is a design hub that reflects the creative energies of its President and Chief Visionary Officer. Still a family firm, the store that first opened in Hopewell in 1957, marks 50 years in business. Saums Interiors offers every conceivable design service: furniture, floor and wall coverings, window treatments, design services and a paint department full of prime Benjamin Moore paints.

Eileen grew up in Blawenberg and as a child, spent time both in the family’s paint store and in her grandfather’s shade and blind shop in New Brunswick, where she was allowed to help her grandfather Clarence Saums in cutting the shades. Her interest grew and after graduating from Notre Dame High School, Eileen went on to study Interior Design at Endicott College in Massachusetts, a noted design school. Still full of ideas, energy and inspiration, she aims to not only impart her vision to her clients but to help them realize their own dreams of the perfect home.

“Many people want to change their interiors but are overwhelmed by the process,” Eileen notes. “But a badly designed, rundown and disorganized home can have an impact on personal and family life,” she asserts. A place that is cluttered, hard to keep clean and rapidly declining into shabbiness can also be depressing, unwelcoming and ultimately overwhelming.

‘We urge clients to take a walk through their homes as if on a virtual tour,” she says. “ If you were trying to sell your home on the Internet, what would a prospective buyer see? Is the house messy because of a lack of storage space? Are the paint and wallpaper showing wear and tear? What’s the state of the carpet? Is that your Aunt Alice’s’ sofa, covered with dog hair and crying out for a new upholstery? Are the art works handed down to you too small for the walls of your modern house? How about the bathroom and kitchen? Are there still traces of avocado green or gold? Are your appliances up to date and energy efficient?”

Ask an even more important question, advises Eileen. “Are you proud? Are you comfortable? You, your life and tastes have changed. Does your home reflect that? Does it speak of who the inhabitants are?”

Making these changes is not easy. Time is a factor, she notes, and so is the sheer volume of things that need to be changed. A professional interior designer can help clients overcome these obstacles to realize their own particular style and vision.

Décor needs are changing as well. At one time clients stayed for years in the same single-family house. Today, society is more mobile and different generations have differed needs. “Fifty-plus professionals and retirees are moving in smaller homes and condos in adult communities. And just about every home needs a well-designed home office or computer room.

Always attuned to the next trend, Eileen Saums McCandlish looking to bring the special Saums touch outside the home. Professional offices are presenting new opportunities. As medical practices become more competitive, good design can be an important factor in patient care.

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