Showroom

BY KIMBERLY MACARTHUR GRAHAM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF BUTLER

>>> Century Furniture Showroom, Denver, Colorado

Century Furniture Showroom's doorway welcomes visitors to the Denver Design District.

Tucked into a corner of the Denver Design District, Century Furniture Showroom offers a splendid array of highly customizable furnishings complemented by carefully selected accessories. Dedicated to the Century Furniture line (family owned since its founding in 1947), this inviting showroom is independently run by husband-and-wife team Herb and Phyllis Handler and one additional employee.

The Handlers enjoy a close working relationship with the Century founders. "We just had lunch with the father and the son," says Herb Handler, who goes on to explain the origin of his Denver Design District digs. Ten years ago, Century recognized that "the landscape of the furnishings industry was changing, and they decided to go after the 'designer channel.'" And so the Handlers, freshly retired from retail, didn't stay retired for long, instead accepting Century's invitation to open a to-the-trade showroom in Denver.

With every piece customizable not only by more obvious characteristics such as size, finish and upholstery, but also by such aspects as leg design, tabletop shape, padding amount and type, and inlay pattern, Century Furniture Showroom fulfills its slogan: "As you wish."

"Our whole emphasis," says Handler, "is on customization. Basically, you can have exactly what you want."

One memorable project involved a totally custom-made insert to bridge two square dining tables seamlessly into a party-size whole. When not needed, the two squares were used independently and the insert dismantled and stored. This innovative solution created an easy, flexible way to seat large dinner parties without giving over permanent space to an unwieldy table.

The showroom features a wide array of products that can be customized or purchased directly off the floor.

Representing one line exclusively helps the Handlers guide clients on just that type of customization adventure. "It's a big advantage," says Handler. "We know everything about it, so we can really help designers cut through the weeds." Coupled with a 20-year relationship with their vendor, he believes this gives Century a marked edge over other showrooms that may juggle dozens of changeable lines. What's more, Phyllis Handler's background as an independent designer — and her resultant understanding of how interior designers work, what they're interested in and what they need — allows this showroom to really deliver.

Century Furniture Showroom, like the product line that fills it, projects elegance not tied to a specific era or style. In a classy space given heightened character by touches such as exposed brick walls, curves abound and historical references (think Louis XVI or Empire) percolate. While most of the pieces lean toward the traditional, others possess less ornate, more contemporary shapes. Regardless of style, however, immaculate finishes and inviting upholstery speak to quality and comfort. The larger scale of the pieces is perfect for spacious homes with lofty ceilings, open floor plans and expansive views.

Among the many finds here are the Gentry bar stool with its satiny walnut finish and an alligator patterned seat; the Omni mirrored drawer chest, which boasts a surface entirely made of cut mirrors set off by low-gloss silver hardware; and an impressively scaled Signature settee, whose volume is softened by its gorgeous silken floral cocoa-and-teal upholstery. Accessories of note include an Oscar de la Renta collection leopard bombé chest; a set of "ruffled" vases rendered in luminous red, cream and black; and sumptuous bedding, pillows and throws suitable for royalty.

Everything on the floor is for sale. Though most of their customers choose to take advantage of the custom options, Handler says, sometimes the just-right piece is already available — quickly — off the floor. "We change the showroom as often as we can," he says. "We try to show as many kinds of finishes, fabrics and styles as we can — though we can't show them all, of course."

Century Furniture Showroom, 595 S. Broadway, #114 West, Denver, CO 80209; (303) 282-5000 or www.centuryfurniture.com.