Covid took a big hit on many businesses. Some reassessed everything about their business. A few reinvented themselves. Some closed their doors forever. Others moved to another location. For Dan Diotte, President and Lead Designer of Chattels In Design, the survival of his business encompassed all those considerations.
“Once Covid hit, we reassessed everything about our furniture design business. I believe when one door closes, a new door opens and presents new opportunities,” Diotte explained.
Chattels In Design started in Ontario, Canada in 2016 and later moved to Massachusetts and then North Carolina. A few months ago, Diotte established their home base in Aiken.
“We had horses and were looking for a beautiful place to spend forever. We chose Aiken. We fell in love with the southern hospitality.”
Like many startup businesses, the beginning satisfied a need. His wife was looking for outdoor furniture. Diotte told her he could design and build what she wanted. No problem for a man who designed and built a house at the age of 25.
Aside from the outdoor furniture, Chattels offers everything from decks to chairs, outdoor kitchens to cabanas, Diotte has introduced new collections to accommodate the Aiken horse world. The Equus Station line and Aiken Fence provide portable hay huts, run-in shelters, arena lights, equestrian outbuildings, fencing, and gates.
Customer satisfaction is a priority for Diotte and so is being socially responsible.
“I believe a green footprint, even small, is giving back to my children and their children. We don’t use steel or plastic in our furniture, only natural wood which results in zero carbon emissions. They also last longer and tend to be more cost-effective.”
Sales were strong for Chattels In Design last month, even with no brick-and-mortar location. Sales for the outdoor furniture design business across the country have surpassed $2 billion. Locally, Chattels In Design sales last month were strong according to Diotte, even with no brick-and-mortar location and only five employees. He has every intention of contributing to the future growth of the industry.
“By next year, we plan to open a 10,000-square-foot facility and are scouting locations, maybe on Pine Log Road. In five years, our goal is to have 100 employees and an international reach.”
Diotte would also like to start a design center and bring contractors and designers together to share ideas and create designs that fulfill customer dreams.
“As a designer, I can’t wait to wake up every day and think about what I’m designing today.”
Regardless of where his dreams and those of his customers take him, Diotte is on a journey of designing a socially responsible business and seizing the opportunity.
For more information on Chattels In Design, you can visit their website or call (803) 324-6802.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means!
If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
