promotion
adlib marin advertisers speak up
Lisa Benbow, designer and owner at
Garnish Home Decor
Garnish is a boutique home decor store with an emphasis on
contemporary coastal decor and interior design. Vivid use of color, bold
patterns, texture and pops of whimsy are key elements in our projects. We
strive to provide clients with a source for unique home decor items and
an alternative to large-scale retail chains. We are the go-to place for those
clients who want their homes to be as unique as they are.
Briefly describe your business philosophy.
Design is a process and a journey, much like life, and you must be open
to where the process takes you. If you can do that, it’s a joyful, wonderfully
creative experience.
What is your competitive edge?
Garnish is unique because no other store in Marin has our vibe. We’re hip,
contemporary and a little coastal and provide a one-of-a-kind experience
where you can custom-design upholstered goods and case goods. Right
now, we’re hot on lacquer.
Describe your dream client/customer.
One who takes risks, doesn’t get hung up on one thing, can make decisions
mary allaire,
president/director/head
teacher at Allaire School
Allaire School is a nonprofit
elementary school for children with
learning disabilities, ADHD and/or
executive functioning difficulties.
Our goal is to help students
become independent learners by
using compensatory, organization
and focus skills.
What is your competitive edge?
We individualize the students’ academic programs based on their
psychoneurologic profiles. We also teach attention, organization and
productivity skills.
Describe your dream client/customer.
Our ideal student has average to above-average intelligence, is well
adjusted socially, is gifted in some area and has a discrepant learning style,
which makes academic learning a challenge.
What (or whom) did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 9 years old, a blackboard was installed in my basement. It
and allows me some freedom in the
selection process.
Which product (that you offer) is
your favorite?
Love, love, love that we have the ability to
design and create custom pieces without
the huge price tag.
What makes your work worthwhile?
I believe that a beautiful home is the
best gift you can ever give yourself. Your
home reflects your inner soul.
What is the funniest thing that’s happened recently in your business?
I had someone walk in the store and ask me if it was my house. I can maybe
see why — we do have an inviting living room space.
Five years from now, what changes will your business experience?
My hope is that the economy is strong so that more people have
discretionary funds to do more design work.
GARNISH HOME DECOR, 80 MAIN STREET, TIBURON, CA 94920,
415.435.5472, GARNISHHOMEDECOR.COM
inspired me to teach my neighbors and I began sharing the joy that I felt
when knowledge was bestowed upon me.
What makes you excel at what you do?
A B.S. in education and an M.S. in Medical Science (neuropsychology) that
help me show students that learning can be fun and help form the building
blocks for future academic success.
What makes your work worthwhile?
Every minute is rewarding when you’re teaching those who have not been
taught according to their needs because these students appreciate being
recognized as intelligent and are thrilled to finally succeed.
What is the funniest thing that’s happened recently in your business?
While studying civic government, students were asked who makes rules in
their homes and one replied, “My mom thinks she makes the rules but my
dad thinks he does.”
From a business standpoint, who is your inspiration?
My mother, because she is a highly organized, frugal Yankee who taught by
example. She praised jobs well-done and encouraged taking challenges
and facing the consequences.
ALLAIRE SCHOOL, 50 EL CAMINO DRIVE, CORTE MADERA, CA 94925,
415.927.2640, ALLAIRESCHOOL@ATT.NET, ALLAIRE-SCHOOL.ORG
