James Powell is an architect with a background in interior design and custom furniture. He witnessed firsthand how much valuable high-quality fabric was being wasted each time a custom furniture order was filled. He relayed this information to his wife, Ewa Powell, a graphic designer, and eventually, the two decided to open Modern Fabrics. The idea behind the business model was innovative, yet simple. The Powells cultivated business relationships with furniture manufacturers to purchase what is known in the industry as Customers Own Material (COM). Custom furniture designers fill large orders for businesses and must order thousands of yards of fabric to complete each job. Some excess yardage must be ordered to ensure manufacturers have enough fabric.
Are you thinking about redecorating and looking to buy new draperies or furniture to match the color scheme you have in mind? Ewa Powell and Debra Worth of Modern Fabrics, a business dedicated to reclaiming excess commercial- grade fabrics from manufacturers’ cutting-room floors, suggest you consider fabrics that are both earth and budget friendly. Modern Fabrics has an online storefront at Modern- Fabrics.com and a retail location right outside Charlotte, N.C. Owners Ewa and James Powell opened the business in 2007 and have been going strong for 15 years.
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