Great business ideas are often born out of necessity.
Jeff Lakeman and Robert Delano first came to Palm Springs from North Carolina in May 2014 and fell in love with desert — so much so that they purchased a condo a few months later. “The intention all along was for it to be a vacation spot for us, but the more we came out here it became obvious we were going to move here sooner rather than later,” says Lakeman.
Their condo was furnished but it had been in a rental program and the furniture and accessories were a bit weathered. So the couple emptied the unit out and donated everything to Revivals.
Photo courtesy of oasis vacation interiors
Jeff Lakeman and Robert Delano opened Oasis Vacation Interiors in September.
“Then we went in search of someone to help us outfit the place because we lived in North Carolina,” says Lakeman. “There are plenty of great designers in Palm Springs, but we were just looking for a quick, affordable solution in case we put the condo back into a rental program, but we couldn’t find one.”
So the couple — who have more than 20 years experience in the furniture and design industry, including as owners of a furniture store in North Carolina and as model home stagers — decided they would have to do the job themselves. That’s when the light bulb went off and a new business was born.
Photo courtesy of oasis vacation interiors
Unlike a traditional store, the Oasis showroom/design studio is able to keep costs reasonable and doesn’t need to do a standard markup since their overhead expenses are very low.
After moving here permanently in June 2015, Lakeman and Delano opened Oasis Vacation Interiors in September. The company offers turn-key packages that provide homeowners with everything they need to completely redo their home and place it in a vacation rental program, or outfit a vacation home to use for themselves. And when they say “everything,” they really mean it.
Their packages include not only furniture and accessories, but a comprehensive array of items such as bed linens, towels, completely stocked kitchens (glasses, flatware, cookware, cutting boards, outdoor serving pieces, etc.), artwork, an outdoor table and chairs, a vacuum, ironing board—even pool noodles.
Before photo courtesy of oasis vacation interiors/after photo by richard gariepy
BEFORE/AFTER: A recently renovated 550-square foot, one-bedroom condo in North Palm Springs.
“We’ve got examples of just about everything in terms of quality in our design studio,” says Delano. “Dining room chairs, sofas, fabric samples, examples of dishes, silverware, bedroom furniture, [and more]. People don’t need to see a whole bedroom suite — they can see pictures of what it looks like — but it’s important to see how a drawer works, how it’s manufactured. [So, for example,] we didn’t feel the need to have every piece of a bedroom suite as long as you can touch and feel one piece.”
The couple has staged their showroom/design studio to feature different living spaces with a variety of furniture styles. Homeowners can browse the onsite selections and look through catalogs and online resources to find accompanying pieces. Fabric samples are available so that sofas can be customized—Lakeman and Delano work with a manufacturer in Los Angeles who can create a custom sofa in just one week.
photo courtesy of oasis vacation interiors
Homeowners can choose from an array of dishes and flatware.
To help clients decide what’s right for their home and budget, Oasis has many options for people to consider. Their Silver Package (starts as $11,900 for a one-bedroom condo) includes everything a homeowner would need to put their residence in a rental program, except electronics. The Gold Package (from $13,900 for a one-bedroom condo ) bumps things up in terms of furniture quality.
“The Platinum Package at $15,900 [for a one-bedroom condo] is for the person who is probably not going to put the unit in a rental program,” says Lakeman. “They’re going to want a much nicer sofa, they might also want a sleeper sofa for guests, a dining table for six instead of four, etc.”
photo courtesy of oasis vacation interiors
Sofas can be customized and delivered in just one week.
In fact, flexibility seems to be the unofficial motto of the company. If a condo or home is larger than one bedroom, Oasis can outfit additional bedrooms (including furniture) for about $2,000 each and a bathroom for approximately $500. They can also redesign just one room, which would be priced on a project basis. “That’s where the idea of the hybrid furniture store/design studio comes in,” says Delano.
Just as important as flexibility is speed. Oasis can usually complete a one-bedroom condo project in just two weeks. “It depends on the availability of furniture and what people choose,” says Delano. “Pretty much everything we get is from Los Angeles or San Diego, so if it’s in stock it can be here within days.”
Easy, affordable, and fast. It’s no wonder Lakeman and Delano say, “Creating your dream oasis is our speciality.”
Oasis Vacation Interiors, 820 Research Drive, Suite 14, Palm Springs, 760-320-8140, www.oasisvacationinteriors.com
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See his other real estate and interior design profiles: Home Front
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