Personalized service and an ever-changing inventory await shoppers at Bungalow.

HISTORY: Bungalow’s owners formerly worked in the clothing business—although at different venues—and later met while working at a small home furnishings store in Biltmore Fashion Park. “I was the director of stores and Alicia was the store manager,” Criswell recalls. “We both walked away from those jobs with good business practices, and a few years down the road, we decided to open a furniture store of our own.” Wanting the name to reflect a relaxed, homey vibe, they decided to call it Bungalow, which premiered at Zocallo Plaza in 2001. They are now approaching 20 years at the current North Scottsdale location.

THEN AND NOW: Thinking outside the box is a tried-and-true business practice at Bungalow. Most notably, anything and everything on the showroom floor is available for purchase. “It’s been our business model since day one,” says Criswell. “Things move constantly, so we bring in new products and change things around every day.” Additionally, complimentary design services and house calls have been available to in-store shoppers from the beginning. These services can range from styling a bookcase to furnishing and decorating an entire home. On the newer side of things, the store’s website has been—and continues to be—updated daily, and the focus on clothing items, which they first began selling in 2008, continues to grow.

EMPHASIS: “When it comes to customer service, ours is over the top,” Criswell proudly reports. “We set people’s tables for the holidays, and we’ve done full homes for clients. From soup to nuts, which can cover everything from doing all the furnishings to making beds, filling candy jars and in putting light bulbs. You name it. We’ve done it all, and we’d do it all again. We can also customize and special order items, and we have a talented team of stylists with an unwavering commitment to helping our customers create remarkable livable spaces that reflect their individuality
and lifestyle.”

SIGNATURE STYLE: We started with more of a coastal feel,” Criswell reflects. When asked to describe their style now, Criswell and Flatin delivered a mixed bag of adjectives—comfortable, casual, collected, warm, homey and layered. “I guess you could call it ‘classic with a twist,’” Criswell offers.

DESIGN ADVICE: The guidance they live by can be summed up in four words: Buy what you love. “That’s our store motto,” Criswell explains. “You should have things in your home that speak to you. If you love it, you’ll find a place for it.”

THE MIX: Inventory in the airy 12,000-square-foot showroom ranges from vintage treasures such as Turkish pots and one-of-a-kind items to traditional favorites from a diverse array of vendors. “Our mix has always been heavy in accessories, art and textiles, with lots of books and plants,” Criswell notes. “Those are the things that bring a home to life.” Mingling with furniture pieces for indoors and out are a variety of lighting options, rugs, bedding, mirrors, accent pillows, clothing, jewelry, gift items and more. The aforementioned art comes in a variety of sizes and includes both reproductions and originals—some by local artists. “You can find items for your home here as well as things for your closet and your friends,” quips Alicia.

Adding to the product line-up are a variety of premium faux plants, a well-stocked kid’s section, a large table laden with books on everything from design and fashion to cooking and a fabric wall that displays upholstery options for custom pieces. “All are made in the United States, and some are exclusive to Bungalow,” Criswell says. “There truly is something for everyone here,” she adds. “Lots of people come in because they aren’t having a very good day and just want something to cheer them up, even if it’s only a book or a candle. Sometimes that’s all it takes.”

FAVORITE FINDS: Customers are drawn to the lifelike botanicals and the varied selection of accent pillows, some of which are custom-made. “Bedding is also big, and our beds are dressed to the nines,” Criswell declares.

SURPRISE FACTOR: From Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas to Valentine’s Day and Easter, holidays are a big deal at Bungalow. “At Easter, we have a BYOB (Bring Your Own Basket) event,” Criswell reports. “We sell a lot of products during the holidays so we’re always looking for something fun and unexpected.”

DESIGN TRENDS: Noting that customers have been expressing the desire to invest in a more lasting look, Criswell and Flatin say they are seeing a return to a more traditional vibe with soft lines, natural wood and lots of wallpaper, especially florals and patterns.

THE REWARD: “When people work with us, they aren’t getting a cookie-cutter room or house. The way we mix things and put it all together ensures that your house will not look like your neighbor’s house. We can go a lot of directions, and we’re happy to mix in existing pieces,” Criswell states. “Helping people with their homes is definitely rewarding,” she adds. “When clients trust you and you can hit it out of the ballpark for them, that’s a dream job.”