Kolkata-based ST Unicom is a 12-year-old specialist retailer in wrought-iron furniture. The store houses furniture in a multiple of designs and the speciality is that they can be tailored to suit customer requirements. This perhaps is the strongest point that lures buyers to the store, as it gives them a very wide option to choose from. “When people come to us, they are served with realistic solutions for alteration in designs to suit their exact requirement,” says Navin P. Kanodia, proprietor, ST Unicom.

The 8,000-square-foot store displays furniture in metal with the fusion of materials such as wood, fabric, glass and cane. Half of the retail space is dedicated to interior furniture and the other half to exterior paraphernalia, including hammocks, swings, garden furniture and multi-purpose furniture that can be placed anywhere. The interiors and the placement of products are done with the underlying design principle of creating the “feel at home factor. Kanodia claims: “We advise our clients to feel the furniture before buying it and we also take care to ensure that the furniture we suggest should fit in the client’s budget as well as the space at home.”

Wrought-iron furniture can be easily moved and also requires less space. “The furniture goes very well wherever you want to place it. With the usage of wrought iron even an antique piece of furniture can be given an altogether modern look. Moreover, its transparency, affordability and longevity make it the prime choice among fashion-conscious customers,” says Kanodia.

A noticeable feature at ST Unicom store is the soft/dim usage of light. The beauty of the wrought iron fused with glass is further extended with colourful lamps placed all around. The design principles used here are those of reflection and dispersion of light on the glass surface, which creates a soft picture, extremely soothing to the customer’s eyes. The display theme at ST Unicom is changed periodically. “The reason behind the change is to give more options to the customers,” Kanodia explains. However, the change as such is not restricted to a particular season or festival. “We do not launch as per seasons. However, during festive times and weddings, we do present more ranges of gift and complementary items and accessories,” he elaborates.

At ST Unicom the beauty of the wrought iron fuse with glass is further extended with colourful lamps places all around. The design principles used here are those of reflection and dispersion of light on the glass surface, which creates a soft picture, extremely soothing to the customer’s eyes.

Published in :                                                                May 2004