KATONAH, N.Y. Window coverings do much more than provide décor, in the view of Scott Berniker, a co-owner of Berniker Decorators in Katonah. They give energy efficiency and protect furniture, too, he says.
The Montrose resident is the fourth generation of Berniker in a business that began on Bathgate Avenue in the Bronx in 1914. Scott says Berniker Decorators looked much different then, with bolts of fabric on the wall and his great-grandfather and his staff making everything in-house.
Now Berniker and his parents have separate workrooms and provide top-of-the-line names in window treatments, carpeting and more. Scott Berniker still does much of his own measuring while visiting clients. He believes the personal touch is what has enabled Berniker Decorators to last so long.
Many of our clients are repeat customers. We have dealt with generations of our families, he said. Just recently while at a clients house, Bernikers father discovered that he had done work for the clients family nearly 40 years ago. They spent much of the time working on the project and reminiscing.
We try to create a relationship. We create a friendship, more than just a business relationship, Berniker says. That is the idea. We like to keep things more personalized.
Customers obviously appreciate it, coming from all over the tri-state area. Berniker says they have gone as far south as Florida and as far north as New Hampshire.
Handling both residential and commercial accounts, Berniker is especially proud of his staffs recent work at Yankee Stadium, where they outfitted the clubhouse, training room and many offices with new blinds. All my family members are big Yankee fans, he adds.
At the moment, he finds many clients are seeking energy efficiency. Berniker works with clients to determine whether they qualify for tax breaks. I am always going to seminars and clinics to better my training. ... We do everything from beginning to end, from design consultation to installation.
While color and décor are important, Berniker still believes a tape measure is one of his most important tools. This is what we do all day, every day, he says, explaining he handles it all from measuring to installation. It is our expertise.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
