New location, same bad service and rude employees. It must be a requirement of the owner since it seems to be endemic. They have always had a good eye/assortment but no sense of customer whatsoever. Do yourself a favor go somewhere else. read more

I was recently in the store and had my second negative experience with the owner. The first time was during COVID when I picked up masks that I ordered. I gave the benefit of the doubt then because let's face it, there was a lot of unknown and stress during that time, especially for small business owners. However, this week I was treated with the utmost rudeness. I love shopping locally and supporting the businesses in my town, but I will no longer shop here as the only experiences I have had were unwelcoming. read more

I've shopped here multiple times recently and never experienced any of the bad experience on some of the older reviews here, so perhaps there's been some changes - staff were both extremely friendly each time I've been. The store is beautifully presented and always has something unique that I've not seen anywhere else. Products are on the expensive side, but high quality, non-chain store stuff usually is. read more

Ewww was just visiting this over priced home goods and the manager had the nerve to rudely inform us that everything in the store is breakable as she glared at my very well behaved 5 year old. read more

I love the selection and variety of items at this store. Lots of gift and home decor items, and a unique selection of kiddie things too. HOWEVER it is the strangest shopping experience and vibe. Not at all child friendly - it's clear the proprietors do not like children in the store. I always leave with a weird feeling - a cross between shoplifter and crazy hot mess mom, which doesn't make me rush back. It's a real missed opportunity. read more

I love this store! While visting New Canaan for Father's Day, my boyfriend's stepmother brought me into town to do some shopping, while he and his Father went golfing all day. We stopped into Design Solutions to browse and I fell in love with a plush arm chair that they had on display. It was gorgeous, had a great pattern material and was comfortable. It was a bit pricey, but what can you expect in New Canaan? I also picked up a few funny coffee table books and a Father's Day card for my boyfriend's Dad. Really cute store with books, furniture, gifts and a multitude of fun things for your home. The staff was friendly and helpful. They gave me pricing information and delivery information for my dream chair. Then, my boyfriend shot down my dreams in one foul swoop by telling me it won't fit in our living room... but somehow his liquor cabinet does... FML. read more

Second time me and my family have gone into this store to have the clerk treat us poorly. My son was admiring some rubber duck nightlights. There were four of them out of their package and on display. My son picked one up, only to have the clerk snatch it out of his hands to return it to the display.... in the childrens section..... at kids eye level. The time before this, we were verbally treated poorly, and made to feel unwelcome. I am a small business owner, and I understand running a business. This store has the audacity to have a sticker in their window saying "I didn't buy it on Amazon!" Sadly, Amazon has much better customer service, and will get a lot more peoples business. read more

Very rude and unfriendly. Never bring your kids here. I was told that my child can't touch anything. I was sent to kid section, but was told very rudely that kid piano was not a toy either. read more

This store is a delight to walk into, truly a gem. The buyer(s) do(es) a fantastic job curating the pieces, things that are eco-friendly, green, made from recycled products, etc. Most products made in the US and other countries though its unlikely you'll find something make in china here. On one occasion, I popped in with my children and the owner asked them to watch the cars passing and count all the red ones which they eagerly did - it didn't upset me in the slightest, to the contrary, it was a great form of distraction for them as it allowed me and my husband to shop and do so without worrying they may damage something. We have bought several items from here and will continue to do so. read more

At the new pound ridge location... Rude and did not want the stroller in her store. I was looked at with disgust. Unbelievable

I want to support this shop and buy locally but cannot. When I enter this store: 1) I am eyed suspiciously by the staff like I will steal something (yes, with Chanel bag in hand) and 2) reminded my daughter is not allowed in her stroller which I believe is discrimination. Would they say the same of people in wheelchairs? Even if this store took a crash course in providing better customer service (which I believe is impossible) they have had the same stock for the past ten years. All I can say is I hope the owner gets her head out of her a**, treats her customers better and gets new stock. Rich SAHMs are the only people in New Canaan buying locally so DS should learn some respect or they too will be an empty storefront in town. read more

I just had a great experience at Design Solutions! My daughter is a real music fan and needed a set up portable speakers for her bedroom. I was drawn in by the incredible window displays and was greeted by a cheerful person at the counter. She quickly grabbed a colorful set of speakers and wrapped them up for me. What a wonderful store for all ages. read more

I used to frequent this store in New Canaan and really liked the unique gift selections. Then I was very happy to know the store moved to Pound Ridge and much closer to where I live. I was stopping by often before or after my grocery store visits. I've purchased gifts, rugs, books, card and other items in the store over the last few months. And then, I purchased myself two adorable pair of reading glasses. One pair are a fold up pair easy to carry in a small purse. Unfortunately, when I unfolded this pair, which I rarely used, they broke apart. Obviously a manufactures defect. I went by the store to return them for an exchange and was extremely surprised by the response. The sales women told me she would have to take my name and number after she calls the store manager to ask her how to proceed. 2 hours later, I received a phone call from the sales women who told me that the store would not exchange these glasses, "because, you know, we don't know if someone sat on them or why they broke." Really? Your first thought is to question my integrity? But it didn't stop there, She continued on to tell me that I would have to go to the manufacturer of the glasses to ask for the exchange! I couldn't believe my ears. Not only did she insult me but afterwards she is requesting that work directly with their supplier and negotiate a refund or replacement! terms. Isn't this what the store manager's should do? Didn't she choose this supplier? Sorry, DS, you've just lost a very good customer and all for a $45 pair of glasses. read more

I always love to,check out Design Solutions newest products. Every item they sell, whether it is a desk item or design accessory is fresh and cannot be found in chain stores read more

lots of neat stuff. staff was friendly. lots of cool gift ideas for kids or adults. unique selection of iphone cases too. if you like 'design' stuff or are a graphic designer, this is a good store for you to check out in new canaan. read more

Design Solutions - Furniture Stores Near Me - Pound Ridge, New York

I grew up in New Canaan and have visited Design Solutions countless times. I'm a graphic designer and have always appreciated their unique and tasteful product selection, however after I was treated today I'm compelled to no longer visit this store. In my experience, the staff at Design Solutions treats young people (children, teenagers, young adults) very poorly. After years of being kicked out of the store for having a backpack in grade school, I visited the store as an adult only to be treated just as poorly. As I looked around the store, the staff's eyes followed me around and the cashier repeatedly walked up to me asking if I was going to buy anything. I after repeatedly saying I was "just looking," and that I enjoy their products, she walked up to me a final time and said, "So you're REALLY not buying anything," to which I said no and immediately walked out. I'm tired of the staff assuming I'm going to cause trouble if I don't enter the store with an immediate purchase plan; I'm all for the "shop local" movement but in a world where I can easily find their products on Amazon, the store is not worth the trouble for me. I'm sad that it has come to this but this has occurred too many times over the years to say nothing. read more

Dropped in here with my sons today, ready to purchase multiple housewarming and hostess gifts. Barely stepped foot in the door before I was told: "There's a lot of breakable things in here so your boys should go to the back." Interesting sales method. Normally I'm used to a "Hello!" or "Is there anything I can help you with?" , but I brushed it off as her having a bad day and headed toward the back. When we arrived to our banished corner, my son saw a stuffed animal on a child's-sized bed and leaned over to play with it. Immediately the clerk screamed across the store: "DON'T TOUCH THE BED!!!". To be fully honest, there *was* a sign saying not to touch the bed (and I do apologize for not seeing it initially), *but* the request to not touch the bed was written as the final line of a ridiculous eight stanza poem, so at first it wasn't obvious. If you don't want kids touching the bed, put up a normal sign people will notice, not a poorly written poem with bad meter, and don't smother the bed with stuffed animals! What the heck do you think is going to happen!? And really, is the children's bedspread you're trying to sell so delicate and fine that a kid brushing against it will hurt it? If so, maybe it's not a high quality product. Even at that point I was willing to stay in the store and browse until I noticed that the sales clerk wasn't finished. She had a show to put on. She beelined to the bed, removed all of the stuffed animals to the floor and began smoothing the comforter's invisible wrinkles while muttering and groaning. I couldn't take her hysterics so we left. Here's the thing: I've spent a good half of my career advocating for small business support/development and main street revitalization. Shopping local retail is my THING--personally and professionally. I am local retail's best friend and fiercest advocate. As far as customers go, I am your lowest hanging fruit. If you've driven me out of your store and prompted me to actually get on yelp to complain about my experience, you've got serious problems. read more

While the store itself is cute, the staff is atrocious. Snarky and snooty are the two words that come to mind-- have never been pleasant towards myself or my family-- so uncomfortable and unfriendly that we changed our mind about purchasing anything more than once. Won't be returning until some FRIENDLY and HELPFUL employees are hired!! read more

The store had a decent selection of decorative pierces and some unique small gifts but as others have noted, the staff, especially a woman I presume is the owner, ruins the experience. You will get followed around and prodded until you finally feel so uncomfortable you just leave. It's comical that someone thinks that's a good way to operate a successful business. I doubt they'll be there much longer. read more

staff unfriendly and owner is rude. Nothing that special or unique to make it worth the unpleasant experience of dealing with staff.

This was my favorite store in town...until I brought my kids there. The other reviewers are totally right. They hate kids in their store. I've only ever been greeted and treated politely when shopping there alone, which is why is was so stunning when I brought my two young boys there that I was suddenly treated like an unwanted customer. When we went in, the store was nearly empty and everything was on sale due to the fact that they're moving. So you'd think they'd be more laid back, but nope. One woman in particular (owner?) made two separate comments about my kids touching things. And by things, I mean...children's books!!!!! "Can he not have that on the floor? I have to sell that." To which I replied "ok then he'll sit on the rug with it...he just wants to look at it." I mean, did she consider that if my kid liked it I might have been the one to buy it?? Important to note- this store had TONS of kids stuff! Toys! Books! Art supplies! And yet, god forbid you actually bring your kids there! Definitely made me rethink visiting the new location or giving them another cent. read more