Buying furniture a pleasant experience

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY KELLY SAWYERS Carolyn Collins (left) invited Martin Fine Furniture owner Suzanne Sherman to her home to sho+w off her decor and to chat about future purchases. They are seated on a couch that Sherman helped Collins design when Collins and her husband, Bob, moved to their new home in 2004.

Bob Collins relaxes in a comfortable chair purchased at Martin Fine Furniture.

By B. Scott Mohr
Associate editor

In addition to being touted as the oldest furniture store in Indiana, Martin Fine Furniture is known for its high-quality merchandise and stellar service.  
And Bob and Carolyn Collins can attest to that after buying their family room and bedroom furniture from Martin.
Since moving into their new home in Grey Fox Woods – a community for 55-year-olds and up – in Franklin Township in 2004, they have been extremely satisfied with their furniture.
“Our couch is used a lot, and it is really holding up well,” said Carolyn. “It’s topnotch quality. “And I really like the idea that it was made in Berne, Indiana, not China.”

The Collinses love their bedroom suite. “Everyone who sees the bed raves about it. ‘Oh my God, that bed is gorgeous,’ is what they say,” said Carolyn. The bed is king-size, and it fits our room perfectly.”  
Mrs. Collins, who had previously bought furniture at Gerdt, said she was referred to Martin by a friend. Naturally, surmised Carolyn, a new house required new furniture.

 “It was really pleasant working with Suzanne (Sherman). “She is amazing, and she has to be since I remembered her name. I am usually so indecisive, but she helped me pick out the fabrics and designs for the couch, matching pillows, the chair and the ottoman. Suzanne is really good at what she does. She impressed me. And the prices are reasonable.”

While browsing at Martin, Carolyn said she felt no pressure to buy anything. “They just let you wander around and check out everything. They don’t bug you.”
Carolyn sees herself venturing over to the store at 5420 S. U.S. 31 (787-8659) in the near future. She’s in the market for a table for the long entryway in their house.

And she might be buying another bedroom suite. The couple’s bedroom furniture from their old house on Derbyshire Road was used to furnish the guest bedroom at their new one, and Carolyn has some ideas about updating that room. 
Martin Fine Furniture was founded in 1854 by Michael Clune and  has relied on quality products, reasonable prices and topnotch service to satisfy customers for 161 years.

Marty McDermott, the late great-grandson of Clune, was the previous president of the company and its namesake. His children, John McDermott and Suzanne, are the fourth generation in the family to own the business. 
As customers know, the store is the best-kept secret in furniture selection on the Southside. The company’s longtime tag line/motto of “You got that right” reconfirms its commitment to staying in business and accommodating custom orders.

“Our knowledge of the furniture that we sell sets us high above the competition,” said the brother-and-sister team. “We can help you purchase your new furniture and mattress at any budget.”
The Christmas season proved to be a popular time for curio cabinets, artwork, lamps, rugs and game tables. 
The store, which boasts customers from throughout central Indiana, is an authorized dealer of Sealy, Restonic, Corsicana, Comfort Solutions and Therapedic mattresses. Customers will also find complete lines of bedroom, living room, dining room and office furniture, accessories and everything to furnish an entertainment center. 
Recliners and lift chairs start at $229 and $649, respectively, and free delivery is offered within 25 miles of the store.
Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays.