In a recent Forbes article, leading customer service and experience expert Shep Hyken summarizes- “There’s a lot riding on delivering a positive customer experience.”
Today, customers develop brand loyalty by evaluating the overall experience – ease of website navigation, the packaging, the product utility, and of course, the customer service. All of these factors play a huge role in creating that lasting impression in a customer’s mind and building loyalty.
We, at The Yard House, take every customer seriously, be it in creating a great experience for our customers or taking feedback and working on how best we can deliver on our promise.
For our second customer spotlight, we’re happy to feature Anuradha Varma (@mydreamcanvas).
With a strong background in Brand Management and an extensive career with leading global companies, Anuradha is someone who appreciates the finer things in life. Her life took a turn when she decided to move to the United States; despite working in a few firms, she knew that a corporate role wasn’t her calling and she decided to pursue two big passions in life – raising her family and writing a blog.
Anu’s blog centers around photography and décor and these articles have now been published in print and digital media in India and the United States. She eventually set up an online store for curated home decor collections with persuasion from her readers.
“As an army kid, we moved cities very frequently. Each time we moved, my mother had a blank canvas to decorate the house and transform it into a nurturing home. As I got older, I became interested in personalizing my space and making myself at home in each of these new accommodations. My decor style is therefore greatly influenced by my upbringing as an army kid. What I learned from those experiences is that no matter how big or small your home may be, it’s what you make of it. Bringing in your own personal style can liven up any space and make it your own. I don’t conform to anyone's design style as I am a firm believer in mixing styles.”
A glimpse into Anu’s home takes you back in time filled with a family heirloom, vintage, and antique pieces.
All images here are shot and styled by Anuradha Varma.
TYH: HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR DINING SPACE IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE? ALSO, HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT PUTTING THE SPACE TOGETHER?
ANU: My dining space is command central at home. Everything happens around it and it is usually humming with activity - meals, homework, family discussions, casual space to unwind after a long day…like I said, everything happens at the dining table!
I needed the space to be ME and by nature, I am very instinctive and that manifested itself in the décor I chose for my space. Instead of trying to follow any trend, I tried focusing on what makes the space functional, comfortable and of course good looking. Over time, I have come to realize that finding the right balance between style and comfort in home decor is a continuous process (and quite an effort!). I always strive for my home to be a haven for my friends and family. I believe the magic formula is fewer frills, a wee bit of style, and lots of warmth and comfort.
TYH: HOW DID YOU BRING THIS SPACE TO LIFE? TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE VARIOUS ART, DECOR ACCENTS, ETC YOU PICKED FOR THIS SPACE?
ANU: I wanted my home and the space to remind me of my roots, my passion, my travels and help me relive happy experiences that I have had throughout my life. I infused my home with family heirlooms and many aspects of my parents’ home and my army upbringing. One look at any of these artifacts and a rush of nostalgia hits me.
We are also avid travelers; so, a lot of the accents at home are pieces that we have picked up during our travels.
Being a passionate photographer, I have quite a collection of travel pictures and a lot of the artwork at home is stuff that I have shot.
Pic Credit: Anuradha Varma
TYH: DO YOU PREFER USING TABLE LINEN AND YOUR REASONS FOR USING THE SAME?
ANU: I love using table linen. Growing up, we entertained quite a bit and for every party, elegant tablecloths and napkins were an absolute must. I still remember the starched napkins that adorned my mom’s table setting.
Unfortunately, tablecloths stain easily, and maintaining that perfect look all the time is a struggle. This is where The Yard House table linen makes a difference – the linen is spillproof and stain-resistant, making it a perfect companion for daily use.
TYH: WHAT TABLE LINEN DID YOU CHOOSE FROM OUR RANGE OF PRODUCTS? ANY REASON FOR CHOOSING THESE SPECIFIC PRINTS FOR YOUR SPACE?
ANU: To be honest, I have picked up quite a few pieces from your collection; not all for me though. I have gifted a few of them to my mother and mother-in-law as well.
I typically choose the block prints as it reminds me of Rajasthan, a place very close to my heart as I spent a large part of my childhood there.
Pic Credit: Anuradha Varma
TYH: SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF USING THESE TABLE COVERS? DOES IT MAKE ENTERTAINING/MANAGING YOUR EVERYDAY STRESS-FREE?
ANU: The tablecloths from The Yard House help me entertain in style. When I throw these on for the party, I know I can chill and enjoy the party because TYH linen takes care of itself and I do not have to worry about washing and cleaning up later. On top of that, the prints remind me of India and that always brings a smile to my face.
In short, I have had a very good experience and can’t imagine life without TYH linen!
TYH: GIVE US YOUR INSIGHT INTO HOW WOULD YOU SET THE TABLE FOR A CASUAL VS FORMAL DINING?
ANU: My everyday setup is pretty casual with just a simple tablecloth and a centerpiece - a vase with fresh flowers, a plant, or a fruit bowl.
For a dinner party, I like to use tablecloth / colorful placemats and pair them with simple ceramic plates and colorful napkins. I top it up with some vintage tea lights and fresh flowers to complete the picture.
TYH: ANY LAST WORDS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR US?
ANU: Keep on creating your fabulous designs. It’s not easy to find beauty and practicality in the same product but you have managed to do it! Keep going!
AUTHOR
Deepthi Velkur (@deepthi9844) is a Bangalore-based freelance digital content writer and mom to a busy 10-year old. Her writing credits include health and fitness magazines, running stories, and wedding planning articles. While redecorating her apartment she fell in love with home styling and now marries her love for home decor with writing.
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