DeGuise Interiors blends design expertise with retail convenience
While many know charleston native gigi Chapman as a talented interior designer, few realize that her company, deGuise Interiors, is a much more comprehensive business.
“We are first and foremost a fine home furnishings store,” Chapman says. “We sell furniture, lighting, fabric, wallpaper and flooring. We’re a whole-house design store.” This distinction matters because deGuise Interiors offers something increasingly rare in today’s market: the ability to walk in, receive professional design consultation and leave with purchases the same day.
Chapman’s business model spans an impressive 38 years in the industry, during which she’s cultivated relationships with suppliers throughout the United States and assembled a team of experienced local professionals. “I always have three interior designers on staff. They are more than capable of consulting with you,” she says. “Bring your photos, inspiration, fabrics or whatever you feel is important in helping you with the process. We love that.”
The showroom itself reflects Chapman’s commitment to offering unparalleled selection and quality. Boasting the most extensive collection of fabrics and wallpaper within 150 miles, deGuise Interiors houses complete lines from prestigious brands, including Phillip Jeffries, Thibaut and Schumacher, and European lines featuring wallpaper murals from Nina Campbell and Colefax and Fowler. In her furniture selection, Chapman deliberately avoids cookie-cutter pieces, instead focusing on statement items, with upholstery sourced primarily from North Carolina’s high-quality furniture manufacturers. A recent milestone for the company was landing exclusive dealership rights for Visual Comfort lighting in the East Cooper area.
What truly sets deGuise Interiors apart is Chapman’s philosophy toward client relationships and design authenticity. “A real interior designer can do any style home,” she explains. “Their first task is to find out what the person’s likes and dislikes are, how they live in the house, and create what the client wants and not what the designer would do in their personal home.” This client-centered approach extends to practical considerations that many designers overlook, particularly for families relocating to the South Carolina coast.
“People move here from all over and have totally different looks,” Chapman says. “For example, people moving from the Northeast have colors they’re comfortable with. But if you come down here with burgundy and harvest gold furniture, you’re going to burn up! And you don’t want leather furniture at the beach. Don’t waste money moving furniture here. You’ll adore your house if you wait and start from scratch.” This regional expertise proves invaluable for clients adjusting to coastal living, where climate and lifestyle demands require thoughtful material and color choices.
The company’s client base spans the entire Charleston area, from downtown historic homes to Kiawah Island retreats, Sullivan’s Island beach houses and Daniel Island developments. Currently managing projects ranging from contemporary designs to transitional Mount Pleasant homes and traditional styles, Chapman’s team demonstrates versatility while maintaining consistency in their client-focused approach.
Chapman’s respect for clients’ existing possessions is an exception to her clean-slate advice. “When people have things they want to keep, heirlooms or things they love, we find places for them,” she says. “Everyone has something like that.” Chapman and her team recognize that successful design means incorporating a client’s personal history and preferences into their new space.
DeGuise Interiors extends beyond major design projects to serve clients who want professional guidance but not a full-scale interior design service. “We’re full-service because we also have the store,” Chapman says. “We offer in-store consultation if someone doesn’t want to hire a designer but wants some help with certain areas.” This accessibility makes professional design advice available to a broader range of homeowners, whether they are tackling a single room refresh or planning a complete home transformation.
Looking toward current trends, Chapman maintains that quality transcends fashion cycles. “For example, good wallpaper never went out of style,” she says, citing the company’s daily wallpaper sales as evidence. “As long as you are careful about what you do, you can go for 15 or 20 years without changing wallpaper.”
For Chapman, success ultimately comes down to one principle. “My job is to make a client’s home beautiful,” she says. “Most people who walk in here know they want certain elements, and my job is to flesh that out, find out what’s behind that and be sure that’s what they really want.”
With a carefully curated selection and years of experience, deGuise Interiors has become the go-to spot in Mount Pleasant for homeowners who want both expert design help and the joy of finding that perfect piece in person. *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.
