When working out the plans  for their new home in southwest Austin, Gerry Newkirk and his wife Gai knew they wanted the warmth and beauty fireplaces have to offer, but it was important that the indoor and outdoor fireplaces match the look and design of the Newkirks' Tuscan farmhouse-style home.

From their experience when they first moved to the Austin area a little over four years ago, Newkirk and his wife knew exactly who to call: Dorothy Duhon and Ray Duhon of Churchill's Fireplace and Patio. "We had lived in another Barton Creek neighborhood and needed patio furniture and a gas grill for our house. Dorothy is very personable and helped us with our selections, so we knew she would be the right choice to help us with this new home as well." He credits Dorothy's personal touch for giving their home a perfect taste of Tuscany.

"The fireplaces in our home are quite large and they did an excellent installation, especially with the gas logs," says a pleased Newkirk. Duhon adds, "Ray is the creative genius behind the success of our gas logs. With our installations, you have a very hard time being able to tell that these are gas logs and not real wood."

"So many times you have an exterior design and then the interior furnishings just don't match up," says Gerry Newkirk. "You'll see one style on the outside and another on the inside. We wanted to keep the same ‘feeling' both inside and out and we wanted to work with someone who understood that we wanted something that accentuated our home's design."

"Every customer is different and I try to get a feeling as to what they want, rather than be predisposed to what I think their selection should be," says Duhon. "I think that results in people coming back, just as the Newkirks did. We're just a small, locally-owned business and the attention we give to our customers has resulted in our being in business for the past 18 years," Duhon adds.

Duhon says that it all begins with offering quality products, especially when it comes to garden furniture and fireside furnishings. "We carry Summer Classics, an incredibly diverse top-of-the-line manufacturer that consistently performs and offers a full range of tables, dining and deep-seating arrangements.

"I know that sometimes people can get a case of ‘sticker shock' when they see the cost, but you really don't want to cut corners with your outdoor furnishings," Duhon says. "When you think about it, not only should your outdoor furnishings add that perfect touch to your home, they should also be better made than your indoor furniture to withstand the elements."

Churchill's Fireside and Patio is located at 3300 Bee Caves Road in the Westbank Market. Call 512-328-9356 or visit their website at www.churchillsaustin.com.

Quote:

"Every customer is different. I try to get a feeling as to what they want, rather than be predisposed to what I think their selection should be."

                                - Dorothy Duhon