This home accessories/furniture store caters to your specific needs
By Heather Milo
Acorn Staff Writer

LISA ADAMS/T.O. Acorn GIVING THAT PERSONAL TOUCH-Zazu Sebagh, left, and his wife, Lory, proprietors of Padavo furniture store, enjoy sitting on one of the many different style of couches offered at Padavo.

A family’s home is their castle. While most people are attracted to a more relaxed, casual look for their abode, variations on an Old World theme are a popular option.

Thousand Oaks couple Kasi and Todd Beutel went for a very Old World look, indeed, in their brand new home, choosing a Medieval theme.

The couple’s choice will be featured on the Home and Garden Television show "Designer’s Challenge." Local designers Lori Cunningham of Lori Cunningham Designs in Camarillo, Lynelle Henniger of Periwinkle Blue in Hidden Valley, and Brynja McGrady of Garrett Interiors, Inc. in Westlake Village all presented design variations on a Medieval theme for the Beutels.

The Beutels chose McGrady’s design: a colorful, whimsical plan that included chiffon canopy hangings and a mural on the ceiling.

According to Lory and Zazu Sebaugh, owners of the custom-designed furniture store Padavo at 2975 Thousand Oaks Blvd, a design request such as the Beutels’ is highly unusual. While Padavo has some wood carved bookcases with medieval accents, the look and feel of "Shabby Chic" is much more prevalent among today’s customers.

Shabby Chic has also been called "vintage" without actually being composed of antiques. It’s a comfortable, casual look using classic accessories, pastels and cozy furniture, including painted pieces (often white or pale colors), overstuffed upholstery, pale floral fabrics and crystal accents, such as chandeliers.

While the term "Shabby Chic" has been trademarked by British style guru Rachel Ashwell, it’s now become the common term for anything resembling Ashwell’s approach.

One can acquire the look by scouring flea markets (a painfully slow process) or get it all at once at Padavo, which opened in April.

Padavo specializes in custom wood furniture and custom couches. Customers can come in and choose a piece on the showroom floor, then decide on its color.

The style of the furniture and the room it’s designed for are critical considerations, said Lory Sebaugh. "Everything is so eclectic—they don’t want anything matching anymore," she said.

Choices in fabric are endless. Choosing a couch’s color is often easy, but the kind of fabric takes more thought, especially with so many options. While a family with kids may not find a white couch practical, there are plenty of medium and dark tones.

According to Zazu Sebaugh, many people don’t know what they want. This is why the option of custom furniture is such a boon. A customer can, for example, rip a picture out of a magazine as an idea. "Bring us a picture, we can do it," he said. "We make sure the customer is pleased from beginning to end."

Designer Steve Weber is Padavo’s exclusive stylist. The most challenging aspect of design is combining elements and images into something that works for each client, he said. Padavo will also send a representative to people’s homes to help with design choices.

Additionally, the store places orders from catalogs, if necessary. Customers range from their 20s to their 60s.

Padavo’s entertainment center has been extremely popular.

Padavo’s couches are exclusive to their store . The store also deals with paintings and accessories, such as crystal floral arrangements, beading and knobs.

Family member Pierre Sebaugh said that many people get more advice on clothing than they do furniture.

Padavo’s personal touch adjusts to each customer’s needs. If you just want furniture, not options, go to a warehouse. Padavo caters to people with a different point of view, Sebaugh said.

When delivery trucks aren’t available, Sebaugh will load up his own because, he said, "They want it today."

Padavo is at 2975 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in T.O. Please call (805) 496-1220.