Grayson's Living Ideas

Take a stroll through a life-size decorating magazine Grayson's Living Ideas offers six different home models all under one (big) roof. The first of its kind in the nation, Grayson's is kind of like a year-round parade of homes or walking through a life-size decorating magazine. The 30,000 square-feet warehouse includes six full-size homes that are outfitted with high-end finishes, appliances and furniture, some of which haven't been shown in Columbus before. It is located in the Arena District at 333 W. Nationwide Blvd. just west of Neil Avenue.

333 W Nationwide Blvd. Directions

But unlike other showrooms, customers will come to Grayson's to look and plan, not to buy products. The only thing Grayson's sells directly are Project Management services and other tools, such as books.

Its six residential settings built inside the warehouse allow consumers to see and touch the latest products and trends in residential design. The purpose is to refer customers to local suppliers that stock the items Grayson's shows in its six residential settings built inside the warehouse. Grayson's makes its money by charging manufacturers and suppliers a monthly fee to showcase their products.

For instance, two supplier examples are Carr Supply Inc., of Columbus, that carries bathroom and kitchen products from Kohler Co. Inc., of Kohler, Wis., and Worly Plumbing Supply Inc., also of Columbus, that carries products from American Standard Cos. Inc., of Piscataway, N.J. If a customer finds a Kohler faucet and an American Standard sink they like, Grayson's staff will refer the customer to Carr Supply and Worly Plumbing.

Grayson's project management services can be contracted at $75 per hour or for $1,900, they can provide a client with a project manager who will oversee a construction project working with homeowner, builder and architect.

Who is a potential Grayson's customer?
Builders, REALTORS®, remodelers, do-it yourselfers, someone building their own custom home ? anyone looking for style and new ideas.

What will you find?
Grayson's six `idea houses' are working model homes, each with a different lifestyle and way of living. The models showcase new products as well as traditional ones.

A bathroom in Grayson's Living's urban renewal display features a digital shower, with water temperatures, pressure and the number of shower heads used pre-set to an owner's preferences. The digital equipment can handle 12 shower heads. Grayson's family retreat display includes a kitchen with a kids' learning area complete with Internet connection and a laundry next to the children's bedrooms. The master bath includes a Jacuzzi and a steam shower.

Its empty nester house will contain furniture brands such as American Leather, Baker Furniture, Bevan Funnell and Thayer Coggin. Its kitchen is equipped with Electrolux appliances and a Rohl sink and faucet. Digital Golf is offered by Tru Golf.

The estate escape kitchen boasts a spa featuring an Amerc Sauna, a dog wash and Design Fitness exercise equipment.

The master bath offers Brizo faucets, Villeroy & Boch sinks and a steam room by Mr. Steam.

Grayson's also displays tankless water heaters capable of heating enough water for a master bath and radiant floor heat. You can look at this in a magazine, but that's different from standing there in your stocking feet and learning what it feels like!

Cameron Mitchell has a Cook's Kitchen in Grayson's that provides special occasion meals as well as gourmet cooking demonstrations and friendly classes on the art of entertaining.

Their Belmont Theater offers seminars and expert presentations.

And finally, they have a large Design Center where you can meet with clients and project managers or just sit down and brainstorm with paint samples, fabric swatches and hundreds of magazines and brochures. Call ahead and you can reserve one of their ten semi-private conference spaces, each equipped with a computer with free Internet access and 30" screen.

Who is Grayson's?
The name comes from Gray + sons for its CEO Gary Gray and his four sons including Seth Gray, vice president of marketing. Seth said he developed the idea for Grayson's as a business student at The Ohio State University.

Once the Grays have tested Grayson's in Columbus, they hope to take the idea to another market, such as Atlanta or Denver.

Hours: Wed. -- Fri. 11am-7pm;
Sat. 9am-5pm; Sun. noon-5pm

This is such an amazing new concept that the Columbus Board of REALTORS® is hosting a REALTOR® Open House at Grayson's on Wednesday, November 15 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. There's no cost, no registration required and we'll be providing refreshments from Cameron Mitchells.