Sunshine Furniture Vero Beach, Fla.

Kristine Ellis -- Casual Living, 9/1/2012 2:00:00 AM

Window treatments, for use inside and out, are one of the newest accessory items selling well for Sunshine Furniture.Casual Living's Merchandising awards winner for best use of accessories in 2011 and 2012, Sunshine Furniture excels at helping customers imagine just how good their homes can be. The large 35,000-sq.-ft. store offers a wide range of outdoor furniture as well as coastal style indoor furniture, but still manages to feel personal and inviting.
     "We are low key and don't pressure people," said Gail Williams, who took over the business 21 years ago, and now shares ownership with her son, George.
     Sunshine Furniture's range of product helped keep it growing throughout the recession. This season Williams added window treatments for both indoors and outdoors, and was thrilled at their success.Gail Williams, seated at far right, with her son George Williams, standing at far left, fl ank the Sunshine Furniture team.
     "We've sold a ton of them," she said.
     She has also stepped up use of the website.
     "We are constantly changing the photos and adding information, because we get a lot of hits. People call and ask about what they've seen on it," Williams said.
     Brands are prominent both on the website and in the showroom. Many of Sunshine Furniture's customers are brand savvy, and those that aren't are educated by the knowledgeable staff.
     This is the first Apollo nomination for Sunshine Furniture.
     "We are really excited about it," Williams said. "None of my sales girls have gone to the Casual Market before, but this year I'm taking all six."