Many homeowners are spending an unusual amount of time in their homes these days due to COVID-19 concerns — and many are looking at their homes and itching to make some changes.
Alexandria officials have noted an uptick in inquiries about yard waste and bulk pick-up as stir-crazy homeowners start taking on projects.
Urban Redeux
In response, home decor stores, interior designers and even home renovation companies are getting creative with technology to help homeowners.
Urban Redeux, a vintage store in the Mount Vernon area, quickly set up an online store and is now offering electronic gift cards. In addition to what's online, shoppers can use Zoom or Facetime to shop inside the store. Urban Redeux is also offering free delivery to select ZIP codes or free delivery just about anywhere with orders over $50. Curbside pick-up is an option, too.
ACME Mid-Century Modern, Patina Polished Living, Red Barn Mercantile, Ten Thousand Villages and several other stores are offering similar remote shopping experiences. Go to ALX at Home for a larger list of remote shopping stores.
Interior designers and home renovation companies are going virtual, too. Jan Bertin of Bertin's Decorating Den is offering virtual consultations, allowing homeowners to redesign their space through video calls and photos.
For larger-scale projects, Marks-Woods Construction Services is offering virtual consultations, letting homeowners start the design portion of their renovation process through video.
Arts and Crafts Boom
AR Workshop
Alexandria residents are also picking up home decor craft projects and new hobbies. Using the time they used to spend commuting, residents are redecorating their home with DIY signs from AR Workshop and Learn to Knit kits from fibre space.
National chain crafts shops like Michaels are noting a significant increase in online shopping. Pier One, which declared bankruptcy and announced plans to close all stores, is now experiencing record online orders.
ALX at Home has created a crafts section, allowing residents to shop online and pick-up their crafts curbside from local shops. Offerings include:
- AR Workshop DIY To-Go Kits that include signs or pillows and all supplies for kids and adults.
- Wear Ever Jewelry DIY jewelry-making kits.
- Learn-to-knit kits from fibre space.
- Activity bundles from Robcyn's for pre-school and elementary school-age children.
