A new home design showroom has opened along Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, aiming to serve not just shoppers but the network of designers, builders and homeowners shaping projects across the North Shore.

Ernesta, a custom rug company founded in 2022, recently opened a 1,627-square-foot space in the village’s busy retail corridor, positioning itself as a working resource for the local design community rather than a traditional storefront.

The showroom offers in-person consultations, material samples and customization options, allowing customers to order rugs sized to specific rooms and layouts. Company leaders say the decision to expand to Manhasset reflects how residents in the area increasingly split time between multiple homes — from city apartments to Long Island and the East End — and are looking for design solutions that can adapt.

“Many of our clients are already working across multiple homes … and need solutions that can adapt to different environments,” said Jennifer Parker, the company’s chief sales officer.

That demand is familiar to local designers, who often face challenges tied to scale, durability and function in North Shore homes. Larger rooms, open layouts and indoor-outdoor transitions can make standard, off-the-shelf options difficult to use, Parker said.

The Manhasset showroom is designed to address those issues through a more hands-on process, where customers can compare materials and consult directly with staff about how a product will perform in a specific space. The company also offers delivery and installation services aimed at streamlining what can otherwise be a fragmented process.

While the brand highlights its customization and has relatively quick turnaround times, its longer-term goal in Manhasset appears to center on relationship-building. The space is set up to host designers and clients working on ongoing projects rather than one-time retail visits.

Company officials say they plan to engage with the local community through partnerships and small events, with the intention of becoming a consistent resource for area professionals and homeowners alike.

The opening adds another design-focused business to Northern Boulevard, a corridor that has increasingly drawn home and lifestyle brands catering to the North Shore’s renovation and real estate activity.

Ernesta is located at 1522 Northern Blvd. and is open seven days a week.

Source: LI Press