[A/S] Fowler Interiors

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Have any of you used Fowler or that guy who does the curtains???

Yes, Arlene Fowler has done two of our Airstreams. In both cases, we 
have been 110% satisfied. The first day we drove into her driveway, the 
line of trees on both sides of her entry road seemed close, but really 
they were not. There was plenty of room on both sides.

With both of our Airstreams, Arlene is the actual person who did the 
actual work of measuring, sewing and installing our curtains.

Her background in fashion design and color coordination was clearly 
evident as she considered our ideas and discussed colors and materials 
we might like.

She did all the work associated with replacing old foam with new in 
cushions, mattresses and bolsters - and then upholstering everything.

Arlene does all the design preparation and sewing for customers who 
want covers for Catalytic heaters, special size pillows, bonnets for 
screen door, cornice corners, fitted bed spreads with matching pillow 
shams and just about anything else.

She has been in business in the same place long enough to have a cadre 
of local residents who work for her when heavy physical labor is 
needed, i.e. removal of old and installation of new flooring products.

When she did the first Airstream for us, she had us park on one of her 
full hookup sites for the week we were there. During that week, she and 
we worked on one aspect of the restoration daily. There was no time to 
lollygag.

Arlene has a thriving business that requires scheduling ahead of time. 
When we asked her to do our second Airstream, her first available week 
was two months in advance.

During those two months, we did as Arlene (the task master) requested 
and cleaned our trailer ("make it pristine) so it could pass her son's 
"white glove inspection."

She wanted her brand new curtains to slip into place without any of our 
old dirt or dust brushing off onto them.  <grin>  She offered to have 
the interior of our Airstream cleaned for us ($200) if we would prefer 
(we cleaned it ourself).

Many times we have been asked how much did it cost to have the work 
done by Arlene. Truthfully, the cost can vary widely depending on the 
amount of work and comprehensiveness of detail wanted by a customer.

Regardless of the cost, it is work that I don't have the skills to do. 
But, I did contact two local upholstery shops for estimates on specific 
work we wanted done, i.e.  the foam replaced and upholstered.

Their price was well above what Arlene charged and the service would 
have been nowhere near as comprehensive as that provided by Arlene.

In fact, had I removed every item on our "to do list" from our 
Airstream and taken it to the local upholstery shop for them to do the 
work and then brought each item back and installed it myself, the cost 
would have been three times what Arlene charged.

After that realization, I was doubly certain I would not "nickle and 
dime" Arlene about any of the work she did for us.

Both Sandie and I consider Arlene's workmanship as classic top drawer. 
Every aspect of what we wanted done was first discussed in detail 
before being done. Arlene's perfectionistic approach delighted us.

We considered her prices fair and reasonable. She has email 
<fowlerinteriors@hcis.net> , a home phone <1.270.851.3257> and a cell 
phone <1.270.559.3139> .

Perhaps some of our experiences will help others make a good decision,

Terry