After 22 years spent covering windows of others, Stephan Elbaz is ready to open a window into his own world. This January, Elbaz, the founder and proprietor of Interior Motif, a window-covering and closet business in Hoboken, launched a web series called “Behind the Shades” documenting his company’s custom renovations to residences in northern New Jersey.
For now, two episodes are available on YouTube, showing Interior Motif’s work on a condominium at 2 Constitution Court. But the company has more episodes planned, and is actively shopping the concept to both local cable access networks and home improvement networks like HGTV and DIY Network.
Already, Interior Motif has been featured on “Rev Run’s Renovation,” a DIY Network show documenting the upgrades Run-DMC impresario Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons made to his Saddle River home. In two episodes, the second of which will air on Feb. 21, Interior Motif installs shades in Rev Run’s dining room and in-house movie theater.
Interior Motif has also appeared on “Kitchen Cousins,” an HGTV show about two Jersey City kitchen renovators.
Elbaz would not be the first Hoboken businessman to secure a home improvement reality show, if he is successful. Jason Cameron, who sold his Hoboken condo for $696,000 last year, is the host of DIY Network’s “Man Caves,” which refurbished a Hoboken fire station in 2008.
Elbaz hopes his reality show will show how much fun he has interacting with clients, not the mention the day-to-day work that goes into full room renovations, which his company only recently added to their repertoire.
Eighteen years after opening on Washington Street in Hoboken, Interior Motif is going through its own remodeling of sorts, and “Behind the Shades” is only the most visible aspect. In addition to beginning room renovations, Interior Motif has a new logo and colors adorning its vans and website.
The company’s new motto is “luxury for every budget,” and Elbaz promises to tailor his services to every client’s demands, both aesthetic and economic. Interior Motif has announced a Right Choice pledge, guaranteeing a one-time replacement of products if a client is not 100 percent happy—a rarity among all-custom businesses.
In addition, the company offers financing options and promises to match a competitor’s lower price on any identical product.
Cutting edge coverings
In addition, Elbaz said Interior Motif is committed to providing the newest and best products for its clients. The business stocks blinds and shades from industry leaders like Hunter Douglas, Norman Shutters, Lafayette Interior Fashions, and Lutron.
According to Elbaz, Interior Motif was the fifth company selected to serve as a Hunter Douglas showroom nationwide, and is one of fewer than 500 today.
At Interior Motif, customers can find the cutting edge of window covering technology today—blinds and shades that are not just motorized but controlled wirelessly via an iPhone or iPad. Interior Motif also sells digital systems that can program lighting and motorized blinds in tandem.
Local focus
Elbaz first came to Hoboken on a consultation, and he said was struck by the city’s energy. He was planning to come back and explore more, but as he was leaving, Elbaz hit a traffic light at Seventh and Washington streets and saw a “for sale” sign in a nearby storefront.
It was the sign Elbaz needed, and 18 years later, Interior Motif is still located in the same location at 629 Washington St.
In that time, he has strived to support the economy of Hoboken and Hudson County. All of Interior Motif’s lumber and building supplies are purchased locally, and its installations and renovations are done by an in house team rather than being contracted out.
Elbaz has also committed his company to various charity ventures. In March, his employees will serve as volunteers at the Hoboken Volunteers’ Sixth Annual Chili Cook-Off.
The people of Hoboken have supported him back. As residential development in Hoboken expanded westward, Interior Motif’s business has expanded with it, and although the company services Hudson, Bergen, and Essex counties and Manhattan, many of his clients still come from the Mile Square City. Interior Motif also installed some of the window covering at Hoboken’s City Hall.
The first episode of “Behind the Shades” can be found online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGtOyvOx83Q. For more information about Interior Motif, check out their website at interiormotif.com, speak to a representative at (201) 418-9860 or visit the showroom at 629 Washington St., Suite A.
Carlo Davis may be reached at cdavis@hudsonreporter.com.