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Fairchild Interiors and Design to open at the Waterfront

November 17, 2009

Wichita Eagle
By Carrie Rengers

Jan Colvin’s design career is, in a way, coming full circle.

Colvin started in the business by dressing windows for a shop in Augusta when she was 14.

She eventually went to the University of Kansas for interior design and went on to have a more than 20-year career in the business, including the last eight in Denver with Fairchild Interiors and Design.

Now, she’s returned to the Wichita area and is continuing her Fairchild Interiors, this time with retail space at the Waterfront at 13th and Webb.

“I have always wanted to have a shop,” Colvin says.

Fairchild will open in 4,200 square feet next to GM Clothes Horse shortly after Thanksgiving. (Colvin temporarily is in some space next to Doc Green’s to receive supplies.)

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back because Denver has turned into California,” Colvin says. “I’m very thankful to have to slow down and not drive 80.”

The shop’s own design will be partly French, partly English with lots of bright colors.

“When you walk in the door, you’re going to feel like you just walked into a residence,” Colvin says.

On the first floor, she’ll sell what she calls cash-and-carry items, like furniture and upholstery.

“You can walk out the door with instant gratification.”

Upstairs is where her custom design work will take place. Colvin’s sister, Sue Jones, will take the lead on that. Colvin’s specialty is window treatments.

There will be more than a dozen 12-by-12 displays of home designs throughout the store.

Colvin thinks she’ll be able to offer a lot of lines that Wichitans haven’t seen here before.

She’s been back since September, and it’s frustrating Colvin that she’s not been able to open before now.

“I have had to learn how to develop patience.”

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