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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
For nearly 30 years, DeConde's in Salt Lake City has held a tradition of offering the finest in full-service interior design and furnishings. It's the place to find high-end, unique and unusual pieces along with expert advice for any kind of interior dŽcor.
Kenneth DeConde, the founder and co-owner of DeConde's, originally started in the department store business working at Aurbach's. The owners thought highly of Ken's design abilities and sent him to New York and Europe for further training. After some time, Ken left Aurbach's and went to work as a designer and furniture specialist for Crawford & Day, a premier, high-end furniture retailer in Salt Lake. But in 1974, Ken was ready to run his own business. So he sold his car and with a little money from his personal savings, started DeConde's. He opened the store at 270 E. 100 South in a small, street front building.
For Ken, fulfilling the design expectations of his clients was no problem. He wanted someone to manage the business. So, he teamed with Harry Warrick, who had worked as an executive for Mountain Bell, and the partnership has proven to be the right combination.
Over the years, DeConde's has expanded. The company is still located where it first opened, but the showroom is now a lot larger--three buildings with some 50,000 square feet. The staff has grown as well. Ken and Harry now oversee a design group of 12 people skilled in everything from drafting to drapery. And the store's clientele has grown to include not just clients in Utah, but clients around the country, many of whom have hired DeConde's to decorate their second, third and even fourth homes in addition to their first.
During a recent visit, Ken told me that he is expanding the DeConde tradition of excellence to include a specialty store for accessories. Called DeConde's Accents, the store is located at 3000 Highland Drive and features rare and unusual crystal pieces, bronzes, various metals and fabrics. It is scheduled to open this month.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
