When interior designer Barbara Woolf (who happens to be my wife of 20 years) was hired to specify all materials and oversee the design of a 16,500-square-foot residence in Canyon Gate Country Club, she was thrilled to be working on a project of such magnitude and for a client whom she liked and respected. The residence was to have a “Gothic English” ambience (though I suspect that nomenclature is open to interpretation), and it appeared that quality was key and that costs were a secondary consideration.

By the time that furniture needed to be specified and purchasing was to begin, the “worm had turned” and reality had set in. The project had run into a number of cost overruns as the client gave little thought, if any, to expensive change orders—despite Barbara’s constant warnings that such wild spending would certainly lead to trouble. With a large amount of the budget having been exhausted in construction (where have we heard that before?), the owner decided to dispatch Barbara (and of course, yours truly) to High Point, N.C., in order to canvas the world-famous furniture market and order what pieces we could at (hopefully) rock-bottom prices.

Please understand that all this happened in the days before our own fabulous World Market Center was present. Las Vegas was a very different city then, with limited choices at best for the style and price points that we were seeking. If you haven’t been to the High Point Market (which is held twice a year in March and September), my advice is – don’t go! And now you don’t have to, as we have our own brilliantly successful Market right here in Las Vegas. But at that time we had no choice, and so with our little suitcase on wheels (for all those brochures and catalogues we were sure to acquire) and the best walking shoes we could purchase, we bravely set off on our shopping adventure.

It was during this arduous safari that we first became aware of André Originals, who truly saved the day for us. Upon entering their showroom, Barbara and I gave a simultaneous (and highly audible) sigh of relief (probably accompanied by more than a few giggles). We realized that we had finally discovered the mother lode, and as each price was revealed to us, we gave thanks that we would indeed be able to furnish a good deal of that very large house with beautiful, classic furniture at truly affordable prices. We felt as though we had accomplished the impossible and we returned to Las Vegas anxiously anticipating the arrival of the André treasures that were coming to our rescue and would save the day.

Never could we have imagined that a few short years later “André Originals” was to become one of the first tenants at the World Market Center. It’s still a little hard to believe that we have a resource like this at our fingertips, with an array of designs and styles now more comprehensive than ever before in their 54-year history.

The line has now expanded to more than 700 items and can best be described as an eclectic mix of home furnishings for designers who need and want affordable choices for their clientele. It is exactly this diverse mix so inherent in traditional design that is André’s specialty, coupled with the fact that almost every item in the line is in stock in the company’s huge 150,000-square-foot warehouse —which allows orders to be filled and shipped within four weeks—that makes this design resource so remarkable. After all, what designer (or client for that matter) wouldn’t be thrilled with a lead time like that?

Walking into the André showroom at the World Market Center is truly a bit overwhelming at first, as there is simply so much diversity of product on display. Sandi Brown, the wonderful and gracious showroom manager (who has a great background in design herself) has made a noble effort in displaying a cross-section of styles that encompasses furniture for almost every room in the house, and that works together but doesn’t necessarily match. And as a designer, I can tell you that’s no easy feat.

Dining sets, case goods, headboards, occasional and accent pieces, barstools, iron furniture, Chinoiserie and superb French antique reproductions with inlaid wood (my personal favorites), as well as the newer Pacific Collection (more contemporary and made of rattan)— it’s all there in a dazzling display of good taste and virtuosity, and all handmade by an international network of artisans. They have styles ranging from traditional to contemporary that I guarantee will satisfy even the most discriminating of shoppers.

Get ready to be amazed and delighted by the choice of finishes available when ordering, as there are more than 60 standard ones to choose from, which is almost unheard of in today’s marketplace. And equally impressive is the fact that André Originals does all its own finishing and upholstery at its factory in Rathway, N.J., which ensures the utmost in quality control as well as the capability of accommodating custom orders. There are more than 300 fabrics and fine leathers from Italy and Brazil to choose from, as well as the option of customer’s own materials (COM as it’s referred to in the trade).

And if all this isn’t enough to send you into a shopping frenzy, the André showroom also offers imported tapestries, sumptuous linens, charming accessories and hand-cut Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, all in a constantly changing and artistically charged atmosphere.

As Helen Blitz, President of André Originals, says, “the line sparkles with an energy and vibrancy that is lacking in most mass-produced furniture,” and that’s putting it mildly. André Originals is truly a unique resource for a very high-end look at an affordable price, not only for residential use but for public areas, suites and guestrooms as well, with a significant amount of product sold through model home merchandisers. It remains high on my list of “Best Resources” at the World Market Center, or for that matter, anywhere else.