Centro Modern Furnishings is celebrating 25 years of bringing the world’s most recognized premiere brands of furniture and lighting to St. Louis.
Ginny Stewart founded the company in 1988 as a “to-the-trade” showroom. Stewart was later joined by partner Todd Lannom in 1998 and showroom manager Steve Schuepfer in 2001. Together, the staff has more than 60 years of combined experience in the industry and are known for being a source for the world’s best Italian and heritage American design brands, right here in St. Louis.
“As a locally owned company, we are committed to making St. Louis an exciting, culturally rich place to live,” Stewart says. “We believe the historically rich architectural buildings and homes in St. Louis can be enhanced when furnished with high-quality modern furniture and lighting.”
With more than 30 brands in its collection, Centro offers the largest selection of premium modern brands in the Midwest, including Alias, Artemide, B&B Italia, Cassina, Cappellini, e15, Emeco, Flos, Foscarini, Herman Miller, Knoll, LucePlan, Maxalto, Moooi, Moroso, Poltrona Frau, Zanotta, and more.
“One of the reasons we’ve been able to meet and surpass 25 years is because of the quality of what we’re selling,” Lannom says. “We’re the only local store selling modern design at this level.”
Centro handpicks the highest-quality brands for its showroom and takes design authenticity seriously, as all pieces are from manufacturers holding production licenses from the original designers’ heirs or foundations. From Le Corbusier and Castiglioni to Saarinan and the Eameses, Centro puts an emphasis on quality and authenticity.
Given the deep knowledge of the brands that Centro sells, the store’s team can help buyers—whether architects, designers, or design enthusiasts—order designs from manufacturers, including those not currently on Centro’s showroom floor.
“People often find us after an online search for any of our specific brands,” Lannom says. “If you want a B&B Italia sofa, you come to Centro, the same way you go to Neiman Marcus for a designer suit. If you enjoy that level of quality in clothing or automobiles, Centro can provide that same level of quality and design for your home interiors, so you can be truly proud of your environment.”
A walk through the store is like a stroll through a museum—in fact, the store has even provided museums with pieces in the past. “We display pieces that were designed in the 1920s and some that were designed last year,” Stewart says. “To us, modern design means a piece that is timeless and classic, something that works in lots of different settings.”
It’s not just the designs that are timeless, though. Behind the European craftsmanship, pieces purchased from Centro are sure to last. “At this level of design, the craftsmanship alone extends the life of your purchase,” Lannom says. “Our Italian sofas start at around $9,000, but a few generations should be able to enjoy that sofa. The quality alone is a step toward responsibility in making purchases, because the piece should last the rest of your life and then be handed down to your children.”
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Cento Modern Furnishings. Visit the Centro Modern Furnishings showroom at 4727 McPherson Avenue, and learn more online at centro-inc.com or by calling 314-454-0111.
