From Paint to Design: How C&T Reinvented Itself for a New Era

What do they credit as the key to their success? Their ability to adapt and grow with the ever-changing needs of their industry. 

While paint sales have remained a cornerstone of their business, the competitive market and slim margins posed significant challenges. Recognizing an opportunity to evolve, they embraced the interior design market, focusing on providing curated, high-quality solutions for their customers. This transformation allowed them to streamline operations, consolidating into a single downtown location with a refined vision.

C&T’s history is as much about the people behind the brand as the business itself. Originally founded by two entrepreneurs, Caccigrani and Trementozzi, the company flourished to nearly 30 employees by the early 2000s. Today, they operate with a tight-knit team of seven dedicated professionals who are the backbone of their success.

When the previous owner retired, Darlene Mackenzie, an employee of 40 years took the reins, ushering in a new era with a fresh name: C&T Design. The rebranding signified their transformation from a traditional paint supply store to a trusted expert in interior design and installation.

At C&T Design, every day is unique. While they stick to a structured weekly rhythm, the specifics always keep them on their toes. To stay organized, the team has developed a recurring schedule that helps everyone stay on the same page.

• Mondays: Quotations, orders, and one-on-one meetings.  
• Tuesdays: Team meetings followed by installations.  
• Wednesdays & Thursdays: Focused on installations, measures, and consultations.  
• Fridays: A mix of measures, consultations, and repairs.

This dynamic schedule reflects the diverse needs of their clientele, from residential homes to commercial spaces.

In 2006, they took a leap of faith into motorized solutions when a small company approached them. At first, it felt like an uphill battle. But with persistence and determination, they began selling systems, gaining confidence along the way. Their reputation for expertise in motorized shades has since become one of their most significant advantages.

Their introduction to Somfy Motorization was gradual, starting with products from Lafayette Interior Fashions. Over time, they came to favor Somfy for its reliability and innovation. Resources like Somfy webinars and SomfyU have been invaluable, empowering their team to stay ahead in a fast-evolving industry.

A Highlight of Expertise: The MADOT Project  

One of their most rewarding experiences came when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation reached out for help. Highlighted online as a Somfy Expert, they were called in to troubleshoot a complex shading system issue. Although they primarily handle residential systems, curiosity drove them to tackle the challenge. An RTS remote programmed by another company had inadvertently disrupted the entire building’s shading system. Enter Christopher Harkel from Somfy's Project Services team c, whose expertise in SDN and Animeo guided them to a solution. With his help, they not only restored the system but gained invaluable knowledge, opening the door to future commercial opportunities.

In their century-long history, they’ve faced countless challenges, from economic shifts to evolving customer demands. Looking ahead, they see exciting opportunities in the commercial market. Over the next five years, they plan to hire more automation experts, broadening their capabilities in systems like SDN and POE.

Simplistic, maintenance-free motorization is the future. Customers want solutions they never have to think about, and they predict DC, solar, SDN, and POE technologies will dominate the market. That said, they’re exploring Zigbee with an upcoming seminar to stay at the forefront of industry trends. None of this would be possible without the education and resources provided by Somfy. SomfyU has been pivotal, giving their team the knowledge and confidence to sell and support motorized solutions. This, in turn, has led to happier, more informed customers.