FAQs

What makes STUHF Studio different from a traditional furniture dealership?

Most dealerships start with a catalog and work backward. At STUHF Studio, we start with your design goals. Our team comes from an interior-design background, so every recommendation is driven by function, aesthetics, and budget—not sales quotas. We also stay vendor-neutral, refusing exclusive contracts so we can mix pieces from dozens of lines (or commission custom work) to build a package that truly fits your space.

Are you tied to specific manufacturers, or do you truly source from anywhere?

We have relationships with, but no obligations to, several large and small manufacturers; what you call ‘open line’ options in the furniture industry. In addition to those relationships, we don’t limit ourselves to searching out of the box solutions to provide whatever it is we are looking for.

What is considered Open-Line Manufacturers?

Open-Line furniture manufacturer make their products available to all furniture dealerships. While Close-Line manufacturers require you to purchase directly through the furniture dealership that controls your territory. This relationship between dealers and their manufacturers are based on their sales in the area. In simple terms, as long as the dealership continues to meet quotas for these Closed-Line manufacturers, they won’t have anyone else in their area that can sell the same lines.

Isn’t it more expensive to pay for selections if the dealers do it for free?

Not necessarily, and in many cases, it can actually save you money. When a dealer handles selection "for free," they’re typically pulling from their own catalog of products, which limits your options and locks you into their pricing. This creates a kind of closed-loop monopoly: you’re handed a spec you didn’t choose, for products you can’t competitively price. By investing in independent selection, you own the spec. That means you can bid it out to multiple dealers, compare pricing, and maintain control over your budget. It’s not just about selection, it’s about flexibility, transparency, and long-term value.

Will I receive mood boards, finish samples, or 3-D visuals before we place orders?

Yes. For any project that is utilizes us for the selection and specification process, we include digital mood boards to confirm style and palette, numerous samples of all the fabrics and finishes we are proposing, and (as an additional services) can provide 3D views or renderings for key spaces.

Can I hire you for one of your services, or does full-service mean you always provide everything, from start to finish?

Yes, you can engage us for any individual phase you need assistance with; be it planning, specification, or procurement. Many teams bring us in early just to validate square footage and provide preliminary budgets; others ask for a full FF&E spec package and handle procurement on their own. But if you prefer a single point of contact from start to finish, we recommend you hire us to handle it all.

Do you only work in the Kansas City area, or can you support projects nationwide?

Kansas City is home base, but our planning and selection process allows us to work with companies and individuals across the nation, allowing us to handle projects anywhere in the United States.