Design Menagerie

I had a great experience at The Fernery (new store by Design Menagerie). I was just poking my head in, having resolved to buy nothing further on this particular trip. But Mary gave me such a warm hello, I just had to go in and then I was enchanted with the quality of the clothing. Oh myyy. Needless to say, thanks to Mary (and a lovely assistant whose name I don't recall, so embarrassing because she was great too!) I wound up spending far more than the nothing I had budgeted. I just adore my new clothes and new shoes and new hat. But most of all (photo credit, Mary) just LOOK at these PJs! From Italy. So soft and darling! After the sale, I realized they (totally inadvertently) put a different pair of PJs in my bag. But now I was home and three hours away. Cristal was so patient with me and nonjudgmental that I wanted ONLY those I tried on (the hanging up pair) not a fresh crips pair in the cloth envelope from Italy. She stuck with me until the exchange was completed, and I'm so grateful because I even thought (which could have been taken the wrong way by Cristal, but wasn't!) that they sent the wrong PJs. Go visit their stores. Such great stuff! Everything is final sale. I see people grumbling about this, but thinking from the perspective of their owner, I can only imagine impulse purchases, mind-changing and how rather than this being a negative, it really means to be thoughtful about what you buy. Which we consumers need to get into the habit of doing anyway. All in all, a 10 out of 10 experience.

Design Menagerie is an absolute gem! This beautifully curated lifestyle store offers an impeccable selection of clothing and home goods that are truly one-of-a-kind. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful gift or something special for yourself, the choices are endless. The staff is incredibly friendly, patient, and knowledgeable, making the shopping experience even more enjoyable. If you're in Lenox, this is a must-visit destination!

I am a local client that has supported this retailer since her opening. I recently purchased a handbag and wanted to exchange it (for a higher priced bag) within 6 days of purchase. The owner had zero interest and refused. Frankly, in todays world, a supportive local client is not worth losing over a policy she has in fine print on her e receipt. And the lack of personality and loyalty was very disturbing. As a business owner, policies are important but fostering loyalty is more important.

Leslie the sales associate is so cool and stylish, she is very helpful in assisting you find something you will love forever. Lots of great unique clothing, shoe and jewelry designs here. A very special spot.

I echo the other customer’s reviews of beautifully curated clothes, furniture, Etc. I did however encounter the lovely sales assistant, this is on 1.2.22. Knowledgeable about the stores’ various products. The clothes and furniture, along with candles, soaps etc are from all over the planet. And I also agree that more things can be on the website, as I would certainly buy more things online. The store is expensive, and brands you won’t normally buy commercially and I imagine one would get one of a kind products in there. Would totally visit again when I am in the Berkshires.

While the products at this store are lovely, I was quite disappointed by some of the staff’s behavior on a recent visit. When a mother had her daughter wait outside to finish her ice cream, as not to dirty any of the merchandise, a staff member was unappreciative and callous, rolling her eyes and saying openly in front of the mother to a fellow employee, “Looks like we’ll need to clean the windows tonight,” both dismissing the mom’s efforts to be respectful and embarrassing her by implying her daughter was unclean. Later, the same employee told the children to get off the furniture, upon which they had been sitting respectfully, because she had recently made a sale and she didn’t want the kids to ruin her product. It’s understandable to take care of your merchandise but I’m not interested in patronizing a store which repeatedly treated children and families as nuisances.

Design Menagerie was the last store I went to as I had perused 5 or 6 boutiques in the area. I am visiting and all the staff at the other boutiques were lovely and friendly. I found the owner’s (?) attitude quite abrasive. There is a 3-4 foot space that is not blocked off which looks like one could walk right through to the other side of the store. Guess not! I was asked not to walk through the cash register area as if I was there to steal something. 1) it was NOT blocked off and 2)I would never speak to a customer in the tone she spoke to me. Will not visit this store again.

Walk into this shop for an imagined getaway to Paris. Charming store with unique, stylish brands from France and Italy. Every detail about this store is beautifully done.

My friend and I popped into this store as we both had it bookmarked. It's a very cute, upscale store, selling beautiful home goods, coffee table books, and a smattering of clothing and shoes for both men and women. The staff was friendly and my friend and I loved how curated the store was and we will definitely come back again the next time we visit the Berkshires!

love love love great designs,,.. great service... willl be back for more! Cannot wait to see all the new winter designs,... thank you Leslie

I wish I had read the reviews of this store before purchasing ANYTHING. Do not shop here. The manangement is poor and the client service combative and not helpful. You can get H+Hannoh Wessol at Garmentory, Lost and Found CLothing in LA, many other places. I'm sorry I tried this store. It was an awful experience.

I tried to visit this store twice and each time I was treated poorly. First time I was directed to the sale rack and told the dresses start at $500. The second time, I was followed around the store like I was going to steal and ignored when asked for help. It's a shame since I am a huge fan of asymmetrical dresses. Luckily Twigs was much friendlier. The owner remembered me a month later. I scored much a cuter dress for a modern woman that was fun and colorful. It was very much a Pretty Woman moment.

One of my must-stops in the Berkshires. Also, one of the best places for men's clothing. The brands I love. Oliver Spencer, most especially. Can't get out of there without something new. Every time.

Please do not shop here and do not buy her footwear. I was sold a defective shoe and the owner would do nothing to assist me in getting the item repaired. I have spent a great deal of money here and will not shop for an owner who provides no customer assistance and cannot stand by the products she sells. Once you make a purchase it is final sale so please be very sure of your selection. There are so many wonderful boutiques out there with owners who care about their customers and know that the best way to retain customers is to provide them with not only pretty things but a quality product and great customer service. This owner is not pleasant to begin with and this experience sealed the deal for me. It is not ok to spend $500 on shoes that are defective and have the owner take no responsibility.

I have been going to Design Menagerie since the the store opened. The store is just stunning and the staff could not be any more helpful. Brigot has an a memory..she not only remembered my name, but my my mom's and where we live. She is more than accommodatin. always looking to help make the right selection.

The owner/manager of this store is extremely rude and unpleasant. She has terrible customer-service skills. The merchandise in her store is over-priced. I found many of the same items sold in her store in online shops at more affordable prices. Avoid this store!

Nothing very unique about this place. A lot of products you find elsewhere in New England. Probs from the same wholeseller. Other than the rude staff/owner which could be a good experience if you need a laugh. I would avoid.

Design Menagerie was the last store I went to as I had perused 5 or 6 boutiques in the area. I am visiting and all the staff at the other boutiques were lovely and friendly. I found the owner's (?) attitude quite abrasive. There is a 3-4 foot space that is not blocked off which looks like one could walk right through to the other side of the store. Guess not! I was asked not to walk through the cash register area as if I was there to steal something. 1) it was NOT blocked off and 2)I would never speak to a customer in the tone she spoke to me. Will not visit this store again.

This is my first yelp review but feel the obligation to warn people of this horribly rude and truly scarring shopping experience at Design Menagerie. The owner, Birgit, was the acting sales associate while I was shopping here today with my mother, my mother in law, and my brothers new girlfriend. I was holding a bunch of items to try on and was not asked if i wanted a dressing room since Birgit was assisting another customer. I decided to put my items in the open dressing room and proceeded to try on the clothes. Out of nowhere, while I was completely naked, Birgit, in a very angry and aggressive tone yells out, "You are not allowed to be in the dressing room alone I am supposed to help you!" and then proceeds to rip open the curtain exposing my body to the store. There was a male customer behind her and she did not even realize. I covered myself up with whatever i could grab and she continues to yell "do you not see the sign on the mirror?! this is covid and you are not wearing a mask and I am supposed to help you get dressed in the room!" I admit that my mask did fall off while I was trying clothes on and I did not read the sign as I was in a rush to get the clothes tried on to meet my husband for lunch. HOWEVER, never would I have allowed her to come into my dressing room and put the clothes on for me (that is not a normal covid procedure and is completely inappropriate). I explained to her, very calmly, that her actions were unacceptable and she is embarrassing me. She was still very rude and using an angry loud tone saying she was the owner not just a sales associate (not sure why that matters but ok). I put my own clothes on as my family, horrified, shuffled me out of the store. We went into the store next door to recover and were talking about this awful experience when Birgit barges into the store next door yelling again "I need to speak to you! Come back here we need to settle this!!" I calmly went with her outside and she proceeded to accuse me of shoplifting!!! I pulled my shirt up for her again (if once wasnt enough for her to see my naked body) and had a small fanny pack on me which i opened and - clearly - nothing was stolen. Embarrassed Birgit said, it must have been the hangers from the previous customer and then said "This is why i dont let people go into the dressing room alone!" It was horrifying and belittling, not to mention I was about to spend over $1000 in her completely overpriced store. My mother in law, a therapist, said i should report her to the police for harassment. I decided to write this yelp review instead. Stay away ladies, i am still completely shaken up by this. Brigit, as a woman, you should be completely ashamed. Birgit, you need to learn how to run a business, treat customers, but most importantly you need to learn how to be a better human being.

Friendly, fashion forward staff. Japanese snd Italian designers you will not see anywhere else in the Berkshires!

Quite a collection of unique and upscale items, definitely won't find their items anywhere else! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. A definite must when strolling through the quaint town of Lenox!

Mums beware ! Children are NOT welcome in that store ! Our daughter was quietly sat on the couch reading one of the display book (the one everybody puts their hands on) with her father when the owner asked us (with attitude) to not have our toddler touch the books as she was trying to sell them !? Totally rude and unecessary given the fact our daughter was well behaved and supervised. Luckily we found some better, cooler and family-friendly design stores in Great Barrington - head there if you have little ones.

Love this place. We went in at closing time and the owners were very accommodating and let us leisurely browse. Eclectic mix of skin products, home design products and clothing. Cashmere from Italy- the good stuff that lasts for years. Upscale products that are quality!!

I love this store! Wonderful, accommodating staff! Especially that Sofia employee, she is a dime! Ask for her for all your superga needs!

I know this store from when it was in Viroqua, WI. Can't say how many hours I spent looking through the carefully curated items. I know how much thought the owner puts into choosing the merchandise she carries, and I enjoyed hearing why she loved each company or artist. She was exceptionally kind, personable, and- from the perspective of a 'regular'- extraordinarily thoughtful. She paid close attention, and noticed the items I loved. She then helpfully passed it along to any interested family members around the holidays :) It felt like what I imagine shopping was like before large companies- when the shop owner knew you, your family, and everyone's taste. Thank goodness I can still peruse her wares online!

Horribly rude staff. I was considering buying an expensive sweater and bag, along with some throw pillows and I left because of the horrible salespeople. I was set to spend a hefty sum if I had been treated ok.

This is a beautiful store with a very friendly staff. The merchandise selection is exceptional and I was pleasantly surprised to find the unexpected here. Best store in Lenox!