If you’ve ever been to downtown Norman, you’ve probably seen the family-owned Mister Robert Fine Furniture, which opened in 1958 and – though expanded since – is still in its original location at 109 E Main. And if you’ve ever needed excellent furniture or home accessories, it’s a name you should definitely know.
One key to the store’s ongoing success is most undoubtedly the family itself. President Steve Calonkey decided to let his children choose, rather than be drafted into, the business. But since his daughter Katelynn Calonkey joined in earnest six years ago, becoming the third generation to carry on the tradition, Mister Robert has flourished. And she’s all in.
Helping the family business evolve is a main objective. “We have to compete with the internet and online shopping. I work on all our buying – keeping things up to date and fresh – and marketing, so we reach all the potential customers we can,” she says.
She’s also a skilled interior designer, who’s great at helping customers find the visual elements they’re looking for – and that’s no small feat, even if they’re already in the store. It’s a huge space, brimming full of such beautiful pieces that you find yourself looking at everything, so it’s easy to lose focus. The atmosphere is as far from forced as you can get: Nobody’s pushing a sale or following you around. The family side of things is the business side of things, and being a part of what Katelynn calls a “wonderful, family-friendly community” in Norman only facilitates that spirit further.
“We are not a theme store, and have a little of everything for everyone,” she says. “We can do many different styles and aren’t limited to just one.” I dare say you’ll feel right at home once you step into Mister Robert, just like family.
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Brass chandelier, $3,295 Spanning 5 feet, this nine-light chandelier of organically formed brass branches drips with hand-blown glass teardrops. // Ornamental tusks, $3,964 Dramatic and dynamic, these statement-making tusks stand nearly 6 feet high, ornamented with brass accents and clam stone inlays on an oyster shell base. By designer Celerie Kemble for Maitland-Smith // 40” W x 20” D x 36” H chest, $3,885 Three-drawer chest in azure hand-laid lacquer finish with bronze hardware.
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4’x6’ rug, $1,595 A hand-knotted wool rug for making a modern, colorful statement. // Hexagonal end table, $995 Petrified wood surfaces in black and brown tones combine beautifully with metal bar stock in gold leaf finish. 18” wide x 24” tall
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Accent chair, $1,995 Designed and crafted in the USA, this circle back accent chair is 19.5” W x 22.75” D x 35.5” H, and done in a watercolor fabric. Perfect for dining, game chairs or just as an accent. // Borg constructiveness table lamp, $650 Full of eye-catching angles, it’s illuminated in gold leaf with a white marble base, and stands 32.5” high. // Original oil painting, 25” x 29”, $2,195 A contemporary frame houses this original oil painting of water lilies by Segrelles.