When you step into The Wallpaper Studio, Inc. in Abingdon, it’s like entering someone’s home. A well-appointed home, where a friendly family helps guests feel relaxed and welcome. Here, though, guests are customers seeking design advice, a helping hand or simply supplies for top quality do-it-yourself projects.

Three generations of the Kotula family have made The Wallpaper Studio, Inc. what it is today: a decorating center that carries a full line of in-stock and by-order wallpaper, as well as designer fabrics and premium paints. Staff decorators stock the store with accessories that add that finishing touch to interior design, such as throw pillows, vases, candles, silk plants, prints, mirrors, small furniture, rugs, pull cords and eclectic knickknacks.

The store has its roots in Baltimore, where Jim Kotula learned the paperhanging trade from his grandfather. He and wife Marci started a wallpaper dealership there, but moved the store to Harford County to work closer to home. The couple brought with them two young children, Adrianne and Ryan, as well as Marci’s brother, Mike, who has gone from helping out occasionally to being an integral part of the store’s installation operation.

Although much has changed from the early days – the business is in its third location, this one family-owned – a few things remain the same. Toys tucked under a table to keep the Kutola’s children entertained are there now for customers’ children, and Adianne and Ryan are still there, only all-grown-up now and essential assets to the family business.

Adrianne, 27, is a graduate of Drexel University, where she majored in design. Along with long-time employee Ellen Pettebone, she offers customers in-home color and design consultations, and assist in-store customers with paint, wallpaper, fabric and accessories selections.

Ryan, 23, is working on a degree in business at Villa Julie College and manages the store under the Marci’s tutelage. He is being prepped to take over her role as buyer, accountant and decorator.

Retirement for the elder Kotulas doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. Jim is busy expanding The Wallpaper Studio Inc.’s contractor-support operations. The store already preps model homes for several contractors. With Jim already seeing an influx of people from the Army’s Base Realignment and Closure initiative, he expects to expand The Wallpaper Studio Inc.’s professional customer base.

Marci is also busy planning for the company’s future. She recently added the Pratt and Lambert paint line to complement its Benjamin Moore paint line, as well as expanded its fabric selections.

She’s also quick to explain why shopping at a specialty store, rather than a large chain, is better for customers.”

We know our products. It’s what we do day-in and day-out. A customer is serviced instantly, rather than having to work with someone who worked in the gardening department last week,” Marci said.