Skip to main content

San Clemente Journal

Sofas by Design Made-to-Order Sofas and More

Sep 01, 2022 09:41AM ● By Nina Welch

Tiffany Ashcroft-Robertson and Deborah Ashcroft in their showroom on El Camino Real.

by Nina Welch

An all-female team runs Sofas by Design at 309 N. El Camino Real. Mother and daughter Deborah Ashcroft and Tiffany Ashcroft-Robertson, owners of this manufacturer and interior design business, offer a vast selection of carefully curated furniture and home goods. And rounding out the team, designers Liz and Kara offer personalized design assistance and in-home consultations. 

Deborah opened the business 12 years ago upstairs in a 600 sq. ft. store. They now have two showrooms, Sofa’s by Design North and Sofa’s by Design South. The main store at the north end is where a customer can obtain home décor consultation with lots of choices and assistance. The showroom three doors down houses different styles with more sofas, sectionals, beds, chairs, fabrics, lighting, rugs, art, lots of pillows, and dining room tables.

The style offered at Sofas by Design is modern coastal. A customer can design their sofa down to the inches. Any sofa can be made larger or smaller, deeper or shallower, softer or firmer. When asked who their customers are, Deborah says, “We get clients state-wide from Northern California to San Diego.” She also cites people from out-of-state - Arizona and Utah - who are buying beach houses as second homes. One-third of their business is from designers. According to Deborah, people want to shop at Sofa’s by Design because of quality and customer service plus everything is made-to-order locally.

In the main showroom, Charger, an English Cream Golden Retriever, is the friendly greeter. However, Betty, a shy Pomeranian stays under the counter at Tiffany’s feet. Both mother and daughter live in San Clemente. Deborah has lived at the beach she loves to call home for 18 years. Tiffany moved here from Rancho Cucamonga seven years ago. They live within blocks of each other. Tiffany’s twin sister Tara also lives in San Clemente, and works at Mission Hospital. They love the beach and the weather, and Deborah noted that San Clemente residents are loyal to small business owners. Tiffany and her husband, Jim, are the parents of Riley, age 6, and Jimmy, age 9.  

The hobby question was answered enthusiastically by Deborah, who is obsessed with football. “It’s football season,” she says excitedly. The Chargers is her team and she is a big Justin Herbert fan. As a season ticket holder, she takes her two daughters and friends to the games. She also noted that two ex-Charger cheerleaders are Sofas by Design customers.

Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm. For a one-on-one shopping experience by appointment: Mon-Fri, 2-4pm. Call (949) 294-2635. Website: www.sofasbydesign.com.