Howell Gallery in Oklahoma City: Contemporary Design Consultation and Custom Furnishings

Howell Gallery operates as a full-service interior design studio paired with a curated showroom of furniture and decor, positioned in Oklahoma City's design market between high-touch residential specialists and mass-market retail. The practice focuses on residential interiors, commercial spaces, and custom pieces, serving clients across price ranges from moderate renovations to high-end residential builds.

What Howell Gallery actually is

Howell Gallery functions as both a design consultation business and a retail showroom. The studio handles conceptual work, space planning, and material selection, then sources or commissions pieces to complete projects. The showroom displays curated furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories, with an emphasis on contemporary and transitional styles. Projects range from single-room updates to whole-home redesigns and commercial tenant improvements. The scale is intentionally smaller than large design firms, allowing direct designer-client collaboration throughout execution.

Design services and pricing structure

Consultation fees begin at $150 per hour for initial phone or email guidance on styling questions; in-person design consultations typically run $250 to $400 per hour depending on project scope. Full residential design packages, which include space planning, color palettes, material selections, and sourcing, range from $3,000 for a single room to $15,000+ for multi-room homes, charged as flat fees negotiated upfront. Commercial work is quoted per project. Furniture purchased through the showroom carries standard retail markup; custom commissions (upholstered pieces, built-ins, or bespoke cabinetry through local fabricators) typically require 50% deposit and involve 6 to 12-week lead times depending on complexity. Confirm current pricing and lead times directly, as custom work timelines shift with fabricator capacity.

The showroom stocks approximately 40 to 60 active pieces at any given time, rotated seasonally, with price points from $800 sofas to $4,500+ sectionals and case goods ranging from $600 to $3,000.

How Howell Gallery compares to other Oklahoma City design options

Interior design in Oklahoma City splits broadly between independent designers (typically $100 to $300 per hour consultation, often project-based), larger firms like Rue Design or Brickstone Design (full-service with higher minimums, $5,000+), and furniture-retail designers at stores like Mathis Brothers or Englesson, who offer free or low-cost in-store design tied to purchases. Howell Gallery occupies a middle position: more hands-on and local than corporate design groups, but with a physical showroom advantage over freelance designers who work by phone or virtual consultation. Choose Howell Gallery if you want a designer embedded in a curated showroom and the ability to touch and see pieces before committing; choose a freelance designer if you prefer hourly flexibility and no retail pressure; choose a larger firm for complex commercial or high-budget residential projects requiring multiple specialists.

Who this service suits and does not suit

Howell Gallery suits homeowners renovating one to three rooms, clients building new homes who need design direction early, and small commercial spaces (offices, service businesses, medical suites) where cohesive branding matters. It also suits clients who want custom or semi-custom pieces without the overhead of a boutique fabrication studio. The practice does not suit budget-constrained projects leaning heavily on IKEA or big-box furniture, nor commercial builds requiring engineering-level space planning or LEED documentation. Clients expecting unlimited free consultations or those unwilling to invest in custom work will find the model less appealing than free in-store design at furniture retailers.

What the first visit involves

Most first-time clients either call with a general question or email a photo of a room. Howell Gallery typically books a $250 to $400 in-person consultation, during which the designer visits the space, asks about budget, timeline, style preferences, and functional priorities, then walks the showroom together to establish aesthetic direction. Following the meeting, the designer provides a written estimate for full design services if the client chooses to proceed. No purchase is required at the first visit; the showroom is also open to browsers exploring styles without an appointment, though design consultation appointments ensure focused attention.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Howell Gallery operates by appointment and limited walk-in hours; verify exact hours before visiting, as design studios often keep retail hours separate from project work. The showroom is located in Oklahoma City proper (specific address should be confirmed on contact). On-street or lot parking is available. Most design work happens via email or phone after the initial consultation, with clients reviewing digital mood boards and material samples before ordering or commissioning pieces. Lead times for custom work and special orders typically range from 6 to 12 weeks; standard showroom pieces can ship or be picked up within 2 to 4 weeks.

Howell Gallery's combination of hands-on design expertise and curated inventory gives Oklahoma City clients a locally rooted alternative to national design chains and a middle ground between freelance designers and large firms.