Q&A with Bernadette Castro, CEO of Castro Convertibles

NYS: Why did you re-launch this iconic brand with only one ottoman?
 
Castro: We gave very careful thought to which product would best represent the iconic Castro Convertible brand with innovation and quality. The Castro Convertible ottoman, more than any other product offered today, speaks to the functionality, quality, and versatility of the brand that became synonymous with all convertible furniture. Today, there is not an apartment or home anywhere, big or small, that cannot instantly incorporate this product into any décor, improving the lifestyle of the owner. It can be shipped anywhere in the world; comes fully assembled, and within seconds you're smiling. And by the way, it's still “so easy to open, even a child can do it.” (Check out my grandchildren on our website. They're demonstrating the product just as I did as a child. https://www.castroconvertibles.com/videos/)
 
NYS: Who is your ideal customer?
 
Castro: Every person, at every age, in every living scenario could use one of these. There's no interior design decision to make as it comes with a slipcover, not upholstery. And if you want to change the slipcover, you just buy your custom fabric, take your fabric and your slipcover (one comes free with every purchase) to your local alteration or seamstress source and you're done. No expensive reupholstery required. The Castro ottoman opens and closes in seconds and never needs storage. It will never deflate in the middle of the night and in the morning, in seconds, your room is back to normal.
 
NYS: As space is at a premium in New York City, how can you make the most of this valuable asset?
 
Castro: Now more than ever with Mayor Bloomberg’s new “micro apartment” challenge, small space living is so relevant in New York and around the country. The Castro Convertible ottoman is really the ultimate small space living accessory. The reality is that you can always find space for the Castro Convertible Ottoman, even in the smallest of the space. Our 39" wide deluxe version is one inch wider than a standard twin mattress and just as long, 75", therefore, it can be your every night bed. The sleeping comfort is incredible with the 5" thick Castropedic mattress and amazing wood slats that enable wonderful support (you'll never feel a bar again!). You can tuck your ottoman under a desk, or use it as a foot ottoman in front of a comfy chair. When closed, the ottomans fold up to 33”W x 29”L x 20”H and 39″W x 29″L x 20″H so they can fit just about anywhere! By simply adding a tray, the ottoman can double as a cocktail table. The options are endless.
 
NYS: Where did the idea/design/concept for the convertible ottoman originate?
 
Castro: As with almost every stationary piece of furniture that becomes a bed, my father Bernard Castro created the first convertible ottoman. He introduced the original version over fifty years ago. We took his design, added the wood slat support system under the mattress, converted regular castors to two sturdy locking castors in the front, used great, contemporary fabrics for the slip cover choices and rolled this product back out for the world to see. The response has been incredible. We've received many anecdotes from new customers.

NYS: How has Castro Convertibles changed small space living?
 
Castro: That depends entirely on who you ask and how they currently live. Sometimes it changes a lifestyle in larger spaces, too. An extra bedroom to save for the occasional guest is truly a waste of space. A pair of ottomans would permit renters or owners to have a space to call their own for the ultimate home office, home gym or playroom for the kids. Another thing to remember is that two Castro ottomans are much more useful than a queen size sofa bed. Think about it. The only guests you can put on a queen size sofa bed are a couple, or young children. Older siblings of different sexes are less than enthusiastic about sleeping in the same bed, not to mention friends who come to crash for the night. You actually get more personal sleeping space, scientifically speaking, on even the 33" wide ottoman than on a standard queen size mattress.
 
NYS: How can consumers incorporate the Castro Convertible Ottoman into their current design aesthetic?
 
Castro: Changing or custom making a new slip cover is the easiest of solutions. Depending on your budget for fabric, the options are endless. Because you don't need a lot of fabric, you can certainly use "close outs" or small end pieces sold in most fabric shops. I've also seen customers who make their own slip covers by taking several tired throw pillows to a seamstress and have the throw pillows recovered in the matching fabric. They put the recovered throw pillows on the sofa, roll the ottoman in front with a tray on top, and the look is great. In bedrooms, for the ultimate sleepover bed, or for a newborn's nanny, matching the cover to beautiful sheets or draperies can also work. If you have a flair for design, this product is fun to work with, and it won't cost you a fortune.
 

Castro Convertibles is offering a coupon exclusively for New York Spaces readers. If you purchase the 33" or 39" ottoman, enter SPACES at checkout for $50 off the final price!