Owners: Gail and Jim Bisbee
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Last Detail, located at 206 Craven Street in downtown New Bern, is light and bright and filled with the most tasteful treasures, including contemporary art, home décor and unique gift items. The concept of this delightful store is that each of us has a room in our home or office that is missing that perfect something to make it complete—a final detail that provides an elegant, intriguing or unique conversation piece that completes the homeowner’s desired style.
“People come into the store and tell us that they have tired of their décor and that they want to update what they have,” says owner Gail Bisbee. “It’s all about changing up a familiar space. Our goal is for people to see things that will fit into their environment, such as a living room or an office, with a unique item that will make it feel fresh again and bring them joy.”
The Last Detail is also a popular place to shop for gifts for family, friends, newlyweds, or those people that maybe difficult to shop for during the holidays. During the Christmas season, the shop will be featuring festive window displays, handmade ornaments, Bernstein functional and sculptural glass, Goldhagen hand blown glass sculptural forms, unique hand blown Christmas trees, and other North Carolina items.
The store also houses a brilliant collection of local and North Carolina contemporary artists. Painters such as Karen Crenshaw with her landscapes and nature scenes, and the marvelous local painter, Vicki Vitale, with her captivating, precise miniature oil paintings, draw in art lovers and shoppers. Pottery, by co-owner Jim Bisbee, as well as Joseph Sands will warm up kitchen and living spaces with their authenticity and radiant colors. The work of husband and wife team Jinsong and Carol Kim is positively breathtaking and a must-buy for lovers of Asian inspired pottery styles.
But truly, a visit to the enchanting store wouldn’t be complete without a snuggle from the shop dog, Jazz, named after the city where she was born, in New Orleans. This tiny little pup is a longhaired Pomeranian, and she loves to greet each person that comes through the door, full of personality.
Caroline Zaytoun, who is an associate for The Last Detail, provides guidance and support for customers that are trying to re-vision their space and choose just the right work of art or decorator touch to their home decor. Artist Vicki Vitale also works occasionally at The Last Detail and enjoys consulting with customers who are exploring contemporary art options.
Owner, Gail Bisbee—who previous to opening the store, was a registered nurse and also CEO of her company, Confidential Records Management, Inc. for 20 years—has always loved decorating. “I have always enjoyed the creative aspect of decorating, helping others develop their unique spaces both at home or in a work space, and that’s how this store was created. It’s been very satisfying to get wonderful feedback from customers that become friends and love the unique pieces of furniture, art and home decor that have been added to their space. The friendships with customers that are renewed and new ones that have developed are wonderful. It’s such a perfect way to share ideas and joy with others.”