Our Team

Claus

Founder And President

Claus has over 45 years of experience in furniture and design. Educated in Denmark, followed by four years in England working for a furniture and design company that specialized in Scandinavian furniture, he then spent time in Arizona and California before settling in Norfolk, VA in 1975, where he founded Decorum Furniture. Claus has a passion for the furniture and design business, a keen interest in architecture, love for the arts, and enjoys the cultural amenities of the Hampton Roads Region as well as the City’s great selection of restaurants. Claus’ favorite pastime is to spend time at home with his Husband, family and friends. His other pastimes include travel , reading, cooking and baking artisanal breads.

Robert

VICE PRESIDENT

If there was one word to describe me, it would be passionate. Passionate about design, furniture, cooking, entertaining and life in general.

I have over 30 years of retail management experience, most of it being in the fashion industry. My transition into the furniture business was something that occurred seamlessly. I am involved in every facet of store operations, buying, merchandising, and display being the ones that keep me most busy. In my spare time, I love spending time in the kitchen creating food as art and traveling with my husband. Our travels have helped us implement ideas we have seen around the world to our beautiful showroom, and my kitchen. My daily mantra…… Pay it forward…..

Robin

Operations Manager

Robin started her career with Decorum over 30 years ago. After obtaining a degree in Business Administration, she managed fashion boutiques before finding her home with Decorum. Robin has a love of retail and working with people. Making sure customers’ needs are being met, from the sales experience to our delivery service is what she does best. As a member of Decorum’s buying team Robin is constantly gauging the changing wants and needs of our customers. This is reflected in our constantly changing showroom. Her high energy and detail-oriented management style has helped create a work environment that is like family.

Shawn

Buyer/Merchandise Manager

Shawn has been with Decorum since the fall of 1992. As the Buyer / Merchandise Manager, he plays a large role in the buying and display of merchandise based on the ever-changing trends in the industry. Shawn is very talented at creating eye-catching, amazing, and unique displays in the showroom, as well as community events Decorum sponsors.

As a member of the design team at Decorum, he has completed many large projects in the local area as well as Florida, Richmond and the Eastern Shore. He loves meeting with clients, and establishing long-term relationships regarding layout, placement of furniture and completing looks based on individual needs and budgets. He considers no job too big or too small.

Shawn loves spending time with family and close friends, and has never met a four-legged creature he didn’t like! He also loves yard work, and being outside, and travels to the mountains whenever possible.

Al

Sales Manager

Al has been with the Decorum family since 2001. Al graduated from Green Run High school and attended TCC and Old Dominion University. Al served in the USAF for 4 years and has managed retail stores such as Tuxedo Showcase, Mitchell’s Formal Wear, Cargo Furniture and Sleep Number Bed Company. You’ll find that he is professional, hardworking, likable, and, most importantly, loyal. Al has grown up with a house full of architects. His father and two brothers have degrees in architecture so design comes very naturally to him. Al has the knowledge and experience to find the right furniture and home accents to capture the design or look you’re trying to achieve for your space.

A client had once said, “Al Cortado could not have been more helpful. No sales pitch, no pressure, just helpful information to help you make your decision. What a relief!”

Outside of Decorum Furniture Al enjoys working out, the outdoors, gardening, building projects and spending time with close friends and family.

Walter

Sales & Design

Walter was born and raised in Italy and moved in Virginia in 1993. He began working at Decorum in 1994, where he started in warehouse operations, delivering and assembling furniture, but quickly moved into his current career as a sales associate. He has a good eye for design and likes helping clients with their furniture needs/wants. Walter is honest and not afraid to give his opinion. Because of that and his laid-back approach, many repeat clients become his friends.

When not working, Walter enjoys going to the beach, sharing meals with friends and watching soccer. He also enjoys traveling, meeting new and interesting people and, of course, going back home to Italy to visit his family and friends.

Cam

Sales & Design

Mark

Sales & Design

Carlos

Sales & Design

Carlos is the newest member of our Sales and Design team.

Marie

Comptroller

Marie came to Decorum in 1999 and enjoys working behind the scenes to support everyone else on Decorum’s team so that they can concentrate on our Clients.

Marie is a graduate of Hampton High School and Indiana University and has 37 years’ experience in bookkeeping and human resources. An avid gardener, she spends her free time outdoors whenever possible.