Step Inside Rochester’s Stunning New Showroom!
If you haven’t stopped by Dillman & Upton’s Rochester location lately, you’re in for a big surprise. After months of planning, design, and careful craftsmanship, the space has been transformed into a high-end, fully immersive design center—one that’s ready to inspire homeowners, builders, architects, and designers alike.
“When we joined the Mans family three and a half years ago, we knew we wanted to lean into what we do best,” says Brad Upton, Rochester Branch Manager. “We’re not competing with the big-box stores on plumbing or garden supplies. No, we’ve built something the big boxes can’t touch: an elegant and practical design showroom that’s all about craftsmanship, quality, and inspiration.”
The decision meant saying goodbye to areas that weren’t core strengths to the Dillman & Upton team and doubling down on what is: premium millwork, creative stair systems, statement-making doors, cabinetry that’s as beautiful as it is practical, and more. With help from architects, interior designers, and the millwork expertise of Jeff Pagnier, Mans’ Millwork Division Manager, the team turned the old showroom into one of the most impressive displays in the area.
A Walk Through Design History…and Into the Future
One of the first things visitors notice is a striking wainscoting feature wall that tells a story of style through time. Starting on the right, the wall greets you with rich, detailed moldings in warm, traditional profiles—the kind that bring to mind historic homes and timeless craftsmanship.
As you move toward the center, the lines soften and simplify into transitional styles that balance classic charm with clean, modern details. Finally, on the far left, the design shifts to contemporary minimalism: sleek panels, crisp lines, and subtle shadow reveals that feel fresh and architectural.
“It’s like a timeline of design trends,” says Jeff. “You can literally see the shift in style as you walk along the wall. It’s a quick masterclass in how design has evolved over the years.”
The showroom is packed with other eye-catching, touchable displays:
Staircases: From elegant traditional balusters to a sleek steel-stringer floating staircase with white oak treads, the stair display is now one of the best in the business.Doors: Around 35 different styles of interior doors are featured, from custom TruStile designs to high-quality production doors, all displayed in a way that makes comparison and contrast easy and sensory.Pocket Doors: A top-of-the-line Cavity Slider Pocket Door Frame slider system with soft-close and soft-open features proves pocket doors can be both stylish and functional. It’s one of those things that you need to see to appreciate; and a picture won’t do it justice.Timber Trusses: A cozy meeting area beneath dramatic timber beams showcases four wood species—white pine, Douglas fir, cedar, and white oak—welcoming builder and homeowner collaborators and offering a tactile education in texture and tone.
Why It Works
Jeff’s favorite part? The fact that most of what’s on display has never been seen in person by the general public…or even by many industry professionals. “Catalog images can only go so far,” he explains. “When people can touch the materials, see the details, and picture them in their own homes, they get excited. I’ve had people tell me they want to build a new house just to use some of these designs we have on display in the new showroom.”
The showroom isn’t just for customers. It’s also a training ground for the MANS team. With so many unique products now on display, staff can familiarize themselves hands-on, making them better equipped to guide clients through selections.
For homeowners, designers, and builders, the new Rochester showroom makes the selection process easy. “You can start at the windows, move to exterior and interior doors, then cabinetry, flooring, and all the finishing touches—all in one place,” Brad says. “It’s efficient, inspiring, and a huge time-saver. Most of all, it’s fun!”
Come See It for Yourself!
The new showroom is now open and actively in use, even as the team puts finishing touches on signage and labeling. Passersby have already stopped in to express their wonderment and their thanks for bringing this new space to life. Whether you’re a builder bringing clients in to make selections, an interior designer looking for fresh ideas, or a homeowner starting your dream project, the new and improved Dillman & Upton showroom is ready to spark your creativity!
“We’ve built a space that shows what’s possible,” says Brad. “Now we just want people to experience it.”
