CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Have you always wanted a fur coat? Are you thinking about buying one with that inheritance from your great aunt Ethel?

Well, Catherine Nutter at the House of Luxe has the fur coat for first-time buyers.

It's a 32-inch sheared mink stroller that's reversible. The lining is a water resistant fabric.

"It's my number one piece," she said. 

A first-time buyer comes in thinking she wants a traditional mink coat, but Nutter said she is always happy with the low-key sheared mink. "It's every bit as warm as a long fur coat."

She said of those customers, "They have waited and saved for their first fur coat. You want them to have something they are going to wear a lot."

The style may also be the answer to her older clients, who are her "bread and butter" customers. Like clock work, they bring their long, fur coats to House of Luxe at 817 Quarrier St. to be stored during the summer.

Most of older women, though, aren't buying new coats nor are they wearing their old ones. Nutter said the longer coats are too heavy for many older women to wear; they want warm, lighter coats.

So she's considering giving the women an allowance on a new purchase in exchange for their older fur apparel. That's because there are so many ways to recycle fur.

That heavy, tea-length mink coat can be altered into that trendy stroller. Cut off the bottom of the coat and use that fur to trim the collar, placket and sleeves.

A small mink stole can be reworked as trim on the front of a knitted vest or one made out of ultra suede or leather. 

Pointing to two stuffed animals on display, Nutter said. "Seven teddy bears were made out of one full-length mink coat. Those are 15-inch bears. I charge $10 an inch."

A first time customer may be surprised by the diversity of the House of Luxe merchandise. There's a long rack of fur-trimmed and decorated vests, some in bright colors. There're waist length jackets, coats that brush the ankle, cashmere capes and textile coats trimmed in fur.

"Eighty percent of my customers are repeat buyers. I have to have something new to offer them," she said.

Selected merchandise will be on sale through March. "I like to get new stuff every season. I try not to duplicate. I have one-of-a-kinds," Nutter said.  

Although her fur coats range from $800 to $7,000, Nutter insists that she carries items that nearly anyone can afford.

She gestures toward the fur-trimmed fingerless gloves, perfect for texting, answering cell phones and tying shoe laces. She has scarves, small fur purses and hats, including a toboggan-style one decorated with beads and fur. 

In addition, Nutter carries cosmetics and upscale costume jewelry. She has three different lines of Alexis Bittar, and is the sole carrier in the region of the award winning jewelry designer. Her cosmetic line is MOR from Australia, but made in the United States. Bath products and candles  are also for sale.

Nutter took over the Quarrier Street space two years ago after Empire Fur went out of business. Before Empire, Steiger Fur Shop was in the same location for 85 years before closing in 1995.

A few mementos of that era are on display in a glass case in the shop, including the "Steiger" cap that the driver wore when he picked up furs for storage and delivered them back again in the fall.

Nutter estimates that 600 furs are stored in the shop during the summer months. As part of her renovations, she has a new system for caring for the furs.

Furs must be kept at 55 degrees and at 50 percent humidity, otherwise the skins will dry out and start shredding fur. "Some people think they can keep them in a cedar-lined closet. But cedar draws out moisture so the skins dries out faster," she explained.

The steel doors on the vaults along a show room wall have been sanded, painted and stenciled in a silver-tone in keeping with the silver, gray and purple themed-décor. A new aluminum ceiling replicates a patterned tin ceiling. A commercial grade carpet in a snow leopard pattern covers the floor. Swarouski crystal light fixtures illuminate the display racks.     

Nutter was asked why someone interested in buying a fur coat should shop in Charleston rather than larger cities with more selection.

"I am here to service it," she replied. "If you've got a problem, I am here. It's an investment-or an inheritance. I am able to help you take care of it." 

House of Luxe is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 304-346-0577.