We recently signed the lease for a 2,000-square-foot space in downtown Liberty, and this new chapter has come alive in layers of hues and ivory.
While my husband focuses on the essentials—bathrooms, flooring, and the foundation for all the stories we plan to tell here—I find myself lost in the walls. Specifically, a mural that whispers the whimsy of handmade pottery, each stroke inspired by the shapes and patterns artfully molded onto my ceramics.
No templates, no guides—just the flow of brush on hue of blush, anchored by an ivory I'm drawn to. This isn’t just paint on plaster; it’s the beginning of something that will backdrop hundreds of people and I want it to feel like you could touch the history and imagination woven into every line. The pink was originally a boudoir hue—soft, lived-in, slightly indulgent. It layers beautifully against the rich, creamy ivory, which holds a texture reminiscent of the clay itself, inviting both intimacy and depth. Soon though it will be covered un a washed tone...
For designers who love nuance and story, I wanted this mural to read like a one-of-a-kind piece of wallpaper, playful yet rooted. Patterns will shift across this wall over time, but their starting point is always this idea: everyday objects, handmade marks, and the spaces in between—the soul of a shop that’s about more than just goods, but about how they breathe life into rooms.
Serendipity often plays its hand in design, and I couldn't have anticipated the moment I stumbled upon a vintage Hollywood Regency banana leaf tree at my neighbor Jay’s antique shop. Crafted with large canvas leaves and a stunning sculptural presence, it was a true treasure. Bringing it into our shop felt like a natural intrigue, offering a sense of refined elegance and grandeur reminiscent of glamorous days past. The Cherish price tag is no match for my $75 find from the antique shop next door. The find felt especially meaningful, as I spent four months in Palm Beach, surrounded by Palm Beach Regency style—a design ethos I’ve long adored and have found myself increasingly drawn to in recent years. As it turns out, the leafy motif echoes the floral forms in my mural. Jay's mom, Brenda, is an interior designer who has roamed North Carolina's antique scene for years ( including showing at High Point, North Carolinas design market) and has a great eye for spotting unique finds. This serendipitous connection reminds me that design often unfolds in the most captivating and sophisticated ways.
There’s much more to share as this space takes shape. Stay tuned for more glimpses into the shop and studio—each layer tells its own story.
