Shelby Storey Blackburn opened Storey Home in Dilworth one year ago in the old chocolate shop in the bustling Kenilworth Commons shopping center. Originally from Augusta, GA, the University of Alabama grad moved to Charlotte with her husband (her high school sweetheart) five years ago knowing she wanted to put her interior design degree to work. She runs her residential interior design firm out of the shop, which she describes as “the perfect mix of old and new, colorful and happy. My store is my portfolio — a splash of all things I love.”
You can find everything from beautiful paintings from local artists, to candles, pillows, mirrors and antiques hand-picked and shipped from Paris. Shelby says, “I like to mix old and new because everyone has old pieces they love and want to keep, and it’s important to show clients that you can do a quick update simply by adding a few contemporary pieces.”
We asked Shelby to point out a few of her favorite things – and give us some fun tips along the way.
On how to mix old and new:
Shelby and her mom recently went on a buying trip to Paris and brought home an eclectic mix of fun finds to sell in the store – including mirrors and a gorgeous chest. “It’s awesome when you personally do the buying. Customers love to know the story behind every piece, and now I can tell them all about each one.”
And she encourages customers to hold on to pieces they already own and love. “Don’t be afraid to keep your antiques or work around an older oriental. Mixing old with the new is what makes your house a home. Don’t ever think you need to get rid of your sentimental pieces because they aren’t something new.”
She usually tells customers to start an update by painting a room and swapping out smaller items like pillows and lighting, but she says if that’s not a big enough change, “start exploring your options for your larger pieces — recovering CAN be done on a budget, and switching out that butterscotch sofa for an updated and fresh white or creamy grey linen can make a huge difference.”
While they sell some paintings in the store that cost several thousand dollars, Shelby says you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great art. “Giclee is a great option. The right price for the right size, framed! We have an awesome selection of large-scale ‘paintings’ … they do an incredible job, and you can hardly tell that it’s a painted-over print.”
On custom-designed upholstered furniture:
“Good quality furniture is such a great investment and so worth the splurge. Our line is all manufactured right here in North Carolina, and they stand behind their product like no other,” Shelby explains. “They have a true passion for hand-crafting custom upholstery with finesse and tailored precision. And when you invest in a good quality piece, you know that it will last you a really long time! Making it your own by selecting your style and fabric only makes it that much more of a reflection of your own personal style. We have all the fabric selections in store and can help you design the perfect piece.”
When you’re ready to give your home a refresh for spring, head to Storey Home and swoon over the curated collection offered there.
Storey Home is located at 1235 E. Blvd., Ste. A, Charlotte, NC 28203. Learn more at (704) 496-9902 or at storeyhomedesign.com.
All photos courtesy of Joe Purvis.
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