Our Louisville Go-To for Home Decor: Merridian Home Furnishings
This locally owned store offers handcrafted furniture, one-of-a-kind finds, and quality designs that stand the test of time. Image: Lennie Omalza
On Linn Station Road, just off of South Hurstbourne Parkway, Merridian Home Furnishings has earned a loyal following over the past 29 years. With its ever-rotating mix of furniture, lighting, rugs, art, and accessories, this locally owned store offers an intimate, in-person shopping experience thatβs hard to come by in a web-obsessed world. Learn about Merridianβs approach to curating their collection and get a look at some of their latest offerings!
An Ever-Changing Collection
The Merridian showroom is arranged like a series of fully furnished rooms. The staff, including owner Merry Dougherty and interior designers like Abby Chodkowski, ensures that each space is carefully designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional for everyday life.
βIt kind of feels like youβre walking through a home,β Abby says. She adds that first-time customers sometimes come in expecting to find a section for chairs or tables, but Merridian isnβt organized that way. Itβs set up like a house, making it easy for people to imagine the arrangements in their own abode.
Merry, a classically trained painter with an eye for composition, approaches these setups the same way she approaches art. βI like focal points in every room,β she says. βEverything needs to be in harmony with one another.β
This results in a showroom that is constantly in motion. Because Merridian sells directly from the floor, displays evolve daily as pieces are purchased and new shipments arrive.
The βMerridian Styleβ β Old Meets New
Merridianβs inventory includes a variety of timeless essentials and a sprinkling of trendy favorites for what Merry describes as a βharmonious combination of old and new pieces that come together to achieve a timeless yet current look.β
β[Itβs] a balance of textures, finishes, and eras that feels sophisticated but never stiff,β she adds. βAnd we have a good mix of classic pieces. If youβre investing in something, it needs to be for the long haul and not something thatβs going to go out of style in three or four years.β
Hand-knotted rugs and traditional art hang alongside modern sofas and clean-lined case goods, while materials like burl wood and brass mesh with reclaimed pine and marble.
βWe mix a little bit of everything β the marble, the brass, the wood β and everything pulls together nicely,β Merry says.
One-of-a-Kind and Refurbished Pieces
Merryy sources antiques and handcrafted finds from around the world, giving Louisvillians access to unique pieces theyβd never get their hands on otherwise.
βWhenever I see something anywhere, old pieces overseas or antiques that come up for sale, if I feel like it fits our vibe, I just buy it,β she says. Sometimes, those finds are brought back as salvaged architectural elements and are used to recreate something new.
Because of their uniqueness, items like this tend to sell quickly.
βWhen somebody buys something, thatβs it; itβs gone,β Merry says. βThat keeps it fun and challenging because every setting needs to look good.β
Designed for Real Life
Beyond its curated selection, Merridian is known for furniture thatβs as practical as it is pretty. Merry, a mother of four, designs many of the storeβs proprietary pieces with everyday living in mind.
βI know how people need to live,β she says. β[Furniture] needs to be functional, it needs to look good, and it needs to last.β
Solid wood construction is standard for most Merridian designs, with select veneered pieces chosen for their striking grain patterns. While Merridian typically doesnβt offer one-off custom commissions, many items can be specially ordered or customized from existing vendor lines.
Art, Accessories, and a Local Touch
In addition to furniture, Merridian offers a thoughtful selection of art and accessories, ranging from pillows and lighting to whimsical accents, includingΒ sculptures of octopuses, bees, and dragonflies.
βWe always have a good mix of fun, happy things,β Merry says.
The store also supports local artists. Merry works with Kurtis Coady, the official photographer at Churchill Downs, to offer a selection of aluminum prints featuring the historic race track.
Clients often stop by to refresh their homes with minor updates, like these prints and other small pieces.
βSometimes it only takes a couple of new things on your coffee table or some new pillows to make the room feel fresh,β Merry says. βIt doesnβt take a lot to make an impactful change.β
Shopping and Delivery Made Simple
Merridian makes it easy to find and receive furniture quickly. If a customer sees something posted online but it isnβt at their neighborhood store, customers can request to have it brought over.
βIf itβs on the website, that means itβs in stock at either the Louisville or Nashville store,β Merry explains, adding that they run a truck between the two cities every few weeks to transfer items. βSo if somethingβs at the other location, itβll be here within a couple of weeks.β
For customers who prefer not to transport purchased items alone, Merridian partners with local services to handle the deliveries for a small fee.
A Legacy of Local Service
As the store approaches its 30th anniversary, Merry recalls memories of pieces that have passed through generations.
βOne gentleman told me he bought his dining room table here 25 years ago,β she says. βHe raised his family on it, and now his grandkids sit at the same table. Thatβs the kind of furniture I like to sell.β
That sense of longevity extends to Merridianβs team as well. One store manager recently retired after more than two decades with the company.
βWeβve had people with us for 20-plus years,β she says. βWeβre grateful for our team and for the good people who walk in and out of our doors every day.β
Despite the challenges facing independent retailers in the age of online shopping, Merridian continues to thrive by focusing on what big-box competitors canβt offer: an in-person experience rooted in quality and trust.
βWhen you buy online, you donβt really know what youβre getting,β Merry tells us. βHere, you get to come in, touch it, and sit on it.β
That tactile connection, along with the storeβs approachable atmosphere, curated selection, and professional assistance, keeps customers coming back.
βMost of our customers are repeat customers,β Abby shares. βThey know where to come.β
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.