The Retail Excellence Awards program by Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine has been recognizing excellence in the independent retail community for more than 70 years. This year, these three home decor stores have been named one of three finalists for the category:
Mustard Seed Market & Home got its start in 1992 when its owners Robb and Danielle Stewart left their full-time jobs and home in Charlotte, N.C. to move to Blowing Rock, N.C., to start their first business, a garden center called Mustard Seed Market. Thirty years after opening Mustard Seed Market, the couple opened Mustard Seed Home with the help of their daughter-in-law, Madeline Stewart, in 2022. It sells home décor and gifts, including furniture, artwork, lighting, houseplants and floral arrangements.
The retailer has been voted Best Home Décor & Best Gift Shop in Watauga County, N.C. for 2023 and won an ARTS Award in 2024.- Lauren Roses
Mix it Up Home, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Mix it Up Home has quickly made a name for itself in the heart of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. An offshoot of Mix it Up Gift, its sister store that’s just two blocks away, it offers a full assortment of home décor and is known for a wide range of events, from wine tastings to book signings to art exhibits.
When it opened in 2023, the retailer went “lightly” into the furniture business in addition to extensive home décor, according to owner Beth Rich. Because so many of its customers are either tourists or locals with multiple residences, it became imperative to work with furniture vendors who could drop ship. It was a good decision, said Rich, but the store, located in the heart of the downtown district, generated such high traffic that it was hard to have enough one-on-one time to tell the whole furniture story. So, it poured more energy into home accents that customers could easily take home with them or ship. It has introduced a new pillow wall, a throw wall, a large tabletop display and a lighting section. – Allison Zisko
The Collective, Dallas, TX
Whether a client needs full interior design services or is looking for that unique piece that will anchor a room, The Collective, in Dallas, TX, has it covered. Showcasing the same luxurious aesthetic as in its design services, The Collective’s retail team helps its customers find the right pieces for their homes, whether handcrafted or thoughtfully sourced. Focusing on a custom experience for its guests, The Collective offers custom furniture, custom bedding and pillows, art consultations and commissions, and drapery and wallpaper services.
Sarah Hargrave founded The Collective in 2013, which embodies her passion for promoting local artists, crafting custom furnishings and curating unique vintage pieces, all rooted in the belief that home should be inviting, attainable and personal. With its unique style, The Collective has been featured in multiple regional and national shelter magazines, such as Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful and Martha Stewart. —Diane Falvey
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