Elizabeth Home Decor & Design spread holiday cheer and joy on its 20th annual Holiday Shopping Open House this Wednesday.
“We do an open house every year, and we bring in some guest vendors and some giftable items that we normally don’t sell,” owner and founder Elizabeth Benedict said. “[We] make it more accessible and affordable for anyone who comes in to buy a quick gift.”
A retail store and interior design studio, Elizabeth Home is just a small walk from BC’s campus on Commonwealth Ave. Inside, shelves were stocked with art, books, plants, and other household gifts. Locally made desserts and charcuterie are dispersed between displays.
“But really, this is about the artists,” Benedict said. “A lot of these are local artists to New England, and so we like to feature them in our shop and give them a platform.”
When Elizabeth Home first opened in 2005, it was a small interior design firm. During the pandemic, the store changed into a showroom complete with a retail shop, coffee bar, art gallery, and florist.
“During the initial months of the pandemic, when the world seemingly shut down, we weren’t sure how to project our future pipeline of business,” Benedict wrote on the store’s website. “Instead, we decided to shift with the environment, open up a new endeavor, and focus on becoming more accessible to the neighborhood by turning the adjacent vacant space into an essential business.”
Shoppers such as Newton resident Krisin Golden enjoyed the open house largely because of the store’s atmosphere.
“I come every year,” Golden said. “It’s just like a nice place to stop in and meet other people.”
Newton local Danielle Boudreau expressed her appreciation for the store’s curation.
“I love this little event,” Boudreau said. “I think everything is curated so well. It makes me happy to be here, and I love it.”
Boudreau explained that despite the large selection of items in the store, the displays remain visually appealing.
“It’s such a fun space, and it’s really quaint, like not overwhelming,” said Boudreau. “It’s really fun.”
This wide array of eclectic items is intentional and part of the store’s mission, according to Benedict. She hopes to show visitors and customers that there are multiple ways to achieve a stylish look.
“Our studio is a kaleidoscopic treasure trove that takes time to discover, and it’s become a great visual tool for our clients to see how many elements can work together without feeling chaotic,” Benedict wrote on her website.
The space is a reflection of Benedict’s appreciation for a wide variety of styles and patterns, many of which she stumbled upon while traveling to Hong Kong, London, and South Africa.
“Elizabeth Home Decor & Design’s portfolio reflects Elizabeth’s extensive travel, interest in photography, and the influences of a myriad of design cultures she encountered along the way,” Benedict’s website reads.
Golden reflected on the store’s contribution to the neighborhood.
“It’s a great addition to our neighborhood,” Golden said. “Perfect holiday event.”