Intriguing Interiors By Susan Salaz
Spring might be on the horizon, but winter is with us for a while longer. Fortunately, Willa Gray Home is brimming with beautiful ways to make your home a serene oasis full of warmth and respite this season.
The shop, nestled just north of Broad Ripple proper, offers unique and niche home décor, furniture, and art from all over the world, along with room planning, decorating and sourcing services to help clients find just the right piece to suit their home and lifestyle. Owner, Mandy Skelton, has a distinct, yet uncomplicated style that layers not only warm, neutral colors, but also tone, texture and even time, juxtaposing antiques and contemporary elements with ease.
While her serene, intentional design methodology isn’t strictly Belgian—Willa Gray Home offers an eclectic mix of soulful décor—Mandy says some of her wintertime favorites are from Belgium or influenced by the aesthetics of Belgian design. The ever-indulgent Kurlisuri throw, hand-woven by artisans in Belgium with traditional techniques, combines alpaca wool and cotton in a luxurious boucle knit and is perfect to curl up under. Tired of these long winter nights? Create a luminescent glow with a mix-and-match set of Belgian hurricanes. Each clear, mouth-blown glass vessel varies slightly from the next, and they pair perfectly with the cream-colored, hand-poured church candles also available. For winter whites or a pop of color, Mandy has just introduced a line of Belgian vases in paper-mache and glass that are sure to brighten your day. |
With a style that is deliberate and earnest, Mandy believes in slow design and says you should never feel rushed to fill your space. “It’s not about decorating for the sake of decorating,” she explains. “It’s about finding pieces that are meaningful, and holding space for something you will eventually find and love.” She is not interested in throwaway décor, which is why she loves natural, sustainable brands like J’Jute, an Australian company that offers handmade woven baskets designed to last a lifetime. The tall, fringed J’Jute Bazar basket is perfect for toting laundry, storing blankets or keeping firewood and kindling on hand near the hearth. Out of central Kentucky, the team at Sunhouse Craft uses traditional Appalachian techniques to create timeless classics. Dust off your winter woes with the soft sweep of the agave Tampico brush paired with a unique leather dustpan—perfect to get a head start on your spring cleaning.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the shop, Mandy encourages you to ask. One of her favorite aspects of the business (and what led to the inception of Willa Gray Home in the beginning) is her passion for sourcing the perfect piece. She loves discovering new artists and artisans, and maintains thriving relationships with dealers, vendors and makers all over the world. Visit Willa Gray Home, located at 6516 Carrolton Avenue in Indianapolis, to breathe fresh life into your living space. You can also shop online at willagrayhome.com and follow @willagrayhome on Instagram for ideas and inspiration. |