Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Conroy.
Susan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After years of working in the field of higher education, I launched Buttercup Paper Collection, a suite of mixed media note cards, in 2004. It was a great outlet to express my creativity working with paper, metal, wood and words.
I will never forget walking into a small gift shop in Cambridge, MA with my portfolio in hand, and asking the owner to consider taking a chance of selling my collection. That bold step paved the way for the collection to be featured in many regional mom & pop stores as well as the national retail chain Paper Source and internationally online.
In 2005 with the birth of my first child, Kevin, I found it impossible to keep up with sales with the Buttercup Collection and faced a very tough decision – in order to continue I would need to have my collection manufactured elsewhere. But wanting to maintain that personal touch Buttercup had become known for, I opted to not mass produce the line and the Buttercup Paper Collection closed its doors and stopped production in February of 2005. I spent the next amazing 8 years staying at home with my two boys Kevin and Ben.
In 2009, with the purchase of a new house and not much money for new furniture, I began collecting second-hand pieces and transforming them into my own with a paintbrush. Through word of mouth, Gracefully Restored Furniture was born, where I custom painted and sold furniture throughout the Metro West. Our business evolved to include an exclusive collection of found antiques and vintage items, as well as an entire line of shabby chic and industrial lighting and farmhouse rustic home decor.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As our business continued to grow online, we found that our home was running out of space for all of our inventory. We decided to search for a warehouse but were unsuccessful in finding the exact fit.
Instead, we stumbled across and old 1700’s house at 755 Washington in Holliston that was leasing commercial space. I had always dreamed of owning a home decor boutique, and we decided to take the plunge. In October 2016 Gracefully Restored Home was born.
Gracefully Restored Home – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Gracefully Restored Home is known for its unique mix of furniture, lighting and home decor. Our style is a combination of industrial, farmhouse and rustic finds. We offer an eclectic collection of vintage, handmade and new product. We have also become known throughout the Metro West for our amazingly realistic faux floral selection.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
We are so proud to have been awarded Best Home Decorating Shop in metro west Boston through the Reader’s Choice Awards. Knowing that our customers value our service and the products that we offer is so important to us.
The relationships that we have forged with our customers have been the absolute highlight of owning this business.
Contact Info:
- Address: 755 Washington Street Holliston Mass
- Website: www.gracefullyrestored.com
- Phone: 978-793-2040
- Email: hi@gracefullyrestored.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracefullyrestored/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GracefullyRestoredHome/
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