Home, they say is where the heart is, but I think that “home” is something even bigger. Our homes are the places in which we gather, the spaces where we welcome friends and family to be a part of our lives, for all the good times and the bad, though mostly good we hope. This space that we live our lives in, love, laugh and yes, even sometimes cry in, inevitably becomes a reflection of those who have been welcomed in. As we grow, as individuals and as families, we collect the mementos of a life lived around us; we also fill our spaces, hand choosing each part of it, not just with the purchases that we make, but also with the actions that we take. Our homes say who we are, proudly, to every person we welcome in.
When I first entered Seasons Home & Gift, a little over a year ago now, on a shopping trip with my best friend, I’ll admit that I don’t remember what I thought about the seemingly small store front, tucked back in the corner of West Mill St, but I do remember the feeling I had once I stepped through the door, revealing the much larger than expected space inside. I felt as if I had found myself at home. It wasn’t any one thing that made me feel this way, but an accumulation of several things; the familiar warm colours and wooden accents that spoke of the living spaces I’d grown up in, the assortment of classic, inviting and unique pieces that called to what I was looking for, and of course, the staff who greeted me – inviting me into conversation as easily as if I had always been part of the team.
At the time it was late November, perhaps the first week of December at most, so the store was bright with Christmas touches, however I have since returned several times throughout the year and found that while the décor and product had changed to reflect the trends and seasons, the feeling always remains the same. The love and joy which owner, Aileen and her entire team put into every aspect of the store is evident, making it so easy to feel as if you belong there, as if their “home” is your home too. It’s clear why they’ve become a destination for so many, myself included, in the beautiful, picturesque, charmingly quaint village of Elora.
You would think from the outside that it would be impossible to fit as much as they do inside, and yet every time I return, I am reminded that they not only can, but always do. This is in part due to the fact that as a corner lot, the outside of the store is deceiving in how much space is actually inside, but secondly (and perhaps more importantly), they use their space to maximize what they are able to offer their customers.
A little-known fact about design is that most people will change their home and décor about five times before they find their own personal niche. Which is why Seasons Home & Gift makes it a priority to have a variety of styles and options within their own goal, which is to provide customers with a classic high-end style, that still comes with a relaxed shopping experience, and a sense that it can fit with any style, and any person. With an interior designer on staff, they work to research and source the newest and most popular trends, with the aim of providing their customers with a warm, inviting and peaceful store experience.
With a wide range of suppliers, they are able to gather the variety that is necessary to have something for every customer’s unique style. The advantage of their smaller, team run business, is that they are able to find and build relationships with small, often local, businesses, which in turn allows them to offer their customers unique, often handmade pieces, which they might not have known where to find on their own.
Behind the scene marketing and the rise of Instagram over Facebook has kept the store in the forefront during these uncertain times over the past two years; with the addition of a website, seasonshomeandgift.ca, they have made it easy to order your favourite products online, and you are always welcome in the store of course to see everything for yourself.
The feeling within Seasons Home and Gift is truly that of a gathering place; the strong vibe that is provided by the team draws you in. It’s clear that they are willing to do what they can to enhance your experience. If you leave their store feeling inspired to bring that same warmth, with your own personal touches, to your home, then it’s safe to say that you got what Seasons Home and Gift is all about.
WRITTEN BY: JILLIAN KENT | RESOURCES: SEASONS HOME & GIFT, ELORA
