Courtesy of Gather
Ready to beautify your home? From designing to shopping, our Best of Westchester home and garden winners are here to help.
Murals
Rios Studios
Katonah; riosartstudios.com
Christopher Rios’ propensity to “think big” has had both literal and figurative meanings: In a few short years, the Northern Westchester resident has successfully realized his passion of becoming a full-time artist, depicting well-known figures in sports, music, and pop culture. While adept at painting canvases of any size, Rios’ larger-than-life murals are impressive, so much so that many county (and national) businesses and organizations, and local homeowners have commissioned him to decorate interiors and exteriors with oversize, bespoke artwork that makes a statement.
Beachy-Vibe Home Decor
Gather
Katonah
For those looking to bring the beach aesthetic to their Westchester homes, this shop’s vibe and offerings will have you hearing the ocean. With items in calming colors and clean lines, the home decor here, including luxurious throws, decorative pillows, and serving dishes for entertaining, evokes summer.
Tile Store
Sideli Tile & Stone
Dobbs Ferry; sidelitilestone.com
When designing a handsome home, this family-operated biz is a tremendous resource for top-notch materials and customer service. Offerings include natural, ceramic, encaustic, porcelain, and glass tiles to craft elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. Materials are curated from leading manufacturers and distributors, like AKDO, Artistic Tile, Stone Partnership, Nemo Tile, and Roca Tile. William and Megan Sideli provide design, service, sales, and installation for both residential and commercial properties in their grand Rivertown showroom.
Globally Influential Home Store
Ethan Allen*
Hartsdale; ethanallen.com
This well-respected brand, celebrating its 90th year, has strong local ties, as chairman, president, and CEO Farooq Kathwari is a Westchester resident. Kathwari’s commitment to enhancing Ethan Allen’s county presence — the 12,000-square-foot Hartsdale showroom received a makeover this year — mirrors his continued growth of the brand’s global footprint. (There are about 200 design centers in North America and 100 overseas.) The dedication to incorporating high-tech (touchscreens in showrooms; 3D Room Planner technology) is indicative of future advancement, solidifying its reputation as one of the top furniture companies worldwide.
Space Organization Company
California Closets*
Hawthorne; californiaclosets.com
If your closet is beginning to look like it could be illustrated by Maurice Sendak, it might be time to call in a professional — or visit the showroom at the Hawthorne location of this upmarket national chain. Design consultants and experts will work with you to develop a custom solution offering wall-to-wall organization and storage to guarantee that you will never lose those slippers again.
Related: 3 Striking Light Fixtures to Set Your Westchester Home Aglow
Handmade Local Goods
The Sustainable Haven
Cross River; thesustainablehaven.com
What started as a mobile cart serving coffees and teas has transformed into a curated store supporting Hudson Valley artisans and makers. A collection of handmade and ethically sourced clothing, skincare, and home goods fills this creative space. This hybrid shop/café serves pastries from local bakeries, offers art workshops for kids and adults, and is a creativity retreat for the community.
Eco-Friendly Furniture
American Reclaimed
Rye; areclaimed.com
For the ultimate in sustainable design, check out this woodworking shop’s custom furniture and interior accents. Handcrafted on-site, using traditional methods and from wood reclaimed from such heritage-filled sources as 19th- century barns and other old buildings, standouts include vintage wooden beams from oak, pine, etc.; sliding barn doors; and oversize dining tables that can stand up to the most rambunctious family dinner.
Interior Design Firm
lulu HOME
Bedford; luluhomedesign.com
Fabulous and functional are two words that describe the home interiors fashioned by lead designers Cami Luppino and Alana Irwin. Luppino founded the firm “to help clients create a genuine sense of place — that makes you want to settle in and stay.” The dynamic duo’s signature is transforming spaces with elegant flair, practically and appropriately for rooms’ intentions. Unafraid to add bold pops of color, the firm’s children’s rooms are always endearing, as are their whole-home transformations, with decor and feel consistent throughout.
New Home-Decor Store
the hōm market
Hastings-on-Hudson; thehommarket.com
Britt Summers debuted this decor boutique to share with the community a curated collection of fantastic finds, internationally and domestically sourced. Think vintage pottery, cashmere blankets from Ireland, handmade jewelry, and local ceramics. The space is also the location of pop-up events, like art shows and artisan showcases.
