THE ART OF LIVING WELL

She had us at the pink front door. And as it turns out Fairhpope’s Elizabeth Collins is just as warm, welcoming and stylish as her coveted door. As the owner and operator of one of Fairhopian’s favorite all-things-home stores, Living Well, we quickly realized as we crossed the rosy threshold that Elizabeth’s aesthetic has been directly derived from her own love of living with quality pieces that bring her joy. Steeped in the traditional and glazed with colorful whimsical items that had us oohing and awing, we stepped into her enchanting world of tried and true finds that left us wanting to live well, too. 

By Hayley Hill Photos Amber Jones, JonesAmberMichelle@gmail.com Hair & Makeup: Soni Marron, SoniMarron.work Hair & Makeup Soni Marron 415.699.7372

Having landed on our shores approximately 17 years ago when her husband Christopher’s job brought them to Fairhope from Jasper, AL, Elizabeth has always been a home design enthusiast. As the mother of Mary Frances,18, and Woodie,16, she began her retail adventure in downtown Fairhope about 10 years ago. A success from the start, she has even been the proud recipient of the Home Accents Today Retail Star which acknowledges the best independent home décor and furnishings retailers in the country.

As for her start Elizabeth shares, “At the time there was nowhere to buy quality bedding so my love of Matouk linens is truly what started it all! For nearly 100 years Matouk has handcrafted luxury linens from the finest materials in their factory in Massachusetts, and they simply make all the difference. In addition to Matouk, and as a firm  believer in the very best bedding, I also have Bella Notte, John Robshaw, Laura Park, and Yves Delorme bedding throughout my home and at the shop. And while it’s always beautiful, my bedding is always cozy!” 

As she quickly accumulated a loyal customer base at Living Well, Elizabeth added other categories of products that she was just as passionate about. Think everything from tabletop and home decor, furniture, and lighting to jewelry, unique gifts, and clothing. From there, she met the requests of others who admired her style and magical touch with special services that range from personalized shopping to interior design. “Everything in the store has been vetted and tested in my home so I have the utmost confidence in our offerings. Plus, we truly listen to our customers and try to fill the voids they are looking for and we’re always on the hunt for that “something new and fresh,” she tells us.

Having fallen head over heels with her home, we’re curious as to how she sums up her overall approach to interior design. “While everything always has a traditional undertone, I love to add personality with pieces that are fun and whimsical into the mix. This creates an eclectic mix where traditional meets a contemporary edge. I typically keep my upholstery and walls pretty neutral so I can add colorful art, pillows, rugs, and fun accessories. I love to mix antiques with modern lamps and a blend of traditional and abstract art,” Elizabeth explains.

Wondering what prompted the pink front door, Elizabeth shares, “After we painted the brick on our home white, I knew the door just had to pop. I tried a few other colors and nothing looked quite right. Then I woke up one morning and knew the door had to be pink. Now pink is my signature color!”

Guided by her personal philosophy to always live well, Elizabeth is an advocate for lush holiday decor. “I alway use fresh greenery on the front door and throughout the house during the holiday season as it makes all the difference. Nothing smells better than fresh greenery! From there, I stick to my recipe of mixing my traditional items with whimsical ornaments and holiday accessories.”

Carried over to her dining room table, Elizabeth’s has that covered, too. “I use the Juliska Country Estate collection as my everyday dishes and my fine china is the Herend Queen Victoria collection. I use my silver on a daily basis and love to mix in colored Estelle hand-blown glassware for a fun pop that’s not too serious.”

Elizabeth’s home also boasts art pieces that carry out her vibe as well. “Art is so personal so I always tell people to buy what they love and what makes them happy! I have a mix of original art, prints, and one of my favorite things is a large framed Hermès scarf.”

Since the holidays are approaching at warp speed, Elizabeth and her team at Living Well are ready to help. ”As always, we love our holiday decor. This year we chose a candy theme for the trees and we love when people walk in and say how magical it looks.

In addition to our wonderful Nest holiday scents, our unique nutcracker selection is our true gold star — they are something to see! Plus, with something for everyone, we can not only help you decorate your home for holidays, we have all your christmas gifts with the prettiest wrapping around. We can also refresh your living room, bring in new bedding, and more to make your home merry and bright. We are truly a one-stop shop.”

When asked how she does it all,  Elizabeth shares that she is committed to her daily yoga practice at Soul Shine. “Fairhope is truly a magical place. I’ve loved raising my family and having a business here. When time permits, we love meals at Red Or White and the Ravenite and boating at the Fairhope Yacht Club.” Clearly living her life in full color, perhaps what Elizabeth does best is to give us all permission to have fun, too.

Living Well

25 S Section ST, Suite A Fairhope, AL 36532

251.929.3255

LivingWellFairhope.com