Text by Holly Seng
Inspiration for her latest venture struck interior designer Stephanie Sabbe during a summer trip across the pond. While in London, she noticed many of her favorite designers offering a small-scale retail storefront in addition to their design services. Stephanie’s firm is nestled within a retail plaza in the Belle Meade area of Nashville, Tennessee, making it an ideal location to follow suit, so in December 2022, she opened Heirloom Artifacts, where she showcases her favorite products and finds.
“[Heirloom Artifacts] is basically an in-person look book of ‘This is what we do, and here are little pieces of it that you can take home even if we don’t work together,’” says Stephanie. Immediately upon entry, customers are transported from a strip mall into a cozy haven that emanates warmth and cultivates curiosity.
From handmade pottery and decorative lighting to small accents, antique rugs, and throw pillows made with designer fabrics, Heirloom Artifacts features a one-of-a-kind collection of items that brings color and texture into the home. “I feel like styling and having that level of character—the last five percent of interior design—is really hard for people, including me,” Stephanie says. “So, we have a lot of those kinds of things—items you’d put on a shelf or coffee table that make it look different than your neighbor’s.”
Stephanie also uses the site to host various workshops on Thursday nights for small groups of 10. “I just kind of wanted to offer a space where you can come in and meet your new best friend and learn a craft—have a good community, feel-good night,” she says. The topics range from floral design and calligraphy to knitting and even makeup tutorials.
Whether you’re looking for the final flourish to finish off your space, inspiration to start the design process, or a just-because gift, Heirloom Artifacts is well worth the trip. “If I get in the car and actually go into a brick-and-mortar [store], I either want to feel like I’ve found something cool or leave feeling inspired,” says Stephanie. “Hopefully, we check one if not both of those boxes.”
For more information, visit heirloomartifacts.com.
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