Love is not an accent piece within the walls of Accentuate with Love. It’s in everything that you see, and it’s certainly emanating from Terriann LoVerde with all of her being. Her business, life, and entire vision are infused with it.
After all, it’s right there in her name.
“I’m blessed,” she says as she drapes a knit burgundy poncho around a mannequin. My wonderful husband, my amazing kids, such incredible support, there’s nothing in my life that I can’t be thankful for. If you have thankfulness and gratitude, good things will come your way.”
“Everything we do in life should be to spread a little love and kindness. Whether it’s community events, designing your home, giving gifts, or just surrounding yourself with things that you love so that you can be more productive and your life can be more peaceful. Gift-giving automatically spreads it. That’s how I’d like to impact people’s lives — through community, through design, and through giving.”
“The people who come into our shop aren’t customers. They’re our guests. I want them to feel at home, the way they would if they were visiting someone that they care about.”
Even the building itself makes you feel at home. The outdoor porch inspired Terriann to host a number of community “porch events” at the shop. They’ve had October “Punches for Pink” kickboxing lessons and “Paint Pumpkins Pink” theme nights (with any donations going to the Chilton Breast Cancer Center), a Day of Zen, and more. Santa himself will be at the store twice this year, on November 6th and December 5th. Bring your phones to take pictures with him for free. The Easter Bunny will also come by in the Spring.
“Last year’s Santa visit wasn’t about getting customers. It was seeing the joy in the children’s faces that hadn’t been there for so long. I spent most of the day just fighting back tears.”
All that she does is with her guests in mind. During the height of the lockdown, people would come to her window and say that they were looking for a gift. She’d say “give me two minutes” and she’d gather a few things to show them. So in addition to a robust online business, she managed to give them a personal shopping experience, totally contactless. It made people’s lives easier without having to brave the mall. They still offer free delivery even as the lockdown has eased, all done in the spirit of kindness.
“We’re more than just a ‘home decor’ store. We have great fashion accessories, a ton of baby gifts, candles, hostess gifts, even gift cards. It’s not just a high-end, interior design store. You can come in here and grab a gift and save yourself the trouble of going to the mall. I like to say ‘be vocal about shopping local.’”
Terriann has been working as an interior designer for 15 years. She opened her store two years ago, adding a retail presence in this place where she saw the instant potential for the homey, family atmosphere that fuels all that she does.
From her upstairs design office, they offer custom window treatments, custom furniture, space planning, accessories, new construction (from the bottom up), choosing flooring, countertops, faucets, nothing too big or small that you could need to help bring your space some fresh amore.
“There’s a lot that goes on in this little house. As our business grows, we hope to add even more services, like a registry service or helping people get wedding favors or shower favors.”
“My found mantra is ‘change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.’ Surround yourself with people and things you love and the rest is easy.”
A visit to Accentuate with Love will convince you that here, love is more than simply an accent.
For a list of the events going on at the store, their calendar is on their store’s website blog (accentuatewithlove.com). They can also be reached at 973-694-LOVE.
Accentuate with Love is located at 60 Newark-Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock, next to Bruno’s Drive-Thru. Parking is in the rear. They’re closed Sundays in December.
