Interior design expertise and corresponding home decor items from A to Z await at Three French Hens, a Wildwood-based destination infused with unique furniture, decor, florals and gifts.
Creating client mood boards and serving as a dedicated design partner is the self-professed 'happy place' for the store's general manager and designer, Rae Sutton. "As a one-stop, full-service design business, we help clients design custom looks for their homes, opening their eyes to new ideas throughout the process. We even work on renovation projects from interior finishes to custom furniture for new or existing spaces," she adds.
"Your style needs to be you; otherwise you won't feel comfortable. For our clients, I love placing pieces that are authentically them throughout their home," Rae proclaims.
Located at 16935 Manchester Road, Rae says clients come in-store with photos for design assistance, or the store's interior designers can provide in-home consultations.
During 2023, Three French Hens celebrated 20 years in business. The store features a 12,000-square-foot showroom with 12 themed rooms, displaying a revolving mix of European antiques, reproductions, home furnishings, accessories and memorable gift items. Three French Hen's late founder, Jeanie Hood, was known for her one-of-a-kind furniture, design knowledge and interior decorating expertise. Rae says growing up working alongside her grandmother taught her it wasn't essential to strictly follow ever-changing interior design trends.
"It's more about embracing textures and colors, and combining them in new ways," explains Rae. "I pull inspiration from tons of different places and time periods."
For example, 2024 preferences are transitioning from gray-colored selections to richer palettes. "Many people already have some lighter colored sofas, so we can work in more colorful accents. And we bring in rich textures through accessories, such as new lamps, art, vases, rugs and updated floral arrangements," Rae says. "The careful blending of unique finds is what sets us apart."
She provides another example for those who would like to incorporate Pantone's color of the year, 'peach fuzz,' without having to redecorate an entire room, by offering soft peach throw pillows for spring.
Another exciting preference that Rae says is emerging is the use of more saturated tones for timeless and classic looks. Think deeper terra cotta, emerald greens, tones of black charcoal, sapphire blue, chocolate browns and stone rather than steel.
"Mixing metallics is back, too, but for me it never left," she adds.
Rae's recommendation for freshening home interiors during springtime is to update lamps, swap out artwork or update what's on one's bookshelves, such as adding greenery or layering with baskets. "You don't have to change core pieces of furniture every quarter if you make timeless selections," she reminds.
Post-pandemic, she says people are continuing to gravitate to functionality as a main driver of interior changes or adjustments. "Clients want everything to serve a purpose. Sectionals have been popular, but now they're acceptable in formal settings, too."
The Three French Hens process for overhauling a room involves an on-site, 1-hour consultation, including measurements and photographs, followed by an in-depth presentation of offerings in the studio.
One "must-have" Rae likes to incorporate into interior design projects is a unique décor piece, family heirloom, antique or special artwork from travels.
Consider joining Rae at the store for once monthly "Mondays and Mimosas" design workshops at 9 a.m. She covers a different topic each time.
Local shoppers might meet the Three French Hens clients who drive in from coast to coast. "We have clients nationwide who monitor our events calendar and plan their trips around a stop with us," beams Rae.
636.458.8033
ThreeFrenchHensWildwood.com