What Is Luxe?

Flip through the pages of BSCENE to the store's ad and you will definitely be curious to learn what exactly is Luxe. Their chicly simplistic ads are mysterious to be sure: solid black with the simple statement “setting trends in home décor.” Co-owners and sisters Claire Shaver and Lindsey Harrison opened the store the end of October. And since their Nov. 18, grand opening, shoppers remain intrigued by Tyler's newest home décor boutique.

Shaver said part of the mystique of the store was intentional – the other part was she wasn't quite sure what the store would evolve into. However, Shaver, with a background in floral décor; and Harrison, with a background in home staging; knew it needed to be unique and fabulous items that could not be found anywhere else. “The store is a mix of new products and vintage finds that we search for daily in consignment shops, estate sales and antique shops. We take a majority of our finds and custom upholster the pieces making most everything in the store unique,” Shaver said. The store also features colorful paintings by local artists, along with pillows and accessories that all have an antique yet modern feel, and distinct. Shaver elaborated, “Our store is filled with a mix of many styles, making it eclectic and funky. Every piece in the store is what I love and have a passion for.”

Upon entering the store, you will first be greeted with an amazing aroma from one of their signature Aquiesse souvenir candles. They didn't want a familiar candle found at other local shops. “They're gorgeous! It took us a very long time to find a candle line I really loved and it's been really great for us,” she elaborated. “They'll take it home and burn it and they're just amazing scents!” The candles also complement another theme in the store – travel. Buddhas, India statues, Chinese lions and painted Asian furniture is carefully blended with the traditional décor. The Indian and Asian influences are both personal and intentional. “I'm inspired a lot by travel, and I wanted the store to feel like it had been traveled … I love to travel. It's one thing I can't live without.”

The amazing and lush furniture in the store is arranged in vignettes so customers can envision how it would look in their home. All of the pieces, new and vintage, were selected by Shaver and Harrison.

“Everything that we buy, everything that we redo is a partnership. We both have different tastes so it's fun … that's what makes the store so eclectic.”

Another style uniquely Luxe is the plethora of silk and embroidered pillows. The store also carries a unique selection of lamps and chandeliers that are truly one-of-a-kind. “We really find stuff on a daily basis in estate sales, searching the web and, in antique and consignment shops. So, what comes in the store is always really random … So that's kind of fun. I'm always looking,” Shaver shared. Luxe is not, 'we go to market on this date and these are our new fall items – they will be shipped to us on this day from this vendor' she explained. “That's not what this is. It is what we find from wherever and whoever that we love.”

Another unique quality of Luxe is the truly personalized shopping experience. Shaver and Harrison know most of the customers by name. They also let customers know when new merchandise arrives. Per request, Shaver and Harrison will search all over for specific pieces. Shaver expounded, “It's fun when a customer comes in and says they're looking for a specific piece. I love going on the hunt for that specific piece and finding it.”

Inside Luxe, yet another element is the bright, colorful artwork from artist Becky Martin. Shaver's friend is a talented undercover artist and paints for fun. When Luxe opened, Shaver encouraged Martin to feature her artwork in the store.

As for the original question: what is Luxe? “Luxe means elegant and sumptuous,” Shaver said explaining the literal meaning. However if you were to describe the store itself, Luxe is unique, traveled and custom. “It's very eclectic – really it's items we love,” she explained. “ … I just wanted to have a place where I had the things that I loved and could come to every day and get people excited about new and different things."