3 Spots to Shop

PISTIL HOME & GARDEN

A curated lifestyle shop opened on Windermere’s Main Street two weeks before the COVID shutdown, but owner Rania Ata was undeterred and quickly created an online option with delivery as well as private in-store appointments. From a variety of houseplants to exclusive lines of home accessories, books and gifts, Pistil Home & Garden is filled with hand-selected items intended to foster happiness.

“I wanted to do this as a real lifestyle shop where you find things you love and have to have in your home. It’s all about how you put it all together in a tasteful way,” Rania says. She buys via U.S. market shows within all price points, but in the future plans to also shop European markets for artisans to feature.

Pistil’s mantra — Make. Learn. Grow. — is fulfilled through workshops and classes. And the merchandise is constantly changing, making regular visits a must. Some of the specialty companies showcased are Simon Pearce glassware, Baobob Collection candles, Montes Doggett pottery from Peru, Christofle tableware, Michael Aram metal ware, Le Jacquard Français linens, Match pewter handmade in Italy, L’objet décor, and Beatriz Ball serving pieces. Gourmet food brands include Savannah Bee Co., Bella Cucina and Galantina. pistilhomegarden.com

BAMBOO & FOO

Sisters-in-law Laurie Stephens and Lisa Spears opened Bamboo & Foo, a vintage and home décor store, in September 2021. Both have a passion for collecting and curating antiques, including the store’s signature foo dogs.

Typically referred to as lions in Chinese culture, Han royalty adopted the lion as protection iconography and adorned tombs and shrines with stone and earthen sculptures. These sculptures were often placed in pairs — male and female — one on each side of an entrance, to act as guardians. Laurie explains there all sorts of adaptations today — also representing other Asian cultures — to act as guardians of the home.

She and Lisa loved the meaning and unique representation of foo dogs that they began collecting them from all over Florida and other parts of the country on their travels. They also look for quality antique furnishings and one-of-a-kind accessories, barware, art, rugs and more. “We buy things we would like in our own homes,” Laurie explains.

Bamboo & Foo is located at 2000B Alden Road — the smaller builder next to the Antique Center. It’s open Wednesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm.

B Home

Designer Todd Bennett created a bright and airy space on Edgewater Drive in College Park to display and sell “thoughtful goods for the home.” B Home offers a curated selection of home and lifestyle goods — great for gifting or to keep — including books, barware, entertaining items, glassware, home accents, specialty foods and more in a beautiful and purposeful setting.

Todd lives in College Park and always wanted to open a retail store in the neighborhood, showcasing items and brands he’s discovered as an interior designer. Opening in September 2021, it’s been a rollercoaster, but Todd is excited about the possibilities and the other retailers that have filled spaces along Edgewater Drive. He also has an online store at shopbhome.com