Savvy shop
The Decorating Centre offers treats for people and their homes Story by JEN CALHOUN
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ver since she worked at a Hallmark store during college, Fay Barton dreamed of opening a similar shop of her own. But her life as an interior designer took her in a different direction, to a job creating workable spaces for commercial offices through a company in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It wasn’t until 1999, when Barton and her husband, Porter, decided to buy The Decorating Centre in Scottsville, Kentucky, that her dream started becoming a reality. At the time, the store was located on West Maple Street and mostly sold carpet, flooring, paint and wallpaper.
TWO SHOPS, ONE STORE Today, The Decorating Centre is on Old Gallatin Road. It still sells all types, styles and brands of flooring and PPG paint, but it also speaks a little more to Barton’s college dreams. “When we first moved in, half of the showroom was wallpaper,” she says. “But with the decline of the popularity of wallpaper, that area just kept shrinking and shrinking. So, I started playing with a few candles and jewelry.” When she added those, Barton’s customers urged her to keep going, she says. “They’d come in and say, ‘We need a gift store,’ so I started playing with a few gift items. Then they said, ‘Hey, we need a bridal registry.’” With help from Barton’s friend, now a co-worker, The Decorating Centre added a bridal registry. Friends and family can come to the shop to see and pick from dozens of items on the couple’s list — everything from baskets, home decor and table settings to cutlery. Each couple receives space in the showroom displaying items they’ve selected. It’s as if they have their own little shop, and the spaces are North Central
Fay and Porter Barton bought The Decorating Centre in 1999. Since then, the home renovation center has added a gift shop.
posted to the store’s Facebook page. “It lets people know what they want,” Barton says.
GRATEFUL LIVING Barton hopes to continue serving the region for as long as she can, but she says it would be impossible without her husband and her staff. “Porter gives me 110% support,” she says. “And were it not for the many different talents, the hard work and the support I get from my employees, I couldn’t be here. This is not a one-man show, and I never have to worry if they’ve got my back.” The Decorating Centre offers a unique wedding registry that allows customers to see all of a couple’s selections.
Porter Barton flips through available carpet selections.
Your happy place
The Decorating Centre is at 1151 Old Gallatin Road in Scottsville, Kentucky. It offers all types of flooring, paints, gifts, home decor, jewelry and a bridal registry. For more information and operating hours, visit the website at thedecoratingcentreky.com, or find the store’s Facebook page. Check those sites for upcoming open houses. May/June 2021 | 9