Perennial Home Welcomes You with Open Doors

In times of economic hardship the nesting instinct becomes especially strong because people want to find warmth and comfort in their own homes.

“Sometimes people just don’t have as much money to spend to go out, so they want to make their homes even more beautiful so they want to be there more,” said Karen West, owner of in Hightstown.

The store carries unique home furnishings and accessories, and is inviting and cheerful, a place filled with treasures to feather the nest.

“Perennial Home means always to love your home and to buy things that you absolutely love for your home,” West said. “It can be one or two things that are special and other things that are handed down to you. But no matter what it is, it makes you love your home even more.”  

West always had a keen eye for decorating matched by an interest and talent for design, so she spent much of her career as a visual merchandiser for stores.

“I did everything from displays to actual store designs,” she said. “We picked the colors on the walls, the colors for the rugs, the whole nine yards.”

Then West started doing custom window treatments. The entrepreneurial bug bit at the same time that a business partner invited her to go into a brand new venture. West became a partner in Perennial Home in 2002 and became the sole owner in 2007.

She carries a mix of commercially-made products as well as one-of-a-kind pieces made by local artisans. She tries to price items in her store to appeal to a broad range of pocketbooks.

“I’ve known kids who come in to buy ornaments or a candle for someone special,” she said. “I have things under ten dollars. I have regular specials, so for example, everything on a certain rack will be 25 percent. It’s good to come in and shop on a Sunday, because I have Sunday specials too.”

West’s shop is a place where artisans know they have a market for their wares and customers know they can find a piece of artwork they won’t find anywhere else.

“I carry beautiful items that are hand-made, from glassware to pillows, jewelry, aprons, runners, hand creams, candles, cards and seasonal decorations,” she said. “I have a local glass blower who produces special pieces of blown glass that are perfect for decorating your own home or giving as a gift.  These things are created by people with love and care. And it shows, because they are so unique and of the highest quality.” 

West says Hightstown is the perfect place for her store, a place where her business has been embraced with open arms.

“It’s a wonderful spirit of community here and maybe that has something to do with its small size and the fact that it is so historic, one of the oldest towns in New Jersey,” she said. “We have beautiful architecture and homes. It’s mixed ethnically and economically and it’s just a lovely place to be. The town has seen its ups and downs for sure, but everybody tries to work together and make it a good place.” 

Many of the businesses in the downtown area were flooded in the wake of Hurricane Irene this summer. Fortunately, Perennial Home was spared, but West felt a responsibility to help out those who were hardest hit and wrote a check to help the cause. She also says it’s important, especially in hard times, for people to help their communities by buying local.  

“People can feel good about purchasing things here where the money goes directly back into the local community,” West said. “The artists who come to my shop then go out into town and if they are hungry they go to the local diner to eat. It’s all good. Everybody benefits. When you spend local dollars, they stay in the community.”