The theme behind Lavender Hill Designs — where European chic meets Southern style — describes Tracey Wonnacott’s vision for her store that is dedicated to bringing unique items such as furniture, artwork, jewelry and home accessories from around the world to Mount Pleasant.
Wonnacott was inspired to open her store in the Belle Hall Shopping Center after her son and daughter moved back to the U.S. after living overseas, and she missed traveling and visiting Europe. Her husband advised her: “Do what you love.”
“I love to travel and love to shop, so putting those things together seemed like a no-brainer,” Wonnacott said.
Her European ties run deep, since her mother hails from England. When her daughter, Caralina Wigfield, was in college, she studied abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland, then worked in London and married an Englishman. Today Wigfield works with her mom and handles the store’s marketing, advertising and social media.
Since opening her store in 2016, Wonnacott said, “It’s been great to meet such interesting people.”
She especially enjoys attending buying shows in Paris and London in a quest to discover one-of-a-kind items for her customers. The store carries an array of these artisanal European products such as soaps, pottery, handbags and even beach cover-ups from an Italian painter. “We want to make our clients feel as if they’re transported some place different,” Wonnacott stated.