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My Quest For Unique Home Decor Stores in Central Florida

I have always had a flare for the unique! Whether it be my clothing, furniture, home accents, dining choices, or vacation destinations… I’ve always sought the unusual. If everyone has it or is doing it, I’m usually not interested. On the other hand, if it’s rare or exclusive its got my attention! So when I moved to Florida 24 years ago (that almost makes me a native Floridian!) I searched for home decor stores that specialized in distinctive, high quality merchandise.

I had moved from the Northeast and was looking to change my home decor style from “old world” to a more “Floridian” look. However, pink flamingos and orange tree posters simply were not cutting it for me. My goal was to transition from a dark, moody, and elegant theme to a lighter color palette with a more relaxed “coastal” vibe. I wanted elements of the tropical landscape but it still had to feel remarkable. The cookie-cutter “box stores” that sold home decor were a dime a dozen, but I knew there had to be little gems out there somewhere, just waiting to be discovered.

Over time, I found a few home decor stores in Central Florida that were right up my alley! Definitely in a class by themselves! In this article I’ll be sharing my three favorites with you.

A Valuable Interior Design Principle

I was thrilled to find a few home decor stores that distinguished themselves from the typical. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely do shop at stores like HomeGoods, Kirklands, and even T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. In fact, my best friend and I visit them nearly every week. I love buying my seasonal decor at these off-price stores. They’re perfect for home decor I will be switching out every few months, or my outdoor decor. As a Florida resident, I learned pretty quick that it’s not wise to spend a ton of money on outdoor decor. Because of the extreme heat and high humidity most of my outdoor decor only lasts for a season or two, especially on my backyard lanai which bakes in the hot afternoon sun. I’ve even had high quality fade-proof material fade!

However, I do like to purchase my permanent “main focus” furniture and decor from the more exclusive stores. Not because it costs more, but because of the wow factor! Then I use the less-expensive stores to supplement the unique anchor pieces. In styling my decor this way, a funny thing happens… it ALL begins to looks expensive! The cheaper pieces become elevated alongside their more expensive counterparts – kind of like carrying a Christian Louboutin bag while sporting costume jewelry! People just see the purse and assume everything you’re wearing is authentic and expensive. Well, the same principle applies to interior design! If done strategically, mixing high-end and low-end home decor works beautifully.

My 3 Favorite Home Decor Stores

Two of the three home decor stores that I found I’ve been shopping at ever since I moved to Florida. The Stable in Lake Alfred, and Marge’s Specialties in Orlando. The third one I just recently discovered – Adjectives Market, with five locations in Central Florida. I love that all three are local, family-owned businesses. And you don’t have to live in Florida to enjoy them. Many visitors to Orlando stop in whenever they’re in town. Whether you’re searching for yourself or a special gift for that special person, all three of these home decor stores deserve a peek.

And at Christmas time… oh my goodness, these stores are amazing! I’ll include some photos I took while Christmas shopping.

The Stable in Lake Alfred Florida

The Stable Home Decor is actually part of a small collection of unique stores, all owned by the same family for over 50 years! The Stable is the more upscale shop in the little complex. There’s also Seasons Gift Shop (specializing in seasonal home decor and gifts), The Barn Antiques (open in the fall and winter months), The Backyard Garden Shop (outdoor plants, garden decor, and accessories), and The Back Porch Restaurant. (You can link to my full-length article and review of the complex here.)

My friend and I love this place. We frequent it often, as it’s the closest one to Solivita, our award-winning active adult community. We spend hours there. And oftentimes we take a break to have lunch at The Back Porch, a delicious on-site option for hungry shoppers! It’s a quaint little restaurant serving a picnic-style lunch. In fact, prior to COVID, the lunches were actually served in a picnic basket. The lunch consists of a soup, salad, sandwich, and dessert, using the Wales family favorite recipes. The portions are somewhat small but satisfying. We never feel bloated or uncomfortably full, only rested and energized for more shopping! (Don’t forget to try the raspberry spiced tea. I’m soooo addicted to it. Good thing they sell it in the gift shop!)

The Stable offers unique home decor and wonderful gift items. They have the perfect balance of timeless, traditional decor mixed with the latest trends. You’ll browse through little vignettes that pack a big punch. It kind of makes you feel like you’re in a designer home. There’s decor, handmade wreaths, floral arrangements, candles, potpourri, lamps, framed prints, and more. They even have some clothing and fashion accessories like purses and jewelry. The prices are in the medium range; not cheap but not too expensive. And I’ve never had an issue with quality on anything I’ve bought at The Stable.

The Complex is located in rural Lake Alfred, only 30 minutes west of Disney. Check out The Stable Home Decor website for directions and hours.

Marge’s Specialties in Orlando Florida

Marge’s Specialties has been local and family owned for 47 years. At Marge’s you’ll experience Christmas 365 days a year. The owners are proud to say that Marge’s is considered to be the largest Christmas store in Florida! I can’t confirm that, but I do know there is over 50,000 square feet of awesomeness!

Marge’s is comprised of four separate buildings, two of which highlight Christmas all year long. But even though Christmas has been their claim to fame, they have plenty of year round inventory to upgrade your oasis. The showrooms feature high-end contemporary and classic furniture, custom bedding, unique home decor accessories, lighting, fine rugs, quality silk florals, clothing, jewelry and purses. You’ll see brands like Lexington, John-Richard, Curry & Company, Sam Moore, Ambella, and Hooker. Marge’s also features Spartina 449 purses and is a Brighton Authorized Retailer.

Marge’s has in-house floral designers creating exquisite arrangements that are one-of-a-kind. On any given day you may be able to watch them doing their magic. Many of the Orlando/Winter Park area designers commission their work. And at Christmastime it’s not unusual to see designers purchasing fully decorated trees for thousands of dollars each. Marge’s is the go-to source for many affluent homeowners as well. But even though they service an upscale community with expensive taste, they cannot be overlooked by the average buyer.

Not everything in Marge’s has a designer price tag. Over the past 24 years much of my home decor has been purchased there. Some items I splurged on, but others I was able to purchase on sale or at a reasonable regular price. Marge’s does have a storewide sale a few times each year, including their Christmas Open House (usually in September), Christmas in July Sale, and Black Friday Sale. I signed up for their emails so I never miss a sale!

I like to visit Marge’s at least once every season. Even if I don’t purchase a thing, it’s one of my favorite places to gain decorating inspiration. Oftentimes I’ll take photos of the elegant and luxurious displays, then attempt to create my own inexpensive (but posh) version. I highly recommend Marge’s for exclusive home decor and thoughtful gift-giving.

Marge’s is about a 70-minute drive for me, but well worth it! My bestie and I make a day of it. Marge’s has an Orlando address, but it’s very close to Winter Park. We like to spend a few hours at Marge’s then head to the boutiques (and eateries) on Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park. It’s always a long but rewarding day! (Check out my Wealthy Winter Park On A Budget article here for inexpensive things to do while in Winter Park.)

Directions and showroom hours for Marge’s Specialties can be found on their website here.

Adjectives Market in 5 Locations

My friend and I discovered Adjectives Market as we were Christmas shopping in downtown Winter Garden (not to be confused with Winter Park) a few years ago. It was a small little store with lots of unique offerings – some traditional, some trendy, and some very eclectic. As we were paying, we inquired about other stores that sell home decor. That’s when we discovered Adjectives has five locations. The flagship store is in Altamonte Springs and we had just enough time to check it out that evening. With over 40,000 square feet, it was worth the drive!

Adjectives has been in Central Florida since 2012 and a good find if you’re looking to spruce up your space. The flagship store is a beautifully curated collection of unique furniture, striking home decor, art, sculptures, oddities, and handcrafted goods. The entire store is set up with small vignettes filled with tons of inventory. It’s like little individual boutiques all under one roof. Everything from classic to quirky. Many of the pieces are custom or handmade. They can even create custom furniture in their custom studio.

Adjectives Market is also a source for local creativity. A portion of the store is dedicated to local artisans, collectors, and vendors. During one visit we watched an artist restore a vintage furniture piece. He shared the backstory of the rare item, which was just as intriguing as the furniture itself.

Since many items are one-of-a-kind with rotating inventory, if you see something you love it’s a good idea to buy it, as it may not be there next visit. I found that out the hard way! And if it’s too big to fit in your trunk, ask about their same-day delivery.

Adjectives store locations, directions, and hours can be found on their website here.

In Conclusion

I hope you have been inspired to check out these three awesome home decor stores. They’re all different, and yet very much the same: unique finds, something for every decor style, great destinations for inspiration, locally owned, and very polite, helpful staff. Grab a shopping buddy and make a day of it. Whether girls day out, mother-daughter date, widows club outing, or simply retail therapy for yourself, they’re a wonderful detour from the typical!

Question: Do you have a favorite home decor store in Central Florida? Please share in the comments below, as our readers would love to know!