Sumptuous throw blankets. Handwoven rugs. Artisan-blown mirrored glass bowls. Italian terracotta garden vessels.
These are just a few of the items available at Artefact Home/Garden, a home décor boutique based in Belmont.
Owned by sisters Maureen and Sue Walsh and housed in a former Dodge dealership, Artefact was recently awarded a “Best of” prize by Boston magazine for home accents. It’s not the first time the magazine took note; in 2012 it recognized its designer Tom Verellen with a Best of Boston Home Show award. With a location in Boston as well, Artefact has become the go-to place for stylish and high-quality home décor pieces, inspiring those seeking to elevate their living spaces.
According to Maureen, the Belmont shop has been open since 2011 and attracts local homeowners looking for something special.
The sisters say the road to operating an award-winning home décor boutique was not the most obvious one. Sue worked in technology for many years, and Maureen was involved in international business development.
“We were both happy to get out of the corporate environment,” Maureen said.
Although they did not have direct retail experience, Sue and Maureen grew up learning to appreciate great design. Their mother, although not a designer herself, had great personal style, they said, and an eye for everything from clothing to furniture.
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“We always admired that,” Maureen said.
The sisters enjoyed international travel and were always on the lookout for items to bring back home.
“We absolutely love everything that’s Japanese,” Maureen said. “I traveled a lot throughout South America, and I love the textiles from there.”
When the sisters considered what kind of business to start together, they realized home décor was the obvious choice.
“We were thinking about something retail, but we didn’t have the exact categories picked out,” Sue said. “When we landed in Belmont, the space we saw was perfect for furniture.”
They approached furniture designer Tom Verellen, whom Sue had met while traveling in Australia, about bringing his pieces into the shop, and the Artefact brand was born.
Take a look around the shop today, and you’ll find an eclectic mix of artisan-crafted decor sourced from around the globe: handwoven textiles, statement ceramics and unique lighting fixtures. Each item reflects the shop’s dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability, making Artefact a standout in the competitive world of home decor. On any given day, visitors might see an Indian day bed used as a coffee table, Indonesian artifacts and artisan vases from Mexico, Chile and the U.S. They source from artisans with small followings who are perhaps being introduced to the luxury market for the first time, Maureen said.
Their Boston location, which opened in 2019, caters primarily to decorators, architects and trade professionals, while the Belmont shop has developed a following among homeowners seeking inspiration to elevate their living spaces.
“We have a lot of loyal customers, many from Belmont and the surrounding areas,” Maureen said. “When they come in, they will find a unique serving piece, something to use in the center of a kitchen island, beautiful candlesticks made in North Carolina or Vermont, scented candles, mirrors and glass vessels blown in the U.S. and throws and pillows made mostly in South America.”
Belmont residents, she said, tend to be very confident in their own sense of style. They come to the shop confident in the Walsh sisters’ impeccable style.
“We learned early on, if we don’t love it, it’s hard for us to sell,” Maureen said. “When people come in, they get our vibe. It’s a laid-back luxury. Very approachable,” she said.
“We meet a lot of interesting people in Belmont,” Sue said. “They have great style and they love design and they love the story behind the artisans, which we love. There are so many stories about our designers, and our customers want to hear those stories.”
Stop by Artefact and you’ll see what Boston magazine has singled out for excellence in home décor.
Check out the collection at Artefact at 1000 Pleasant St. in Belmont, or visit artefacthome.com.
