Kimberly Stanier's first outlet for her design talent was Cala Antiques, a vintage furniture and decor shop that she opened in 2002.  Then came a foray into clothing retail with her San Luis Obispo boutique, Contessa S., which was also a huge success.

Then she added a third venture to that list:  Contessa S. Home, which opened downtown in Jan., 2007, across the street from the clothing shop.

You may wonder how one person can juggle so many businesses.  The answer for Stanier was in some new rather than all vintage merchandise.  "With Cala, I am always hunting and gathering," she said.  "With new items, when I run low I can just pick up the phone."

The offerings at Contessa S. Home and Cala have actually become very similar, with the exception of all of the "one of a kind" pieces.  They both offer great, interesting home accessories such as vintage lighting, rugs, candles, dried flowers, european kitchen items, linens, tableware and bath products.  Stanier has also added touches of the unexpected by offering gourmet dog treats, glittery letters and birds, locally made jewelry and cross and shell bottles, and of course...one of a kind antique pieces that are "hand-picked",etc.

The merchandise may be new and old, but the atmosphere is purely nostalgic.  The store is what Stanier describes as "like an eccentric old french general store where they have a little bit of everything."  She has even installed an old french general store counter that holds jars of old-fashioned candy.  Bins of trinkets and antiques tempt shoppers to linger and browse.  It's a diverse mix of wares that Stanier believes  has appealed to a diverse array of shoppers.

Divotees of Cala will find some similarities between the two sister shops.  Merchandise such as linens, dishes and bath products have a decidedly French flair, although different lines are sold in each store.  Stanier's fondness for the natural world is also present in all 3 of the stores.  Most obvious is the 14' birch trees that she used to create instant ambiance n Contessa S. Home. This store will sell similar tree branches, along with the rustic bird branches, cages and nests which are popular look at all three stores.

Stanier calls the mix "artsy but practical, nature but whimsical...the juxtaposition of old and new."  It's the interplay of opposites that has made her decorating style at Cala and Contessa S. Home so fresh and interesting.

Contessa S. Boutique has the same general feel, but adds into the mix, beautiful, classic and also trendy clothes for women down to newborns.  Stanier has used her wonderful taste to bring apparel and accessories to San Luis Opispo, Ca and beyond.

Happy Shopping!