By Shayna Mace

Paper Dolls has been around for 35 years, with the retail shop open for 32. How have you evolved the business through the years, and what’s the secret to your success?

I started out with a business partner, and we used to hang wallpaper for a living, so we were called the Paper Dolls. We started out with wallpaper in the ’80s, and then we went through a period of 10 years at least where nobody bought wallpaper. Now, it’s making a comeback!

[For the retail store] we started out small, with a 600-square-foot store, and it was all country crafts. Then we evolved and kept adding on. Currently we have a 16,000-square-foot store. Customers come to shop with us, for our interior design services, floral design and custom upholstery and window treatments. And I try to not look like a big-box store, because we can’t compete with that.

How have you honed your craft over the years for putting together a great palette in the home?

Whether you have a degree or not in interior design, it’s a God-given talent—either you have it or you don’t. I do all of the purchasing  and product selection and have the eye to put it together. Once it all comes in, I have a staff that helps. I have wonderful employees, and I surround myself with talented people.

What’s the design style in your home?

I went from hunter greens and reds to neutrals. Grays are the new neutrals … and there isn’t a color that you can’t pair with neutrals and grays. I change looks [in my home] from winter to summer with pillows, florals and area rugs—even my dishes! It’s so easy to transform it.

When you work with lake homeowners specifically, what do they want in their homes?

We sell a lot of nautical items and blue and white items. It’s a staple for us. I’ve devoted two whole storefronts to just blue and white. And blue and white goes with everything—it’s always going to be a [go-to] and it never goes out of style. (Editor’s note: We agree—see page 16 in this issue!).

What interior design trends are you glad to see retired?

I never want to see blue and mauve put together again! And oak cabinets and dining room sets.

What’s the best part of your job?

If you come here in two weeks, there’s going to be a new look— and that’s why our customers keep coming back, to see what’s new and different. I would never purchase anything for the store I wouldn’t put in my own home. The creative part of [this job] is huge. I never want to retire from what I do!