When Brenda Wistl opened Harvest Home in Pewaukee 18 years ago, it was because of her love of retail and the way it made her feel. In her previous job working at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission’s homeless shelter, she would often take her lunch and go over to a nearby shop to eat and relax. Being in the shop gave her a feeling of calm amidst a chaotic day.

“Our desire here is to create a peaceful place for people to shop, no matter if they have a million-dollar house on Pewaukee Lake, or an apartment,” says Wistl.

The business is housed in a former residence-turned-shop and shoppers can weave their way in and out of cozy rooms, all skillfully merchandised by Wistl and her staff. Find décor, soy candles, light fixtures, wall hangings, milk paint, scarves and throws, cards, clothing, jewelry and more. Wistl loves the furniture she carries by independent makers and Amish craftspeople.

Many of the items have a tinge of farmhouse style, and classic and vintage-look pieces reign supreme, like artfully weathered décor pieces and beautiful white kitchenware.

Next up is her famous Fresh Greens Sale the day after Thanksgiving. Wistl says customer lines stretch down the block to pick up freshly arranged greens in vintage and repurposed containers, bundles of greens, wreaths and fresh garland mixes—all arranged by herself and florist friend. “It’s the coolest event of the year!” she says.

Even more cool than that is the fact that Wistl uses a portion of her shop’s proceeds to help out programs at the Joy House in Milwaukee.

“We’ve poured our heart and soul into this,” says Wistl. “And, it doesn’t matter what style of décor you have in your house—what we have here works.”

Harvest Home, 505 Capitol Dr., Pewaukee. 262-691-4663, harvesthomepewaukee.com