You’ll feel instantly comfortable when you walk into the lovely Home Heart & Soul – partly because you’ll be greeted by adorable shop dog Enzo – and also because the boutique is set in an actual home. That’s what sets this unique shopping and design experience apart!
Built in 1927, this landmark house on the historic east side of Cornelius is where owner Lori Savio curates home décor and fine gifts, displayed just as you would in your own home.
Both Enzo and his talented owner take their roles very seriously!
“The merchandising and placement of our home decor gives people insight into what I can do in their home,” says Lori. “It’s a segue into my business, which includes design consultation, custom window treatments, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and everything in between. We truly are a one-stop shop for everything you need to create the perfect home.”
It’s easy to see why her business philosophy, summed up in a single phrase, is “love where you live and make it your own!”
“The design business is always evolving,” explains Lori. “I pride myself in creating spaces that not only reflect my client’s personality and lifestyle, but change the way they use their home. I love having the opportunity to go into people’s homes and make a difference in the way they dwell and live each day.”
Lori stepped right into the design world out of high school, and encouraged by her father who worked in the furniture industry, she was able to secure a job as an assistant for a small design firm in Florida. She took community college classes and studied at the Art Institute of Florida, finding her true passion and discovering her intuitive gift of color coordination, scale, and knowing exactly what a space needs.
“Some things you can teach, but that gift I believe is something you are born with,” says Lori. “I started my business at age 25, and have been in that same industry now for close to 40 years!”
For many years, this charming Cornelius location was a multi-merchant home décor store, where Lori previously leased space for her design business. At the time, she was living in South Carolina, and working to build a clientele in the Lake Norman area. When she learned that business would be closing, Lori found it was the perfect time to begin her own new retail adventure here as well.
Having recently celebrated seven years in the current location, Home Heart & Soul encompasses both Lori’s design business and her retail store, and she leases space to other woman-owned small businesses. The distinctive lines in the store are not sold elsewhere in the Lake Norman area, and she’s proud to feature handmade, one-of-a-kind décor and gifts made by local and nearby artisans.
“I source my decor and furniture directly from manufacturers, and have a private label line of custom upholstery,” adds Lori. “We also create solid wood furniture for clients by using our amazing upholsterers and finishers. If you can imagine it, we can create it!”
Some of her favorite home decor and fine gift lines are Vietri, Pampa Bay, Anne Neilson Home, and Laura Park Designs, and she has also developed signature candle scents for every season with another local woman-owned business (@bellsboxcollective) in Old Town Cornelius. Another perk of Home Heart & Soul is their gift registry – where you can create the home of your dreams by registering for dishes, flatware, glasses and all the essentials needed for entertaining, but also lamps, pillows, rugs, accessories, art, and even furniture. There’s a QR code, as well as a direct link and page on the website for navigating the registry – whether you’re refreshing your current home, or just starting out! You can now shop online at the website, as well as in-store.
With an eye for detail and a heart for authentic results, Lori adds impeccable customer service to her game plan for every home project. Come shop at Home Heart & Soul and see your own dream home unfold!
Home Heart & Soul is located at 20901 Catawba Avenue in Cornelius, NC, 704-892-4743. Follow them online at homeheartandsoul.com, and on Instagram @homeheartsoul. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Monday by appointment.
