Hi, i’m Laura!
I am a native of Kings Mountain, NC and graduated from Appalachian State University which prepared me for the 35 years of teaching exceptional children in public schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County and Guilford County School Systems. Before retirement from teaching, I always enjoyed creating projects in my personal life.
A friend and I joined forces in discovering our own paints for vintage furniture, experimenting with many paint companies to find that perfect covering. For three years, I painted and sold products out of my garage, as well as selling at booths in various local marketplaces. As I entered retirement, I had more time in my schedule and found excitement in continually searching for more and more furniture pieces to paint and sell. This passion led me to becoming a vendor at The Chartreuse Barn in Thomasville, NC, where I continue to have a booth. The Barn also allows me to blend antique and vintage trends, while adding new retail enhancements each month.
Shopping has always been number one on my hobby list. The trends in repurposing furniture and decorating or staging homes was also very intriguing. Thus, the connection of shopping married to refinishing enhanced my curiosity of finding vintage and antique pieces for “the thrill of the hunt.” Then came the need to stage and sell the many collected treasures. From the garage to storage sheds to a small studio, the transitions have been fast and furious. The climax was opening the doors to my new “she shed,” The Cottage HP.
About The Cottage
Transitions in life are both stressful and exhilarating. My professional transition from 35 years of education to retail entrepreneurship has been both exciting and challenging.
The Cottage HP opened in High Point, NC on February 6, 2019. The “she shed” Boutique has evolved over the past 3 years to what it is today. We carry fashion and accessories, furniture, gifts, home décor and specialty foods. With my retail experience, creativity, and the desire to get my “teacher fix”, the shop offered me an outlet to entertain 3 of my passions… teaching, decorating, and creating beautiful venues. From the initial opening of The Cottage HP, we carried a furniture paint line that could be used both to instruct and to paint furniture myself, for resale opportunities. To satisfy my drive for continuing education, workshops and seminars broaden my scope of painting techniques to offer to my customers, and many customers are provided an outlet to discover their own new talent or hobby, and hopefully find that special something for their home.
Our days and hours have expanded to offer customers Tuesday through Saturday weekly shopping, with more traditional retail hours: 10 to 5. Our art and craft classes are during the evening hours, allowing working participants to attend. The joy of finding unique pieces for my customers is still my penultimate thrill. My shopping hobby is satisfied by attending gift shows and markets to keep abreast of current trends and securing the best values in stylish fashion and jewelry products. Being a NC girl, I am honored to promote as many “Made in North Carolina” items as possible, including in our specialty foods. The Cottage kitchen is a favorite of our customers and is the perfect place to sample delicious goodies and find that special and unique gift!
We have recently moved to a NEW LOCATION!!! We are now located at 1107 North Main Street, Suite 101, High Point, NC, 27262. Our new location is much larger, spacious, and even has the charm of a cottage on the inside. A Garden Section has been added along with an “Experience Room,” adjacent to our main store with classes, events and a small rental space coming soon!! Transitions are constant at The Cottage, so please come by and see what’s new and sample some of our Poppy’s NC popcorn! Most importantly, come in and have FUN!!
