Décor and Design the Focus at Eclectic

Editor's Note: This week, we begin a series that takes a look at the shops and restaurants that make up Libertyville's vibrant downtown. If you would like to see your business included in this series—or you'd like to suggest that we feature your favorite shop or restaurant—contact editor Korrina Grom at korrina.grom@patch.com.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Liberytville, Eclectic Design Source is more than just your typical boutique.

Sure, there are plenty of unique items like vintage artwork and Michael Aram designer pieces. But Eclectic Design Source also offers its customers something more: full-service interior design services and even holiday decorating.

"We love what we do," said Margaret Rosemeyer, who runs the shop with her daughter Mary. "We want people to come to their homes after a hard-day's work and love what we've done for them."

Eclectic Design Source opened at 518 N. Milwaukee Ave. about three years ago, having initially started as a business that Margaret ran out of her home for several years. Margaret said she worked in floral design and as an event florist.

The Libertyville shop, Margaret said, is a "full-service interior design boutique with a lovely little store to go along with it." Eclectic Design Source can reupholster furniture, trim Christmas trees, decorate a home's staircases for the holidays, and even help other businesses decorate their storefront windows.

The retail part of the boutique is especially popular for gifts. Mary said customers will find products and services that they wouldn't see at a big box retailer.

"Customers seem to be quite obsessed with candles," said Mary, noting that Eclectic only sells candles that are not petroleum-based so they burn cleaner. Mary said she works with customers to find the scent that will best suit them.

The scent-conscious may also want to pick up a bottle of Poo-Pourri air freshener, which Mary said is quite popular with shoppers. The store will also soon carry the Lampe Berger home fragrance line.

There is also plenty to choose from in terms of visual décor. The restored vintage Danish paintings that adorn the walls of Eclectic, for example, date from the 1920s to 1950s and are available for purchase. Many of the paintings are in their original frames, Mary said.

Eclectic is one of the only local retailers to sell art by Ryan Fowler, along with unique decorative pieces by Michael Aram.

"We're pretty much a one-stop shop for home decorating," said Margaret.

She said each of the items selected to sell at Eclectic has to fit in with the store's overall merchandising plan.

"Even when it comes to the soaps," added Mary.

She and her mom love being part of the downtown Libertyville retail family.

"It's an active and lively town that people clearly take a sense of pride in," said Mary.

"It's worth the trip down here," added Margaret.