When Garden Gate boutique opened in Petworth, West Sussex, in April 2024, it marked the culmination of a long-held ambition for owner Lisa Davidson and husband, Michael, and the beginning of a new experience in retail.
The pair wanted to create a unique luxury shopping experience combining the charm of artisanal ceramics and glassware, accessories, decorations, and opulent furniture with the practicality and beauty of sustainable, stylish outdoor living.
The couple undertook a major renovation of Grade II listed St Mary's Cottage in Church Street (previously occupied by a women's fashion boutique) with lots of help from family and friends. They went on to renovate a huge barn-style showroom in The Old Coal Yard, Hambledon, officially opening in November.
"Because the shop in Petworth is smaller, that's where we wanted to focus on accessories, with more gifts, candles, cards, jewellery and so on,” explained Lisa. In Hambledon, we have the space to really show off our furniture by Gommaire Organic Living, the sustainable Belgian brand we discovered on travels to France and fell in love with, and other larger furniture collections.”
Sales Experience & Creative Vision
Lisa and Michael's combined skill set propels the business at Garden Gate. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for detail. His background in sales has been instrumental in securing sustainable partners locally and internationally.
The visionary curator is Lisa, whose background in image and interior design has been pivotal in creating the unique and inviting atmosphere of Garden Gate. Her keen sense of style and knack for discovering hidden gems have helped transform the boutique into a wonderland of treasures.
Lisa’s approach to curation is deeply personal. She believes that every piece in the boutique should tell a story and add a touch of elegance and beauty to the customer’s indoor and outdoor spaces. From hand-painted ceramics to teak furniture, artisan pots to delicate glassware, Lisa’s selections reflect a commitment to quality, sustainability and artistry that sets Garden Gate apart from other luxury boutiques and stores.
A growing team
Garden Gate is very much a family business, with Lisa and Michael's son, Anton, being very much involved and friends and neighbours often stepping in to help in times of need! There's a small dedicated and friendly team on the shop floor and plans for future growth as we develop our website and look to expand sales.
We hope you'll come on that journey with us! As a small independent business, we strive to offer a personal, exceptional service and carefully sourced products that bigger outlets simply cannot stock.
So find us, and you'll have found a real find!
