Tonya Raines likes to describe her style as "traditional southern charm with a distinctive modern flair."
Her new home design and art studio in South Charleston reflects that style - with a twist: it features vintage items that have been or can be customized, either by customers themselves or through a long list of West Virginia artisans with whom Raines collaborates.
"All the upholstery is done locally, all the crafts are done locally. We can customize anything. Everything you see here isn't just me. I have a wonderful group behind me and cheering me on. We're going to do it all," said Raines.
The result is bold colors, stylish prints and intricate details a la Dorothy Draper and Carleton Varney - often at a fraction of the price.
"I've been going to The Greenbrier since I was very young," said Raines. "That's had a great influence on me."
Raines has been in the interior design business since 1997. She had her own design studio in North Carolina and has offered her services locally, but Gwyn Roberts is her first retail space.
"I've been planning this for two years," she said.
The Gwyn Roberts shop (a combination of Raines' middle and maiden names) opened on September 25.
Inside, there's new and refinished vintage furniture, tailor-made bedding, pillows and slipcovers, fresh and silk floral arrangements, custom home decor and unique accessories and gifts, all hand-chosen by Raines.
"Anything you see, I've personally picked out. We have a little bit of everything here. It's quality, one-of-a-kind pieces, and I'm trying to keep my prices as low as I can because I want everyone to come in."
Raines got into antiques and renovating vintage items when she started visiting and getting involved with YWCA 2nd Seating Furniture. "I fell in love with the women that worked in there and all the beautiful antiques," she said. "I kept thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I can do this, this and this' and save people all kinds of money."
Now, she's not only a volunteer but on the organization's retail committee. "I'm very, very passionate about helping these women."
Through Gwyn Roberts, Raines hopes to help others discover their own tastes - whether they're whimsical, preppy, boho or a combination of all three.
"When you walk through our door, we want this to be where your story begins," she said. "It's all about being authentically fearless - learning to be yourself and loving who you are. We want to help you discover your own style if you don't know what it is."
Raines said that the most important thing to remember is that, at least according to her, there are "no rules" and you shouldn't be afraid to mix and match.
"Because that's what your home is," she said. "You have things that grandma's given you, you've gone to Pier 1 and bought a new piece, and then you may have gone to Second Seating and found that vintage touch. We want to show you how to use what you already have and then add pieces to that."
Raines is also offering interior design consultations and event planning services. "We'll do weddings, corporate parties, even decorate your home for Christmas," Raines said.
And if her customers want to do the work themselves, Raines sells Amy Howard at Home One Step Paint and Modern Metallics paint. She plans to hold public painting and DIY classes in her Gwyn Roberts' back studio after the holidays.
"Each class will be different," she said. "There will be basic training, and then we'll keep moving you forward. It's therapy." Raines said.
Gwyn Roberts is located at 333 2nd Ave., Suite 300, in South Charleston. Store hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, call 304-553-2466.
Reach Dawn Nolan at dawn.nolan@wvgazette.com, 304-348-1230 or follow @DawnNolanWV on Twitter.