Six Picks: Katherine McPheeters of Holliday
Katherine McPheeters’ St. Louis-based store, Holliday, started long before its doors opened 3 ½ years ago. In 2008, she returned to the Midwest from New York to help her family buy home & gifts for their garden store, Bowood Farms. As the offerings expanded, Katherine knew it was time to open a new location. Holliday was born – she rehabbed a 100-year-old brick building across the street (it had once been a grocery store) to create a calm atmosphere with fragrant candles and fresh-cut flowers from the garden. Here, Katherine shares her love of terracotta tones, handmade treasures, and her top picks from Shoppe Online.
What kind of products/objects are you most drawn to right now?
Currently I’m drawn to more color than I used to be. I’m loving bright block printed textiles & hand painted ceramics. Anything where you can see the hand of the maker.
What is the best purchase you’ve made for yourself this year?
A green velvet printed pillow cover I purchased from the Fortuny shop in Venice while traveling this summer with my mom and two nieces. I always treasure the purchases I make while I’m traveling, even if it’s just a day trip. We get a lot of out-of-town visitors, and I love knowing that a little bit of Holliday will go home with them and remind them of their trip to St. Louis.
Name an item that you can’t seem to keep in stock!
Brooklyn Candle Co. Italia Candle. Every scent from their escapist collection sells well for us, but right now I think everyone wants to be in Italy!
What’s your personal go to for retail therapy?
My love is textiles and fashion. Right now Ulla Johnson is my go to. She always has beautifully printed dresses that make getting ready for work so easy. Whenever I’m in NYC for Shoppe Object I’m sure to hit up her Bleeker Street boutique.
Favorite Shoppe Online brand discovery?
Walter G. – I wanted to add more textiles and pillows to the store and Walter G’s pillow are just what I was looking for. Their colors and prints are so rich and sophisticated, and customers love them.
Katherine’S PICKS
Boheme Fragrances
Joshua Tree Candle
“We love this scent, and whenever we are burning it in the shop everyone stops to comment on how good it smells.”
Soil to Studio
Sneha Napkins in Clay
“I love the passion Swati brings to her brand, and how she carries the story of her hometown into everything she does. Plus, terracotta tones get us every time.”
River Song
Antique turquoise tiny tab talisman necklace
“River’s tag line is “a tangible happy memory” and her jewelry certainly evokes that. Every piece is special – you know you are buying yourself an heirloom.”
Moglea
Celebrating You Note Card
“I love Moglea’s hand painted cards, and the videos of them creating their products are so fun to watch. I also love that they are from the Midwest too!”
Candylab Toys
Taco Van
“Well-made wooden cars and food trucks with just the right amount of whimsy and humor. Plus, when you can carry a toy brand that adults love too… it’s a bonus.”
Scarlette Ateliers
Rhodo Napkin Set
“It’s hard to choose a favorite from their collection of block-printed napkin sets, but I always fall for anything pink!”
Maileg
Hiker Mice
“We’ve been carrying Maileg for years (since our gifts were still at Bowood) and they are consistently a favorite. The hiker mice, with their functional sleeping bags and magnetic hands that can hold their mugs of hot chocolate, are just too cute.”
