Carolyn Stankaitis has added her uniquely individual swatch to the eclectic quilt of Ocean Beach’s business district with the opening of Belle Maison Seacoast Interiors.
Stankaitis’ full-service interior design company, which also offers home accessories, has expanded and opened in two storefronts at 4896 Newport Ave. on the corner of Cable Street.
Across the street from a surf shop and tire center, Belle Maison is in the same block that includes antique stores, consignment shops, restaurants, a jewelry store and a hardware store.
To celebrate Belle Maison’s completion, Stankaitis will host an open house on Thursday, May 22 from 3 to 6 p.m.
“We’ve spent a lot of time gathering resources from shows around the country and putting the store together,” Stankaitis said. “I want to announce it to my good clients, friends, family and the community with this grand opening.”
From the outside, Belle Maison entices passers-by with its scalloped, black awning trimmed in red, which frames the gold, black and red lettering on windows where the curious stop to take in a showcase of furniture and furnishings swaddled in Stankaitis’ signature rich fabric combinations.
Inside, through the boutique’s grand glass door, Stankaitis’ vision for creating “something new and memorable out of the ordinary” cascades off of every wall, shelf, table, bed, countertop and chair.
Taking inspiration from San Diego’s seaside setting, Belle Maison is awash in colors, patterns and textures that re-create nature’s aesthetic pleasures through interior design.
Original watercolors from local artists ” elegant pillows fastened with seashells, unusual lamps, animal prints on furniture, luxurious bedding, contemporary candle holders, vintage-style vases, purses, clocks, fabrics and unique accessories like miniature “bathing beauty” statuettes that sit atop books ” are professionally mixed, matched and layered to display Stankaitis’ abilities, vision and ideas.
As a compliment to Stankaitis’ talents, top-rated national companies have handpicked Belle Maison to promote their products. Among them are Ralph Lauren, Sid Dickens Collectibles, Fremarc Furniture, Company C and Pine Cone Hill Bedding.
“I have always loved OB. I landed here in 1969 and I’ve always remembered those department-type stores from back then,” Stankaitis said.
“Now, there are a lot of antiques stores in OB, but I offer something really different. We fill the niche of remodeling and consulting. We’re high-end and the store lets me showcase what I can do,” she said.
Specializing in residential design, Stankaitis, who has a degree from the Design Institute of San Diego, also takes on boats and commercial projects.
She has clients throughout San Diego, Las Vegas and Arizona who rely on her for everything from space planning to kitchen and bath design and custom-built furniture.
“I like being creative in space and with color, adding it to furniture or texturizing and colorizing walls,” she said. “I have vision in all different directions.”
Stankaitis’ sophisticated shop manages to blend rather than contrast with OB’s less-tailored veneer. And Belle Maison has not gone unnoticed by the neighborhood’s other independent business owners.
“I hope she stays,” said optometrist Eli Ben-Moshe of Newport Avenue Optometry, which is celebrating its 50th year in Ocean Beach. “The shop is beautiful and really brings the neighborhood upscale.”
While upscale and beauty typically come with a price tag, Belle Maison is affordable, according to Tracy Clarke, an interior designer visiting from Northern California.
“These are one-of-a-kind finds,” she said while purchasing a trio of ceramic lotus votives. “And it’s a lot less expensive than up north.”
Clarke returned to Redwood City with two original works of art, two miniature bathing beauties, a handmade silk-covered throw pillow, a Dash and Albert blanket and three ceramic lotus votives for just over $300.
“We’re trying to bring the area up and we want to be part of that anchor in the community,” Stankaitis said. “I have a vision and dream for Ocean Beach to be like it used to be with the department stores.”
Belle Maison is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call (619) 221-1948.