Tips & Trends: Profiles

By Cara Froedge
Photography by Carrie Patterson

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Laura Rutter & Hayden Jones

Festive Living

Hayden Jones used to come home from her job at a retail store and read books about being an entrepreneur. She spent evenings crafting a business plan. With friends, she talked about the home and furniture store that she would open someday. She tracked down the lines she would carry and the contact information for sales reps. She even knew where she wanted to open her store: in a century-old former bank building along Main Street in Victor. But she waited—impatiently, at times—for Teton Valley to be ready for such a store. Two years ago, she decided the booming real-estate market had drawn enough people to the area to sustain her, and she opened Festive Living in April 2006. Since then, Jones and store manager Laura Rutter have broadened the retail store into a full interior design business, furniture source, and wedding registry service.

TH&L: How did you come up with the name Festive Living?
HJ: At the beginning, Festive Living was just going to be about entertaining, home accessories, and a wedding registry. So, I wanted something that captured what it means to have a fun and entertaining home.

TH&L: How has the business changed?
HJ: When I started, I assumed it was only going to be retail: gifts, accessories, a little furniture. Now we do interior design, from one room to full houses. We’ve never even marketed ourselves for that. People just came in asking if we designed, and it evolved. Now you can furnish your whole house here and not have to go elsewhere to get your dishes. It was never in the business plan to have delivery men and a truck.
LR: People walk in the door and are very inspired by the way Hayden has done the place. I think that’s why Festive Living has evolved.

TH&L: What are you looking for when you shop for Festive Living inventory?
HJ: I look for anything that is unusual and fun for every kind of taste and style out there, from rustic to modern. We get new stuff every day.
LR: That said, Hayden has an amazing eye for what people are going to like. I don’t think there’s anything in here that people don’t respond to. She can go to market and find amazing, unique items.

TH&L: What differentiates you from other furniture and homeware shops?
HJ: Our price point; our wide range of styles. Anybody who comes in can find something affordable and for their tastes. Both of us work really hard and go above and beyond for all of our customers. Whether you are looking at something that’s fifteen dollars or fifteen hundred, you’re going to be treated well and given as much attention as you want.