Shopping Bainbridge Island – It all started with a candle – Conservatory Coastal Home

Margaret Millmore | Posted on September 18, 2020 |

Approximately 16 years ago, Heather Sehulster began making candles, creating her own scent recipes and using 100% ecofriendly products, such as coconut wax and soy, to produce small-batch hand-poured candles. With the help of her young boys, she sold her candles at farmers’ markets in the Port Townsend area. However, her love of interior design spurred her to take her talents one step further, and in 2009, she opened her first boutique, Conservatory Coastal Home, in Port Townsend. The boutique motif was inspired by Heather’s coastal upbringing and features a combination of nature, rustic vintage, nautical and modern aesthetics to create a serene environment in the store, that inspires your own creative design instincts for your home. In 2017, Heather expanded her business and opened a second location here on Bainbridge Island, and is very fortunate to have the talented Scotti Campbell as the manager and in-house interior designer (Scotti also has a degree in architecture, which enables her to be more knowledgeable and thorough in a full range of projects from new builds to complete remodels). The store was originally located on Madison Avenue, and has recently moved around the corner to Winslow Way. Both the Port Townsend and Bainbridge Island stores feature an eclectic variety of accessories, lighting fixtures, rugs, fabrics for pillows and upholstery, wall trimmings, original art works, and much more. In addition, they offer fun, chic camping supplies for sailors and outdoor adventures. Heather’s brother, Oliver Sehulster, is a skilled graphic designer and the boutiques are currently carrying small batches of his custom apparel designs via his company, Sound & Range (for more information about Oliver’s work, click here).

Heather is also an interior designer, and along with Scotti, they offer multiple design services, such as in-store consultations ranging from furniture selection and upholstery, layout design, lighting, accessories, textiles, and home staging services. Fabric and rug selections are available in take-home samples so that you can see the products in your own home environment prior to ordering. In addition to consultations on new items for your home, Heather and Scotti offer consultations on re-designing your space with your existing furniture and accessories, to create a new look using beloved items in your home. Click here to visit their design services link.

Because Heather purchases in small batches, her inventory is always changing, meaning there’s something new and different every time you visit. All of the original artwork carried by her boutiques is made locally, and much of their other inventory is sourced from local PNW merchants. Heather’s candles are still a favorite, and she offers customized labels for larger batches that local businesses enjoy giving as gifts to their clients. They also offer a recycling program for the used candle containers—return 6 jars, and receive a free candle. In addition, you can join their candle club (visit or call the stores for details), or purchase their “makers dozen”—buy 12, get a 13^th candle free—if 12 is too many, she has a continuous “special” of buy 2, get a 3^rd at half-off.

To receive updates on new products and design ideas, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.