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One of the better-known landmarks to those who commute through Landrum is 611 E. Rutherford St., the home of Willow Home & Interiors, a shop filled with some of the finest modern and traditional home furnishings while also featuring lighting, fabrics, wallpaper, custom pillows, bedding, gift, garden, delicious treats, and more run by owner Donald Burroughs and Manager Kellie Bracken, who are both interior designers by trade. 

Originally from Athens, Georgia, Donald, at only 24 years of age, might seem young to some to be both a business owner and interior designer. Standing in his shop, it is clear he has merely found his calling earlier in life than most—a calling that began with a love of decorating Christmas trees in his teens and led him to decorate a large bakery in Hartwell, Georgia, for Christmas. 

Eventually, he met his fiancee from Boiling Springs, where they both lived before relocating to Landrum. He met Willow’s manager, Kellie Bracken, when they worked together for an interior designer in Spartanburg. When Burroughs left to start his own business, he asked Bracken to join him, creating a dynamic interior design duo. 

Burroughs explains why he chose Landrum for the home of his business.

“The people are great here, and we felt there was a need for interior design,” he says. “There are a lot of new homes and large homes being built. We love the equestrian folks and feel this location is centrally located here in Landrum.”

Burroughs had always dreamed of owning his own home design business. He named the new location after his and his grandmother’s love of willow trees. Interior design, though, is just part of what Willow offers.

“We tried to make this your one-stop shop for gift, garden and home,” says Burroughs. 

First opening in December 2023, Willow has a little something for everyone: an eclectic selection of gifts, including a men’s section filled with stylish items and hand-selected coffee table books on subjects ranging from cooking to wreath-making to bourbon. 

Burroughs and Bracken take care to showcase numerous local brands and craftspeople. They sell art on consignment, collaborating with local artists like Becky Hyatt-Rickenbaker. Even their pillows are custom-made by an artisan in Inman. 

“We consign a lot of local art so that artists can put their work in here, and we can use it in homes or in the shop, where it sells,” adds Burroughs. “We love locals. We look for smaller brands because they work hands-on, making them better than mass-produced products.”

They also sell brands such as Round Bottom Farms, which makes natural bath and body products in Chesnee, Low Country Produce, which makes delicious soups and sauces in Beaufort, and hand-poured all-natural candles from Charleston Candle Company. They also sell Carolina Plantation stone-ground grits, which are made in Darlington. 

While Burroughs and Bracken love their shop, the fun part is visiting other people’s homes and helping them find the right look for their homes. They offer in-home consults where they share their expertise in interior design and space planning, lighting, rugs, and anything one may want for their home. Burroughs services include in-home visits for consultation and arrangements for subcontracting work for home design if needed.  They offer wallpaper from Thibault Designs and Brunschwig & Fils. The fabrics on their furniture are all performance fabrics and bleach-cleanable. 

“We also redesign using what they have,” Bracken elaborates. “Moving furniture and art around makes such a big difference when folks don’t know how to place it. That’s my favorite part. 

“We get to do what I love. We get to be creative working here and get involved in everything together. What we do would make a great reality TV show. We want this to be a place to come and shop normally,” said Burroughs. “But if they need interior design or an informed opinion, we’re here to lend an ear and our expertise.”

Donald and Kelly will host a Christmas Open House on Friday, November 8, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Willow, open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. 

More information can be found at willowhomeinteriors.com or by contacting willowsinteriors@gmail.com or (864) 457-1193.