OYSTER POINTER is a monthly publication about business in the Oyster Pointer area of Newport News, VA.

Return to Home Page

More About the Oyster Pointer Publication

Message from the Editor

Advertising Opportunities

Subscription Opportunities

Submit Your Ideas and Thoughts

Readership Survey

Contact Oyster Pointer

Map of Oyster Point

“Oyster Pointer Salutes:” Archives

Kidsville News

Search Oyster Pointer

Request a copy of the Oyster Pointer Publication
Request a copy of the Oyster Point Business Directory

Oyster Pointer Salutes: Savvy Gardens: Beautifying homes inside and out
By Heba M. Elkobaitry

Grace Carroll was looking for the perfect housewarming gift for her sister, Hope, when she walked into Savvy Gardens. “Everything is so beautiful,” she exclaims as she peruses the shop that focuses on adornment for the outdoors, and bringing that outdoors feel indoors. Diana Umstead, co-owner along with Mary Linda Carmines, greets and assists her in finding that ideal gift. “I enjoy being on the floor and working with customers,” says Umstead. “It’s a great way to meet interesting people.”

Some 22 years ago, Umstead and Carmines met as stay-at-home soccer moms. As their children grew, they both owned stores individually; antiques were Umstead’s pleasure, while Carmines opened a gift shop. Eventually they opened Savvy Home and Garden in Williamsburg, where Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate agents came to their shop and liked the garden features. Umstead says, “They said, ‘this is just what we need at City Center. Would you like to open a shop there?’” Many factors appealed to Umstead and Carmines, including the fact that they both live in the local area. “We love the vibrancy here, especially the Market Center area on Mariners Row,” says Umstead. “We especially love that we are open to the stores nearby,” alluding to how their store and the two next door have no walls separating them, allowing customers to walk through each other’s stores.

Umstead says this openness “makes it feel like you’re outdoors.” The ambiance is beautiful and serene, with the relaxing sound of a brook, which comes from the shop’s running fountain. “Permanent floral, nowadays made from silk or fabric, are very popular and absolutely incredible,” continues Umstead.

Other popular items are fiberglass ferns, pots that look like moss-covered stone for outside décor and oil-scented sticks—an alternative to candles—are popular indoor purchases. Recently, flower bulbs flew out of the store in just a few days.

“Buying green is a popular trend now, where people bring natural and organic objects to home interiors and gardens,” conveys Umstead. The store sells many fresh flowers, potted plants and gift bouquets in keeping with this trend.

Besides floras, Savvy Gardens offers other garden-related items for indoors and/or outdoors. Copper watering cans, iron and clay pots, lotus votive holders and lanterns lit using large candles are stylish buys. Paper products fit in with the garden theme and are appropriate for outdoor summertime entertaining. Linens are adorned with birds, shells, fish or cherub motifs. “Old-looking products such as patina-aged containers are related to the whole garden feel,” Umstead says.

At last, Carroll has found that unique house-warming gift for her sister: a patina lantern with a mist green candle, either for inside or outside her home. As Carroll writes a
personal note to her sister, Umstead adds a special touch by beautifully wrapping the gift.

“A little bit of something extra,” Carroll says, “goes a long way.”

Apparently, this is true; Carroll corroborates that her gift will be “something cheery for Hope to look forward to every day!”