Shoestring Home

Apartment Therapy
March, 11 2008

Vintage Font Metal Signs: Private, Madame and Monsieur
For the bathroom, guest room, or anywhere some old-fashioned typographical style...would be welcome. These metal signs are approximately 14 inches across and 3 inches high, with predrilled holes. Madame and Monsieur are available in pale green, Private comes in red, white, blue or green. Originally $24 each, now on sale at Shoestring Home for $5.95.

My Mom Shops
November 15, 2007

My Mom Shops
I love funky home accessories boutiques like our new sponsor, Shoestring Home (I first posted about them back in June). Shoestring Home is an online boutique as well as a bricks-and-mortar store in Wisconsin, and it has a superb selection of gifts and accessories including linens, bath products, and children's items. Owner Mandi Gerth chooses unique items that prove that even a comfortable, lived-in home can look sophisticated and stylish.

Milwaukee Magazine
October 24, 2007

Shopaholic
When Mandi Gerth shut the doors of her Waukesha shop, Shoestring Home, lots of loyal shoppers were bummed. Lucky for them, with the holidays just around the corner, she’s still offering her eclectic cool and retro swank mix of home, fashion and gift accessories online. Check out the new wine accessories, placemats, tee shirts, aprons (yes, aprons), overnight bags, chic laundry care products, recycled wool mittens, organic cotton baby stuff and new Caldrea holiday home fragrances at shoestringhome.com.

My Mom Shops
June 5, 2007

Not Your Bag
I got a chuckle out of these Clever Luggage Tags available at Shoestringhome.com, an online boutique featuring home accessories, gifts, and kids' items. A great gift idea for anyone who travels, these brightly colored tags have clever phrases which are sure to deter anyone who might take your bag in error (I like the blunt "I'm pretty sure this isn't your bag.") You can write your contact information on the reverse of each tag. $12 at Shoestringhome.com.

Milwaukee Magazine
January 17, 2007

It’s official, Waukesha’s Shoestring Home has closed its doors (sigh), but if you’re a fan and want to continue supporting this local entrepreneur on the Web, check out owner Mandi Gerth’s mix of playful, eclectic and affordable home and fashion treats at www.shoestringhome.com.

Milwaukee Magazine
December 21, 2006

Shopaholic
Even though owner Mandi Gerth will continue to treat shoppers to fun, cool, eclectic products via her Web site (www.shoestringhome.com), shoppers will miss her unique store, Shoestring Home. But on the upside, there’s the closeout sale. Stop in before Saturday, Jan. 13 and save 50% on everything in the store that’s not available on the Web site, plus an extra 10% on everything that’s already marked down. If you see anything else you’re interested in purchasing — furniture, shelving, etc. — Gerth invites you to make an offer. (330 W. Broadway, Waukesha, 262-548-9255)

Waukesha Freeman
October, 2005

To date at least 10 home décor and home furnishings stores are located within downtown Waukesha, many of which have popped up in the past two years.

"Home furnishings have been increasing substantially both in volume and sales across the country so it makes sense that it is happening there as well," said Ellen Davis, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation.

Some local retailers say they are already seeing a growing number of consumers coming into the downtown to spend the day or afternoon sifting through rows of vases and pillows, lamps and throw rugs in search of a new accessory for their homes.

"When I decided to come here it was in part because of the lower rents but also partly because of a vision I had for this area, said Shoestring Home owner Mandi Gerth, who opened her store 1 1/2 years ago. "Over time I know we would attract additional stores like mine and become a destination for the recreational shopper."

Milwaukee Magazine
September, 2005

"For the woman, I picked up gift certificates to Miss Groove and Shoestring Home, stores literally stuffed with great stuff!"

Milwaukee Magazine
May, 2005

Shoestring Home, in Waukesha's historic downtown, gives owner Mandi Gerth the opportunity to express a design philosophy centered on creating comfortable interiors that resonate with accents culled from the past, yet definitely not at the cost of fresh, up-to-date style. Instead, the store's mix of vintage and contemporary furniture, linens, accessories, gifts and kids' stuff lends itself to unique home décor. Look for statement-makers like sleek acrylic casual furniture; bold, colorful serving bowls; or vintage barware clever enough to start and keep conversations going. Speaking of conversation, the inquisitive shopper will also find a chat with Gerth about market trends enlightening.

Milwaukee Home
April, 2005

IRON: It's incredibly strong, yet amazingly malleable. Throughout the ages craftsmen have used these properties to create items both beautiful and functional. These days, iron continues to intrigue with its juxtaposition of delicacy and durableness and its ability to fit in with traditional or contemporary décor. Whether painted or raw, curved or straight, hammered or cast, iron adds a sense of substance. Inclined to try your hand at the hammer? Bighorn Forge in Cedarburg offers forging classes. Or, check out the following sources for great, already-made iron wares.

HANDMADE in multiple sizes and colors, these vintage-looking metal star wall hangings from Peddler's Home Design brighten the home. 12", $32; 21", $62; 36", $120. Shoestring Home, 330 W. Broadway, Waukesha.

Waukesha County Magazine
2005

The power of color continues to impact interior spaces and people are abandoning their white walls. Local design experts agree that home décor follows fashion trends and one of the easiest ways to get a new look is with a coat of paint. So, you will soon see paints and accessories in your favorite runway colors.

Mandi Gerth, owner of Shoestring Home, comments, "Expect to see bright colors; aqua, fuchsia, orange and pink to name a few."

"I try to blend aged pieces with new items," comments Gerth. "You can achieve balance with something from grandma and a new special something from the boutique down the street."

Milwaukee Magazine
October, 2004

MAKING THE SCENE
Boasting uncomplicated design in crystal-clear acrylic, the Riley chair from Torres & Tagus Design is a smart and inexpensive expression of a growing trend to create modern negative space with glass, light and translucent surfaces. Chrome accented, durable and convenient, it also manages to vault folding chairs smack into the new millennium. We spotted it at Shoestring Home, Waukesha ($125).

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Holiday Magazine November 21, 2004

At Shoestring Home, another newcomer on West Broadway, you'll find new and vintage furniture and accessories-a unique and varied collection of baskets, vases, lamps, furniture and wall art that shares space with beautiful linens and upscale clothing and accessories for babies. Owner Mandi Gerth, formerly a department store buyer and Internet marketer, has combined her skills and experience to create this one-of-kind retail combination. "I like to mix new and vintage pieces," she said. "Used furniture adds character without the high price tag of something new. And it blends beautifully with new, contemporary pieces, too."

Milwaukee Magazine
September, 2004

Reminding us that budgets needn't slip out the window as soon as decorating projects get under way, Shoestring Home, a gem of a shop in downtown Waukesha, presents lots of high-octane personality with an eclectic assortment of new and vintage furntirue, whimsical linens and sleek urban accessories. It's all about polish and panache without a big cash outlay.