Antique. Comfortable. Local. These are the words that Sue Conroy, the owner of Gracefully Restored (76 Main St, Hopkinton) uses as the three words to describe her gorgeous home decor store.  

Walking into Gracefully Restored, you instantly feel that you have been transported to a modern stylishy distressed farmhouse and wish that your own home could be this amazingly curated.  From the blue pillows and vases, to the rattan flower hangings and personalized notecards, Sue has transformed her store into a shabby chic oasis.

Attending wholesale shows is one of the ways that Sue sources for Gracefully Restored.  “I try to do as much as I can with local artists, and handmade items and as many vintage and antiques as I can get.”  The more character a piece has, the better.  “It’s one thing to have newer things and things that are on trend, but to bring in something with age, like old books, a trunk, doors or shutters, that sets your space apart and gives your home the wow factor.!”

Sue did not start her career in the home design business (and surprisingly, her first job was as an accountant)..  After running a successful greeting card company, she became a mother and her life became her two sons.  In 2009, with the purchase of a new home, she dug into her lifelong passion of home decorating and antiquing and began to hit local flea markets to purchase furniture she could restore.  Sue commented that “when friends saw my pieces they began to ask me to work on their furniture as well. I immediately knew this was my new passion. Gracefully Restored was born out of my yearning to return to a creative outlet.”

Since the pandemic forced people to spend more time in their homes, she has seen a significant increase in people’s knowledge and desire to “curate their home to be not just pretty, but also to be meaningful.” Allowing memories to be included in the home in a way that is simple and pleasing to the eye.  Her store reflects this with many antiques and beautiful frames to display family photos.  She also noted a huge increase in people wanting to bring the outside in.  Popular items include branches and greens, the texture of big baskets and rattan, which when mixed with more present day glass and wood tones, creates a unique harmony.  Blue “is the new neutral” which has a strong presence in the designs at Gracefully Restored.

When you walk in, you are greeted by the sweet smell of a reed room diffuser, which is the store’s number one selling item.  As a natural alternative to a candle, these diffusers can be used in almost all settings (and make a wonderful gift idea for anyone in your life.  

Gracefully Restored has been named Best Home Decoration Store as well as Best Gift Shop and Home Boutique in MetroWest by Best of the Best.  Sue also now offers in-home decorating services.  Whether you need a small thoughtful gift for a loved one, some inspiration for a shelf or display, or the genius which is Sue Conroy to elevate your home, head over to Gracefully Restored in Hopkinton to find the new pieces to your story.  

Are you interested in having your business featured?  Reach out to Sara Maida Photography or email at saramaidaphotography@gmail.com