The Painted Pony & More Boutique, owned by interior decorator and designer Mary Lou Pilous, recently opened on Fortune Way in Wellington.
The showroom features one-of-a-kind and hard-to-find furniture, trinkets, antiques and more. The ever-changing collection has been assembled by Pilous. Originally from Canada, she has been working for more than 20 years in the Wellington area through her design company, Interiors with Mary Lou.
Pilous noticed that many of her clients were gravitating toward the coastal cottage “shabby chic” look, and there wasn’t really anywhere to purchase those types of products at affordable prices. With the encouragement of her friends, she decided to open up her own shop.
“Even though it’s a consignment shop,” she said, “I feature hand-painted furniture.”
Pilous is offering clients the ability to bring in a piece of furniture to be painted, or she will go on location to paint something with whatever colors the client wants.
“I am also offering hand-painted furniture classes,” she said, for those interested in learning the techniques.
The first class was successful, and more classes were requested. Now, there are four classes. The first covers crackling, distressing, aging and glazing before advancing to the next class, which includes chipping, which will move an artist from one level to the next.
Pilous can take four to six students per class, and can arrange for special groups. Class times and schedules are flexible, in three-hour increments. Class prices vary, but hover around $125, and Pilous provides furniture, supplies and light snacks.
Pilous is running the Painted Pony in addition to her interior designing company, where she has a group of people she works with to take care of every need imaginable.
In order to be different from other local consignment stores, Pilous offers pine furniture for equestrians, painted furniture for those who enjoy the coastal cottage feel, and a vast assortment of accessories. There are bird houses, baskets, antique plates and more.
“You name it, and there’s a full gamut of cute things,” she said, pointing to old tin signs for 10-cent ice cream sundaes.
Pilous painted eggs and then accessorized them with butterflies and flowers, making a sweet little display that can be put on a table. She also offers designer teapots, as well as many accessories that she has collected over the years. Chalk signs, which can be personalized, are also available.
“I don’t just find a piece of furniture, I try to look for an interesting shape or design of a piece so I can work with it,” she said.
Seasonal flowers are coming in, and Pilous is getting ready to work with her landscape design clients. Additionally, she is writing a book to guide readers through interior design and tablescapes.
With more than 45 years of design experience, Pilous brings a unique eye for design to her store and her design services. “You name it, I do it,” she said.
It all started when she was in seventh grade and was given the opportunity to design the bulletin boards at her school. Since then, she has never stopped.
Pilous frequents the Wellington Dog Park with her three poodles, Mozart, Petit Mijou and Maggie, who often spend the day with her at the store.
The store is located at 3132 Fortune Way D-33,34. Currently, the store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment.
To reach the store, call (561) 790-7776. If you need Pilous immediately, call (561) 275-9222.
