by Joanie Ballard

It started on our honeymoon in Paris, 29 years ago. This is us on top of the Eiffel Tower during that special time.  A photo taken by a very nice Frenchman. 

Along with the romantic cafes, galleries and museums, we became enamored and ultimately inspired with the amazing neighborhood shops all over Paris, especially the 6th Arrondissement. We loved how they could mix special items you needed for the home, all under one beautifully curated space. Small, welcoming, focused and special. Something you wanted to keep coming back to.

In 1996, my husband, artist Robert H. Ballard, who has 45+ years in the art & museum business, was offered a place to open a small gallery in Little Washington, VA, the town where my mother lived at the time. His art & rug gallery garnered quick success. We got married at the local church, purchased a 1930's building on Main Street, moved into the apartment upstairs and began our marriage & partnership in business. That's definitely the short story.

Having once worked for a French fabric firm, Brunschwig & Fils in the 80's, I became obsessed with French design and fabric. I wanted to bring in Le Jacquard Francais table linens, and anything French, at least to start. Besides design, I also had a background in theatre, dance and music, so opening a shop was kind of like opening a show.

During the past 29 years our inventory has expanded to one-of-a-kind finds, table wares, vintage items, women's accessories, books, children's gifts, African artisans, and a wide mix of fine gifts and home accessories from around the world. 

We've won awards and accolades, "Best Shops in the South", by Southern Living Magazine, "Best Shops in Virginia" from THE SHOPKEEPERS, and in the press: the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, among others. We also have been awarded 5-stars and touted on TripAdvisor by loyal fans and lovers of our unique finds.

We are still here on Main Street, we still live above our shop, and we still have a bustling online business.

Come and visit our beloved destination shop in Little Washington, VA, partake of a friendly chat with us and find something to beautify your home and life. We would love to meet you.

r.h. ballard shop & gallery, 307 main street, little washington, va

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