The West’s Best

Everything imaginable for home design and gifting can be found at Peridot West in the Westside Design District

by Dana W. Todd / photography by Holger Obenaus

When spending the day browsing the shops in the Westside Design District, make sure to save time to visit Peridot West. Founded by Atlanta native Dina Woodruff, Peridot West has a 35-year history of providing the widest range of furniture, vintage finds, home décor and gifts that Atlantans could want under one roof. Atlanta’s Westside has an industrial history dating back to the late 1800s. Nowadays, it is a walkable area full of boutiques and restaurants, where people can grab a bite or enjoy a cocktail. The West Midtown Design District is the part of Westside devoted to all things residential design and home furnishings.

Woodruff took a chance and moved her shop to West Midtown three years ago to create “a charming shop in an old warehouse.” It was a time before the district became ultra popular with design stores. On the Peridot West shop floor, room vignettes showcase products curated and designed with staff designers’ special touches. “My team can pull together a beautiful room,” says Woodruff. “We love it when someone wants to buy an entire ‘room’ we have designed in the store. We will pack everything up and deliver it to their doorstep the next day.”

There are lots of cash-and-carry options in the store, from new and antique furniture to home accessories, linens, lamps and fun gifts. For homeowners who want to add something unique to their homes, Peridot West will help them find that special piece and custom order it from its vetted vendors, who have supplied the company with furniture and accessories for many years.

Now that chilly weather is knocking at the window and the frantic pace of the holiday season is over, it’s time to snuggle in, rest and recover from the festivities and gain a fresh perspective for the new year. To assist, Peridot West has geared up to help homeowners create comfy bedrooms designed in the colors that feel serene to each individual’s style. “We will come to your space and ‘twirl’ your room,” says Woodruff, laughing and using her colorful term for staging a space. “We carry the most amazing bedding that homeowners can immediately take home and fluff their beds. For those who have a specific look in mind that we may not currently carry in the store, we work with custom vendors who will design bespoke coverlets and decorative pillows in the colors and styles specifically requested by our customers.”

Choices come from high-quality product lines, such as Pinecone Hill, Pom Pom at Home and Peacock Alley. For a total bedroom “twirl,” Peridot West also works with homeowners to custom-design upholstered headboards and beds, introducing options from several high-end furniture upholstery companies, such as Lee Industries. A fresh take on furniture arrangement and the introduction of new pieces, such as antique bedside tables combined with a modern bench at the foot of the bed, reinvigorate a room.

In true Southern fashion, Peridot West also offers monogramming of its luxurious sheets and towel sets to further coordinate the bedroom and bathroom in the primary suite or add a custom touch to a guest suite or powder room.

Twirling is not limited to the bedroom. While snuggling in the comfort of new bedding, the dark winter days are a great time to plan for a spring refresh of the home. “We can reenergize a home in a top-to-bottom twirl, complete with furniture, new and vintage accessories, fresh artwork, rugs and lighting. The winter is a great time for taking care of business,” Woodruff adds.

She and her staff are known in certain circles as the go-to stagers for homes being offered for sale; they often engage with real estate agents and interior designers to make homes as pleasing as possible for the market. Peridot West brings in high-end furnishings with a splash of antique furniture to best showcase each home and highlight the style possibilities.

Although known for its heavy focus on design, Peridot West also is a resource for brides. “We leave the china to those in town who specialize in it, but we offer everything else a bride would want to fill a new home with for herself and her spouse,” says Woodruff. In addition to home décor and furniture, this includes entertaining items, tablescapes and custom monogramming. “Brides come in and choose what they want and create a registry. Shoppers can buy off of the registry either online or in-store and have their purchases delivered or held for pickup.”

Similarly, those who are redesigning a home or decorating a second home can create a wish list online that they can share with others (hint, hint, husbands). “A wish list is a great way to create a shoppable inspiration board for renovating a bedroom or designing a vacation home,” explains Woodruff. And just like the registries, all purchases can be delivered to the doorstep.

“I think people see us as a design-heavy shop, but we always have fun gifts for everyone on your wish list,” she says. “There’s jewelry, cute pajamas, printed scarves, scented candles, robes and plenty more ideas for grab-and-go hostess gifts.”

The longevity and popularity of the store is a testament to Woodruff’s passion for interior design and the diversity of her shop’s product and service lines. Her employees, many of whom have been with Peridot West for 20 years or more, present a familiar face to regular shoppers. Everything about the store is established and rooted in service. Woodruff’s long-standing vendor, employee and customer relationships have been developed and nurtured over many years, as has her commitment to community causes. “We have worked, and continue working, with local artists, schools and other charities for 35 years,” she explains. “It’s so fulfilling to be involved and invested with your neighbors.”

While Woodruff invites new shoppers to her design and gift shop, she is thrilled to see her repeat customers return year after year. Sometimes they bring their grown children who are getting married to create a registry. “I have developed lifelong relationships with so many of my clients,” she says. “It’s fun to see three generations coming into the store to shop. I think the lesson is that in our highly connected online world, you just can’t replicate the community connection that happens in a shop like Peridot West.” *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.

More Information

Peridot West

1240 Old Chattahoochee Ave., Suites B & C

Atlanta, GA 30318

404.350.0330