Last summer, Steve Goldberg, owner and proprietor of Hearthside Antiques in Poolesville, decided it was time to take his business in a new direction. “With the changing economy,” he said, “it was a good time to make a choice -- capitulate or change.”

He chose change.

When Goldberg first acquired the Hearthside property in 1999, it was a feed and grain store and barn. At that time he did a “quick and dirty” renovation and leased out the back lot to a garden center. But with the demands of an unpredictable and changing economy, Goldberg realized he couldn’t afford to stay open unless, for starters, he got energy efficient.

So in Summer 2011, Hearthside Antiques underwent a major renovation by emptying out its space, selling inventory, dry walling and insulating, and re-emerging in September of this year as Hearthside Home, a home décor and furnishings store.

Pleased with the results, Goldberg notes that the newly renovated space “is fifty percent brighter with fifty percent less lighting.”

“We had to re-invent ourselves to broaden our market and reach out to a wider demographic,” he said. “Now we are the ‘softer side of Hearthside.’” The old, dark woods have been replaced with painted items that are more decorative, brighter with a softer and warmer appeal.

In order to transition from old-fashioned antique barn to home décor shop, Goldberg felt Hearthside needed to shed the “warehouse feel” and offer a more client-friendly, design-inspired atmosphere with actual room settings.

“When someone comes in to the store,” said Goldberg, “I want them to envision that table with that lamp and that rug…creating the full experience.”

And to help complete the vision, Hearthside Home has seven vendors on site including painting, photography, furniture restoration, home décor, fine arts, textiles, and jewelry.

The garden center, now managed by Hearthside, gives Goldberg the opportunity to decorate the outside of his clients’ homes as well as the interior. Interestingly, he learned that his antiques customers were not around during the planting season because they were home in their gardens. “People who love their house and décor, also love the outside of their house and their garden space,” he said.

With his flair for the unique, Goldberg prides himself on the wide selection of plants and foliage that people have never heard of. “We are always looking for ways,” he added, “to give our customers something different.”

The next big event for Hearthside Home is the upcoming First Friday of Poolesville on Dec. 2. The shop will be open from 5-9 p.m. with refreshments for a night of holiday fun. “By then we will have trees, wreaths and be fully seasonal,” said Goldberg.

Plans for the future do not end at Hearthside Home. Goldberg would like to see Poolesville become a "heritage destination". Just down the street from White's Ferry, he believes that historic Poolesville will be great for "day trippers".

The future looks bright for this antique shop turned vintage gifts, decorative furnishings, home and garden store. And its owner looks forward to providing his customers with a fresh and new perspective on home decor.

"When you come to Hearthside Home," said Goldberg, "you are coming into our house and we are going to help you the best way we can with your house."