Salt & Sundry beckons browsers with a quirky assortment of barware, ceramics, textiles and more. It’s a winning concept: After its debut in DC’s Union Market in 2012, a second location followed just two years later at 1401 S Street, NW.

In December 2016, the shop relocated to a larger space at 1625 14th Street, NW—and the bright, airy S Street location became home to Little Leaf—a showcase for cacti, succulents, and air plants, plus stationery, prints, desk accessories and more. H&D chatted with Amanda McClements, the industrious owner and creative director of both.  shopsaltandsundry.com

What inspired Salt & Sundry?  About five years ago, I started dreaming up a place where I could share my passions for entertaining and design. Less than a year later, I opened Salt & Sundry in Union Market. I love creating gathering places where people can meet up and find goods to beautify their homes.

How is Little Leaf different?  Little Leaf is Salt & Sundry’s free-spirited little sister. Our focus there is plants and paper, two of my favorite things. Like Salt & Sundry, we support makers and designers local and beyond like DC-based Printed Wild wrapping-paper sheets and Convivial Production, a ceramics studio in Kansas City. We also stock jewelry by one of our own team members, hand-poured candles, books, and gifts.

How do you select your inventory?  My process for buying is fairly simple: If I’d like to own it or give it to a good friend, it’s in! The local maker scene has really blossomed, so we’re finding new lines to stock every month.

What trends are you seeing?  I’m loving the throwback we’re seeing to the ’70s in interiors and accessories, like modern takes on peacock chairs and primary colors in bold stripes. Also, plants are a huge trend, from wallpapers and fabrics to mini jungles that grow indoors.

How do you bring springtime into your décor?  I love adding air plants to unexpected places; they have an ethereal, early-spring look. Try creating a table setting with air plants in small dishes down the center, or popping them into bookshelf displays inside sculptural vessels.