Between the stock and the staff, there’s really nothing a creative mind can’t accomplish when it comes to home decorating by shopping at Bella Home Market in Lutz.
This locally owned specialty boutique offers a selection of high-end home décor and gifts, in a range of styles with reasonable prices. The store also dedicates space for homemade goods from local creators, such as organic soaps and wall art.
“We keep our product unique,” said Lou Malerba, store owner. “You won’t visit someone’s house and say, ‘I have that same painting on my wall,’ because our gifts are individualized.”
Malerba became owner of Bella Home Market two years ago, right before COVID-19. A frequent shopper, he furnished much of his own home with merchandise from the store. He’s grown to love the community whose commitment to shop locally has kept his doors open.
“I’m absolutely a people person, and at my store, customer service is number one,” said Malerba. “People know if they need a unique piece, they can find it at Bella Home Market.”
What continues to set Bella Home Market apart from other home décor stores is its variety of versatile craft paints by Dixie Belle. In fact, Bella Home Market ranks in the top 100 world retailers for the brand.
After premiering every paint color offered by Dixie Belle, Malerba’s success led him to becoming the only store in the Lutz area to be named an Elite retailer. And, as an Elite, Malerba can carry every product Dixie Belle offers. This includes its cherished, original product with stains, waxes and scents, to its newer Silk line, an all-in-one application that works as a primer, pigment and topcoat.
“We have so much fun with Dixie Belle, they are constantly bringing in new products, and folks love them. Plus, they love the paint’s bendability, affordability and best of all, it’s VOC-free,” said Malerba.
(VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are toxic, binding chemicals found in other paints that give off the signature “paint fume” smell. Exposure to these fumes over time can have dangerous health effects.)
Bella Home Market goes the extra mile to show customers there is really nothing you can’t do with these paints. While most crafters use them for painting furniture (beautiful examples can be found in the store), Malerba and artist Rebecca Buzzeo hold classes every month to showcase the adaptability and versatility of the paint. These classes of individualized, all-inclusive projects tend to fill up fast, especially around the holidays.
“You’ll come, and we’ll show you the process and technique of Dixie Belle. By the end, you’ve learned new painting skills and get to keep a seasonal décor item you created,” said Malerba.
Throughout the month of October, Bella Home is hosting a raffle auction with the lucky winner taking home a themed gift basket filled with great in-store finds. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Moffit Cancer Center to support Breast Cancer Awareness month.
