Heartell in the Shop: House of the Faun (Port Townsend, WA)
House of the Faun is the kind of place you step into and immediately slow down. Founded by sisters through a shared love of collaboration, creativity, and meaningful objects, this destination shop is built on instinct and heart, curating pieces that spark instant connection rather than chasing trends. With a deep appreciation for handmade goods and imperfect beauty, the shop is designed as a refuge: a space to pause, breathe, and be surrounded by beauty that nourishes the nervous system and the soul. For the team at House of the Faun, retail isn’t just about selling, it’s about storytelling, community, and creating moments of tenderness and inspiration through the objects we carry and the experiences we share. Rachel made sure she could visit when she had a weekend trip to Port Townsend with some of her gal friends. Here we'd like to give you a peak inside the doors and hear from the sister, Catherine and Lisa who own this magical haven in the PNW.
How do you curate or select the products you offer in your shop?
Catherine & Lisa: We simply buy what we love and hope it resonates with others. We don't pay attention to trends or compete with other shops to carry the latest and greatest. For us, it must be an instant connection with a product or item. We see it and immediately know we have to have it. The things we sell carry meaning and story. Handmade pieces speak to us the most. There's something so special about the imperfect beauty of something handmade.
What inspired you most to open up your shop?
Catherine & Lisa: Collaborating with each other was probably the biggest inspiration for opening the shop. Blending our creative forces and impeccable taste to create a destination shop; a sacred space for folks to take pause in, be inspired by. It is a very special opportunity for us. Having a creative outlet was another motivation. Buying beautiful things, arranging them in the shop, designing the feel of the shop- all these aspects aren't "work" for us. We've been in business now for 3 years and the shop is constantly evolving. The inspiration continues in dreaming up window displays, arranging special events, re-arranging the shop, continuously searching for, and traveling to find, the most special items to sell.
What is your "why"?
Catherine & Lisa: We can count on one hand the times we have experienced a truly fantastic shopping experience. These places are more than a retail space. They are a refuge from a stressful world, a pause in your day. When you walk through the doors, you stop and just take it in. Surrounding oneself with beauty helps to regulate our nervous systems and bring hope and inspiration to our lives. We strive to be one of those places for our community and beyond.
Can you share any Heartell Press-related anecdotes or stories that have left a lasting impression on you or your customers?
Catherine & Lisa: Long before we became stockists for Heartell Press we would seek out stores that carried Rachel's work. Being block print fans, the images are always spot on. Then there is the messaging, which is so, so special. The combination of the two is such a rare gift.
A few years ago we lost a dear friend in his youth. It rocked our family and community at large. When sending cards to his family, Heartell was the first choice. Knowing their broken hearts were held with tenderness and compassion is a solace. It Comes in Waves is an absolute favorite.
What card could possibly express gratitude to a Shamanic Healer for a house blessing? Thank You for the Work You are Doing was the perfect choice. This card has been ideal for the teachers & mentors in our children's lives too.
The card In My Heart I am Making Cookies with You stopped me (Catherine speaking here) in my tracks because my husband and his mother had a Christmas tradition of baking cookies together. Now that they live 3,000 miles apart it is something that they miss. It's like Rachel read our minds as to just what we needed to express.
Open-ended messaging leaves room for the alternative, the atypical. The world needs more space for that.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your shop? Anything you'd like us to highlight?
Catherine & Lisa: We are planning our 2026 calendar and have some fun ideas for special events, pop-ups and workshops. We send a newsletter out, about once a quarter, with information on what's coming up. Send us an email and we will add you to our mailing list. We also have some treasure hunting trips planned in search of new inventory.
Images credited to House of the Faun, and one or two from Rachel.