Whimsical Furniture, Gifts & Accessories

The dreams of two sisters and their sister-in-law will come together September 19 with the opening of Two and a Half Sisters, a one-of-a-kind shop featuring whimsical furniture, gifts and accessories and unique artwork.

The store specializes in pieces for children's rooms such as table-and-chair sets, bookshelves, step stools, wall hangings and frames. Most pieces are customized in an in-store studio, allowing customers to work directly with the artist to personalize pieces for their specific needs.

Two and a Half Sisters will use safe, non-toxic paints, monogramming, and other methods for custom items, and customers can have many items personalized before leaving the store.

At Two and a Half Sisters, customers can expect a memorable shopping experience. The shop is located in a house, and each room has a special theme. The Celebrations Room includes gifts for birthdays, weddings and new babies. There is a room specializing in girls' furniture and another one for boys' furniture. The main room features seasonal items and includes a kids' corner where kids can entertain themselves with coloring and videos while parents and grandparents shop.

Two and a Half Sisters is truly a family affair. Carol Weld King, Laurie Weld Frohock, and Deanna Bannister Weld, all natives of Roanoke, have combined their individual talents, professional experiences and personal passions to open the shop.

Carol is a partner in a Washington D.C. law firm. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband, Bill, and their 11-year-old son, Blake. "I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and I'm excited to be a part of this venture with my sister and sister-in-law,' Carol said.

Laurie enjoyed a 25-year career as a designer in the dance and costume industry and is now happy to be creating pieces for the shop and in business as a principal. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 1985 with a B.S. in fashion design. She and her husband, Danny, live in the Roanoke Valley with their children, Gabrielle, 17, and Nick, 15. "I love creating, and the shop is a great outlet for me,' Laurie said.

Deanna worked as a marketing director in the financial services industry for 15 years, most recently in Richmond, Virginia. She and her husband, Robert, recently returned to live in Roanoke with their children, Cameron, 6, and Emery, 2. As a mom of young children, Two and a Half Sisters offers Deanna flexibility. "I'm glad to be a stay-at-home mom, but also to be able to stay involved professionally,' she said.

Through Two and a Half Sisters, Carol, Laurie and Deanna hope to progress professionally, but they also want to give back to the community. Five percent of the shop's profits will go directly to Autism Speaks, an advocacy group for children and adults living with autism spectrum disorders. "Autism has touched our family through Carol's son Blake, and we are glad to have the opportunity to support this cause,' Deanna said.

Two and a Half Sisters will open Saturday, September 19, at 2126 Colonial Avenue in Roanoke. The shop will be open Monday–Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm.