Habitat: Home decor shop to open in Cos Cob

In the coming weeks, Caravella plans to host a soft opening of her retail shop Habitat Greenwich, located in the Cos Cob shopping plaza also housing Interieurs, Plum Pure Foods and newly opened Gelato & Cioccolato.

“It’s like a little Brooklyn here,” said Caravella, whose husband also owns nearby Post Wines & Spirits.

The concept for the shop began last fall when Caravella was searching for a space to store her collections used in design projects. She ultimately decided to open a business where she could showcase everything.

“This has always been my dream,” she said.

During a preview tour of the shop, which will hold a grand opening in late July, Caravella showed off unique home and gift items made by either individual artisans or family-owned businesses from around the world.

“The crux of my business is to support artisans,” she said. “I like it if people have an awesome story and do good.”

Many items are one-of-a-kind or vintage and are meant to “enhance customers’ own habitat,” said Caravella, adding much of her inventory represents fair-trade products.

There’s no one style that defines Habitat’s stock, she said, but her displays are filled with contrasting items, such as the mixing of textures or things old and new. Eventually, the longtime designer plans for Habitat to sell its own custom line of products.

In the store’s back corner, there’s a section dedicated to children’s items, including toys and paper goods.

Caravella has big plans for her business and the shopping district. Habitat will provide a concierge service that curates gift items and delivers them for free within town, she said. Future ambitions include opening multiple Habitat shops and “drumming up the Cos Cob Merchants Association” to collaborate with her neighbors to host events.

Habitat is located at 234 E. Putnam Ave. in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich.