POULSBO — What began as a hobby for Gloria Taylor has become a thriving boutique in the heart of Little Norway.

A year ago, Taylor and her husband, Bill, opened Vintage Interiors and it’s been going strong as a business ever since.

“I did it as a hobby, but I always wanted to open a little store of my own and I had always been looking for a good location,” Taylor said.

Her desire became a reality when a space down the street from Hot Shots Java near the intersection of Front Street and Jensen Way became available.

“We did have to take a wall down and did a little bit of painting, but it was mostly little things,” Taylor said of creating the refined yet contemporary atmosphere that fills the store.

Antique chairs, lamps and chests of drawers along with paintings from local artists are carefully displayed to have the vintage appeal, she said.

“We do have a higher end look and we have a lot of new things that are inspired by vintage interiors,” Taylor said. “Everything’s really inspired by the vintage style.”

The couple searches for its antique furniture at estate sales, auctions and other places, but strives to ensure it is of the highest quality possible, she said.

The store also carries a variety of jewelry and clothing for men and women, which all cast the vintage look, she said.

“We’re not just an antique store,” Taylor said. “We have nice blend of old and new.”

Local glassblower John Bishop’s hand-blown works, and jewelry made local craftsmen are available at the store as well, she said.

“Our clothing has really helped us out a lot and we also have men’s shirts and they sell quite well,” Taylor said.

One of the rarer finds in the store is its collection of state road maps, some of which go back as far as 1930.

“When we opened, I had a handful and they sold quite well, so I decided to keep them,” Taylor said.

As the store celebrates its first year this month, Taylor said business is excellent, and the store is starting to develop a regular customer base.

“We didn’t know what to expect, but we’ve exceeded our expectations,” she said.

Eventually, Taylor said she plans on carrying her own line of postcards with pictures of the city’s historic downtown as well as adding T-shirts with a Poulsbo and Norwegian theme.

The store does do consignments, but Taylor recommends calling ahead before bringing any items in.