Comfortable Style: Courtney Peters
by Andi Agnew
The very first word that came to my mind as I entered Mosaic, located on the first floor of the Fondren Corner building, was “comfortable.” Inviting couches are arranged in the middle of the store to create a living room-like atmosphere. Owner Courtney Peters is assembling a sleek white barstool with a tractor-style seat. The atmosphere is peaceful, noting lots of calming pastels, glass and wood accents, candles and huge lamps with wide, round shades.
A native of Jackson, Peters is a graduate of Jackson Academy and the University of Mississippi, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in art with an emphasis on ceramics. Some of her ceramic work is on display at Mosaic – dainty ivory roses that have been popular with customers as wedding gifts. Mosaic was originally located in the basement of what is now Sneaky Beans, but the boutique has been in the Fondren Corner building for the last six years. “I’ve literally built this from the ground up,” she says with a laugh.
Reflecting back on the early days, Peters realizes that her vision for the store has changed somewhat. “When I look back at where I started and where I am today, I think, ‘Wow, I’m getting there…’ If you’d asked me five years ago, I would’ve said I wanted this giant store, like Anthropologie, but with more furniture than clothes. But now I really like where it’s headed as far as a smaller retail space and working with clients more one-on-one.”
In addition to the retail aspect of Mosaic, Peters also offers interior design services. Creating cozy, liveable spaces is Peters’ aim. “My personal style is very relaxed and comfortable – I’d say it’s a transitional style. I like to mix old and new together.”
In addition to ceramics and interior design, Peters is a painter. A few of her paintings are for sale at Mosaic, but most of her work is currently in a show in Greenville. “I’ve started painting again, and it’s been really well-received. I painted a lot in college, but then I didn’t have anything I wanted to paint for a long time. And all of a sudden, just came back out.”
But making her customers happy is her ultimate goal. “For my clients, it’s all about their style – I’ve done some contemporary houses and some traditional ones. After I meet with clients a couple of times, I get the gist of what they like. It’s not necessarily my style that they’re after. I always love the end product, though, even if it’s not something I would personally have in my home.”
Peters says she is competitive with herself. “I drive myself… I love having my own business. I really love the independence, and I have a love for furniture and art. It’s really the only thing I want to do.”
A challenge of owning her own business, she says, is the tremendous sense of responsibility that comes with independence. “It’s all on you. I don’t mind it – people say, ‘Oh, you own your own business, if you don’t feel like going in, you don’t have to.’ But, it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s your own business, so you have to go. You don’t get three months maternity leave or sick days. It’s all on you. If you didn’t love it 100 percent, it wouldn’t work. But I feel like I was made to do this. It’s the only thing that I’m supposed to do.”
Mosaic is open 10:30-4 Monday-Saturday or by appointment at 601-713-2595.