The Rusty Heart

The Rusty Heart began in 2003, right after Denise’s oldest daughter got married. Denise had always loved creating — crafting, decorating, and finding ways to make a house feel like home. Turning that passion into something more just felt natural.

Around that time, Audra went off to college but quickly realized that path wasn’t the right fit. Instead, mother and daughter decided to take a leap together and open a retail store — combining their strengths under one roof. Denise focused on home decorating, while Audra brought her love for people and community into a small coffee shop inside the store.

After a few successful years, the home decorating side of the business began to flourish, and they chose to close the coffee shop to focus fully on design and décor. The store remained open for eight wonderful years, building relationships with customers who became like family.

As Audra began raising her children, life shifted, and The Rusty Heart transitioned to an online business. Their Etsy shop grew successfully, allowing them to continue creating while being present at home. After taking a short break, they’re now stepping back into this season with renewed excitement.

Today, Audra homeschools her three children, and as they grow more independent, she and Denise are thrilled to be pouring their hearts back into The Rusty Heart — creating beautiful pieces with high-end materials and helping others design homes that feel warm, meaningful, and personal.

We truly believe the best homes tell a story — and we’re so excited to be part of yours.

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