A plethora of bedding, bath, tabletop and accessory items keeps the fun in shopping at Valerianne of Scottsdale.

Fast Facts

• Owner: Greg Harper
• Opened: Originally opened circa 1994. Harper bought the store in 2008.
• Location: 7033 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale
• Hours: Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.;10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Phone: (480) 946-8772
• Website: valeriannescottsdale.com

“I am not a person who believes less is more, but I do believe that details are super important.”

—Greg Harper, owner

BACKGROUND: Valerianne of Scottsdale originally opened in the 1990s and has continued its popularity with high-end shoppers under the direction of Greg Harper, who became the owner in 2008. “The founder of Valerianne was retiring and asked if I would be interested in purchasing the store. I jumped on it without hesitation,” he recalls. Born and raised in Phoenix, Harper worked in the international business arena for several years before switching gears to work in retail, including stints at Goldwater’s department store in Phoenix and another home goods store in Scottsdale. “I always had a love of design, fabrics and home accessories, but I learned about bed linens on the job,” he reports. “It’s funny; I was a kid who never, ever made my bed, and now it’s what I do for a living. I honestly buy things I like and sell them to other people.”

PHILOSOPHY: The saying that “beauty is in the details” is one that Harper truly believes in. “I am not a person who believes less is more,” he admits, “but I do believe that details are super important. For example, the right pillow on a chair or sofa or bed can bring the whole room together and make it more beautiful.” He also believes in the importance of living with high-quality everyday items. “We like to keep things fun, colorful and interesting, and when you change up your bedding, going to sleep at night becomes a new experience.”

MISSION: In an ongoing effort to bring fun new finds into his store, Harper has traveled to such places as South America, Peru, Bolivia, Singapore, Bali, France, Italy and Mexico, to name a few. He also works with artisans, local and otherwise, who create such items as one-of-a-kind mobiles crafted of old metal cookie tins and lunch boxes, perfect for those seeking a touch of whimsy.

INSPIRATION: Harper notes that his purchases are inspired by everything from nature to color and art. “I’m a die-hard color guy; it always draws my attention,” he admits. “And when something is new, I’m all over it.”

THE SHOWROOM: Valerianne is housed in a 2,000-square-foot 1930s red-painted adobe building situated in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The interior space is divided into distinct sections for bedding, bath, tabletop and home accessories. A creeping fig vine that crept in from outdoors a few years ago now clings to the ceiling, adding its own touch of fun.

THE GOODS: Harper has curated a varied selection of luxury linens and bedding for his store—including an impressive array of throws for sofas and beds—in such inviting materials as alpaca, faux fur, cashmere, wool, velvet, mohair, linen and cotton. Adding to the offerings are tabletop items, bathroom accessories and gifts ranging from decorative pillows to soaps, candles, books, ceramics, silver pieces, dishes, glassware, decorative bowls, serving pieces, tablecloths, placemats and napkins, picture frames, unusual works of art, colorful baskets, stools, accessory tables and benches. “Plus, we always have a nice selection of pajamas, and every year during the holidays we offer gourmet food products,” he notes.

SOURCES: Such well-known brand names as Sferra, Missioni, Matouk, Etro, Nina Ricci, Yves Delorme and SDH can be found at Valerianne. Harper also works with designers and local creatives to fashion custom bedding for their high-end clientele. “Most of our clients are very into their homes. They are very aware of what’s out there, and know we do a lot of custom work for people who want something distinctive and different,” he points out.

MOST REQUESTED: While bed, bath and tabletop items are mainstays, Harper says decorative pillows are a large part of their business, popular among homeowners as well as designers looking for finishing touches that are readily available. With that in mind, the well-stocked shop keeps an extensive selection on hand in an array of hues, designs and sizes.

NOW & THEN: When it comes to trends, Harper states that gray is finally on the way out, and color is back in a big way in bedding. “It’s stronger and more saturated, and there are more reds, yellows, greens and blues,” he describes.

SERVICES: In addition to custom bedding, Valerianne makes house calls for design and installation purposes, and offers shipping to in-state and out-of-state clients.

LAST WORD: When asked what he likes best about what he does for a living, Harper says it’s the creativity, the people he meets and the relationships he has built over the years that he most enjoys. “That and looking for new items,” he adds. “The search is always on.”