Potomac River Interiors

08/05/2026

REMINDER: Shop is on Holiday this week and is CLOSED through August 11th. We'll be back to regular hours starting August 12th.

07/29/2026

Time to Savor

Hi Friend,

I hope you've had some time this summer to slow down and savor the long days a bit. I feel like, only just now, I'm finally slowing down myself.

I signed my son up for two too many camps, and it's been crazy busy up until this week. He was at "Nana Camp" last week — which is just us shipping him off to my parents' house for a few days.

My husband and I used that time to spend a couple of days together in Washington D.C. We went to the Phillips Collection (https://www.phillipscollection.org/) , which is one of my favorite art museums. We debated about what we liked, and didn't, and one thing became very clear: we have vastly different tastes in art!

We strolled around Dupont Circle and drove past the first apartment we shared, reminiscing about how different our lives were 20 years ago when we lived there.

We went to the Noah Kahan (https://noahkahan.com/) concert at Nationals Stadium, and I took zero pictures. I just soaked in the vibrant energy of 40,000 strangers singing along to the same song.

By the time we got home, I was really missing my boy. So he and I spent the afternoon at Baker Park, just lying on a blanket in the grass while he regaled me with his adventures at "Nana Camp" — like the time my father tried to cheat at Monopoly.

Now that the shop's 2nd birthday is behind us, it's time for us to take a little summer break. I'm headed to Maine next week, so we'll close the shop for a bit (see schedule below).

I'm truly looking forward to a boring 10-hour road trip up I-95 and fielding "are we there yet" questions every 20 minutes. Lazy mornings reading on the dock and walking to town for ice cream. Lobster rolls and antiquing. Foraging the beach with my family and setting sail to peep the seals and lighthouses.

When we get back from Maine, we'll transition into back-to-school mode and prepare the shop for all the Q3/Q4 inventory changes. And in less than 2 months we're attending the Country Living Fair (https://countrylivingfairs.com/) in Rhinebeck, NY. There's SO MUCH to prepare for that!

For now, I'll enjoy a few weeks of rest and recuperation with my family, and I hope you enjoy some downtime in the last few weeks of summer too!

Thanks for being here :-)

Lisa Tumbarello
Owner at Potomac River Interiors

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07/24/2026

Summer Sizzler Sale

Hi Friend,

We've reached that point in the summer where the days are long and hot; although, today, it's actually quite nice out!

We've just placed some big orders for Fall and Holiday and need to make room in the shop, so THIS WEEKEND ONLY, the ENTIRE STORE is 25% Off -- even already marked down sale items!

We're open Friday and Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4.

I (Lisa - yes, I actually write these newsletters) will be in the shop this weekend, so come stop by and say "Hi!" I'd love to hear how your summer is going!

The shop will be closed August 5th -9th so we can have some time off with family. I'm headed to Maine and can't wait to discover all the beautiful New England antiques. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and let you know if I find anything good. If you know of any must-visit antique spots along the Maine coast (or anywhere up Intersatae 95), let me know!

As always, thanks for being a part of our journey. See you soon!

Lisa Tumbarello
Owner at Potomac River Interiors

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07/24/2026

Stop by THIS WEEKEND (7/24-7/26) for 25% OFF the ENTIRE STORE (including already marked down sale items). Need to clear out some shelf space for new items on the way!

07/09/2026

A few things I've learned...

Hi Friend,

The shop has officially been open for two years! Wow - what an accomplishment. I'm super proud of what I've built here and the impact the shop has had on the community.

I did my first pop-up market selling my vintage treasures in 2021 - only 5 years ago. The opportunity to open a brick and mortar shop presented itself in the Spring of 2022 and I jumped in with both feet.

It took another two years to get the space rennovated and ready for occupancy and we opened our doors to the public on July 11th 2024.

With two years under my belt I've learned a few things...

1: I Love the People

I honestly wasn't sure if I would have regular customers in such a small town. At the begining, I thought it would just be one-time-tourist-type cusomers, but that has been far from the truth.

I absolutely LOVE that I have regular customers. Neighbors that I have come to know by name. Who have shown up to events. Who bring their out-of-town friends and family to see the shop. I truly feel like I have a little extended family here in Brunswick.

2: Adapt and be Flexible

The original vision I had for the store has changed over the past two years. For several reasons.

I used to have a chip on my shoulder and would critique other vintage retailers for selling gift-like products alongside their vintage stuff. But now, I get it. You need both. Vintage is a one-off item that needs to find "its person" whereas the curated gifts can serve multiple people.

Curation is my powerhouse and it's been nice to experiement with combining the vintage, artisan, and gift items together to tell a story and inspire shoppers.

3. Follow Your Heart and Purpose

This shop was always part of my "Master Plan" whether I knew it at the time or not. I was dreaming of opening a shop way back in high school; retail has always been my thing.

I love sharing my passion with the community and I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to do so.

4. What's Next?

You'll continue to find new small brands and artisans in the shop as well as unique vintage pieces. I'm also in planning mode for the holidays right now (this is what "Christmas in July" actually means for retailers).

Recently, I've felt a pull back to writing (I actually went to school for Journalism) and have started a Substack for Potomac River Interiors. You can follow along here and read my frist article. (https://potomacriverinteriors.substack.com/p/minimalism-wasnt-the-answer-hoarding)

I'm hoping it will be a place to tell more stories and have fun with some design work - think, shopkeeper interviews, behind-the-scenes sourcing vintage, and musings/inspiration on interior design. If that sounds interesting to you, join me over there!

On the horizon is a very busy 2nd half of the year. October will be especially crazy...

If you're down of a road-trip, come visit my booth at the Country Living Fair (https://countrylivingfairs.com/) in Rhinebeck, NY Octover 2-4.

Looking for something closer to home? Just two weeks later, you'll find me back at the Lucketts Fall Market in Berryville, VA October 16-18.

I hope to see you MUCH sooner than October though! We have some fun things planned for our Anniversary this weekend, so I hope to see you in the shop soon.

Thanks for being on this journey with me!

Lisa Tumbarello
Owner at Potomac River Interiors

Still a few spots left for the Floral Workshop on Friday July 10th. Click below to snag a last-minute spot!

ONE spot (2pm) just opened back up for Mini Tarot sessions. Snag it below!

Click here for an update from Potomac River Interiors!

07/05/2026

We still have some spots available at our Summer Floral Workshop this Friday, July 10th from 6-8pm. It's a beautiful evening; come celebrate the Summer bounty and the shop's 2nd Birthday!

Tickets:
https://www.potomacriverinteriors.com/product/summer-floral-workshop-july-10th-6pm/DL3D3GWHX5PXDXN2ERCFWLY6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=P6JS2RPSW3WBSEYUSAFRJPNF

07/04/2026

🎆Happy 4th! The shop is CLOSED today but will be open tomorrow, July 5th from 11-4 🎆

07/01/2026

Is it really July already?

Hi Friend,

Welcome to a hot-as-heck first day of July!

This month marks the shop's 2nd Anniversary (July 11th to be exact) and we have some fun things planned for next weekend.

We've still got spots available in our Floral Arranging Workshop (https://www.potomacriverinteriors.com/product/summer-floral-workshop-july-10th-6pm/DL3D3GWHX5PXDXN2ERCFWLY6?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=P6JS2RPSW3WBSEYUSAFRJPNF) with Whispering Flower Farm on Friday, July 10th from 6-8pm. Yeon always brings WAY too many flowers (yay!) and teaches us how to make the fullest, most beautiful arrangements possible. Hope you can join us!

On Saturday, July 11th from 12-3pm, we're having special guest popup with Honeyhaus Jewlery. Stop by to check out her beautiful pieces. No appointment necessary. Birthday cake and drinks will be served all day.

Finally, on Sunday, July 12th from 12-3pm we have Catherine Andrews back to do Mini Tarot Readings (https://www.potomacriverinteriors.com/product/mini-tarot-sessions-shop-anniversary-weekend-/EIV6GXZMGMBZLUUJUOS6EBXE?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=EWHFNMBW422EPXFPVKWHZIO2) . Spots are LIMITED but there's still a few left if you're interested.

The shop will be CLOSED on July 4th this weekend so we can hang out with our families. If you're in town and want to shop, come see us Thursday or Friday from 10-5 or Sunday from 11-4.

We're also still doing our "Summer Reading" promotion. Every purchase of a book enters you into our $100 Gift Card Giveaway (drawing on Labor Day). Some come find your next beach read!

Hope to see you soon!

Lisa Tumbarello
Owner at Potomac River Interiors

Click here for an update from Potomac River Interiors!

06/18/2026

Retail Rollercoaster

Hi Friend,

I've worked pretty much every retail job there is. Since I was 16 -- big corporations -- tiny boutiques -- every different facet of retail. And I love it all. Always have. I wouldn't have opened this store if I wasn't delusionally in love with the world of retail.

But man, this business is NOT for the faint of heart. I opened this shop almost two years ago (our Anniversary is in July - see below for events lineup). I am very well acquainted with the highs and lows of how retail selling seasons go.

Winter sucks - Spring is decent - Summer sucks - Fall/Holidays are gangbusters... wash - rinse - repeat. It's an emotional rollercoaster that has me second guessing my purpose in life and asking "why" I opened this store every single day.

Just this morning I opened Instagram to the news that a much-admired shop in Baltimore, Whishbone Reserve (https://www.instagram.com/wishbone_reserve/) , is closing after 11 years. It's a gut punch. But it's also a very real reality of the times we live in.

The shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants, museums, etc. that make little neighborhoods "interesting" and "worth visiting" are seriously struggling. Every sale counts. Every friend you tell matters.

I know I don't want to live in a world where we just order Door Dash and get groceries delivered from Amazon. Some could argue that what I'm providing in this space is a luxury and not a necessity -- my rebuttal would be that neighborhood culture is a necessity.

Diversity is a necessity.

Creativity and artistry are a necessity.

Community interaction is a necessity.

Next time you need a gift for yourself or a special person in your life, please consider hitting your local shops before placing a pick-up-in-store order from Target.

Small towns, independent retail and restaurants are hanging on by a thread, and if we lose them, we're losing more than just a cute place to hang out. We are losing the cultural fabric that brings communities together.

Thanks for being here and for visiting the shop... now, go tell a friend!

XOXO --

Lisa Tumbarello,
Owner at Potomac River Interiors

Click here for an update from Potomac River Interiors!