Former clothing store owner tries hand at furniture

Two years after selling her monochromatic clothing stores, Shelley V. Sarmiento is reveling in color.

A $13,000 Italian wood carved humidor and bookcase and a $7,300 pink sculpted queen bed with hand-painted knobs and finials are among the more than 1,000 pieces in the showroom of her new high-end boutique, Alister and Ruby.

The former co-owner of White House/Black Market said she sought to create a different format for shopping, offering this 12,000-square-foot chic storefront in the old home of Harley Davidson at 1816 George Ave.

So far, it appears many have embraced it.

During a recent open house, more than 350...