Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Hardison Keith Johnson.
Hi Chris Hardison , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
What began as a small hobby 25 years ago quickly grew into a thriving side business for owners Chris Hardison and Keith Johnson. Affectionately known as “the boys,” the pair have lovingly shaped Design Additions into a beloved Avondale favorite—constantly evolving, expanding, and inspiring.
Nestled along charming St. Johns Avenue in the heart of Historic Avondale, Design Additions is an eclectic and ever-changing collection of painted furniture, home décor, unique gifts, seasonal florals, antiques, jewelry, stationery, books, toys, and all sorts of beautiful, unexpected finds. Every corner of the shop is thoughtfully merchandised, layered, and full of personality.
Running a small business isn’t without its challenges, but Chris and Keith have always believed in dividing and conquering.
“Keith is our behind-the-scenes engine,” Chris explains. “He handles reorders, payroll, paperwork—and he still hand-finishes our painted furniture pieces.”
Keith smiles and adds: “Chris is the master of merchandising and display. When we’re buying at market, he already knows exactly how it will look in the shop.”
The store is constantly refreshed with new seasonal merchandise and creative displays. Regulars return again and again, knowing there will always be something new to discover. And for those who wander in for the first time—well, they often become regulars, too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Neither Chris nor Keith could have imagined that the part-time hobby they started 25 years ago would still be going strong today—and continuing to grow.
“A small business has to constantly evolve,” Keith says. “Your offerings need to stay relevant, on-trend, and at a fair price.”
Design Additions blends well-known national brands with unique specialty items that set the shop apart.
“We carry lines like Nest Fragrances and Julie Vos Jewelry,” Chris explains, “but we also offer exclusive products you’ll only find here—like our Nine Zero Four apparel and accessories, custom seasonal floral designs or our Jacksonville Apothecary Company home fragrance line.”
And like most small business owners, they’ve learned to wear many hats—and pivot when needed.
“We’ve definitely had to adjust along the way,” Keith reflects. “During the housing crash in the early 2000s, we expanded our gift assortment to offset the slowdown in home décor.”
The rise of social media has been another major shift.
“How we connect with customers has changed,” Chris says. “Sharing new finds, seasonal arrivals, and special pieces online is now as important as in-store merchandising.”
He laughs, adding, “We’d love to say we’re always ahead of the curve, but sometimes we’ve had to just hang on tight until we found our footing—and then start running on our own.”
Through it all, their philosophy has stayed the same: stay true to your vision, stay flexible, and create a store people love to visit.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Design Additions is a lifestyle boutique rooted in creativity, personal connection, and a deep love for helping people make their homes feel welcoming and the gifts they buy beautiful. What started as a hobby truly did grow into something much bigger — and 25 years later, we’re still here, still evolving, and still loving what we do.
We offer a thoughtfully curated assortment of painted furniture, home décor, gifts, seasonal florals, jewelry, books, toys, scents, stationery, and one-of-a-kind finds — and the shop is always changing. Customers tell us it’s a place where they can browse, discover, and be inspired. We are constantly moving, rearranging, refreshing, and bringing in new things so that every visit feels different.
We are known for our signature merchandising and display style — layered, cozy, colorful, and welcoming. We believe presentation is part of the experience. Our customers often say they come just to see how it’s styled, walk around, and let the ideas spark.
We also have a balance of nationally loved brands and exclusive local creations:
• Nest Fragrances
• Julie Vos Jewelry
• Seasonal décor and florals
• plus our own Nine Zero Four tees, hats & local pride items
• and the Jacksonville Apothecary Company fragrance line — designed and poured exclusively for our shop.
What truly sets us apart is the personal connection.
We greet our customers by name. We know what they’re celebrating, what rooms they’re decorating, what candles they love, and what gifts they like to give. When you shop with us, you’re not just another transaction — you’re part of our community.
We are proud of:
• Longevity — 25 years of adapting, growing, and staying relevant.
• Creativity — our displays and curated seasonal changes are truly unique.
• Exclusivity — our in-house products reflect the love we have for our city and our customers.
• Customer Relationships — we have customers who have shopped with us for decades, and they now bring their children and grandchildren.
At the heart of it all, Design Additions is about joy — the joy of creating a beautiful home, the joy of giving a thoughtful gift, the joy of being part of a neighborhood, and the joy of making people feel welcome and inspired.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Looking back now, it makes complete sense that I ended up where I did — surrounded by color, creativity, displays, décor, and storytelling every day. I’ve truly been doing this my whole life — it just eventually grew into a business. Says Chris
Personality-wise, I’ve always been a mix of creative and practical. I enjoy the dreaming, the vision, the styling — but also the doing part: rolling up my sleeves, making it happen, and finding a way to bring the idea to life. I have always found joy in turning something ordinary into something beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Designadditionsonline.com
- Instagram: Designadditions
- Facebook: Design Additions
