When Tara Reardon opened the doors to Twig & Plume, a vintage-inspired boutique in Searcy, Arkansas, it was the realization of a dream more than a decade in the making. The shop, filled with eclectic furniture, custom pieces, and unique décor, is more than just a business to Tara—it’s her passion brought to life. With a background in interior design and a love for hunting down one-of-a-kind treasures, Tara has poured her heart into creating a space where others can find beauty and inspiration in every corner.
“I wanted to do something I loved” Tara explained. “I wanted to wake up happy to go to work.”
Before Twig & Plume came to life, Tara’s journey took her all over the country. With a degree in interior design from Harding University, she started her career working with custom fabrics, pillows, and furniture. But after some time, Tara decided to change course and became a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines, a job that allowed her to travel and see the world.
“I loved it,” Tara said of her time flying. But when she became a mom, everything shifted. “I couldn’t travel all the time anymore, I decided to become a stay-at-home mom.”
For the next several years, Tara focused on raising her two boys, but as life changes occurred, she found herself wanting to do something else that would reignite her own passions. That’s when the idea of Twig & Plume resurfaced—a dream she’d had all the way back in 2010.
“When we were living in Chicago, I came up with the idea for Twig & Plume, but at the time, it just wasn’t right. I was still flying, and the timing wasn’t there. But now, I knew it was time to give it a shot,” she shared.
Originally from Newport, Arkansas, Tara had lived in big cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore. But as life brought new challenges, she felt a pull back to her Southern roots. “I didn’t want to necessarily come back home at first, but after living in so many different places and having kids, I realized I wanted to be closer to family.”
Searcy, with its small-town charm and proximity to loved ones, seemed like the perfect place to set down roots again. Tara described it as a welcoming community that gave her the support she needed during this transition. “I needed my tribe, and Searcy felt like the right place,” she said.
Her decision to open Twig & Plume in downtown Searcy was a mix of careful planning and a little bit of fate. “Every time I drove by the space, it kept calling to me,” Tara explained. At the time, the location was being used as a mattress store, but when the tenant moved out, she jumped at the opportunity to secure it. “I wasn’t necessarily ready to start the business yet, but I knew this space was perfect.”
Inside Twig & Plume, customers will find a carefully curated collection of furniture, home décor, and vintage-inspired pieces. From beautifully restored chairs to custom upholstery, Tara has filled her boutique with items that reflect her eclectic and stylish taste. Each piece tells a story, whether it’s something she’s personally restored or a custom piece she’s commissioned from local artisans.
“A lot of the pieces I sell have been collected over the years. Some I’ve repainted and given new life to,” Tara said. “I love blending old and new to create something unique.”
One thing that sets Twig & Plume apart is Tara’s personal touch in every item. “I’m not fancy,” she laughed. “But I hope people see and appreciate the vision I have for the store.”
Opening Twig & Plume has been anything but easy, but for Tara, it’s been worth every moment. “It’s definitely been a labor of love,” she admitted. “I’ve been renting the space for over a year, preparing everything, and curating the collection, all while balancing life as a mom. It’s been scary, exciting, and everything in between.”
While the boutique recently opened its doors, Tara has big plans for the future. Not only does she want to expand the offerings in the store, but she also envisions using her interior design background to help clients transform their homes. “Once I can afford to hire someone to help in the store, I’d love to start working with clients on design projects.”
Tara’s ultimate goal is for Twig & Plume to become a beloved fixture in the Searcy community—a place where people can find not just beautiful décor, but also inspiration for their own homes.
As she looks ahead to the future, Tara is excited about what’s in store for Twig & Plume. With the support of her family and the Searcy community, she’s confident that her boutique will continue to grow and thrive. “I just hope people enjoy it and see the love that’s gone into making it what it is.”
Visit the newly opened boutique at 123 S Spring St or give them a call on 501-203-4095 and don’t forget to follow them on their Facebook.
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