Over the weekend I visited Motto, the new fashion-meets-home lifestyle store in the old Intoto space in Uptown. After hearing the buzz on Ali Shops, I expected the fun mix of fashion but was totally impressed with the home goods, the furniture, gifts, accents, and overall merchandising. Everything is displayed in lovely vignettes, with mostly home on the main floor and fashion upstairs.

A friend commented mid-gasp in the doorway how much it reminded her of the old Alfred’s in the Durr Ltd. building and sure enough, owners Maria Walker and Maryn Bulygo met while working at Alfred’s! Similarly, Motto is a mini, mini department store with vintage and new pieces, plus a private label, MOTTO. Walker, who is also an interior designer, had a heavy hand in making the overall space and dressing room detail look so good.

“Our vintage lighting is just as cool as the new lines we stock and we can special order,” Walker says. “Basically we provide a place for shoppers to get something really cool, and still have money left to buy a great outfit no matter if you’re a man or woman.” Motto, 3105 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls., shopmotto.com 

A well-dressed desk at Motto.

All dressing rooms have stunning wallpaper.

Antler hooks, love.

Doily-printed glass plates.

The shop blackboard, simply put.