Gayle Silver has always had an eye for design, studying English perennial gardens and offering her garden design services to local residents. But it wasn’t until a friend prompted her to start her own business that Painting with Flowers came to be.

Now 36 years later, Silver along with her daughter, Alison Packer, have transformed the business at 298 Main St.in Port Washington into a curated collection of home decor and lifestyle products.

“From the very beginning, I never wanted to sell anything I didn’t want to keep for myself,” Silver said. “So we were very particular with what we sold.”

Painting with Flowers originated by selling dried flowers and floral arrangements, but upon moving her business to where it currently is located, she was able to expand her inventory. Silver began to carry pottery, which then expanded into home decor and dining ware until it became the collection it is today.

The current storefront that Painting with Flowers occupied used to be split in half, with one side a fish and tackle store. Once that business left, Silver expanded her store to the size it is today.

She said at first she was frightened to take over the larger space, but she stuck to what she knew and filled it with beautiful home pieces that she personally loved.

Packer said the store evolved over time and continued to expand as customers asked about specific products and her mother worked to bring them into the store.

Today, Painting with Flowers is a home decor and lifestyle store that sells a variety of products, including bedding, jewelry, dining ware, baby toys and artwork. When you walk inside, you are immediately greeted by warm and inviting floral scents and the air is filled with the music of legends like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong.

Packer joined her mother in business after she graduated from college in 1994. Silver said her daughter is a big help to her and her business, now doing just about everything she has done.

Working with one’s family can naturally pose challenges, but Silver and Packer said they agree on most things and working together works well for them.

“We usually like the same things,” Silver said.

Packer said Port Washington is a tight-knit community and has shown strong support for Painting with Flowers. After being in the community for nearly four decades, she said they’ve seen their customer base grow up with them, selling them bedding for their cribs and then bedding for their first home.

She said it can be challenging to maintain their business as Port Washington is a small town and they depend on their customers’ continual support.

Located on Main Street, Silver and Packer said they have witnessed many other small businesses by them close down. Packer said it can be hard to survive, so they are appreciative of those who shop locally.

As March is Women’s History Month, Packer said it is important for women to support each other, especially local women-owned businesses. What she loves about her role is that she gets to work for herself and do it her own way.

Packer said  it’s nice to have a vibrant community of women-owned businesses in Port Washington, listing many local business owners who are women. She added that she and her mother enjoy sourcing their products from women, some of who even live locally.

When asked what advice they give to other women and girls interested in starting their own business, Packer said to take the route her mom did and follow their passions.

“In my mom’s instance, it was to do what she loves and follow that path,” Packer said. “She had a passion even though it evolved from flower gardens.”

Silver agreed.

“If they do what they love, then it shows in their shop and what they’re selling,” Silver said.

Although Painting with Flowers has been around for a substantial amount of time, Silver and Packer said they still look forward to new products they can bring in and adapting their business to the changing times.

Packer said she is looking forward to meeting new customers as they continue their business, sharing their ever-evolving collection of curated products with their community.

“It’s still exciting after 36 years,” Silver said.