Southwest Austin-based business High Cotton Home & Design, 10827 W. Hwy. 290, Ste. 110, Austin, is taking over the empty space next door to expand the space of its boutique-style furniture store and design center. Founder and owner Tricia Dabney, said the larger location next door will give the store more space to display its home décor items including window coverings, furniture, bedding, art, lamps, rugs and lighting, as well as jewelry, perfume and other items. The business opened in late May, and the new expansion is slated to be completed in October, Dabney said. Dripping Springs resident Tricia Dabney opened High Cotton Home & Design in May.[/caption] Dabney, a Dripping Springs resident for 25 years, said she majored in accounting in college and went to work for an accounting firm about 30 years ago before making the shift to her current trade. “I didn’t like being in a cubicle—away from people—with a calculator,” she said. She got a sales job with a window covering company and was introduced to numerous decorators and interior design firms. After moving to the Austin area she started her own company, Dabney Designs. She saw the need for a local place to buy window treatments and decided on a concept for High Cotton. Dabney follows a simple rule when buying items to offer in the store, she said. "I buy what I love almost every time because my theory is if it doesn’t sell, at least I get to look at it," she said. Sometime in the next 5 years Dabney said she hopes to build a store from the ground up. The current location is open Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thu. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. More information is available at www.highcottonhomedesign.com