Goodwill Industries and a Calico Corners Diversion!

Goodwill of North Georgia Store in Buckhead (Atlanta, GA)

Small loveseat purchased at Goodwill

On this beautiful, sunny day, I thought I would travel to my neighborhood Goodwill of North Georgia stores for their "you cannot beat this" Senior Discount Tuesday (a whopping 25% percent off for anyone over 55). I started out at my favorite store on Roswell Road in Buckhead. I needed some new reading material and this is my best source for great paper-packs. And, of course, I am always looking for great ready-to-be-refurbished upholstered furniture. I scored on both counts today.

Books found and bought at Goodwill 

I have a client looking for a loveseat and ottoman for her bedroom and found this nicely sized and well constructed piece. I don't know if this will work for her but I can envision it in a number of my fabrics.

 I also needed some new reading material and this particular store seems to have some high-quality readers. Without spending much time, I found six books that sounded interesting. 

On my way to the next store (about 4 miles down the road), I diverted to go to the Roswell Road Calico Corners Fine Fabrics. I used to be a regular at their stores because I LOVE all fabrics! Since they are now using an order only process (eliminating large bolts which could be eventually reduced in price), I very seldom find usable fabrics at my price point (VERY reasonable). So, this trip was really just an opportunity to breathe in the new fabrics and leave inspired.

The store was having a fabric sale but not at the price point that I can use. However, they had a stack of "bolt-ends" that had been 75% off of their regular retail but were now marked at three bundles for $10. This got my my blood flowing!

I could not resist these prices although most were only 1.5 to 2.0 yards. The fabrics were beautiful and a great deal!

Here are some of the labels - the original prices were quite high. My cost per bundle was $3.33 - not too bad!

Here are some of my purchases - can't wait to find the right furniture match for these!

The pieces I bought ranged from 1.3 to 2.4 yards although I did get three bundles of the same totaling 5.5 yards and another two totaling almost 4 yards. I guess I will be looking for smallish pieces (upholstery requirement-wise) for some time to come.

What fun! 

Putting Together the Perfect Room Online

Returning customer, Linda A, asked me to put together a set of refurbished pieces for her family room and was very open to any ideas.  She wanted a colorful, cheery spot where her family could lounge and wanted it to be very distinctive - generating all sorts of "ohhs" and "ahhs".  The fact that Linda had previously bought from me was a major advantage - she already knew I was honest and she trusted my judgment. Working with Linda to create this space involved a number of steps:

• Reviewing my existing products to see if there was a logical starting place - I suggested two different scenarios anchored around two loveseats and complementary fabrics from my collection - providing photos, dimensions and details.
• Sending samples of the fabrics that were being considered (photos and through mail) as well as photos of "before" pieces that could be incorporated.
• Once the overall color scheme and pieces were selected, shopping for another chair and a specific fabric (Calico Corners) that would complement the grouping.
• Obtaining approval for the additional purchases including all costs; completing the purchases; and, arranging for the upholstery work with Song's Upholstery of Norcross, GA.
• Completing all other elements of transaction - billing, arranging shipping, providing progress reports, etc. etc.

Here are the pieces - most are photographed at the upholstery shop - most of the fabrics did come from Calico Corners.  

Loveseat in Buttercup

French Chair in Buttercup

Club Chair in Ralph Lauren Print

Round Ottoman in Faux Suede