A Tale of On-Line Design Collaboration!

Recently, I concluded an online collaboration with a customer in New Jersey who was interested in buying a set of four dining chairs that I had refurbished using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) and a taupe and cream patterned fabric (expertly applied by my go-to upholsterers - the fabulous Lee's of Sun's Upholstery in Norcross, GA).  I thought a posting about the experience might calm others about on-line collaborations and buying furniture on-line - at least from me!

My potential buyer was worried about purchasing this set of chairs - that she would not be able to find a  table that would work with unique look. She asked if I would be willing to find and refurnish a round table to complement the set and ship them together.  We communicated back and forth about her interests including:

• Style and size of round table 
• Cost point
• Timeline for completion
• Shipping costs

I did several things concurrently:

• Used craigslist descriptions and photos to share ideas about possible tables to be bought and refurbished
• Obtained shipping quote (and general timeline) from my go-to shipper - (Cascadiacascadiaexpress@hotmail.com) 
• Checked with my ASCP paint store link to Chalk It Up - Norcross to get advice on finishing a dining table that would require a little more wear and tear than my usual chairs and small table/decorative item projects

Craigslist table.

My customer had some initial requirements for a table that were modified with time. She had preferred a table with four legs and not a central base. During this period, I found none that were attractive (or stable) - the round model was definitely the norm with four chairs. I shared several potential pieces before finding the right one on craigslist and proceeded to make the purchase - fortunately the price was right and it was still available. 

The table was solid and in good shape so painting was all it needed. I refinished it using ASCP CoCo but only used the dark was on the base. My conversation with the ASCP experts informed me that the clear wax was a better seal for the top - I did four coats to create a hard finish that should last and last. 

Photo of completed table with chairs - before shipping

Before finishing the set, my customer did add a set of French style chairs - redone in a hard lacquer finish with linen fabric - to her purchase so all traveled together to her home in New Jersey.

Here are photos provided by the customer of the pieces in her home - she is excited and I am very happy to see how well they work in her space.  This was fun!

I love seeing photos of my pieces in my customer's homes - very satisfying! 

Before and After - It'a A GREEN Business

Every now and then, I reflect on the reason I love doing what I do - the AMAZING transformation of old, tired (sometimes saved from a dumpster) upholstered pieces into wonderful and even trendy "better than new" furniture. It is so gratifying to see these pieces change by the professional application of new fabrics and the occastional touch of paint. As I think about ten years in business, this is really what it is all about and why it continues to excite me!

Here are some recent transformations and all of my not-so-secret sources!

I bought this piece at an estate sale in Buckhead (heart of "tony" Atlanta neighborhood). It cost me $50 and was in pretty sad condition. The fabric was bought on-line (eBay) from one of my go-to fabric houses - a woven blue and white check. 

I bought four of these chairs for $25 each from a Craigslist ad. They had been part of a collection of eight in a large estate. Two of the wooden legs were in great shape and left as-is and two were chalk painted in graphite. The fabric, a deep rose-red cotton velvet was bought at a local fabric warehouse - Fabric World in Stone Mountain. I add my Ikea accent pillows ($7.99 each for feather/down combo) to most of my pieces.

This graceful Henredon chair with limed oak finish came from a moving/estate sale (one of my favorite sellers - Vicki) in Brookhaven. It was in reasonably good condition and only needed new fabric to make it pop. This is a another Fabric World fabric purchase.

This chair came from the same "Vicki" sale as the one above. It was  star in this wonderful house. The newly applied fabric was purchased at a garage sale last year held by two women who are in the business of making custom bedding and drapes. I bought about 20 yards at the sale for a great price - less than $50 total.

This set of chairs was purchased at an estate moving sale in the Chastain Park area of the city. The house was ultra-modern - an unusual shape for the area. This was the second time I had seen these chairs at a sale in this house but this time they were within my price point - $100 for the pair. The striped linen/chenille fabric came from Fabric World - the Stone Mountain fabric warehouse. 

These vintage chairs were purchased at a Buckhead  moving sale - right on the main drag  (Paces Ferry Road near the Governor's Mansion). I paid $150 for the pair. The most interesting thing about this sale is that it was being held by Jeff and David,  two customers of mine from several years ago. They bought over a dozen items from me at the time - it was great catching up! The cotton velvet fabric came from Fabric World.

Here is the other set of Carter chairs done in an eBay fabric (cream chenille in tone on tone texture). This is the set that has the redone (chalk paint) legs.

Well, this set of "before and after" stories tell some of the tale of my work and passion.  It is nice that such a green business can be so much fun and rewarding!

A Sunny Weekend in Atlanta - Buy, Buy, Buy!

Estate Sale (actually moving sale) in Atlanta - north-side neighborhood.

Covers and Inserts

FINALLY, we had a sunny weekend in Atlanta! I heard that the last one was way back in early November and believe it - it has been very rainy (and unusually cold) most weekends. That is not great for my favorite weekend activity - checking out the estate and garage sales in the area. I think it has also kept many people from having such sales unless they had no choice (e.g., moving sale).

I started Friday and found several sales including the one at house above. The items (lots of newer Mitchel Gold) were nice but pricey.  I did leave a bid on a gorgeous brown mohair velvet settee priced at $950 (bid $500 - original over $3000) - I did not get a call.

I also left a bid on feather-down inserts - various shapes and sizes - but didn't get those either.

Mitchell Gold Settee - I had bid $500 but didn't get it.

$50 Chaise Lounge

The next sale was in a Buckhead (primo section of Atlanta) condo and was an actual estate sale being run by the daughter of the deceased. There were a lot of older pieces of furniture at reasonable prices - prime pickings for me! I bought two pieces and left bids on an additional two. My purchases were a cloverleaf ottoman and an older settee - both $50. Not too bad!

$50 Cloverleaf Ottoman

The bids were left on another chaise lounge and a Eastlake Victorian Settee but I didn't get those.  

On my way home I stopped at one of my favorite local shops - appropriately called My Favorite Place on Peachtree Industrial Avenue - not far from my home. 

My Favorite Place 

Some of the items that I considered at My Favorite Place.  I came closest to getting the older rocker (with graceful dove arms that are hard to see in photo) priced at $50. It did need woodwork refinishing and I wondered whether using chalk paint on a rocker was a good idea. I passed but saw it was sold before leaving the shop.

One of two Swaim Chairs

On Saturday, I went out with my faithful companion, Ouida. There were not many sales posted so we traveled a little further than usual to check out those that were available. One sale was in the suburb of Alpharetta - although it was day two and most of the good pieces were sold. It did mean that they were willing to take a little less and I found two Swaim chairs for $100 - not a bad deal.

We also traveled to the Morningside neighborhood of Atlanta to pickup two Craigslist chairs (Charles Stewart - a great manufacturer). They were perfect and I picked them up for $100 for the pair - lots of down in back and seat cushions. I forgot to photograph them but will definitely feature these in a "before and after" post.

In addition, I had made an offer for three Norwalk Furniture pieces on Craigslist which were already sold. The seller contacted me Sunday morning to say that the buyers had never picked up and she was willing to accept my offer. My husband and I traveled to Sandy Springs to pick up the skirted club chair and bergere style chair and ottoman. I paid a little more than my usual (cheap) price - $300 for all - but these will be gorgeous redone.

SO ... a good buying weekend AND great weather! Life is good!!!

Before and After - My Own Parade!

Every now and then, I have been posting some of my own "before and after" photos which is a joy for me and, I hope, encourages others to look at existing furniture sources for their new/improved home decorations. It is a GREEN way to decorate and according to House Beautiful, vintage and one-of-a-kind is very trendy for 2014.

Here are some of my beautifies - some more radically transformed than others.

This may have been my most minimal restoration of the year. The finish on the chair was in perfect condition and all it needed was a new fabric seat. This piece was purchased at one of "Vicki's" estate sales. 

Another item from Vicki's sale in Brookhaven (next door to friend's house), this Henredon chair has very nice light woodwork - the new cream fabric really makes it pop. 

Another Vicki story!  This set was featured at one of Vicki's sales near downtown Atlanta and I had left a bid. The bid was not accepted. Several weeks later, I saw this set on Craigslist and I again offered the same amount and this time it was accepted. This is one of the nicest sets of wing back chairs I have had offered for sale. 

This settee was brought as a result of a Craigslist add. The sellers use space in an antique mall and I got this great piece at a pretty good price. It just sold and was picked up for One King's Lane. 

This set of Lee Industries wingback chairs were originally purchased through a craigslist ad - I love the clean look.

I bought this chair at an estate/moving sale in Brookhaven and initially tried to sell it "as is". No-one seemed to want it with its original fabric. I must admit, I much prefer it in its new fabric.

This chair and ottoman were purchased through a craigslist ad from a home in Smyrna, a suburb of Atlanta west of the city. The original leather fabric was very soft but way too sloppy and worn. I think it has a "Ralph Lauren" look about it with its soft wool-blend plaid.

That is it for today's Before and After Parade. I cannot overstate how gratifying it is to turn these worn but well built pieces into modern and very desirable furniture!

I Love Craigslist!

I have previously reported on my experiences with Craigslist and how I approach buying (and selling) on this free site. As I review my current inventory, I am surprised by the high percentage of items (35% or more) that came from a Craigslist ad.  As a matter of fact, over the past week, I have added the following items - some photographed below in their "before" state:

• Pair of North Hickory (of Hickory, NC) French style leather wingback chairs with extensive woodwork - I plan to have reupholstered in a cream matelasse fabric just bought through eBay
• Pair of compact Drexel Armchairs with wood that will be refurbished using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) on woodwork and a cream linen-like fabric (probably) on the frame - this great set and the next item were bought from a woman who looks almost exactly like famed English actor, Judi Dench - she hears it ALL the time
• Calico Corners leather wingback chair and ottoman (from same seller as above) she hadn't even listed the set but I offered to buy it while picking up the other chairs and she agreed
• Calico Corners French Country chair and ottoman - wood with rust bottoms and cushions on top and back - the woodwork is already partially redone in ASCP cream and the cushions are at the shop to be recovered in a beautiful blue and white damask chintz-like fabric
• Sam Moore chair and ottoman in a vaguely French Country style but a little more rugged in details - to be redone in a "masculine" large-scale navy and cream plaid with some wool content
• Pair of Lee Industries wing back chairs - to be redone in a retro-looking cream twill fabric

SO, I have again overbought!  Sales this time of year are a bit slow and I had told myself to slow down in making additional acquisitions. Who can stop themselves, however, when these types of options present themselves!  Not me!

Here are some pieces in my current inventory that were originally Craigslist purchases. As I've said cautioned numerous times - be careful when selecting used furniture to refurbish to make sure the high cost (and time commitment) is worth while. Clearly, however, there are wonderful pieces out there to be discovered!

Before and After - My Own Parade

Periodically, I post examples of my own before and after transformations in the hope of encouraging others to seek and restore heirloom quality upholstered furniture themselves. It is almost always better made than anything available today at reasonable prices and it not hard to find. The trick is to be patient and wait for the right quality piece to come along - here are some pointers:

• Make sure the woodwork is substantial and intact - it should not wobble or move when pushed and be free of obvious breaks and repairs.
• Make sure that the piece has a solid seating platform - my personal preference is hand-tied, 8-way steel coil springs that are the true signs of quality upholstered furniture. 
• Make sure that the seat and other cushions are medium-firm - if down is preferred, it should be firm enough (often wrapped around a coiled interior or mixed with non-down materials). If the cushion is in bad shape, ask your upholstery shop to replace it with a high-quality foam.
• Make sure that the piece does not exhibit strong odors (minor odors will dissipate with new fabrics and innards) or animal/insect damage.

Here are some of the nice pieces that I have recently had transformed. Again, I do not do my own upholstery work and rely on the experts for that. That said, making sure you are using a really good, meticulous master upholsterer -  is just a good investment. This is not the place to save money but you should shop around for the best values.

This piece is available on Etsy and Ebay. I bought the original off of a craigslist ad and had it upholstered in a great graphite and white bold print. It is a heirloom quality piece probably over a 100 years old. link to eBay description

This set of chairs came from an estate sale (WAY back in the woods in a huge but ancient estate in the Buckhead area) . It has sold!

This stylish chair was purchased on a craigslist purchase of another chair. While there, the seller told me about another chair she no longer wanted. It has scuffed black legs so I had to refinish those but the construction is wonderful is wonderful on this piece and I love the sway-back. link to Etsy listing 

This chair and ottoman (slightly undersized) was purchased at a garage sale in the neighborhood. It has those great hand-tied, 8-way coil springs but no longer had any brand information which is often lost when pieces are reupholstered. 

This great chair was purchased on a "bid" left at a nearby estate sale. It is a beautiful vintage piece in wonderful condition and before proceeding with it,  I showed a photo to a favorite client who loves fine furniture and particularly anything with French styling. She bought it immediately and selected this fabric from about 10 I showed her. 

This wonderful settee was purchased at a neighborhood garage sale. I love how it looks in this soft green velvet. I think it is sold and on its way to San Francisco to be a star in a little girl's room! 

This great looking chair was one of two (with ottoman) that I bought off of a craigslist ad. The other chair with ottoman was sold as a custom piece for a client who has long received it and loves it! This chair was just completed and is available on both Etsy and ebay.

This great chair manufactured in THE fine furniture capitol of the world (Hickory, NC) was part of a two-piece set which includes a high settee. Both were re-upholstered in this striking stripe (navy and cream-white) and both are available on Etsy or eBay. I would love to see someone buy the set but have offered to split them up. 

This set of Thomasville Chairs is in almost brand-new condition. I had actually bought the originals from a craigslist add and found they perfectly matched the colors in my bedroom so used them for about three years in that space. Just recently, I completed a minor redecoration of the room and the colors no longer matched (got rid of the pink). Now the new fabric makes them a good match again but I  am selling to change out the room a little more. These are available on both eBay and Etsy.

Well, that was somewhat exhausting but inspirational - even for me,  I hope you enjoy!

Before and After - My Own Parade

The thrill I get from transforming old and/or dated upholstered furniture that has good bones and potential (and often saves it from the trash heap) is the reason I do what I do - it certainly isn't a great way to earn a lot of money! I also hope that I can inspire others to do the same. Instead of buying new (often/usually inferior quality) furniture, invest your time in finding and refurbishing heirloom quality pieces - just make sure the quality of construction is there. That includes primarily woodwork and frames that are in good shape and well-constructed foundations in seating platforms (hand-tied 8-way coil springs are the best).

In the name of giving away all of my secrets, here are some recent "before and after" photos with original source information. It's not magic but it does take time and effort - maybe there is a little magic involved!

This great chair (sold) came from one of my favorite estate sale sellers - Vicki - and was reupholstered in a great ikat gold/yellow print. 

This chair was one of two bought from someone on Craigslist - this one was not even listed. I asked if she had any more and here it was and well-constructed too! The fabric is a heavy woven cotton-combination and the woodwork was refinished with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in off-white. I only redid the legs because the original finish was badly chipped. 

This set of club chairs (with matching ottomans on casters) was being sold at a garage sale for a song - they were manufactured by Century Furniture (great construction). I had them reupholstered in a cream damask and they are now sold.

This chaise lounge (hidden amongst a lot of junk) came from the same garage sale as the chairs above and was better constructed than the average chaise with the hand-tied coil springs in the foundation.  It is already living in Florida! 

I love the nice lines on this Italian-made French style chair. The woodwork was in perfect condition and I had a small piece of wonderful cream-on-cream crewel (very high end - costly) available. The chair was bought at an estate sale. 

This chair  which may in fact be a real antique but I had no way of verifying was listed on craigslist and I bought it as well as the striped blue chair above. It was upholstered in a gold damask - slightly formal - and has sold. It is on its way to Asheville, NC. 

There were two of these chairs covered in different fabrics in different rooms at an estate sale. The prices were over a $100 apart which I pointed out to the seller. He sold them to me for the lower of the two prices. The woodwork was in rough condition but I might have redone it anyway since I wanted a painted finish. 

This set of slipper chairs was purchased at another one of Vicki's estate sales - the bones were great but the old fabric was very poorly applied. This new fabric is a pale taupe and cream combination woven - very neutral in appearance.

This lovely vintage settee was purchased at a neighborhood garage sale - the kind that you walk from home to home checking out the goods. The original fabric was actually a mohair (very costly) velvet but just not in great shape. The new fabric is another velvet - this time in pale green.

This little settee was purchased during one of my monthly visits to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta. It had painted legs but the finish was not in great shape. I refinished in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in graphite (grey-black) and matched it with a great linen fabric. It is living comfortably in Virginia.

I loved this style of small settee which would be wonderful at the end of a bed or in a narrow hallway. It was in very good condition when bought at an estate sale - just needing a fresher fabric. 

This set of settees (bought from a Craigslist add) has been one of this year's favorite transformations. Initially, I was doing the set with this treatment and fabric for an intended buyer in California. She got cold feet and changed her mind but both sold the first week listed. I could have sold a dozen of these. 

These chairs were purchased from the same home as the settees above and have been refinished in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (chateau grey with old white combo) and new Chelsea Linen Fabric.

Well, that was fun for me - I hope you enjoyed the parade and feel inspired to try some of these ideas!