Blog Archives

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Decorating on a Dime: Upcycling Lighting

We’ve seen some awesome DIY projects where people have purchased household items at yard sales or flea markets and with a little imagination and creativity, have created masterpieces. Today we’re excited to introduce and feature Marlaina Teich, a home design expert and remodeling specialist based in Long Island, NY. Marlaina shares a stunning lighting project for our “Decorating on a Dime” series today, this is awesome!

While working with a client on the renovation of their 100 year old house, we came across this chandelier at a local yard sale. We loved the fact that the piece was old and thought it could be perfect in the marine blue dining room that we were designing- if it was a different color and in working condition that is! Always up for a challenge, we first had the piece rewired for safety at a specialty lighting store (cost of rewire -$50). We then primed and painted the chandelier to give it a distressed white color. Actually- the distressed part was a happy mistake. We didnt prime the piece completely and the original iron color bled through!

The chandelier was purchased at a local yard sale. It cost $25 but we haggled to $20.

We hung the chandelier in the dining room. The house is a weekend house located on the water so I wanted to bring in the elements of sand, water and nature. The dining room is a marine blue shade, and the draperies are a subtly blue and white striped linen, perfect for framing the view of the water outside.

Marlaina is also the founder and principal designer at Marlaina Teich Designs (MTD), where she and her team create unique environments that reflect the personality and lifestyle of each client. Approachable and inspired, Marlaina’s clients all remark on her boundless energy, passion, honesty, and ability to bring their ideas, however raw, to inception and perfection. Marlaina received her degree from The Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design and is an Allied Member of ASID as well as IDS and has been a featured designer in various showcases, including the annual Mansions and Millionaires Showhouse.

Be sure to check out Marlaina Teich Designs website, www.mtdny.com

Twitter @marlainateich
Facebook marlainateichdesigns.facebook.com

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Second Chances and Second Thoughts

Second hand does not mean second rate and my Old World Living Designs are no second hand rose items! Instead, the fleas and second hand goods are a way to achieve my kind of “grown up” style. The home furnishing line may include high style items, but they are not high priced. In fact, I know the bottom line for my customers is about being frugal and green.

This mantra inspires me – being frugal and Green (and Slow!) originated with living in Europe which was anything but expensive or wasteful. I l can’t help but smile that finally, the consumer-oriented retail culture of the U.S. is recognizing that second hand “stuff” gets a second life, and the environment gets a second chance.

So it’s no wonder that this kind of mindset brought me to Etsy – a digital flea market similar to Ebay only it has to be original vintage or found – which in turn lead me to an Etsy success seminar at “Atelier 516”in Montclair, NJ. The seminar was informative but it was the meeting after the meeting with the store owner that has blossomed into an opportunity to showcase my frugally fabulous interior design ideas.

What’s more, I am now part of a second hand, green coop in spearheaded by Bridgett Artise, who wrote Born Again Vintage Here is her website http://www.b-artise.com

I am not only a vendor, but I am re-imagining the space with all of my vintage finds and architectural salvage pieces. Our grand opening is slated for September 6. Every vendor sells items that are either original vintage or found. We believe it is much more than a store. It’s about being “Greentailers” (very retail 2.0) in terms of what we sell, who we are and how our store will leave little or no carbon footprint.
I am the home furnishings vendor and here are the before and after pictures of a small desk I found at a flea market. Not only will I paint the home furnishings line with non-toxic, green, and very “old world” milk paint, but I will sell the milk paint too.

Kinda fabulous colors, dontcha think! You can find paint and furniture (custom orders welcome!) at http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativeconverzens
Although the store is open for business, we are throwing a grand opening gala celebration September 6, 2012 from 6-9pm and I will be singing the praises of TagSellIt.com apps, because these are my secret to success. Whenever I am in a new neighborhood, I simply access one of my TSI apps to locate a nearby flea market, tag sale or second hand shop that I can upcycle and sell.

I have few regrets, but if I had a second chance to rewind history, instead of the infamous post 9/11 “get out and shop” message I would have said, get out and upcycle. It will create less land fill and still be good for the economy.

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Decorating on a Dime: Finds of $10 or Less

Today’s “Decorating on a Dime” series continues with our feature and introduction to Mary Jane Rossi of Vignettes Room Redesign in Princeton NJ. Mary Jane is known as “the Queen of Glean.” She can be found happily gleaning on garbage days and town-wide clean-up days and at local yard and church rummage sales. You could say that gleaning is in her blood since her father, Louis, never came back from walking their family dog without a “trash treasure,” often discarded lumber and molding, that he would use in ingenious ways.

“Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose” was the philosophy this forward-thinking father passed on to his daughter. Some finds that Rossi has transformed into lovely and functional treasures include:

A birch tree sculpture (with $1200 price tag from a New York art gallery still attached) bought for $5 at a Princeton garage sale. Used in a client’s summer camp themed child’s bathroom as a towel holder.

Tapestry print upholstered benches salvaged from a demolished restaurant bought at a Princeton yard sale for $8 each. Used as decorative and functional window seats.

Dental molding shelf, once part of a ripped out fireplace mantel, found in the trash outside a recently sold Princeton home. Used as an ornamental shelf in a study.

A vintage bedroom dresser mirror bought at a Montgomery church rummage sale for $10. Used as an accent mirror on a brick fireplace.

A discarded porch in Rocky Hill found during town-wide clean-up week and pieces of a bed found in the trash in Princeton transformed into an ornamental room divider between a kitchen and family room

Wood from a discarded TV cabinet found in the trash in Lawrenceville used to make window boxes

More of Rossi’s and her design partner, Veronica Pirone’s, work can be found on Vignettes Room Redesign’s website at www.vignettesredesign.com. These designers believe that your home should tell your story. With over twenty years experience, Rossi and Pirone have multi-faceted backgrounds not only in interior design but also in stage design, landscape design, art history, literature, and law.

While studying in New York City with Lauri Ward, founder of the Use-What-You-Have movement, they discovered that this eco and budget friendly approach to design blended perfectly with their own philosophy. After all, incorporating furniture, accessories, mementos, and collections clients already own and love is what truly makes their homes personal and inviting. Who wants to walk into a room that looks and feels like a showroom? Along with room redesign and showing clients how to make the most of what they already own, their services include heritage and holiday decorating, downsizing consultation, real estate staging, personalized shopping, and furniture and accessories consignment.

Contact Vignettes Room Redesign at vignettesredesign@hotmail.com and at vignettesredesign@hotmail.com.

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Decorating on a Dime: Repurpose Kitchenware

We’re super excited to feature and introduce Beth Styles today. Beth is sharing some second hand creativity projects, inspiration that will keep your home fun and welcoming – and generate great conversation!

Hello, all you lovely Tag Sell It readers! I’m so excited to be over here today sharing a thrifty DIY décor idea with you all, courtesy of one of my Achilles heels when it comes to shopping secondhand: kitchenware. Our kitchen is probably the most-used room in our house, and I’m always looking for vintage gadgets to add to its drawers, or ways to repurpose tools that have outlived their usefulness.

One thing you can always count on seeing at every thrift store, estate sale or garage sale is an old bundt pan. Usually they’re no more than $1-$2 to pick up, which I kept doing (over and over) this past spring, hoping I could figure out a way to upgrade them a bit to hang on our kitchen wall.

After playing around with some different techniques, here’s what I came up with. (Top Photo: Before | Bottom Photo: After)

We have a theme of red and aqua happening in the kitchen, but of course you can paint them whatever color you wish! I used Kilz spray primer on each pan first, then used regular spray paint for the other layers, which you can find at your local hardware store for $4.50 to $6 a can. For the pan I decorated like an actual bundt cake, I bought a small $3 can of glossy white paint to drizzle along the top. And for the red pan with white polka dots, I used those circular garage sale stickers. Just keep in mind you might have to do some touchups with a brush and paint since some of the stickers don’t quite sit flat on the curve part of the pan (i.e. the paint might bleed a bit).

Kinda kitschy and fun, huh? I’m already thinking about other color combinations and painting techniques to make these pans pop even more.

One very, very important note though: Once you spray these, you can’t bake with them anymore since the paint isn’t ovenproof. So please keep that in mind and don’t use it on your favorite pan!

To learn more about Beth’s creativity and projects, check out:

Beth’s Blog: www.secondhandwithstyle.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parsimonia-Secondhand-With-Style/216304218442039
Twitter (@SecondHandStyle): https://twitter.com/#!/SecondHandStyle

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What’s In Your Trash?

One of the reasons I am inspired to share my old world lifestyle is to help people learn how to reduce their carbon footprint, simply. From hanging the laundry instead of running the dryer to shopping at a flea market where I find items that I can give a second life to, it helps ease my conscience knowing I am living a greener life. When I buy a piece of furniture or home accessory at a Flea market, it falls into one of two categories: it’s either for
1) Me and my home, or for
2) Someone else and their home
I see so many wonderful pieces with really good bones that are just lying in the furniture graveyard, victims of neglect, a little worse for the wear, but take these two sofas I rescued $125 each. Wait until you see the reveal. I”ll keep you posted with “after” pics. Not only will I save them, but I will make a profit that feels just right for my Etsy shop CREATiVE CONVERZeNS.

Haven’t we heard the warnings about pollution for too long? I know I have, ever since I was a kid, “Woodsy the Owl (the accidental acronym for Old World Living) says, Give a hoot, don’t pollute” (yeah I’m dating myself). What took us so long to gain environmental awareness? When did we reach the tipping point? Some say Americans only react when they should act. Or when it hits them in the wallet. What do you think?

I hope as a nation, we’re getting the message that too much consumption and consequently, all the waste that goes with it, can’t be a good thing (don’t even get me started on “Hoarders”). Seriously, look at this Infographic that details the story of waste. Nearly 90% of what we throw away could bypass the landfills, but hundreds of thousands of tons of toxic chemicals, plastics, and materials of all kinds make it in anyway.

Happily, the Fleas are part of my lifestyle that helps avoid the landfills. The original green business model that embodies the old world saying I live by, “waste not, want not”. It’s a mindset that’s also evident in the emergence of the “fix-it” society which is very closely related to the DIY tribe. While many of us grew up in a “disposable” society, perhaps the tide is turning.

Unlike last week’s posting, when I said I didn’t want to know “too much” about the Fleas, this week, I do want to take the mystery out of waste and share what I have learned about it with others who want to is know more about Old World Living. One of the best ways is to watch “The Story of Stuff” by Annie Leonard. Knowing what goes into our economic systems of production and the consequences is taking responisbility for our actions. It’s really the gown up thing to do, isn’t it?

In the Netherlands, “repair cafes” have given traction to initiatives like the “fixers collective” in Brooklyn. Although it’s not representative of the average American city, it is still a culture shock to think that Americans are adopting a green mindset about our stuff — whether it’s consuming less, recycling, upcycling, or trying to fix it – ultimately this approach means less waste for the landfills and greener space for all living creatures.

Knowing the consequences of your actions, or inactions; where things come from and where they go, will make a tremendous difference in the survival of people on our planet. There’s a line in Eleventh Hour, and one of the scientists reminds us that we’re not adopting green living to “save the planet,” we’re doing it to save ourselves! Earth will be here long after it is uninhabitable. It will continue to spin and rotate around the sun, but it is we, humans, who will become extinct.
Pssst: Figured out last week’s “facebook” prompt?

http://dailyinfographic.com/whats-in-your-trash-infographic
http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff/
http://repaircafe.nl/
http://fixerscollective.org/
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/the-emergence-of-the-fix-it-society/?ref=fc_more#comment-743462
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world/europe/amsterdam-tries-to-change-culture-with-repair-cafes.html?_r=1
http://www.eleventhhourthemovie.com/

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Things I Don’t Want To Know About Flea Markets

Week Two and an article I ran across in Smart Money “10 Things Flea Markets Won’t Tell You” (Grant, 2012) is vexing me. Not so smart either. As if the “old world” markets and bazaars are going to learn something about getting and spending from today’s consumer reporter. Really, can I find better prices at a yard sale, really? I feel relieved her advice will prevent me from getting fleeced at the fleas, really.

It’s not that I have anything against lists or tip sheets. Heck, I created a Flea Market Check List here for you TSI-ers, but the author writes like there’s a science to the Fleas. Which there probably is, but I don’t want to know about it. Doing the Fleas is a process. Like getting older and wiser. You can’t really rush it. It’s just not authentic. You can act as if you know how to haggle, but it has to be instinctive, in order to be a success, you know?

Still, this scientific understanding of things is fine, really. I do it myself. We all do it. It’s in our genes. Especially the the ones rooted in legacy we inherited from Greek civilization. Geographically, Greece is made up of hundreds of little island bits. Cultural anthropologists will tell you that the countries (like the Unites States) with a history marked by European immigration or settlements, have an “atomized” thought process, like those islands. We tend to demonstrate a profound curiosity to break things down, and to discover the “true” nature of a thing, like a flea market for example. Although we inherited this cultural trait honestly, I still don’t like the idea pulling back the curtain on the magic of the Flea market experience.

I rather like the fact that the Fleas are messy, unpredictable (and did I say disorganized?).They’re brining with art, antiques, and objects that can be unfamiliar, but that ultimately teach me something new about the place it originated, about artistry and design. Perhaps that’s just the gypsy in my soul naturally rebelling against grown up rules like being on time and organized. I like that they are none of that. They remind me of living in Europe, where I was comfortable without those boundaries, and every day was a new experience.

When I wander through the aisles, I am practically in a meditative state. Don’t know how I got to this stall, or why I am handling this fabric, before you know it, I can hear myself saying ohverynicehowmuch?

Yep, open-air markets and the Fleas have been around for thousands of years, since the dawn of civilization, and I can’t help but think that we really do know, instinctively, how to shop and bargain and haggle just like we know how to parent, even if it’s for the first time.

I also think that the sudden trending of Flea market mentality has not so much to do with thrift as it does with Facebook. Does anyone know where I am going with this idea?

Does anyone know where I am going with this idea? Post your comments on this page and the first one to “get where I’m going with it” gets a free Flea Market Fanatics tote (a $25 value!) because you gotta have something to put your loot in, right?

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Design on a Dime: Crochet Projects, Second-Hand Style

We are excited to once again feature Morgan Roberts, owner and designer behind King Soleil, a boutique specializing in children’s wear and home decor. Morgan recently shared some of her latest “Design on a Dime” projects with us, check these out!

Pink Cashmere Baby Blanket with Floral Applique and Bamboo Crochet Trim
This blanket was made from a cashmere sweater, (J.Crew) that I purchased at my local Goodwill, here in CT, for twenty dollars. The color caught my eye the second I stepped in the store and I bee-lined straight for the rack! When you spend as much time in second hand shops and tag sales as I do, you develop a sixth sense for lux materials, and this was no exception. It is possibly the softest cashmere I have ever found, I could tell the previous owner took really great care of this knit. The style was outdated, which is why I assume it was there, but the color was vibrant and unique, so I knew I would make it into a baby blanket. I resized the shape, and sewed the front and back together, making it even more cozy. I crocheted the blue shell stitch trim from bamboo yarn, sustainable and super soft, but still felt it needed a little something. After rummaging through my odds and ends, I found a scrap of floral fabric that was part of a discontinued fabric sample book (this was actually free). I cut out a flower from the fabric, embroidered over the center and then hand sewed the applique to the blanket. This was one of those times where everything just seemed to fall into place. I have received quite a few comments that people wished this was larger so they could use it for a throw! Maybe pieces a few sweaters together could solve that problem!

Lavender Cashmere and Merino Baby Security Blanket with Embroidery and Cotton Back
I was asked to donate an item to the ‘Sacred Pregnancy’ Book Launch event and an upcycled baby security blanket seemed perfect. Off I went to look for the perfect material and found an awesome cable knit J.Crew merino wool and cashmere blend lavender sweater for ten dollars at a thrift shop. I knew I would have to fiddle a bit with this one because it was an extra small. I cut the sweater bodice into strips and was able to sew those together to create a larger area. I embroidered a couple little lavender branches and then backed the blanket with cotton fabric purchased at a tag sale for five dollars (for a whole bolt)! It was a hit and now these upcycled sweater baby blankets are also going to be sold in the Sacred Pregnancy Handpicked Shop.

Grey Cashmere and Organic Cotton Little Whale Baby Blanket
One of my all-time favorite designs, this started out with inspiration from a vintage Bergdorf Goodman grey cashmere sweater found at a vintage shop in CT for twenty five dollars. The shape of this men’s sweater baffled me for quite some time because it tapered quite dramatically at the waist. Thankfully, I was able to cut squares from the bodice and sew them together to make a larger blanket. I embroidered a little whale and then backed the blanket with organic cotton. I love the size and weight of this blanket, and have received quite a lot of positive feedback on this one!

Argyle Merino and Crochet Baby Dress
This baby dress design is so much fun and only uses half a sweater! It can be made with literally any kind of sweater and it my most requested product from the Upcycled Children’s Wear Line. This super fun and cheery argyle print sweater was purchased at an estate sale in CT for fifteen dollars. I loved that the front had a print and the back was solid green. I crocheted the bodice, and shell stitch trim from navy yarn and added a brass colored anchor button on the back. The button was part of a Ralph Lauren blazer I purchased at a vintage shop for ten dollars. I absolutely love making these little dresses and wish I had made this pattern while my daughter was still a baby!

Aqua Toddler Dress with Floral Cotton Sash and Crochet Detailing

This dress is truly one of a kind, made from a J.Crew aqua cardigan with floral lining I found at a local Goodwill, in CT, for fifteen dollars. The color first caught my eye, and the lining totally sold it for me! I could tell that this sweater was shrunk, as the actual size definitely did not match the size on the tag, and the lining was not flush with the back of the sweater. There wasn’t enough fabric to make a baby blanket, and I really wanted to keep the whole front intact, as I loved the little crew neck and buttons. So I resized the sweater as a toddler dress. I cut out the lining, and repurposed it into little flutter sleeves and a sash. I then used silk bamboo ivory yarn to add a detail to the buttons down the front and two flowers and leaves on the front. I then used some amber beads, which were originally on a broken necklace I purchased for a few cents from a tag sale. I am totally in love with this dress and am constantly on the lookout for more cardigans so I can make more!

Morgan Roberts is the Owner and Designer at King Soleil
You can view her online shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/kingsoleil