Craigslist, Goodwill & Flea Markets ; Vintage Finds Ready for Some TLC

Hello,

I have had so much fun getting ready for the opening of the SHM Designs Studio. In between the cleaning and painting, I have actually been able to squeeze in some "Picking". Picking basically means looking for great old pieces that can be restored, refinished or re purposed. One of my favorite things to do. It is amazingly satisfying to take something and give it a whole new life. I love it.

Here are a view of my latest finds:

Craigslist

Goodwill

Estate Sale

Estate Sale

Craigslist

Flea Market

Estate Sale

Estate Sale

Antique Sale

( 2 twin beds that are amazing)

footboards for the twin beds

Antique Sale

( this would make a great top for a table)

All of the furniture pieces I plan to reupholster and refinish either with paint or stain. They will be available to see and purchase at SHM Designs Studio on Main Street in Reisterstown. If you see any pieces that you would like to customize or buy as is for a DIY project, just email me at stacy@shm-designs.com. 

Take Care,

Stacy

Back On Main Street

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I know, I know, WHERE HAVE I BEEN!  Better Time Management I swear is my New Years Resolution. ( Lets keep our fingers crossed) But really, I have been planning and doing alot of things and I am REALLY excited about this new year. Since opening SHM Designs, things are just moving so fast and in a million directions and I am not good at saying no to anything. But, I think I actually have a good, easily managed plan (are there really such things?).

SO.......

First on the agenda

Get a Studio .....DONE

Yes, Can you believe it. I am so excited!!!!

Starting in February, I will be back on Main Street in Reisterstown renting a one room space at a great antique and gift store called Things You Love Antiques and Gifts, owned by Maggie Herman. For those of you who started with me at Little Luxuries your in for something totally different
but just as great. This will be a second floor space which will allow me to not only meet with design clients but also sell some great home decor pieces and furniture. Most of my pieces will be vintage finds that I have either refinished, restored or re purposed...

SO MUCH FUN

Not only have I been loving designing but I have had the best time reworking and updating old pieces of furniture and accessories.  So much so that I have decided I need to stop just storing them for a potential client and get them out there for everyone to see. I am going to take this slow( I know that's hard to believe) and see where it leads me. If its a hit, then who knows where I will end up. But for now its going to be at

243 Main Street in Reisterstown

The shop is Open:

Wed.&Thurs.11-6
Fri.11-5
Sat. 10:30-5
Sun. 12-5

Beads You Love co-owned by Mary Dansicker and Maggie Herman also shares a space at Things You Love Antiques and Gifts. Beads You Love is a Chamilia Jewelry retailer offering a line of Chamilia products, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, Murano glass beads, sterling silver, gold and Disney beads.  Customers can create personalized bracelets and gifts. Things You Love Antiques and Gifts  takes up most of this adorable house. Owner, Maggie, has a great eye for antiques and other home decor items. She also restores and updates furniture to sell,  makes custom slipcovers and sells vintage jewelry.

Since a huge part of my business is working with clients in their homes, I will be in and out of the store. My hours are by appointment only. However, Maggie and Mary will be at the shop whenever it is open and will be able to sell any of my items that you may want to purchase.

At SHM Designs you will see FOR SALE:

• Refinished, Restored and Reupholstered Pieces
• Vintage Pieces ready to be reworked
• Greenhouse and Duralee Fabric Samples(for ordering fabric)
• New Home Decor Accessories
• Custom Made Pillows

You can make an appointment by either emailing me at stacy@shm-designs.com or calling my cell; 410-409-1830.

Hope to see you there.

Stacy

Laundry Room Makeover

OK everyone I am finally biting the bullet and getting a new washer and dryer. It is a love hate thing don't you think? I love the idea of getting something new but hate the pressure of picking the right one (they are sooooo EXPENSIVE).  I have been reading consumer reports on all of them and have decided to get the LG front loaders. Does anyone have these? I have never had a front loader but want to be able to slide them under a counter top so that I have a folding station. My laundry room is rather small so I am trying to utilize as much space as possible. I have a sink in the corner of the room so I am thinking of having the counter top basically go from wall to sink on both sides which will form an L shape counter top.

For under the the short counter, I thought about putting cabinets but then decided to use a 3 compartment canvas hamper system instead. I have a nylon one now but it is small and flimsy. I am considering this one from overstock.

Any chances of my girls putting their dirty clothes in these?

Now for the walls. I think I am going through an early midlife crisis because my color choices are so drastically different then what I use to like. I am really drawn to bright bold colors where before I loved very warm traditional colors. ( What hidden message should I be looking for?) I can't change my whole house so  I am  leaning towards the soft pinks or gray blues. I was going to try wallpaper but then remembered it was a laundry room which holds alot of heat and moisture ...not so good for keeping the wallpaper on the walls. Therefore, I am going to paint and stencil to give the impression of wallpaper.

Take a look at some of my choices:

Any thoughts? Remember these aren't necessarily the colors I would choose, I just like the patterns. I have to admit I am leaning more towards a geometric shape.   Also, I am going to put white beadboard floor to counter height so the stencil will only cover a little less then half the wall. I removed our old cabinets which covered the whole wall over our exiting washer and dryer and in its place will go open shelving.  I had thought having closed cabinets would keep things looking nice and neat.  I didn't realize I would see a closed cabinet as an oppurtunity to shove everything in and close the door. You weren't able to see the mess but then you could find anything either. 

Last item on the makeover list and the most costly and stressful are the washer and dryer.  I really think I am going with the LG front loaders( unless someone has a horrible story to tell me) but what I can't decide is; do I go for ones with a steam element or not and do I get the more expensive silver or just go safe with white? The silver is so nice looking but again IT IS JUST A LAUNDRY ROOM right?

There you have it. So many decisions to make. I would love to hear your thoughts?

A little side note.  You will probably notice the blog looking different a few times over the next couple of weeks. As I posted earlier, my brother in law is helping me redesign my blog and create a website. We are playing around with a lot of different ideas, so please bear with us through the redesign.  . 

Take Care,

Stacy



Save Money using the 4 R's in Design: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle = Redesign

My #1 Goal as a designer is to find ways to Reduce Cost, Spend Wisely and  Save MONEY:

• Sometimes all it takes to create a "Redesign"(new look) in your home is to Reduce the amount of accessories you have.  A bookcase, for example, that is filled to the brim can acquire a great new look.  Pack away a few of those novels - at least temporarily - and open up the shelves. Bookshelves are great places to artfully intersperse a favorite collection. Make random space on each shelf for one or two items such as a childhood toy, a unique souvenir or family heirloom.

Circa Interiors & Antiques

Better Homes and Garden



• Reusing accessories and furniture in a Redesign is also a great way to get a new look at no cost. Go through the rooms in your home and look for items that can be rotated into other living areas. Don't limit yourself to accessories; furniture can just as easily be rotated. Create a cozy corner with a writing table that has been tucked away or place a chair near the fireplace.  Also create new natural centerpieces with items you find outside or with fresh fruit. Even though you are reusing items you already have, they will look and feel different to you in their new space.

Bosworth Hoedemaker

Centerpieces created with fruit and fresh flowers.

Courtney Giles

A cozy new corner.

Graham Moss

Move pictures around to create new arrangements.

• Recycling in decorating is a fun great way to use items you already have and give them a whole new look creating a custom Redesign. Recycling is one of my favorite parts of designing.  I love the lines of older pieces and the challenge of giving them new life. I also love taking something and changing its whole purpose. Recycling allows a person the opportunity to truly express themselves. Pictures below are from Eddie Ross Blog. (I blog highly recommend)

Found at a flea market for $45

Look at the transformation : A little bit of paint and some velcro cushions . INCREDIBLE!!

Just Perfect

Goodwill Find

Some inexpensive, pretty fabric and look what you can have.

So Nice.

Remember: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle = Redesign.

Take Care,

Stacy

For help designing a room that makes you smile, contact me and ask about my design services.