The Week in Pictures

This week was such a busy one.  I feel like I drove from one end of the valley to the other and back at least twice.  For you non-Phoenicians, that's a ton of driving!

On Monday, instead of a Spring Training baseball game, the boyfriend and I grabbed lunch at a brew pub and caught a movie. I must admit, after a couple of tasty beers, "21 Jump Street" was pretty hilarious.

These burgers and garlic fries are every bit as delicious as they look!

I did a little vintage shopping this week and found a series of fairy tale books I remembered loving as a small child.

I can't get enough of old books.

There were lamps (of course) but I somehow managed not to buy one.

That's not to say I didn't buy anything.

Wednesday I had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by one of my design and blogging idols, Tobi Fairley. I did take a couple of photos but I was too busy soaking in the knowledge to really focus on quality photography.  Plus, I felt like such a super-stalker trying to snap pictures as she spoke. Trust me, she looked fabulous!  Tobi shared what she's learned about using social media to grow a design business and although I consider myself pretty savvy on social media, I definitely learned some really valuable tools. I love and appreciate it immensely when such successful women are so down-to-earth and willing to share their knowledge with those of us starting out on our own.  She inspired me to want to return the favor when I reach her level.

Since I was at the Design Center anyway I took the opportunity to source some fabric for a couple of projects.

I also got to spend an afternoon with a couple of my sweet nieces and nephew and indulge in a little chocolate-dipped ice cream cone action.  It was such a gorgeous day that we put the littlest one in the wagon and walked to DQ. There was a little park right next door where we spread out a blanket for an impromptu picnic.

I just love those little faces!


The weekend will be focused on wrapping up a couple projects around the house (ahem! guest room!) and most importantly, there's this Sunday night:

{via}

Mad Men is back!!  Finally! Are you watching?

Have a happy weekend!

Announcing....My Design Business Website!

Today I am pleased, excited, thrilled beyond belief to announce that Sarah Elizabeth Interior Design is officially open for business!!  My new website is now live and I'd love for you to check it out!  

In addition to traditional interior design services, I'm offering edesign services (perfect for anyone who would like my help outside the Phoenix area) as well as design and homestaging consultations.  My focus of course is on mixing vintage and thrifted treasures with great new pieces - you know this girl loves to refinish furniture!  

I am so excited to help others create gorgeous rooms no matter their budget.  My philosophy is that truly liveable spaces that feel like a home, (a stylish and beautiful home mind you!) rather than a sterile design showroom should be within reach for all of us. 

I am happily accepting new clients so please email me for pricing and more information.  I'd love to chat with you about your home!

In case you're wondering, my new website was design by the incredibly talented Ellen of Confetti Me Please.  She is seriously amazing, so if you need branding or web design services give her a shout!

My dream of starting an interior design business actually began a few years ago when I was laid off from my first job in the design industry.  There have been a few starts and stops for my business dreams since then.  Every six months or so I'd buy a domain name, try (unsuccessfully) to build my own website and sheepishly tell people that I was in business for myself.  Inevitably, fear of not having a dependable paycheck along with that evil self-doubt would creep in.  Time and time again I'd freak out and go find a "real" job that offered financial security, healthcare and a 401k.  All good things.  Things I truly miss!

But the more I worked for other people, putting my own dreams on the back burner, the more I felt that something was missing in my life.  I turn 36 this year and while that is still relatively young, I didn't want to waste another year not pursuing that goal of being my own boss.  

While I absolutely love high-end residential design (hello Osborne & Little and A.Rudin!), my heart lies in bringing out the hidden beauty of pieces that people already own and searching for "diamonds in the rough" at local antique & secondhand shops. I love combining those pieces with higher-end investment pieces! I was having no luck at all finding a design firm to work for that shared my philosophy of mixing new with vintage.  

To some of those firms, that sort of thing was beneath their caliber of work.  "Shopping at Goodwill and antique malls?  Ew!"  To me, that's what gives a home charm and character.  It also makes the services of a professional interior designer more affordable for more people.  Sounds like a no-brainer to me!  It became clear to me that in order to do the type of work I loved, I'd have to push through the fear and give business ownership an "all or nothing" try.

So here I am today, all revved up and ready to go!  If you are interested in design services, email me!  I understand that if you read this blog, you may be more of a DIY-er when it comes to your own home and that's fabulous!  I hope I can give you gobs of inspiration as you beautify your home.  

However, you may know someone who needs design services. To help me spread the word about Sarah Elizabeth Interior Design, and build up my clientele and portfolio, I'd like to make it worth YOUR while to share my name with your friends and family.  

For a limited time, every edesign client or interior design services client (who purchases at least 2 hours of design services) that you refer, I will send you a $15 Starbucks giftcard once they officially sign on.  Who couldn't use a Pumpkin Spice Latte right about now?

It's just my little way of saying a big "Thank You!" for all the support. 

Tomorrow I'll be back to posting "non-business" postings so please stay tuned and thanks again for stopping by.  I appreciate all my readers and hope you keep enjoying this blog!

Vintage Shopping in Central Phoenix - Part II

Before I delve into the thrifting tips I promised in this post last week, can I take a moment to bitch?  

 

Did you know tomorrow is the first day of Fall?  Did you know that here in Phoenix, it will be 105 degrees?  Whatever.

And now, a few things that I've learned in my thrift/vintage shopping adventures.  I've also thrown in some pretty photos just to keep the post from being all text.  In no particular order:

Tip 1. - Know What You're Looking For

Having at least some idea of what you're looking for will keep you focused and from spending money on random things that you really have no use for.  When prices are cheap, it's tempting to fill your cart with all sorts of goodies.  Stay focused on finding what you have an actual need for and go directly to that area as soon as you enter the store.  If I'm looking for art, I head straight to the back of the Salvation Army store where I know they keep paintings.  If there's nothing there that I want, I do a quick lap around the perimeter of the store (sometimes things get moved around by other shoppers) and then I'm out the door and onto the next place.

 

 

 

Tip 2. - Keep an Open Mind

This may sound like I'm contradicting Tip 1 a little but stick with me.  Some of my favorite finds happened when I wasn't in the market for them.  Take these lamps for example, I was looking for art on that particular day and I wasn't having much luck at all.  I was at my next to last stop of the morning and out of the corner of my eye, the color of the lamps grabbed my attention.  Normally, I would have left those lamps there because frankly, I had no real need for them, but they were five bucks a piece.  By keeping an open mind, I found some gorgeous lamps that I can rewire, top off with gorgeous black shades and sell or use for a client project. Now, if these lamps weren't so cheap, I'd have left that store with a little tear in my eye and no lamps.  Which leads me right into my next tip:

Tip 3. - Be Honest with Yourself

 

Are you really going to reupholster that chair if you save it from the dumpster or is it going to sit in the corner of your bedroom with a sheet over it for the next year?  Is your skill level really up to the task of repairing the chipped veneer on that mid-century dresser?  Do you reeeealllllly have the time and patience to strip and re-stain those nightstands with about 10 layers of ugly paint on them?  Just because something is cheap and has great lines, doesn't mean it's a good deal...for you. Be realistic about what you are willing and able to take on.  

 

Most of us can handle giving furniture a couple of coats of paint and replacing hardware.  If a piece is going to require more work than that, think twice about buying it.  Before you think I'm sitting here in judgement on my DIY high horse, I actually have a wing chair in my bedroom with a sheet over it.  It's been there at least a year and at this point, I don't know if I'll ever do anything with it.  I had delusions of finally trying my hand at upholstery.  Hahahahaha!!  I know now that I have nowhere NEAR the amount of patience or skill to try that nonsense.  So you see, it happens to all of us, the euphoria of a good find and seeing the hidden potential beneath ugly fabric.  I am by no means immune!

Tip 4. - Pay Attention to Display Pieces

 

By this I mean simply, look at what tchotchkes are sitting on.  Sometimes there is so much to look at - so many distracting little curiosities - the sheer volume of eye candy can be incredibly overwhelming.  With so much going on, it's easy to miss some real treasures that are hiding under the displays.  I don't know how many times I looked right past a gorgeous etagere like this one because I was more caught up in what was on it.  

 

 

After I realized what I had been missing I started looking around at all the tables, dressers and bookcases.  I had been overlooking some really beautiful pieces!  So, take your time and don't forget to look down.

Tip 5. - Go Often

 

What constitutes "often" may be different for everyone.  For me, I try to go once a week.  I've figured out that this plan works well for thrift stores like Salvation Army, Goodwill and St. Vincent DePaul's.  Inventory tends to turn over pretty quickly at these places.  Prices are cheap and because of this, things move fast.  So I like to check them out weekly because there is always something new.  

 

Sidenote: since inventory is always changing here, if you see something you absolutely cannot live without BUY IT NOW because it will not be there when you come back.  

Vintage stores and antique malls, in my experience at least, don't have the same quick turnover as thrift stores.  The prices are typically higher so you'll often feel like you're seeing exactly the same goods from your last visit.  

If you're serious about thrifting/vintage shopping, going often will help you build a relationship with certain stores.  Make friends with the owner or employees and let them know if there are specific things you are in the market for. They may be willing to give you a heads up about upcoming inventory.  Just make sure you really are prepared to buy.  Don't waste their time if you're just a serial  looky-loo with no intention of buying anything.  Not cool.

So there you have it - my tips for successful thrifting and vintage shopping.  Oh, a few last minute minor details:

• Take hand sanitizer.  This is secondhand stuff from god-knows-where that you're digging through.  Protect yourself.
• Wear comfortable shoes with CLOSED TOES.  No flip flops.  Again, the germ factor and just general safety issues.  
• Ask permission before taking photos.  It's just good manners. 

 Do you guys have any tips for thrifting?  I'd love to hear them!

Vintage Shopping in Central Phoenix - Part One

I've gone back and forth with the angel and the devil on my shoulders about just how much to share.  If I tell people about all the places I like to shop and they start shopping there too, will it hurt my chances of finding future goodies?

Finally I gave myself a reality check and realized this is a ridiculous thing to stress over.  First, because it implies that I have such an enormous readership that it is capable of wiping out entire vintage shops upon my revealing their names.  Self-delusion is hilarious! 

Second, because even if this were true, I set my own schedule and can go shopping pretty much anytime of the week.  So, there's that.

But honestly, the more turnover there is at vintage shops, the more great stuff they can bring in.  Instead of seeing the same pieces month after month, when more people purchase from my favorite vintage shops, the stores can have an ever-changing inventory of exciting, new pieces.  Everyone wins!

Just to keep this from being the longest post in the history of man, I'm going to split this into two parts.  Today I'll show you the photos and divulge the sources.  Next Thursday I'll go a little deeper into how I shop each store and how I decide if a particular piece is worth the price to me. 

Also keep in mind that I'm using the term "vintage" a little loosely.  Technically, vintage furniture is at least 30 years old and up to 100 years old.  For the purposes of this post, I'll be using "vintage" to describe anything found at actual vintage stores and at second-hand stores like Salvation Army & Goodwill.  

Onto the list!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

I like the location on Central just South of the I-17 for lighting, new and used plumbing fixtures (they sometimes have Kohler faucets) and paint. Yesterday they had 5 gallon buckets for $15 and the colors were actually pretty good! In addition to lighting (good lamps!) and furniture (which is usually so-so to me) they've got gobs and gobs of building materials like cabinets, countertops, doors (if you want a cool old door for a headboard or table) and windows.

I didn't find anything yesterday that I wanted so I didn't snap any photos but here are some from their website:

And oh yeah, toilets.

Salvation Army

My favorites are the one on Central just North of the I-17.  It's not in the best neighborhood but I see lots of women there with their kids and I've never felt unsafe there.  They didn't have anything photo-worthy yesterday but the second location I like, on 7th Ave and Indian School, did:

I really wanted this lamp but it was $24.95 - if it were 50% off Saturdays, it would've been  mine.

They had a great selection of headboards that were in good condition.  After a couple of coats of pretty paint, they'd be showstoppers in any bedroom.

This was the best photo I could get of this headboard made up of four, chair-back-looking parts.  They were all in a big rack and I was nervous about them crashing down on top of me if I moved them too much.  The rest of the headboard is behind the other guy at the bottom of the photo.

 

I love the caning and pretty carving on this headboard.  If I had a daughter, or even just a super-feminine style in my house, I'd snatch this lady up and give her a coat of soft grey paint.  Gorgeous!

Next on my stop:

Zinnia's at Melrose

Zinnia's is essentially an antique mall with tons of different looks all at a pretty decent price point.  They've got booth after booth filled with a everything from ornate vintage & antiques, industrial pieces, kitschy stuff from the 60's and really feminine, french-like treasures.  I could easily spend hours here, looking in every nook and cranny and I'm sure I wouldn't have scratched the surface.

Here are my photos of what caught my eye. 

Acrylic (or lucite maybe?) candleholders for only $9.95. 

Fun, metal letters in blue

This would make a really great office chair.  All it needs is new cushion in a hot fabric and a darker stain.  Oh, I suppose you could paint it if you insist.

This next piece took my breath away:

A chinoiserie screen in the most mind-blowing colors.  The photos don't do it justice but trust me, it's OUTRAAAAGEOUSSSSS!!  If I had a large, uninterrupted wall above my sofa this baby would be mine.  I can't wait until I have a large enough clientele so I can snap up great pieces like this to use in future projects.  It broke my heart to leave this one at the store.

I've had my eyes on this set of tumblers for a while now.  The price hasn't gone down yet, $49.95 for the set, it's a fair price but I'm cheap on a ridiculous level.  But seriously, aren't they pretty?

But, they can't all be winners:

Flo's on 7th

You can make yourself feel a little better about dropping some duckets here because proceeds benefit Florence Crittenton, a great organization that helps girls and women.  This shop tends to be a little pricier than say, Goodwill & Salvation Army but the goods are of a higher quality and in really good condition.  FYI: I spied a Michael Weiss for Vanguard sofa there yesterday that had sold for get this....$75.00.  It was in excellent condition, just needed a cleaning and it would be beautiful!.  

I fell in love with this chest.  The curves and that hardware are killing me!  If I could, I'd wrestle this into my trunk, take her home, strip off that hardware and slap on a lacquered finish in a kelly green, peacock blue or coral.  I wouldn't do a thing to change the hardware.  It's perfect as is!

Last on my tour:

MacAlpine's Soda Fountain

What's a soda fountain got to do with vintage furniture?  Plenty!  In addition to being an actual soda fountain (after a full day of shopping, a handmade, rootbeer float is well-deserved) that serves food & ice cream and dates back to 1928 (Barry Goldwater & Frank Lloyd Wright are said to have dined there), MacAlpine's has all sorts of vintage furniture and other goodies.  If you're looking for some mid-century finds, they've got a great selection to choose from.  I really like their selection of art.  Apparently, so do a lot of other people because every piece that caught my eye had a big, fat "SOLD" tag on it.  

Like this piece:

The colors are actually deeper and more vibrant than they're showing here.  Whoever purchased this piece needs to take it home already!  It's had that "SOLD" tag on it for at least a month now and I get hopeful every time I walk in and it's still there. This would definitely be for a client, it's listed at $400.  It is a large piece and really dramatic so I don't think that price is out of line.

So there you have it!  A list of some of my favorite places to shop for one-of-a-kind furniture, art and accessories.  I hope you check out these stores and if you do, I'd love to hear all about your score!  

There are more stores I like to shop at but in the interest of keeping this post from being too long, I've narrowed it down to ones I've had the most luck at and that seem to consistently have a good selection.

If you're interested in hiring me to do some personal shopping for you or to give your home a makeover, mixing vintage finds with some new pieces, please email me.  I'd love to work with you!