Good morning!
Well, we got into the shop yesterday, and some actual progress was made!
I can’t wait to fill you in on the day to day soon, but I’m trying to start at the beginning, you know?
So, WHAT do we want this place to look like? WHAT are we going to carry, etc.?
Well, my main objective was to have a place to carry our wonderful Chalk Paint™, but as we put pen to paper, it made sense to provide way more than paint and workshops (although, that’s what we can’t wait to do–host workshops!).
If I was going to do this, I wanted to create an experience. I wanted people to be able to get “everything paint” they needed, and I wanted them to be able to shop for little unique bits and pieces that I scoured for.
I wanted the place to feel like home…
Somewhat like atHome, but we wanted to vary the price points a bit more.
I don’t want the shop to feel like an antique store–but a mix of both old and new (and vintage inspired)…kind of like our house.
We’ll continue carrying great finds like this HUGE wine jug…
And we’ll carry painted pieces & repurposed items, like this lantern we’ll turn into a pendent.
I’m a sucker for mercantile goods/set-ups, so we’ll carry lavender by the (adorable) scoop & buds wrapped in book pages. We’ll carry handmade by us and we’ll support some wonderful Etsy sellers and carry their goods, too.
Basically, I want to shop for this studio like I shop for my own home.
And, you know, I just got a HUGE shipment of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint (SO happy for you, sweet friend!). We have to get it into inventory, upload pictures, and get it listed on our site before the weekend…so if you’re ready to try it out, let us know & look for the announcement!
In addition to vintage goods, antiques, and painted pieces, I wanted to bring in the new side, too (wall art, accessories, fabrics, etc.)…
This horse makes me SWOON!!! I can hardly walk by her without sighing.
It was also thrilling to find bits and pieces that I would pick up here and there for our home…
Matt said, “really? marble eggs and nests??”
To which I replied, “Of course, honey.”
Oh my, all the zinc and chalkboard stuff.
Um, of course…again.
And because there are a few pieces worth investing in, we searched high and low for furniture we could sell at affordable prices, and pieces you have a harder time finding while thrifting. Kind of like this beauty….
Oh yeah.
So, in a gist, we’re going for a studio/farmhouse/cottage/country/elegant vibe. Just like our home.
Shipments are coming in by the mounds, and I CANNOT WAIT to put it all together. Stay tuned for more sneak peeks of our lines & I’ll see you tomorrow!
This is so exciting! I’m already trying to plan a road trip when I down south over the holidays. 🙂
Awesome, Emily!!!
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shaunna
Aw, thanks, Emily!! Hope you can!
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shaunna
love, love, love the table!!! Can’t wait till you open! Wishing you all the best!
Thanks, girlie!!!
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shaunna
Thanks, Kimberly!!
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shaunna
I love how you are stocking your shop…it’s just how I try to stock my booths. I feel more of us want to shop where it feels like we are in our own homes. Loking forward to seeing more.
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks, Linda! I’m happy to hear that–thank you for being so encouraging!
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shaunna
This is all motivation for me to lose weight for a new outfit for the GRAND OPENING!
haha, Sandra–I love that! (It’s actually on my mind, too!) SO hope you can make it!
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shaunna
You are living the dream! This is exactly how I envision my dream shop someday… a mix of new and old, paint classes, etc. Feels like it’s taking forever to get there, but that’s okay, I get to watch your progress and live vicariously through you 🙂
Congrats! Can’t wait to see it all come together.
Kristen
Definitely, Kristen…in fact, I’m touching on that tomorrow. I think waiting on God’s lead on ventures like this is the way to go. 😉 You’re living your dream, too–you’re just at a different spot in time.
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shaunna
I am beyond excited for you! All of your ideas sound perfect, I can’t wait until PI opens!!!!
Thanks, Lisa! Me TOO!
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shaunna
Oh if only we weren’t so far away… It will be awesome in the end, I can already tell 😉 And I’ve said it before but I guess I can’t say it often enough: You are such an incredible inspiration, it’s almost scary how you manage to give me ideas with every single one of your posts. You rock, Shaunna 😉
Meike, thank you for such a sweet comment. I’m absolutely just doing my thing–and I’m so glad that it’s helpful in some way, lol! Your comment made my day.
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shaunna
Hello,
I love your blog (and soon to be shop!). I was curious, what is an estimated price of the wooden table?
Wow is all I can say!! I’ll have to try and make a trip from NY when you are all ready!! Best of luck !!!!!
Thank you, Margaret (my grandmother’s name…so it made me happy to say hello to you 🙂 )…you do that!
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shaunna
all your plans look so wonderful! sounds perfect. I would love to come down and visit once the shop’s open.
Thanks, Jessica! I hope you DO!!! We’re planning quite a big she-bang.
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shaunna
This is so exciting!! I LOVE being able to watch this process take course. My sister-in-law and I have talked about have a store sometime in the future and I think it would feel a lot like yours! Thanks for sharing and may God bless your hard work!
Thank you, Crystal! I so hope the best for you girls as well!
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shaunna
Oh my word! Please tell me you will have an online shop, too – for those of us in different states! These items just make me sigh. That is the kind of shop I could do some serious shopping in! Maybe you could just move to the Chicago suburbs? 🙂
LOL, Dori! Yes, we actually will list all the accessories in our online shop, and maybe some smaller furniture pieces.
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shaunna
So when are you opening your amazing shop in New Jersey? 🙂
hehe, maybe in 20 years?
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shaunna
What fun ahead!
Thanks, Connie!
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shaunna
Are you going to sell online also? Very excited for you.
Yes, m’am! Thanks so much!
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shaunna
I am so excited for you. What a great way to share our journey. I’m glad you changed your topic. Al the best for the hard work you are putting in now and for a successful retail space. Can’t wait to we what you make ofit
Fiona xx
Thank you, Fiona!!
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shaunna
Looks so good! I LOVE those marble eggs, too 🙂
Thanks, girl! I’ve gotta get with you in the next day or so!!
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shaunna
Love the eggs and the table, and am I hoping too much for a milk paint workshop once you’re up and running in the new locale? Seriously excited for you, girl! I have a feeling you’re gonna put quite a dent in my funds!!!
Thanks, Kellie! I’m pretty excited, too….Definitely on the milk paint workshops and lots more Chalk Paint ones, too.
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shaunna
Wow, it’s going to be fantastic! Everything sounds wonderful! Wish I lived closer so I could see it in person. Best of luck to you, you are truly living your dream!
Thank you!
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shaunna
This is so exciting!! I’m definitely going to have to plan a trip to Troy! I live in Birmingham and At Home is my favorite so an “At Home” type store + chalk paint = absolute perfection!!! Can’t wait to see it all unfold. It’s going to be beautiful!
Awesome, Alima!!! SO excited that you are close enough to make a little trip!
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shaunna
i just love you!!!
and…..i’m so excited for your new venture.
i’m so proud of you for the creative life you live.
wish you were living it closer to me:))))
xo,
edie
p.s. i know i sent you this email but i wanted to declare my love for you right here on your blog too:)))) (i’ve gotten so bad at not commenting b/c i read blogs in a reader.)
Ha! I know–me too….SO glad you did, though! I LOVE you too! I totally need some lake time and a big pot of soup in your kitchen. Did I just invite myself over? I am losing it a little with all this sweating…I can’t even lift my arms this morning! Someday, we’ll hang out in person.
xoxo,
shaunna
I am sure it is going to be gorgeous.
Thank you, Deb!!
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shaunna
it is going to be perfectly imperfect…Shaunna style:)
yes…would love to come visit this coming summer..
road trip!
xo
Thank you, Tiffini. I would LOVE that!!!
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shaunna
UGH!!! Shaunna, I want to come out, I will research air fares..on second thought, I need to rent a UHAUL or semi truck!! So excited to watch this unfold! ~Kim
Aw, that’s so sweet! I’m hoping it’s that kind of place.
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shaunna
You’re shop sounds like the perfect place. The kind of shop I’ve always dreamed about. I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to watch your journey progress.
Thank you, Stephanie!
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shaunna
Sooo excited for you!
Oh MY Goodness….I am so stinking excited for you!! I can’t wait to see it up and all running with boat loads of shoppers. I’m sure you will put in countless hours BUT so worth it. You are such an inspiration. When is grand opening?
Oh…I was planning a trip today (Oct 5) for AS wax and brush…When are you opening again?
Can’t wait for your store to open. Excited about having such a unique shop right here in our town. I will be visiting it frequently!!!