By Laura DeMarco, The Plain Dealer
November 19, 2009, 11:25AM
Shannon Vance's store was "green" long before it was trendy. But don't expect a granola vibe at her fairy-tale-charming Chagrin Falls gift boutique, Stash Style.
Vance, who features home decor, gift items, furniture and vintage clothing in her ever-changing shop, goes "green" in the truest sense of the word. As in, making what is old new again.
She specializes in remaking and remodeling vintage furniture, clothing and decor with add-ons, color, fabric, stitching, upholstery, paint, whatever. Think shabby-chic meets Anthropologie.
"I like to reincarnate old pieces," says Vance, who has owned Stash Style for 41/2 years, and before that owned a similar store called Teacups in Lakewood for four years.
"We're trying to find funky ways to use the old again."
Vance finds items she revives trolling flea markets. She also turns her keen eye to craft shows, seeking artisans and crafters whose wares are unique enough to suit Stash Style.
In addition to the remade works, Stash Style has a lovely-but-not-cutesy selection of merchandise from wall hangings to socks, candles, soaps, greeting cards and more.
Vendors include Candra Squire (very funny greeting cards), Amelia Marie (greeting cards made using her grandmother's silhouettes from the 1940s), Beer Soap Co. (organic soaps made from dozens of brews), Cheri Christian (beautiful hand-knit items), Carrin Andress (hand-painted furniture), BCTZ (funky Cleveland T-shirts) and others.
And if all that shopping makes you hungry, the front of the store features a gourmet coffee and cupcake bar with pastries as beautiful as Vance's wares.
Shopping list
The Dancing Sheep: Charmingly unique (but not cutesy, despite the name), East Side gift boutique the Dancing Sheep will host a trunk show with knit artist Chris Triola from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Triola, of Lansing, Mich., will feature her new collection of jackets, shells, pants and skirts. 12712 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland. Call 216-229-5770.
Benefit for Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Mayan Women's Beading Cooperative: A Cleveland Heights woman is doing her best to help the women of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Karen Rosenberg is opening up her house for a sale of handcrafted beaded jewelry made by a women's cooperative in Isla Mujeres. For sale will be necklaces, bracelets, medicine pouches, earrings and more. All proceeds go to the Mexican women. 3253 East Fairfax Road, Cleveland Heights. Call 216-321-0349.
MOCA ARTscape: More than 40 pre-eminent regional and national contemporary artists and craftspeople will sell wares at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland's annual ARTscape event, which doubles as a great art party in a world-class museum setting. Artists coming this year include Dan Pongallo (greeting cards), Gai Russo (aromatic and silver jewelry) and Jeff Yost (painting). Preview is 4:30 to 9 p.m. tonight; $5 admission. Free admission 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 8501 Carnegie Ave., 216-421-8671.
Lakewood Wreath Sale: Get your start on holiday decorating with a 24-inch noble fir wreath from the Lakewood Historical Society. Adorned with a red-and-silver bow and glittery snowflakes, the wreaths are $30. Order at lakewoodmuseumstore.com or call 216 221-7343. Proceeds benefit the society.
How to Choose an Upholstery Fabric
By Beth Larson,
Leather
Although leather is more expensive than other types of upholstery fabric it is extremely durable and can last for years. It also brings a certain elegance to a piece of furniture and helps it to look upscale and classic. Leather is one of the most popular choices in upholstery fabric because of its durability and simply because it looks beautiful.
Vinyl
Although vinyl upholstery fabric may seem like a good alternative to leather, it actually can be quite uncomfortable to sit on. Not only that but over time it has a tendency to crack as it ages which means it won't last nearly as long as many other types of upholstery fabric. The main benefit of choosing vinyl for your upholstery fabric is that it is easy to clean; however the uncomfortable texture and relatively short lifetime should be considered before choosing vinyl for your furniture.
Linen
Linen is probably not the best choice for upholstery fabric for most people. Linen wrinkles easily and also takes a lot of care to help keep it clean. The fibers in linen can have a tendency to stretch which means it will also require extra care to help keep its shape. When it comes to upholstery fabric there are much better choices than linen.
Denim or Heavy Cotton Fabric
Denim or heavy cotton fabrics are a great choice for upholstering a piece of furniture. Cotton fibers are durable and tough and stand up well to most types of cleaning solutions and to every day wear and tear. Look for cotton fabric or denim that is color fast for ease of cleaning. After you've upholstered the furniture consider treating the fabric with a stain resistant spray to help protect it.
Your Family Decorator: Palm Beach is Stirring, with Plenty to Discover
By Carleton Varney
Friday, November 13, 2009
As Thanksgiving approaches, Palm Beach is stirring – and I hope the road work on South Dixie Highway across the bridge will be completed soon, so that Santa will be able to get his sleigh down Antique Row. And closer to home, I hope the improvements to Royal Poinciana Way won't deter you from visiting my favorite orange juice shop, Tropical Fruit, which has opened for the season.
There are many grand residences in the construction stage, as well, along South Ocean Boulevard, proof that Palm Beach is always a work in progress. It's hard to know if the economy will soon again be flourishing, but there are many very good real estate attractions on the island to consider. I always enjoy house- and apartment-looking – there's always so much to see!
There are, I have found in my tours of open houses, lots of folks who use gray as a background for living. Gray-painted walls can be soothing and feel surprisingly tropical, especially when the windows are treated with natural-finish or pale-stained plantation shutters. I recommend floors stained a deep ebony, perhaps accented by sisal rugs with a bright-colored banding – vivid scarlet red or rich palm tree green.
For the sofa upholstery in the gray room, I'd select white linen and, of course, some bright accent fabric – maybe palm-tree-green satin or a banana-colored satin. For lamps, white opaline vases with black opaque shades are always a great choice. For an additional soothing note in your room, cover club chairs in a rich green satin – very glamorous and early Hollywood. Who doesn't love Hollywood glamour?
Speaking of glamour, on Saturday I am chairing the Rita Hayworth Alzheimer's Ball in Dallas, Texas. The ball this year is focusing its design theme around the film "Gilda," one of Hayworth's most-watched films. Working with Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and with Laura Hunt of Dallas, we are encouraging Americans to be aware of the need for resources to fight this dreaded and debilitating disease. Many of us know the Rita Hayworth story, how the actress succumbed to Alzheimer's disease after first experiencing symptoms at the early age of 54. Rita's daughter, Yasmin, has devoted 17 years to increasing the world's awareness of the disease. Should any of my readers wish to donate to the cause of searching for the cure, please do so by contacting www.alz.org.
And while I'm taking a moment in this column to mention our fight for a cure for Alzheimer's, I am, at the same time, bringing to your attention the need for an awareness of the beautiful life we enjoy. Keeping the home beautiful is part – only part – of my messages each week.
Every so often when I am in the Palm Beaches, I come upon a place with an interior design that is unexpected. My newest discovery is downtown West Palm Beach's Dempsey's Cafe at 400 Clematis St., next to the Ultima Health Fitness Gym.
Dempsey's sports a color scheme of bright red and gold with a floor of big black and white squares – very much in keeping with the Rita Hayworth "Gilda" look. The squares even travel up one of the walls. The banquettes have big buttons accenting the upholstery for a fanciful harlequin look. Creative was the word of the day for this cafe, which boasts a menu of health-conscious food that the workout crews go for in a big way.
If you happen to be shopping on Clematis, perhaps for the best-of-the-best "bed and bath" items at Pioneer Linens, walk west and discover Dempsey's Cafe. The cafe does not offer table service, but there is a service bar where sandwiches – all healthful – are made fresh. There are a few words of wisdom on the wall under a photograph of the late actor James Dean. I'll pass these words on to you as a reminder:
"Dream as if you'll live forever,
And live as if you'll die today."
Friday, November 13, 2009
As Thanksgiving approaches, Palm Beach is stirring – and I hope the road work on South Dixie Highway across the bridge will be completed soon, so that Santa will be able to get his sleigh down Antique Row. And closer to home, I hope the improvements to Royal Poinciana Way won't deter you from visiting my favorite orange juice shop, Tropical Fruit, which has opened for the season.
There are many grand residences in the construction stage, as well, along South Ocean Boulevard, proof that Palm Beach is always a work in progress. It's hard to know if the economy will soon again be flourishing, but there are many very good real estate attractions on the island to consider. I always enjoy house- and apartment-looking – there's always so much to see!
There are, I have found in my tours of open houses, lots of folks who use gray as a background for living. Gray-painted walls can be soothing and feel surprisingly tropical, especially when the windows are treated with natural-finish or pale-stained plantation shutters. I recommend floors stained a deep ebony, perhaps accented by sisal rugs with a bright-colored banding – vivid scarlet red or rich palm tree green.
For the sofa upholstery in the gray room, I'd select white linen and, of course, some bright accent fabric – maybe palm-tree-green satin or a banana-colored satin. For lamps, white opaline vases with black opaque shades are always a great choice. For an additional soothing note in your room, cover club chairs in a rich green satin – very glamorous and early Hollywood. Who doesn't love Hollywood glamour?
Speaking of glamour, on Saturday I am chairing the Rita Hayworth Alzheimer's Ball in Dallas, Texas. The ball this year is focusing its design theme around the film "Gilda," one of Hayworth's most-watched films. Working with Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and with Laura Hunt of Dallas, we are encouraging Americans to be aware of the need for resources to fight this dreaded and debilitating disease. Many of us know the Rita Hayworth story, how the actress succumbed to Alzheimer's disease after first experiencing symptoms at the early age of 54. Rita's daughter, Yasmin, has devoted 17 years to increasing the world's awareness of the disease. Should any of my readers wish to donate to the cause of searching for the cure, please do so by contacting www.alz.org.
And while I'm taking a moment in this column to mention our fight for a cure for Alzheimer's, I am, at the same time, bringing to your attention the need for an awareness of the beautiful life we enjoy. Keeping the home beautiful is part – only part – of my messages each week.
Every so often when I am in the Palm Beaches, I come upon a place with an interior design that is unexpected. My newest discovery is downtown West Palm Beach's Dempsey's Cafe at 400 Clematis St., next to the Ultima Health Fitness Gym.
Dempsey's sports a color scheme of bright red and gold with a floor of big black and white squares – very much in keeping with the Rita Hayworth "Gilda" look. The squares even travel up one of the walls. The banquettes have big buttons accenting the upholstery for a fanciful harlequin look. Creative was the word of the day for this cafe, which boasts a menu of health-conscious food that the workout crews go for in a big way.
If you happen to be shopping on Clematis, perhaps for the best-of-the-best "bed and bath" items at Pioneer Linens, walk west and discover Dempsey's Cafe. The cafe does not offer table service, but there is a service bar where sandwiches – all healthful – are made fresh. There are a few words of wisdom on the wall under a photograph of the late actor James Dean. I'll pass these words on to you as a reminder:
"Dream as if you'll live forever,
And live as if you'll die today."
The Refinishing Touch Adds New Environmentally Friendly Fabrics To Upholstery Brand
November 4, 2009
The Refinishing Touch's 'Touch Textiles' Brand Broadens Range to Include New 100%-Recycled Fabrics With New Eco-Friendly Finishes
Alpharetta, GA--(Marketwire) - The Refinishing Touch, a world renowned specialist in environmentally safe and sustainable on-site furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications, has added new environmentally-friendly materials to its Touch Textiles fabrics brand.
The new line includes a range of 100% recycled fabrics finished with GreenShield, a Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) recognized, low fluorocarbon treatment that uses two-thirds less chemicals without compromising the durability, moisture resistance, stain resistance or nonflammable qualities of the fabric.
In recent years, the industry has seen a massive increase in the use and demand for eco-friendly textiles. Close to 12 billion pounds of post consumer textile waste ends up in our landfills every single year, reflecting the growing need and continuing opportunity for recyclable and sustainable textiles throughout the world.
As a part of the additions to its eco-collection, Touch Textiles introduces fabrics from partners at three different mills that hold third-party certifications for environmentally friendly practices such as Lean Manufacturing (1). While remaining leaders in fabric design and development, these partners make use of innovations such as GreenShield, a fabric finisher that uses up to 10 times less fluorocarbons than other finishes and one-third of the chemicals while preserving color, maintaining fabric breathability, providing water and stain repellency and allowing for anti-odor, antistatic and non-flammable characteristics.
Touch Textiles' new line of green fabrics is complementary to The Refinishing Touch's commitment to sustainable practices that utilize non-toxic materials in its refinishing business. To date, The Refinishing Touch has refurbished the equivalent of 1.5 million rooms of furniture for approximately 20,000 different clients across the government, educational and hospitality sectors. Its practices of recycling, refurbishing and reupholstering furniture have saved approximately two million hardwood trees from landfill.
On top of environmentally sustainable properties, the new range of fabrics feature new designs, textures and materials to accommodate the extensive and selective tastes of The Refinishing Touch's client base across hospitality, university and government sectors.
Mario Insenga, founder and CEO of The Refinishing Touch, said, "Market demand for quality and environmentally friendly fabrics is continuing to grow more and more each year. Through Touch Textiles, The Refinishing Touch is responding to that demand and seeking out these fabrics to offer to our clients. We're determined to provide the highest quality, most environmentally sustainable fabrics, and we're very proud of our new line within the Touch Textiles brand."
He went on to say, "It makes good environmental and business sense to source the textile and refinishing work from the same company. By including these more eco-friendly options, we're hoping to bring new benefits to our clients and provide products and services that are in line with The Refinishing Touch's sustainable mission."
To view the new fabrics that are available immediately, visit The Refinishing Touch's Touch Textiles website. Fabric sample swatches can be requested by calling The Refinishing Touch at (800) 523-9448 or emailing them at sales@therefinishingtouch.com.
About The Refinishing Touch
Founded in 1977, The Refinishing Touch® is a world leader in providing on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications to private and public organizations. It enables its 20,000 customers across the following markets: government, hotel, hospitality and academia to save up to 80% of their budgets and maintain environmental sustainability.
To date the company has transformed over 1.5 million rooms of furniture worldwide, preventing the equivalent of approximately two million hardwood trees being lost to landfill. Services comprise furniture refinishing, reupholstering, armoire modification and re engineering, granite and fabric selection through the Touch Textiles division. The company has patent pending clean material processes that are odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally safe to enable immediate room re-occupancy.
The Refinishing Touch was awarded the US General Services Administration Evergreen Award for innovative environmentally friendly practices. Long term clients include: The White House, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, US Department of Justice, US Congress, Department of Defense, US Military and Coastguards, Hyatt, Marriot, Wyndham, IHG and Starwood, plus a number of top universities. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
www.therefinishingtouch.com (1) In its most basic form, Lean Manufacturing is the systematic elimination of waste from all aspects of an organization's operations, where waste is viewed as any use or loss of resources that does not lead directly to creating the product or service a customer wants when they want it. http://www.epa.gov/lean/leanreport.pdf
SOURCE: The Refinishing Touch
The Refinishing Touch's 'Touch Textiles' Brand Broadens Range to Include New 100%-Recycled Fabrics With New Eco-Friendly Finishes
Alpharetta, GA--(Marketwire) - The Refinishing Touch, a world renowned specialist in environmentally safe and sustainable on-site furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications, has added new environmentally-friendly materials to its Touch Textiles fabrics brand.
The new line includes a range of 100% recycled fabrics finished with GreenShield, a Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) recognized, low fluorocarbon treatment that uses two-thirds less chemicals without compromising the durability, moisture resistance, stain resistance or nonflammable qualities of the fabric.
In recent years, the industry has seen a massive increase in the use and demand for eco-friendly textiles. Close to 12 billion pounds of post consumer textile waste ends up in our landfills every single year, reflecting the growing need and continuing opportunity for recyclable and sustainable textiles throughout the world.
As a part of the additions to its eco-collection, Touch Textiles introduces fabrics from partners at three different mills that hold third-party certifications for environmentally friendly practices such as Lean Manufacturing (1). While remaining leaders in fabric design and development, these partners make use of innovations such as GreenShield, a fabric finisher that uses up to 10 times less fluorocarbons than other finishes and one-third of the chemicals while preserving color, maintaining fabric breathability, providing water and stain repellency and allowing for anti-odor, antistatic and non-flammable characteristics.
Touch Textiles' new line of green fabrics is complementary to The Refinishing Touch's commitment to sustainable practices that utilize non-toxic materials in its refinishing business. To date, The Refinishing Touch has refurbished the equivalent of 1.5 million rooms of furniture for approximately 20,000 different clients across the government, educational and hospitality sectors. Its practices of recycling, refurbishing and reupholstering furniture have saved approximately two million hardwood trees from landfill.
On top of environmentally sustainable properties, the new range of fabrics feature new designs, textures and materials to accommodate the extensive and selective tastes of The Refinishing Touch's client base across hospitality, university and government sectors.
Mario Insenga, founder and CEO of The Refinishing Touch, said, "Market demand for quality and environmentally friendly fabrics is continuing to grow more and more each year. Through Touch Textiles, The Refinishing Touch is responding to that demand and seeking out these fabrics to offer to our clients. We're determined to provide the highest quality, most environmentally sustainable fabrics, and we're very proud of our new line within the Touch Textiles brand."
He went on to say, "It makes good environmental and business sense to source the textile and refinishing work from the same company. By including these more eco-friendly options, we're hoping to bring new benefits to our clients and provide products and services that are in line with The Refinishing Touch's sustainable mission."
To view the new fabrics that are available immediately, visit The Refinishing Touch's Touch Textiles website. Fabric sample swatches can be requested by calling The Refinishing Touch at (800) 523-9448 or emailing them at sales@therefinishingtouch.com.
About The Refinishing Touch
Founded in 1977, The Refinishing Touch® is a world leader in providing on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications to private and public organizations. It enables its 20,000 customers across the following markets: government, hotel, hospitality and academia to save up to 80% of their budgets and maintain environmental sustainability.
To date the company has transformed over 1.5 million rooms of furniture worldwide, preventing the equivalent of approximately two million hardwood trees being lost to landfill. Services comprise furniture refinishing, reupholstering, armoire modification and re engineering, granite and fabric selection through the Touch Textiles division. The company has patent pending clean material processes that are odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally safe to enable immediate room re-occupancy.
The Refinishing Touch was awarded the US General Services Administration Evergreen Award for innovative environmentally friendly practices. Long term clients include: The White House, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, US Department of Justice, US Congress, Department of Defense, US Military and Coastguards, Hyatt, Marriot, Wyndham, IHG and Starwood, plus a number of top universities. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
www.therefinishingtouch.com (1) In its most basic form, Lean Manufacturing is the systematic elimination of waste from all aspects of an organization's operations, where waste is viewed as any use or loss of resources that does not lead directly to creating the product or service a customer wants when they want it. http://www.epa.gov/lean/leanreport.pdf
SOURCE: The Refinishing Touch
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