Heard you heard of the legs or no legs furniture debate?

Anne-Marie Eddy, owner of ReFabulous Decor in Vineyard Haven, transforms vintage furniture and household items through upcycling, giving them new life and purpose. Initially trained in corporate sales, Eddy, along with her husband Jim Eddy, first established Big Sky Tents in 1998 on Martha's Vineyard. Her creative pursuits led her to discover Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, known for its ease of use without priming or sanding, non-toxic properties, and quick drying time. This discovery prompted her to begin painting furniture in her own home, eventually inspiring her to open ReFabulous Decor in June 2013. ReFabulous Decor, which has relocated twice and is now situated at the corner of Main and Union streets, serves as both a retail store and studio. Eddy sources her pieces from various places, including yard sales, the Chicken Alley Thrift Store in Vineyard Haven, and estate sales conducted by Rush & Fisher auctioneers. She also has loyal customers who assist her in finding suitable items. Her selection criteria prioritize good quality pieces at affordable prices to ensure accessibility for Islanders. During her work, Eddy sometimes uncovers hidden treasures within the furniture, such as old notes from the 1940s, photographs, and pocket change, which adds to the historical narrative of each piece. The business plays a role in the local community by providing an affordable option for Islanders to acquire unique, beautiful furniture and to update their existing decor. Eddy emphasizes that many pieces have undergone an "Island shuffle," and her work helps them find a permanent home. Her most popular product is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with neutral colors like Old White and Paris Grey being the most requested. Customers are increasingly experimenting with color mixing for custom looks. The "driftwood" aesthetic is a particularly popular choice among clients, achieved through blending neutral tones with a damp cloth. ReFabulous Decor also offers a wider range of decorative finishes, top coats, metallics, glazes, and colored waxes to support further customization. The store also functions as a space for local artists to display and sell their work. Eddy and her staff offer personalized consultations, helping customers visualize how to restore their furniture using paint samples and providing advice on various techniques. They utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and their website to educate customers through videos and tips. The store also offers a wide array of DIY tools, including Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, Saltwash for a sun-and-salt-wash effect, Prima Marketing mixed-media supplies, and Iron Orchid Designs products such as decor stamps, transfers, molds, and rollers. Additionally, they carry the General Finishes line of glazes, pearlized finishes, and topcoat sealers. The shop provides unique stencils and brushes, offers hands-on stenciling instructions, and rents out stencils for projects, alongside free in-store demonstrations of their DIY products. ReFabulous Decor also takes custom furniture orders and sells handcrafted jewelry and other home decor items. #furnitureUpcycling #DIYHomeDecor #AnnieSloanChalkPaint #vintageFurniture #Martha'sVineyardBusiness #refurbishedDecor #creativeEntrepreneurship #sustainableLiving #localBusiness

The article addresses the common bedroom design dilemma of whether to incorporate a headboard or opt for a headboard-free setup. The author, Oonagh Turner, shares her personal experience of having a bed against a chimney breast with a large print and cushions serving as a makeshift headrest. She contemplates switching to a permanent headboard for a more minimalist and sophisticated look, moving her current artwork to another room. To resolve this design conundrum, she consults interior designers who present arguments for and against the use of headboards. Several interior designers advocate for headboards, highlighting four key reasons. Firstly, headboards function as a focal point in the bedroom, drawing attention to the bed as the central element. Kristin Fine, co-founder of The 1818 Collective, emphasizes that headboards offer endless creative opportunities to establish the room's atmosphere and define its overall vision. Amy Hart of Little Brick Studio reinforces this by stating that headboards are crucial for both aesthetic appeal and spatial definition, asserting that the bed is the main piece of furniture and a headboard can elevate its comfort and style. Secondly, headboards can offer practical utility beyond mere decoration, such as integrating storage or serving as a bedside table. Elise Wiart from Peggy Bels suggests deep headboards can store books, lighting, and decorative items. Kimberley Peck's custom-designed headboard for a Manhattan loft exemplifies this, grounding the bed while providing open and closed storage, acting as a bedside table with integrated electrical outlets for reading lights and charging devices. Thirdly, upholstered headboards enhance comfort and add softness to a bedroom, providing a comfortable backrest for activities beyond sleeping, such as reading or relaxing. Elise Wiart notes their ability to add texture and coziness, providing functional support. Fourthly, headboards offer practical benefits like protecting walls from scuffs, damage, and paint wear. Holly A Kopman of Holly A Kopman Interior Design also points out that upholstered headboards can improve room acoustics, acting as a sound-insulating layer, which is particularly beneficial in a bedroom. Conversely, some designers argue against the necessity of headboards, providing three counterarguments. Don Lannicelli of Glasshouse Projects suggests that the decision depends on the overall context of the space. Firstly, foregoing a headboard allows for more freedom in personal decor, particularly for displaying wall art. Amy Hart points out that the absence of a headboard frees up valuable wall space for artistic expression, as demonstrated by Interior Fox's design where a small headboard allows ample room for a stylish gallery wall. Secondly, certain headboard styles can appear dated. The article notes that overly tall, quilted, or grey upholstered headboards might not align with contemporary aesthetics. It suggests that a full bed frame could be a more modern alternative for those seeking a simpler look or that headboards should be more personalized and colorful to avoid a dated feel. Thirdly, headboards can consume valuable space, especially in smaller bedrooms, potentially pushing the bed further into the room. However, the article acknowledges that modern headboard designs are increasingly incorporating functional elements to mitigate this issue, transforming them from purely aesthetic pieces into multi-purpose furniture. The discussion concludes by presenting both sides of the argument, enabling readers to make an informed decision based on their aesthetic preferences and practical needs. #BedroomDesign #Headboard #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Furniture #SpacePlanning #MinimalistBedroom #DesignConundrum

The article addresses a recent online debate that emerged on Reddit's home decorating forum concerning the optimal tablecloth size for a round dining table. The discussion was initiated by a Redditor who presented four tablecloth options for a circular table—70 inches, 80 inches, 90 inches, and 108 inches—prompting a divided response from the online community. Some users favored an 80-inch length for practicality, while others preferred a 90-inch length for aesthetic appeal. A significant number of commenters also expressed a desire for an 85-inch tablecloth, a size not readily available among the options provided. To provide clarity and expert guidance on this design dilemma, the article consults New York designer Mina Lisanin and design content creator Arlyn Hernandez. Lisanin explains that the key to selecting the correct tablecloth size lies in achieving proportionality with the table setup. She outlines a formula for determining the required tablecloth diameter: add twice the desired drop length to the table's diameter. For instance, a 48-inch table with a desired 10-inch drop would necessitate a tablecloth of at least 68 inches in diameter. Lisanin further differentiates between drop lengths suitable for various occasions, suggesting a six- to eight-inch drop for casual settings and a more substantial 10- to 15-inch drop for formal events. Arlyn Hernandez concurs with Lisanin's recommendations, particularly highlighting the versatility of a 10-inch drop. Hernandez notes that this length strikes an ideal balance, ensuring that diners' feet remain unobstructed while simultaneously imparting a purposeful and inviting appearance to the table. She suggests this length is well-suited for informal gatherings such as tapas nights, lasagna dinners, or large grazing board presentations. Both experts agree that a 10-inch drop is practical for everyday use, while more formal occasions might warrant a longer, floor-grazing linen. The choice of tablecloth length, therefore, depends on the desired ambiance for the occasion. Shorter tablecloths are deemed appropriate for casual family get-togethers, whereas longer linens are recommended for more elegant feasts. Beyond size, Lisanin emphasizes the importance of fabric selection. She advises opting for materials that align with the event's formality; durable and practical cotton and polyester blends are suitable for daily use, while linen or velvet can elevate the sophistication of formal dinners. The article concludes by suggesting that once the appropriate size, shade, style, and fiber are chosen, the tablecloth can be further enhanced with complementary florals, dinnerware, and candles to create a complete and appealing tablescape. #TableclothDebate #DiningTable #HomeDecorating #DesignTips #TableSetting #FormalDining #CasualDining #TableLinens #InteriorDesign