ReFabulous

Anne-Marie Eddy opened ReFabulous, a shop in Vineyard Haven, a year prior to this article's publication, specializing in refurbished, reclaimed, and painted furniture, alongside Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and other unique items. The store has since expanded to a second location, ReFabulous Decor Two, which offers more furniture, both painted and unpainted. The core concept behind ReFabulous is to repurpose inexpensive furniture by painting it, making it affordable for customers. Eddy also encourages customer creativity, providing guidance for those who wish to paint pieces themselves. She offers advice on color matching and troubleshooting during painting projects, emphasizing a supportive approach to ensure customers feel proud of their work, which in turn fosters a desire to continue painting and decorating their homes. This aligns with the addictive nature of home improvement projects once a positive experience is had. Eddy's background includes a career in corporate sales and co-founding Big Sky Tents with her husband, a business they’ve run for 17 years. Her foray into ReFabulous stemmed from a personal passion for creative pursuits, initially making jewelry and then discovering Annie Sloan Chalk Paint three years prior to the article. She found the paint transformative, using it to redecorate her own home extensively. The Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is highlighted for its ease of use, allowing users to achieve beautiful results without extensive preparation like priming or sanding. The paint, originating from Oxford, England, has a global presence with over 1,000 distributors and retailers. Annie Sloan maintains an organic growth model, avoiding big-box stores, and requires extensive training and a rigorous application process for retailers. Eddy, despite never initially aspiring to retail, was motivated by a desire to share this product due to its empowering effect on individuals, enabling them to engage in artistic expression without feeling overwhelmed. The first year of business for ReFabulous has been positive, marked by the introduction of diverse products and participation in the Chilmark Flea Market, which helps attract customers from different areas of the island. Eddy notes that her location, while not on a main thoroughfare, has advantages. It allows for a manageable flow of customers, which is ideal given that explaining the product and its application often requires more time than typical retail interactions. She appreciates the smaller scale, enabling her to dedicate sufficient time to each customer. ReFabulous offers various workshops, with 'Chalk Paint 101' being the most popular. This workshop teaches six different techniques on wood pieces, allowing participants to experience the paint, wax, and distressing methods. Attendees also complete a small project, such as a frame or wooden buoy, to take home. These workshops are affordably priced at $60 and last 2.5 to 3 hours. Winter sessions often include 'ladies' nights' with cocktails and appetizers, providing a fun activity during the off-season. A more advanced workshop, 'Chalk Paint 102,' covers gilding, stenciling, and decoupage on furniture, and private workshops are also available. Looking ahead, Eddy hopes to increase awareness of the shops at Beach Street Extension, which she affectionately calls "the Brooklyn of Martha's Vineyard" due to its community of handmade goods and artists. The building itself has a history of hosting workshop-type businesses, aligning with the current owner's support for artists. Eddy initially had reservations about opening a retail space but found the small, affordable location to be a perfect fit. The presence of other artists and workshop providers upstairs contributes to a supportive and creative community atmosphere. #ReFabulous #AnnieSloanChalkPaint #FurnitureRepurposing #DIYHomeDecor #CreativeWorkshops #Martha'sVineyard #SmallBusiness #CommunityEngagement #ReFabulous #AnnieSloanChalkPaint #FurnitureRepurposing #DIYHomeDecor #CreativeWorkshops #Martha'sVineyard #SmallBusiness #CommunityEngagement