$50 Microwave Shelves—Yes, Really—Hold Books, Heels, and Sunnies at This DIY-Filled Vintage Shop

Anna Gray, owner-designer of the downtown New York City store Club Vintage, transformed a two-floor space with a history of various tenants into a unique retail environment through a series of budget-friendly DIY projects. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing, where her parents frequently renovated their home, Gray embraced the idea that spatial change and self-expression through design are normal and achievable on a budget. Her goal was to create a distinctive space that reflected her personal style and complemented the curated collection of homewares and clothing from 46 vintage dealers, ranging from the 19th century to the space age. One of Gray's notable projects involved creating a 'fleet of lantern clouds' on the second level of the store. Inspired by the surreal and meditative feeling of the Noguchi Museum's lantern-filled room, she purchased 15 oversized rice paper pendants in various sizes from Pearl River Mart for approximately $60. These were hung from the rafters to create a cloud effect, distinguishing the second level without occupying floor space. Gray advises using warm, moody bulbs to enhance the dreamlike ambiance. This cost-effective solution serves as an inspiration for creating impactful overhead installations in other settings like dining areas or nurseries. Another innovative DIY project was the creation of a hardware store room divider. Instead of investing in an expensive vintage 1950s Eames plywood privet, Gray and her collaborator Jonah Peterschild fabricated a similar look using plywood from Home Depot. They used a CNC machine, or alternatively a circular hole saw, to drill the desired hole pattern. While such a divider can be used in a home to delineate open-concept rooms or conceal clutter, Gray utilized it in the shop to display clothing unconventionally, making the shopping experience more engaging than sifting through neatly folded piles. Addressing the high foot traffic in the front of the store, Gray opted for high-contrast floors. The original all-white gallery floors were impractical due to cleaning demands. She chose Benjamin Moore's 'Evening Blue' with an epoxy finish, aiming to achieve a color similar to Yves Klein Blue without the cost of a custom mix. This durable and reflective flooring solution is practical for heavy use, enhances light, and photographs well, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like entryways. Gray also integrated repurposed microwave shelves into the store's design. She frequently uses restaurant-quality stainless steel microwave shelves in her own apartment as an entryway catchall, appreciating their floating appearance and minimal footprint compared to traditional console tables. In Club Vintage, these 1-foot deep shelves are used to display sunglasses and vintage shoes, offering a practical and visually appealing solution for showcasing smaller items. Finally, Gray transformed rebar material, typically used for concrete flooring, into an art piece. Discovering green-coated rebar mesh at Home Depot, she and Peterschild cut sections of squares and hung them on a wall above a seating area. This inexpensive modification, costing only $30, demonstrates how industrial materials can be repurposed to create artistic and functional elements within a retail or home environment. These projects collectively demonstrate Gray's philosophy of creative, budget-conscious design, proving that impactful spatial transformations can be achieved through resourcefulness and a willingness to experiment with unconventional materials and ideas. The store's design reflects a blend of vintage aesthetics with practical, modern DIY solutions, creating an instantly recognizable and unique shopping destination. #VintageDesign #DIYProjects #BudgetDecor #RetailDesign #HomeRenovation #CreativeSolutions #InteriorHacks #AnnaGray #ClubVintage #VintageDesign #DIYProjects #BudgetDecor #RetailDesign #HomeRenovation #CreativeSolutions #InteriorHacks #AnnaGray #ClubVintage

39 months ago

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