Welcome to Fabulous Furniture Friday Feature!
Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Stephanie, owner, Caledonia Vintage Marketplace.
Take it away Stephanie!
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I started looking into getting an antique booth about 8 years ago.
I found a shop that was 40 minutes away that had a huge amount of foot traffic and a large following.
I wanted something to do to express my creativity as I was feeling a little stifled as an ex-professional
artist-now stay-at-home mom.
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I researched vintage design trends and found what I thought was my
idea and expression of shabby chic.
(Totally different from how I would describe that design trend today! )
I hunted, collected, and gathered for months until I got my small booth.
I did pretty well for a new comer and found I REALLY enjoyed transforming furniture with paint.
Then mostly-GASP!-with spray paint.
Nonetheless, it was transforming as a new paint job can be.
I found others who were working on their pieces with this paint that required no priming or sanding,
called Chalk paint, by Annie Sloan.
I tried it and was hooked!
Spraying furniture was not nearly as artistically satisfying as picking up a paint brush and adding my
own details and nuances by hand.
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I LOVE nothing better than to use my skills to manipulate the paint and wax to create new
combinations.
It will never stop amazing me.
That is why I feel so passionate about our Heirloom/DIY paint line.
I tried almost every chalk paint line and didn’t find anything I liked as much as ASCP, –UNTIL I
recently tried Debi’s Design DIY paint!
I LOVE the heavily pigmented, not too thick, not too thin consistency, it’s great coverage,
and beautiful colors.
I have made the switch.
I feel really good about working with paint that is made in the U.S.A and all natural.
While working my booth, I watched other vendors who transformed their booths into works of art and
tried to learn from what those vendors were doing.
One vendor, Kathy Frampton Frederickson, I considered the BEST at her art.
She elevated booth design to a whole different level.
Her space would COMPLETELY change monthly and have a different feel, different items, and it
would always astound me.
I had no idea that that was possible.
Her break- it -down and rebuild method was amazing and I still am in awe of this astounding woman,
as an artist and a great woman.
I would not have this second chapter without her.
I remained in that store for about 3 years and loved every minute of it.
However, by the end of the 3rd year I had found myself one of the last vendors who took booth design
seriously.
Kathy and several others had moved on and I felt that I was working very hard to stand out in a store
that no longer reflected my design ethic.
Driving home one day, I noticed that our former furniture store in town was for rent.
It’s a great big Victorian home that was redesigned to be a furniture store.
A light bulb went off and I started doing as much research as I possibly could.
Could I run my own store, here in my home town?
Was this possible?
I did have several years of retail management experience in my earlier life, and I decided, that before I
even entertained any ideas, I would do as much research again, as possible.
I read numerous books, gathered vendors, studied our city’s demographics, township rules and
regulations, my finances, and took free local business classes that are provided by a local group of
retired businessmen and -women.
With their help, I wrote out a detailed business plan and found that my plan was viable and
financially do-able.
I opened May of 2013.
I wanted a space that featured others dealers who felt as I did about making their booth spaces feel
like a mini showroom for their finds and arrange them in a way that was artistically styled, inspiring,
and mostly tempting!
I want that gasp of awe when they walk in our front door!
I love it when we get that!
We want to inspire others to elevate their style and be creative when adding vintage elements to their
home.
Think outside the box and inspire others to explore their creativity!
That’s what I ultimately want to do.
It has been two years of ups and downs- physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It’s a lot of hard work, many hours, and sacrifices, but my family and I have been able to make it
work.
We have a 5000 sq. ft. antique design boutique that has over 35 vendors and consignors.
We host monthly sale events, outdoor flea markets, charity events, and paint classes with our Debi’s
Design Diary DIY brand chalk type paint.
I love sharing my passion for paint and I am very proud to be a part of the DIY/Heirloom family of
retailers.
I hope that everyone gets to explore their possibilities and find their “happy.”
I think we have.
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Thank you so much for this opportunity to share our story and maybe inspire someone else to follow
their dreams.
~Stephanie, owner, Caledonia Vintage Marketplace llc
Fun Facts:
Favorite DIY color: Bead Board White! I work with white-a lot!
Design Style: French Gustavian-mostly white!!
My favorite room in my home: My living room-no T.V.-just pretties and books!
By best selling items: painted furniture and religious items
I collect: White antique ironstone, antique mercury glass, old rosaries, and vintage design books
Favorite magazine: Jeanne’ de arc living
Before I got my booth, I was a professional show dog breeder, handler, and trainer of Newfoundland
dogs.
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Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story today Stephanie!
You can find Stephanie and follow her on Caledonia Vintage Market on her Facebook Page HERE.
Wonderful and inspiring post! The photos were gorgeous, (and I see LOTS that I would love to have!!!) but the commentary was awe inspiring. Thanks!
Hugs,
Patti
Yes I know Patti, I think I need a to take a trip to Michigan. I am not far away.
I really enjoyed reading this. Very inspiring! It made me wish I were about 25 years younger! Lol. Thanks for sharing your story.
Your welcome Lisa! I enjoyed reading this as well!
I enjoyed this too
What a wonderful surprise to find Stephanie and her story behind Caledonia Vintage Marketplace on your blog. I love her design aesthetic and her shop. She has put together a wonderful group of vendors and employees who love vintage, are extremely creative and make a wow presentation everytime I’m in their shop. If you haven’t been there, you should stop in. It’s right outside Grand Rapids. Congrats Steph and the folks at CVM!
I would LOVE to visit her shop Debra! I like you enjoyed reading Stephanie’s story. She inspired me and I am sure many more that will read this 🙂
I am beyond blessed that Stephanie chose to add DIY paint to her beautiful store! i hope to make it to Michigan someday soon and visit her, meeting so many talented people and getting to know them is truly the best part about having a paint line. Thanks for sharing Anne!
I really enjoyed reading Stephanie’s story Debi. And like you I would love to meet her at her store in Michigan.She truly is inspiring!
Lovely article by a lovely woman!
I agree Kathy!