on the short list

RECLAIMED, RECYCLED, RESTORED

In honor of Earth Day 2010, we would like to highlight some of our earth friendly vendors! One of our major goals at Not Too Shabby is to support green and environmentally responsible companies, products made in the United States, vintage furniture, re-purposing wares, and to sell locally made goods. Here are just a few of those lines...

One of our favorite artists, Kimberly Dawn, embraces all things reclaimed and gives discarded items a new life and beauty! You name it and she has painted on it: plywood, discarded lumber, drums, windows, automobiles and the occasional human! Her artwork can be found in homes, galleries and businesses worldwide. We are so proud of you Kim!

Laville Frames is the original manufacturer of home accessories made from reclaimed lumber. Each frame is hand made in Louisiana from recycled lumber in one-of-a-kind colors and textures reclaimed from the architecturally rich city of New Orleans. And to top all that off, a percentage of their sales goes to Habitat for Humanity.

This wonderful woman is the person behind our gorgeous vintage furniture. Susan Covington inspires us to be more creative, more thoughtful in our decorating, and amazes us with her never-ending energy and ideas.

Meg Carter, sea glass jewelry designer, takes what was at some point someone's trash and turns it into someone else's treasure. Sea glass can begin as a milk jug, a window, or a soda bottle and after years and years of tumbling in the ocean, it becomes these amazing one-of-a-kind sea glass pieces!

Inspiration Everywhere I Look

I am constantly looking for ideas...for my home, for gifts, for the store, for baking, for everything really. I keep a sketchbook filed with images and ideas, anything that keeps my mind focused on creativity. This is a photo I love; it just makes me smile. How happy would you be to sit at this table and enjoy whatever occasion they are celebrating. So simple, but so magical.

Our Kind of Cottage

My new obsession is painted wood floors. The flooring in our new store location is an amazing aqua color, it makes you feel like you're walking on water.

This "White Dog" painting is available through Not Too Shabby. We have it above our little boy's bed and it may quite possibly be my favorite thing in our house! You need to read the quote to fully appreciate it.

When I think of cottage style, these photos perfectly depict what I envision. Furniture painted in all colors of the ocean, colorful cushions, curtains, rugs and accessories intermixed with strong white pieces. Not whimsical, but light and airy, relaxing and comfortable...a home where you can "live"! Where a little sand tracked in only adds to its appeal. How could you not feel happy walking into a house like this?

photos via Coastal Living Magazine

Cutest Little Dolls Ever!

Blabla dolls are so original and the kids adore them! They are squishy and cuddly, and best of all, made from natural fibers. The entire collection is designed by Florence Wetterwald and knitted by Peruvian artisans. This photo is of a blabla store in Atlanta...delightful!

A Treasured Keepsake

We absolutely fell in love with these photoboxes the first time we saw them. And so have many of our customers over the years. Choose your quote and paint color and have one custom made for those amazing people in your lives...or maybe a treat for yourself. It is the ideal gift for anniversaries, baby showers, weddings, birthdays or as a remembrance of someone missed.

Layers and layers of ruffles, oh my!

Be still my heart! Don't be fooled by knockoffs, these fluffy pettiskirts are the best on the market. What mommy wouldn't want one of these for their little angel? Perfect for special portraits, parties, flower girls, and dress-up! Sizes range from newborn to 6x. These will be available in March and they are sure to be hot sellers!