Charleston...What's in a Name

So, I am still in search of the perfect wallpaper for a couple of offbeat places in my home and I am still striking out finding anywhere that stocks it.  I am determined though…I will persevere and find the perfect thing…somewhere, somehow.

I continued on this quest while I was in Charleston at a shop called Not Just Fabric.  I found this shop in Charleston Home & Design’s online magazine and they sounded like just what I was looking for…..carrying fabrics, vanities, window treatments, trims, wallpaper & furniture.  Awesome right?  Well, I hate to pop the bubble but I saw very little at Not Just Fabrics except….fabric.

Not Just Fabrics
1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston SC

If you are looking for beautiful upholstery or window treatment fabric at really great bargain prices this is a fabulous place.  There were so many patterns I was lured by…if I only had been prepared with some measurements and not been overwhelmed by the number of things I loved.  I will go back and next time, watch out!

Love the Green fabric in the middle - this would be
so fabulous for my Adirondack Chairs cushions

Oh my gosh that lobster fabric is so fun!  It
came in Navy too...

If you are looking for anything other than fabric and are counting on this to be your resource you’re likely out of luck.  They had a few wallpaper books you can order from (nothing in stock) and a few miscellaneous decorative items but Not Just Fabric was really “Just Fabric”.  Not necessarily a bad thing…they did offer up some really fabulous fabric options!

Am loving the oranges these days and
am especially loving all of the Sale tags
at Not Just Fabrics!

My next stop was Chic Antiques, a consignment antique boutique.  From their website I could tell this was just my kind of place – fun pretty vintage things.  When I arrived it was not at all what I expected – mostly vintage inspired newer pieces and repurposed consignment items. 

Chic Antiques

675-D Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt Pleasant, SC

There were many many items I drooled over but definitely not your traditional “antique” shop.  Again, not necessarily a bad thing….

This was what welcomed me...Love!

 One of the things that I really am inspired by these days is traditional furniture that is painted an unexpected color.  Chic Antiques had so many pieces that were such fun colors.  I mean I don’t think I would have the nerve to paint a huge china cabinet pink (a deep reddish pink but none-the-less pink) but the first vignette right up front at Chic Antiques featured just that and let me tell you…FABULOUS!

Such fun colors - this was more of a pink red in person

Chic Antiques also has a phenomenal selection of lamps & chandeliers.  Loved every single one of them!  It took everything in my being to restrain myself from buying all of them.  I guess its luck that I had just finished replacing the fixtures in my house so I couldn’t justify a purchase, don’t know if that’s good luck or bad luck though.

Feeding my Lamp Obsession

All in all neither store was what I expected from the name of the shop but both were definitely wonderful places.

Zimman's Fabric Fabulocity

Let me just start this post by stating “I don’t sew”. 

I wish I sewed, I have lots of ideas of fabulous things I could make if I sewed and I even have “plans” to sit down and sew some of these things….someday.  But as of today, I don’t sew.

My grandmother was a seamstress by trade and was massively talented in the art of sewing, knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, etc. (as were most of the elder women in my family).  She even upholstered her own furniture…I did not inherit her skills.

Now of course, the fact that I do not sew does not stop me from drooling over lovely fabrics and trims and there is no place better to do said drooling than Zimman’s in Lynn MA. 

Zimman's
80 Market St., Lynn MA

 Zimman’s is an old (very old) department store that now is 4 floors of every kind of fabric and trim imaginable – 2 of the floors are filled with really interesting unique furniture pieces (all fabulously upholstered, of course).  The charm brought by the original tin ceiling and grand staircase remain but instead of your average department store it’s really a decorators dream now.

Decorated Nook coming down the stairs - makes you
want to bring a book and stay awhile doesn't it.

3rd floor Furniture...

So, I was recently traveling through Lynn and decided to stop by Zimman’s on a whim.  I am looking for some cool Thibaut wallpaper for a possible guest room project (hint: ceiling...) and thought perhaps I might get lucky and find what I have in my head sitting out just waiting for me to find it. 

Thibaut Gatehouse Collection, April Pattern

One quick side note, I just have one question regarding this wallpaper search….does anyone stock wallpaper anymore or does it all have to be custom ordered???  Makes it tough for those of us who need to see & touch before committing (sound familiar anyone?). 

 Well, unfortunately my quest for an in person visit with this fabulous wallpaper was not to be but I did stop by furniture...

Where I found this fabulous
lamp that is just calling to
come home with me...

and this stunner!

And a visit to Zimman's wouldnt be complete without a stop to the closeout basement...

 and of course found this beautiful piece of fabric that I just had to have. 

 I “plan” on making a shower curtain with - how hard can it be right?  All I can say is stay tuned and wish me luck with the button holes…