Yugo I Go. Getting intimate with lounge chairs from Yugoslavia.

Little chair needs new cushions and big chair needs a makeover.  

We have all seen them.  They look danish, but not.  Straighter arms, less sculptured but still that same great look we all love.  I passed up a pair a few weeks ago because the strapping needed to be replaced and I wasn't feeling that project.  So then I find this pair.  Ok.  Seat supports are good.  A bit wobbly.  The gal at the shop was like, aren't these great??? The seats come up almost like they fold but not really!!! Skeptical me was thinking, honey, these need some serious gluing and clamping!

So fast forward a week.  I decide to start cleaning them up and getting the structure secure so I can start working on the cushions.  I need mom for that and honestly, I have no clue what color! I just picked up some upholstery scraps but not sure I have enough of any to do both chairs.  I have cream velvet.  I have brown with stripes knoll fabric, probably enough of the red Schumacher? It's so hard making color choices for a not yet found buyer.  If anyone sees these and must have, speak up and I can make custom cushions in your choice of fabrics!  

The finish is in good shape.  A little love evened out the issues without too much effort.  The wobble was a bit discerning so I wanted to find out more.  I can see some nail 'pins' and brass catches going on.  That is not gluable.  In fact, there are no exposed screws anywhere!   So I post a thread on my favorite restoration group- https://m.facebook.com/groups/671198139615447 and here is what I find out.

The screws catch into this hardware piece. 

the screws that catch.  Give them a turn or two to tighten up the structure. 

​Turns out these guys were made to flat pack! That kept shipping costs down drastically.  I further inspected and every piece has the screw and catch. The seat just lays in with pegs, plus evidence of 2 screws that's was told prevents the seat from popping up unwantedly. I was also told that tightening up those screws just a little will help it be less wobbly.  So I am working on that now.  This is important to keep in the back of your mind in case you run into one of these rickety babies!  It can be helped and it's only a matter or tightening a few screws.  These chairs are lightweight and really a pretty add to your space.  As far as shipping, they can be flat packed!  It's up to you as the buyer, but I would label everything so you can get it back together fast.  Now......what color to make those cushions!!!?!!!  

XO Malissa​

Not broke! Don't panic!  

wow! I tightened 3 screws about a full turn. Whacked the one side with a rubber mallet because it was not sliding and I am happy with it!  Very sturdy now!  These sit a little low for me...as do most mcm lounge chairs, but they will be great with new cushions! 

Holiday Promotions Start Now! SHOP SMALL, shop often!

I have a few things to buzz about for the holiday season coming up as I get myself organized.  Here is what is happening:​

ETSY SHOP: 10% off all inventory except furniture and fabrics is on NOW THROUGH NOV 20!  Early birds are being rewarded! Stop by and see if you can knock some gifts off your list or shop for yourself, I WON'T TELL! 😜  ​

BLACK FRIDAY GIFT WITH PURCHASE.  I did this last year and prepared to do it again! I got lots of little items from Primitives by Kathy to give away!  Any etsy orders shipping from Thanksgiving through Christmas will get a free gift from me! 🎁 while supplies last but I have plenty so do not think I will run out. If you shop earlier, just message me that you want the Christmas gift and I will include in your package.  I love doing this and hope my customers like it.  GIFT WRAP? I will gladly do a special wrap or add a card for you, just message me.  Etsy wants us to charge and specifically offer it and honestly, so few people ask for it that when they do, I accommodate no charge.  I want your item to make it safely so my main concern is packing it properly. 

If this bowl were for sale, I'd be pricing it between $50 and $80.  You can claim it FREE with a $200 purchase! 

FLEETWOOD ANTIQUE MALL SPACE.  The mall may run some promos and I may participate but nothing is firm yet. Starting today in my space only (tags marked MW) I am offering up a fabulous 8" Catherineholm enameled Lotus bowl in harder to find yellow and green​.  From today through Christmas, the first person who spends $200 (in a single transaction) in my shop will be able to take this great bowl home FREE! I only ask you take a pic of you in my space holding the bowl when you claim it! 💕👌  if it goes unclaimed by Christmas, it will go back in my china hutch.  😂🤘🏼 

MAY I SUGGEST? I just stocked up holiday items, added my beautiful dining set at a crazy cash/carry price.....$1000 for 6 restored chairs and a table! I have the chairs at $1200 online without the table. Come see it, all set with glassware and china looking pretty.  I have a few great pieces on display! I also have gifts from Primitives by Kathy and lots of fun vintage goodies to choose from.  Don't forget the Lane Rhythm Hutch is also available for a crazy low price of $500!  If you are looking for a handsome bookcase or china/collectibles Hutch this could be the one! Priced for the local market and ready to use!  

Stop by and shop the mall! It really is a fun place with an awesome selection.  Let me know how you like it! ​

Took a few pics of the daybed as I removed from my showcase.  It is such a lovely piece.  If you know of someone looking for a multi use piece like this, send them my way! I will deliver in the region. Perfect for a nursery for new parents, den, spare room and more.  All newly restored with sturdy metal frame on gorgeous hairpin legs. 💙

all new foam, professionally upholstered.

Includes original details like piped edging, tufting and zipper access on the small pillows. 

Thanks for following along! I will have more updates on my rocker restoration soon! Fabric is on the way! XO Malissa

Wicker repair- not a bad project to attempt!

I took in a 1930s era wicker Heywood Wakefield/Lloyd Loom rocking chair a while ago.  It needed some repairs and new seat upholstery.  When I bought the cane for the rocking chair, I picked up some reed to do that repair as well.  The original wicker is not even wood!  It is twisted paper.  Crazy!  I set up shop while I was binging on Netflix and started to recreate the weave in the broken area.  It was not a bad job at all.  The reed needed to be wet to be pliable so I just soaked small pieces in a bowl of water while I was working.  My next step was to blend this repair in with the original aged painted finish.  I hit AC MOORE and picked up some acrylic Liquitex.....sadly, I have somewhere in my house but it was from college so who knows if it is even still good.  So I picked up the 2 colors I figured I'd be blending to get to the color match.  Low an behold, I did great!  I mixed the base color and then added some orangey splashes over top.  It came out great!  I will be spraying the entire chair with a clear coat as well, to seal that in. 

Before the repair, after the weaving and finally with the paint applied.

The repair is on the right arm.  Can't even tell!  <3  I choose not to repaint  the chair.  Shabby is in and so many folks faux finish things, here is the real deal aged finish!  Drab orange with deep red accents.

My next task was to rip apart the old upholstery.  Now, here is the thing....this chair was pretty gross.  It came from an attic in a Reading row home.  It smelled like mildew and the dirt was permeated into the cotton.  Just plain gross.  My plan is to rebuilt the entire seat so everything except the wood and metal is new. 

I just selected fabric for the seat,  it is a deep red textured indoor/outdoor fabric by F Schumacher.  For as much as I was hoping to use a Wild pattern, I went with the solid which is the safer option.  

While I wait for the fabric to arrive, I will be getting the new muslin over the springs and doing my cotton and foam stuffing. My plan is to have the fabric patterned so my friend and I can sew it in another week when I visit.  I am looking forward to getting this piece finished! It really is a nice chair. I also have a book coming regarding the Lloyd Loom Company, if I learn anything of interest I will share.  

Holiday updates. 

Furniture can take 6-8 weeks to receive via white glove shippers. If there is something you love, order now so you can receive in time!  Layaway?  If purchased via etsy, I would gladly accept a deposit to hold a pricier item. Reach out to discuss.   

BLACK FRIDAY PROMO: once again, I was able to purchase a little something to pack with all orders shipping out this holiday season! Starting around Black Friday, I will be including a special gift with your order. ✌️ I have plenty but will disclose WHILE SUPPLIES LAST just in case I break some sales records! If you place an order before Black Friday please send me a note that you would like the holiday gift! I certainly don't want you to wait to make your purchase! 💕

Etsy is setting up some new features. Some things to look for are GIFT WRAPPING options.  I did not set this up as I do not feel it goes along with what I sell but I am always open to making a gift special, which I do not charge for. You just need to let me know. My main goal is to get your item to you safely!  There are also new badges for FREE SHIPPING. Etsy is encouraging this and marketing it.  It works well for smaller items but sadly, shipping for most items I sell is very complicated and varies immensely depending on where I am shipping to.  I will continue to offer custom quotes prior to check out and refund overages if you check out with what I have set up.  My best zones are east coast and mid west so keep that in mind.  I take shipping seriously and will price shop for your best rate. SHIPPING IS NOT FREE for any of my furniture nor for most furniture items listed on etsy.  Please read the entire description to determine if shipping truly is included.  This new change has left me and other furniture sellers with little options to control how we appear and my guess is furniture with 0 shipping will be promoted with the free shipping items.  Coupons-etsy may offer coupons for new shoppers.  It should show up on your home screen. This is awesome and a corporate level promo.  Take advantage if you can!

SHOP SALE- I have not determined if I will offer a sale yet, but may have a coupon code later this month for my special fans.  Please check your emails for future blog updates and my social media.  I will advertise it there. 

Fleetwood Antique Mall- I will participate in holiday promos at the mall. Also stay tuned as I will announce them as they get planned! 

Thanks for reading! Looking forward to a busy holiday season!  

XO Malissa

Chairish- where it is at. A look at this newer marketplace taking the internet by storm.

I sell in more than one online market. Some of my items are listed in one, some in all.  Although up to now, I have been focusing on my etsy shop, things have been changing over there and I decided to add some of my higher end smalls to chairish.  I figure I would tell you guys about that market as I do feel they are positioning themselves to become a force to reckoned with. 

HOME Screen in the Chairish App.  

I got involved with Chairish a few years ago.  They are a relative newcomer in the online marketplace and a lot of folks are unaware of them. They are presenting to an upscale audience focusing on interior designers. There are no vintage requirements and they encourage sellers to offer late model Furnishings and Decor.  They also offer white glove shipping nationwide which they arrange at incredible rates. I price shopped Plycon on my own and they are seriously half of that. Although white glove shipping is a splurge, it really is a great choice as all you need to do is say 'put it over there' and they will, taking all the wrappings with them when they leave.  I sling a lot of furniture and can say that alone is worth forking over the dough!  

2 of my items showing up in a search for BOMBAY. 

Chairish is a curated collection.  That means someone there decides if they want your item listed.  If for whatever reason they do not want it, it gets denied.  It is a way of controlling what is associated with their brand.  The audience is Interior Designers shopping for clients and savvy homeowners in the know.  Sellers are also grouped by region and often offer deliver or pick ups.  This is how you can shop smartly without driving up the price with shipping costs.

There are some great features in the App! First up is a VIEW IN YOUR SPACE feature.  

Currently only offered by Chairish and their really high end sister site, DECASO, this fun feature lets you use your camera to overlay this scalable image over you room.  See how cool my mirror would look hanging in my VW Vanagon?! 😂

From the desktop browser, I have also been able to PRINT A TEAR SHEET which looks like this. Also an Interior designer feature but helpful if you are coordinating your own project.  

As you can see above, shoppers can make offers. Sellers can accept or counter.  When you make an offer, be aware that everyone who has HEARTED that item gets a push email that announces HURRY! MALISSA HAS MADE AN OFFER OF $250.   

SHOPPING TIPS:  you can score a $20 off coupon as a new shopper just be signing up for an account or message me your email as I can have one sent to you.  I also just printed out a packing slip for a buyer and it included a coupon code for $20 off a purchase of $100 or more on a return trip.  You can ask questions directly to the seller as a public comment.  Please note there there is not a private communication system nor will they encourage direct contact between buyer and seller off site.  They will, however, assist as a go between and forward info between parties.  Just contact customer service to initiate.   TRUST:  although listings are edited by Chairish, know that they do not authenticate any item being sold.  I have observed some shady practices by dealers in this market.  Like any other marketplace, make sure you ask questions and get proof.  If the dealer cannot provide, you may want to find someone who will to purchase from.  

TRADE DISCOUNTS.  Are you an interior design pro? Chairish recently launched a Trade program where, once approved, you would be eligible for trade discounts as offered by sellers of 10-30% off listed price.  I personally feel I price fair so have not jumped into this. Realistically, prices need to start higher to accommodate this on top of the already steep commission.  I am going to wait it out and see.  Shoppers always can make offers so not being featured in the promos is the only thing I will miss out on.  

Pop over and give chairish a try! You can follow my shop at chairish.com/shop/madmodworldvintage and find me under Philadelphia sellers! ✌️Happy shopping! Allow 6-8 weeks to receive white glove furniture shipments! I had been taking 2 weeks just to get things picked up!

xo Malissa

Flokati- it's a rug, it's a throw, Vietnamese silk lanterns.

Last week, I headed out with my friend Laurie for yet another urban picking adventure. We make a day of it with the goal of heading to our favorite estate company and then thrifting and shopping the whole way home.  This trip did not disappoint and although I would say I am not really in spending mode right now, I got some great items at a relatively low cost which always is good!  The highlight of the trip is always a great view of Manhattan from NJ.  I find that shopping in this area gets me a different selection of goods that are not readily available in the more country area I typically shop.  

My favorite picks are the two Flokati rugs I bought home.  I already have one of my own, so both of these are listed for sale.  The Flokati is of Greek origin and is made of wool.  The pile is left long and it has a great shag.  They are used as a throw over a couch, bed or bench and as a rug.  They have some weight to them too.  These are both in excellent condition and have no stains or issues.  One is a larger rectangle size and the other is smaller and almost square.  Take a look and see if you can accommodate one.  They are great for MCM purists, boho and eclectic decors and more.  They add a real nice texture to a space and are a great neutral cream (natural wool) color. Both are listed in my etsy and chairish shops. Great holiday gift!

WIKI: A flokati rug is a handmade shag wool rug. Making flokatis is a long-time tradition of the Vlachs in the Pindus mountains. The natural color of a flokati rug is off-white, but they may be dyed different colors. The entire rug is wool, including the backing from which the tapered shag emerges. After the rug is woven, it is placed in the cold water of a river to fluff the shag. They continue to be handmade in the mountains of Greece and are regarded as desirable in American modern decor and children's rooms.

Next up, to go along with my recent Asian kick, which, by the way, is TRENDING right now!  I buy what I love, but so many times I come home with stuff and start poking around or get an email and whammo, there is my new found style, already being marketed and discussed in one of my markets!  I just got a mailing from F Schumacher, fine purveyor of fabrics, wallpaper and accessories that I have a trade account with and they are launching a fabulous fabric panel line all with beautiful Asian designs.  I do pay attention to current trends in the design world as that is how I stay relevant.   So I found some beautiful Vietnamese Silk Lanterns.  In Hoi An, they celebrate every full moon with a beautiful lantern festival in which thousands of silk lanterns are hung about town all aglow.  I picked up 3 of these lanterns, all with an inner bamboo frame system that collapse for easier storage and shipping.  They are VERY large and I find them very attractive in a grouping but am pricing individually.  The smallest one needs some glue and I have not repaired it yet so have not listed it.  You can find them on etsy.  

I get lost in this beautiful painting. The black background is actually green foliage and pink accents. It was amazingly done! 

I have worked through the art and ming tables I picked up the other week and most everything is live on etsy and chairish.  I hung the paintings in my living room for safe keeping while they wait for a home and I am in love with them.  The details are lovely and it really classes up my space.  I know whomever takes them in will love them just as much.  I added everything I know about the artist, which sadly, is not much.  Most of it from observation of being in her home and not necessarily facts about her art career.  

I just accepted an offer on the Adrian Pearsall Jacks end tables.  The kidney shaped cocktail table is still available.  I will hopefully be looking to bring some of the upholstered items from this lot home shortly.  I keep going round in my head about them.  For as much as I'd love to restore them and then list them for sale or even coordinate the restoration for the buyer, I really do not have the kind of budget to invest into them without having someone lined up to fund it.  I may just offer them as is for the buyer to do their own coordination.  I have a house full of items I have a lot of money invested into and they just do not seem to find homes fast.  It makes me sad but it is what it is.  I cannot tie more money up into things that sit for a year or more.  That said, if you really love them and want me to help you get them done, I will gladly and enthusiastically take on the project.  

As the push to the holiday season approaches, I will be trying to get through some back stock to list and may even thin some of my personal collections.  I did just list an amazing tension pole lamp that I was planning on keeping but decided since I have another to restore that can replace it, I will let it go.  Keep checking my Facebook and instagram for latest additions to the inventory as I usually post it there first.  

Heading out for the weekend so any sales that come in will be shipped Monday.  Have a great weekend!  xo Malissa