Tuesday, August 7, 2012

~ My Grand Opening ~

You are all cordially invited to the 
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
 at 
The Empty Nest
92 Main St. Suite 102
Warrenton, Va
warning...photo overload!!



My large display window is staged to look like a lovely vintage sewing room.
It features an antique vanity painted in Duck Egg Blue and Graphite tops, a French chair in Old White and an old White sewing machine (that works!) which I found at the DUMP.
I know...crazy..who throws this stuff out????
One of my Couture Aprons is featured also (it's sold already).

The Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce
was gracious enough to host a lovely
ribbon cutting ceremony.

Here I am thanking my sweet sister-in-law sister, Wendy, for driving all the way from New York to help me.
Mr. Secret Agent got called out of town the week before my opening.
I could not have been ready in time for the opening without her.

Ok...lets cut that ribbon!!!!

Flowers from my dear friend Toni!

All aboard the 
Empty Nest Train!
My friends came from far and near to help me celebrate my new venture.

Come on in and take a look around!

Mr. Secret Agent built all my display tables and my check-out table.
Thank you my dear.


Lots of lovely silver bling!
I adore mismatched little silver pieces for sweet table top vignettes.

Sales were very good!

My buddy and personal cheerleader, KellyAnn. 
Kelly owns a fabulous quilt shop here in Warrenton.

I think this is the moment I realized I had to feed all these shoppers!

So great to see all my friends browsing my little shop.

Susan Emory one half of the Swirly Girls Quilting fame, doing some shopping.

My new friend and student Donna. She is an admitted Chalk Paint™ fan and a good customer.
I think this is her telling me that she just bought everything off one of my display tables..
Ha!

The side bars and the clothesline across the display tables was my idea.
I wanted to bring the eyes up to distract from the high ceilings.
I think it worked!
Plus my Janet Hill prints look darling hanging from the clothesline.

My high school friend and student, Missy, drove all the way from Washington, DC.
I'm sure she is talking Chalk Paint™ with my friend and student, Ann.

Ann's talented husband sketched the front of my shop and presented me with a framed original.
How sweet and special is that?

This is Alessandra, who is the creator and designer behind Lala's Pequenos, a fabulous infant wear online shop.
Alessandra and her business partner Annabelle Quigley will be opening a brand new creative studio
just a few doors down from me.
I am so very excited about their new creative venture called Confetti Studio.
They are two super talented ladies.

Paying at the check-out table

Even the resident pooch from Be Boutique, my neighbor, got in on the fun.
Hello Bear!

Love how my doors that I painted with Chalk Paint™ decorative paints,  brightened up my walls.


My pretty felted (fulled) wool and cashmere children's sweaters 
took their places of honor in my new shop.
I create these by shrinking thrifted adult sweaters, cutting them up and reconstructing them with lot's of embellishments.

You will always find beautiful porcelain teacups...one of my passions.

That a girl...run those credit cards!

cell phone pic courtesy of 11 Magnolia Lane..the blog
Terry and Amy, my friends from the fun blog 11 Magnolia Lane stopped by to say hello and see my shop. They must come back and bring the third Magnolia Gal, Christy, next time.

The cute blonde is Tracey...also a former Chalk Paint™ student and friend of the 11 Magnolia gals.
The area that you see being reflected in the vintage mirror is my workshop area.
I held my very first Chalk Paint™ workshop there last wek and it so fabulous!!!!

Here are a few photos I took around the shop this week


Hey Teddi...recognize this?????

Pretty new knobs.


I love how my checkout table turned out. I used tension rods to hang simple unhemmed fabric from underneath.
So soft and pretty!

Great vintage looking bookplates..perfect teachers gift!!!!

Lots of little birds nests all around.

Sweet brass kitty

Lately I have been on the hunt for vintage globes...LOVE them!


Most of my aprons have sold

I have some very unique tea cups and saucers. 
Gorgeous colors

Look at this very cool brass lamp I found..love the glass ball.

Love my Jacobean Cabinet in Cream with stenciled interior.


SOLD
Old gaudy gold wood frame I found at a thrift shop. 
A little Florence from the Chalk Paint™ decorative paints color chart and dark wax...
She is Old World beautiful now.

Many pretty make-up bags to choose from.
I had a lady buy eight to put gift cards in to give to her nieces.
Great idea...no wrapping needed!

Wonderful soy candles from Harmony Farms and made by my blog friend Erin.
The Lavender and Lemon Cookie are heavenly!!!!
I love the clean lines of the canning jars.

The glittered vintage gift tags and paper line are proving to be very popular.
Aren't these sweet?

All my painted doors make such great backdrops for all my aprons.



Everyone comments on the 1930's painted windows and doors that fill my walls.

A few days before the opening, It was late and I was trying to figure out how to better display all of Annie's colors.
I kept looking at that color chart hanging to the left and then looking at the white wall to my right...
YES!!!!
Why not make my wall a giant color chart!!!!
Everyone loves it and customers are coming in with pillows and fabric which they are holding up to all the colors, to get ideas.

A fellow Stockist Michelle Gallant of Canada shared her 'WE DO' idea and I turned it into a poster for my shop.
This is my business mission statement.

It was so great holding my first workshop in my very own studio.

So to refresh...here is my shop before.....
*
*
And I was worried about filling this space...Ha!
Well, it has been two weeks and business has been 
FABULOUS!!!!
My community has really embraced not only me, but the idea of my shop. 
For that I say a huge and heartfelt
THANK YOU!!!
Tomorrow is Wednesday
and I have a super special something to share with you!!!!
If you are ever in the vicinity of Warrenton, Va
please do stop by, have a cup of coffee and say hello.
And you if you happen to catch me here on my days off ...knock on the door..I'll let you in!
Until next time....be kind and stay creative.

PS...a sweet out of town customer called my shop a
"destination shop"
it gave me goosbumps
                                                                 
Happy to once again sharing with these other wonderful blogs

41 comments:

Marilyn said...

Janet, I am so happy for you! The shop looks fabulous!

Kelly Ann said...

Awesome pictures...
xoxo
KA

w said...

absolutely loved your "picture overload". congrats! i know you're going to be a hit!

also. can i have those huge scissors?

yay!

Nancy @ Sea Rose Cottage said...

Janet,

It is absolutely fabulous! I can't believe you did so much so quickly. Your my newest superhero! Everything about the space and how you have outfit it all is just stellar!

Bobby - #4 said...

What wonderful pics of the shop, items and all the shoppers! Very proud of you and can't wait see you there tomorrow!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Gorgeous, Janet! The shop looks fantastic. I love your check out counter.

Claire said...

Hey Janet, it all sounds wonderful, I have been looking forward to this post for so long and now our internet access is 'iffy' and the pics won't upload.....arrrrrgggghhh!!
Might have to drive into town and head to the library and catch up on it all....

I'll be back later........

CLaire x

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Janet, I love your shop and displays. All the wonderful chalk paint colors throughout on the doors and windows and then the furniture is so fun. Great idea adding the color chart wall. Pure perfection.

Danielle said...

Janet, the shop looks fabulous. So many fun and exciting items. I wish you much success and happiness! x

Lisa Ard said...

Well done Janet- the shop looks awesome!

design on a find said...

Beautiful...Love The Doors! The color Chart! The windows! The "We Do" poster. Everything looks like so much fun. Best wishes!

Debbie Bjorna said...

Your new shop is amazing! It has such a great flair and feeling just from your pics. Have you done all the furniture pieces yourself? You should be extremely proud of yourself and I am sure you will have a great future!
Unfortunately I live in Az but you better believe if I am ever even near your shop we will make a beeline right to your front door - Congratulations and well deserved :>)

lettielulu said...

Janet, your shop looks beautiful. Your talent for color shows in the beautiful displays you have.

Would be a great place to sell some vintage punch needle pictures! You probably had to give that up 'cause you're way too busy. A word of congratulations from your 'punchneedle teacher'!

Anonymous said...

Hi Janet, I was lucky enough to meet you at the Haven conference. I can't find adequate words to express how lovely your shop is. I absolutely adore it. Best wishes and great success with this venture.

Deb

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

OMG!!! I know I have been MIA but this is just sooo amazing!!!

Congrats and all the best, looks gorgeous!!! :) T.

Gretel said...

No such thing as too many photos of your shop Janet! It looks utterly gorgeous, nay, brilliant, and what a fabulous opening day. I'm thrilled for you and hope to be learning of Empty Nest franchises spreading their wings before long. Now you need a glossy magazine feature in a posh interiors magazine.

Anonymous said...

Janet!! The shop looks amazing. You did a great job!! Congratulations!! Now I understand why you have been so busy. Wish you all the best with you new shop. oxox Adri

Lady Courtney said...

I was so happy and honored to be there! It was truly the highlight of my day! I need another fix! Hope to see you on Friday. So the buffet sold...darn! I am hoping you are there (and extremely successful) for a very, very long time!!! donna :)

Linda said...

Congratulations and many more opening-days every day. The shop is beautiful. Looking forward to enveloping myself with it.

Syndi White said...

Your shop looks beautiful. If I lived closer (I am in NH) I would definitely stop by. Good luck with your business!

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh, My. Gosh! Janet! I love it all, I want some of those buffets, (hmmm, maybe I can mve everything else out of my home and fill it with your gorgeous sideboards) The clor swatches on the wall are genius and everything in the shop just speaks of your wonderful talent and cretivity. I predict a VERY successful shop and yes, it is certainly a destination!

Michele said...

Love every inch, nook n crany of your space. Would love to visit but I am clear in Illinois. Maybe next summer! Congrats n sell lots!

Claire said...

Finally, internet is up and running again.....phew!!!

Wow, I'm gobsmacked at all the gorgeousness....not at all surprised at how wonderful it looks Janet........
Where do I start?
Love your 'mission statement' it's brilliant, great idea the colour swatches and the painted doors and windows around the shop very effective........
Your Secret Agent has done a wonderful job. He's one handy fella to have around.......
The before and after pics are amazing, I feel tired just thinking about all the work and the time you have spent putting this all together.....

CONGRATULATIONS on a dream come true.........

Claire X

PS I'm going to visit.........one day

Mar said...

WOW....really.....WOW!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! It looks fantastic. I only wish I lived closer.

Tweed Thoughts said...

Aw sorry I missed this post Janet - it all looks so FABULOUS! Sorry I can't pop in - I would absolutely love it :) It's been great fun to follow your progress and be part of your journey - Well Done You! :D x

Slipcovers by Shelley said...

SO BEAUTIFUL!!! SO exciting for you! You did such a great job!

Amy Chalmers said...

This shop is amazing Janet!! It has such personality and style!! I love the check out station with the toile skirt, the color chart on the wall, and your use of doors and windows...!! Fabulous!

Aprons and More said...

I love it!!! Great use of space! Wish Mom and I lived closer...I would love to come visit!

Katy :)

Nisie Country Cottage said...

I love your new shop! It's beautiful. I want one of everything. To bad your not in NJ., but I will be ordering Annie Sloan paint from you.Thanks for sharing your wonderful store. I wish you much success and happiness.

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

So happy to hear your new shop is starting off doing so well! I would love to hear about the process of what it took to get there. I've gone back and read all the way through to May (maybe it was April). Just wondered if there were any tips or considerations you could offer from your experience for starting a brick and mortar shop! Thanks, and I wish you big success in your venture!
Liz

Jennifer Juniper said...

I'm not sure how you did it, but your shop turned out even nicer than I expected!
Do you think there is enough to do in Warrenton to make that our girls trip this fall? You could be my travel agent and help me find fun things to do!

Unknown said...

I live in Kansas City, Missouri and am obsessed with your FB page and your store. Everything you re-do or create is GORGEOUS.

I wish you had a catalog or newsletter or anything to showcase and list prices of your amazing inventory for the unlucky people, like myself, who don't live close but still want to shop and purchase from you!

Keep creating~You ROCK!!!!!!!
Jill

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