Style at Home features Harricana’s vintage fur pillows

Style at Home’s  Home & Style feature in the October 2007 issue profiled Harricana By Marioushe patchwork pillows made from recycled vintage coats. Check them out. It’s a fabulous, lush website.

We’ve been pushing this idea of repurposing fur for years. Martin wrote about it back in November 2004. We even have a couple of vintage pieces in the shop right now that would be great for pillows.  I always mention the recycling, repurposing aspect to customers.

A couple of years ago a gorgeous black mink trenchcoat liner with pockets came in. They were big in the eighties. I haven’t seen them so much lately.  It was below the knee but had no sleeves. Didn’t seem that someone would buy it, as is.  

So, we purchased some chocolate brown velvet and tassles from Designer Fabric Outlet. Cut the fur below the arms which left a rectangularish piece. Sewed the mink together with the velvet, added the tassles and voila: a throw for the living room.  

The remnant piece became a small throw cushion. They now live on our antique brown leather club chairs.

It is a decadent conversation piece. I always tell guests how it came to be and show off the pockets that we kept. On  chilly nights I wrap myself up in it and stick my hands in the pockets.

Andrea Swinton
www.takeaboo.com

Nifty Calculator at Domino Magazine Solves Upholstery Woes

Domino magazine has this handy calculator to solve the ongoing problem of figuring out how much fabric is needed when reupholstering furniture.

I used it with a client the other day. It’s great to use when strapped for time, the computer is on and if you don’t have an actual calculator handy.

As an added bonus, you can also use the wallpaper and paint calculators. 

Andrea Swinton
www.takeaboo.com

Martin Swinton appears at the Fall Cottage Show November 2 – 4, 2007

The Fall Cottage Show  scheduled for November 2 – 4, 2007 at Toronto’s International Centre will feature Martin Swinton talking about antiques and doing appraisals.  We’re still finalizing his appearance times during these days.

This is a new show for us and Martin is looking forward to meeting all the cottage folks.

Andrea Swinton
www.takeaboo.com

The Publicity Hound Is Right: Dirty Washrooms Hurt Business

Filthy washrooms turn off customers anywhere. When we moved into our new location, one of my big issues was making the washroom look good. It was beyond disgusting when we moved in May. The toilet was so awful that even I avoided using it until we installed a new one. 

I know that I make a judgement, good or bad, about any establishments when I’m using their facilities and I’m very certain that others do too. So, we made sure that our looks good.

Plus, it’s nice to not be embarrassed when I client asks to use it.  We  actually have a friend who now considers our loo as her go-to bathroom emergency location when she’s in the neighbourhood. 

Two other advantages:
1. A Sales Opportunity – The mirror and pictures on the wall are for sale. This captive audience is sure to give them a look.

2. A Money Saver – We took advantage of the City of Toronto’s  Toilet Rebate Program.  We purchased a low-flow toilet from Canadian Tire for $87, with the $60 rebate, it was $27, plus the costs for the affordable plumber that I sourced on Craigslist. The old nasty toilet ran 24-7 so we’ll see what our water savings will be as the bills start to come in.

 Andrea Swinton
www.takeaboo.com