How to Buy High End Furniture at a Fraction of the Price

We have been participating in Dwell with Dignity for several years but this is our first time being asked to design a vignette for Thrift Studio here in Atlanta.

1.  DWELL WITH DIGNITY – WHAT IS IT?

A. Dwell with Dignity started in Dallas in 2009 by Lisa Robison and Kim Turner. They deal with agencies who work to place homeless families. The agencies nominate families who want to be self-sufficient. DWD furnishes the families home, stocks the pantry with groceries and provides the first night’s meal. Theses families have faced some very tough times and have worked hard to earn a beautiful place to live.

B. They are able to furnish these homes (mainly apartments) with donations from the design community, manufacturers , retailers and the community. Thrift studio is their largest fundraiser.

2.  THRIFT STUDIO – WHAT IS IT?

Thrift Studio is a pop-up shop created to provide funds to Dwell with Dignity by selling donated furniture, housewares, accessories and high-end designer finds to the public. Since the concept launched in Dallas in 2011, the event has grown into a highly anticipated and can’t-miss event for DWD supporters, the interior design community and the general public looking for a fabulous deal on home furnishings.

The Preview Party is Wednesday, September 27th where you can get first dibs on the best items. Tickets are $150 but you can easily save that in one purchase alone!   If you can’t make it that evening, there is a pop-up shop starting September 28th through October 19thMonday – Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.   For full details or to purchase tickets go to dwellwithdignity.org

A. Co-Chairs

i. John Oetgen of Oetgen Design

ii. John Lineweaver – Lineweaver Designs & Communications, Graphic Design/Branding

B. Art Chairs: – from Trinity Mercantile and Design in Decatur – in charge of finding artists to donate their original work to the thrift studio and the designers can choose items for their vignettes.

i. Lisa Turner

ii.  Wallace Bryan

C. Designers:

i. Douglas W. Hilton

ii. Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.

iii.  Kristin Kong of K. Kong Designs

iv. Amy Morris of Amy Morris Interiors

v. Bradley Odom of Dixon Rye

vi. Loren Audrey Taylor

D.  Where:

i. ADAC – The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center – 4th Floor – Suite #417

3.  HOW IT WORKS

A.  Donations from showrooms, designers and manufacturers are kept in a warehouse

i. The selected designers “shop” the warehouse to help create a vignette along with items they fill in with.

ii. Our additional donors:

1. Taylor Cox – one of her signature beach paintings

2. Jay Scott – 48 x 60 Serene landscape in gray/pink

3. Laura Park – Colorful abstract art

4. Pamela Copeman – original art of blonde lady in colorful jacket

5. Currey and Company – Funky cool floor lamp

6. Couture Lamps – Buddha and black and white lamps and accessories

7. Surya Rugs – 2 8 x10 – colorful pink and orange rugs

8. Greg Fleming Designs – terrarium, succulents

iii.  The pricing:

1. Art is 40% off retail

2. Furniture and all other décor items are 60% off retail

iv. Our space:

1. Very colorful – Benjamin Moore Peony 2079-30 donated by Strathmore Floors

a. 2 orange leather chairs

b. Neutral linen sofa and chairs from the Thrift Studio warehouse

c. 2 – 8 x 10 rugs – Antioch – made in turkey – Low pile in bright pink, yellow, garnet, lime, saffron, white and lavender – donated by Surya

d. Lots of artwork – many from the Suzanne Kasler collection of softly curated abstracts that were donated to the warehouse as well as those mentioned above.

4.  LAST YEAR’S THRIFT STUDIO

A. Totally fun event with great music and food

B. Lots of designer friends and colleagues

C. So many deals to be had – we bought a few items for our design projects

5.  WAYS TO BE INVOLVED

A. DWD sets up volunteer days you can sign up for: assemble furniture, paint, sew, clean, hang draperies and much more. It is a way to get involved and learn a new skill. Go to the DWD website for updates.