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Merrimack Valley Magazine

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What’s Old Is New Again

February 12, 2019 by Emilie-Noelle Provost Leave a Comment

Repurposed Furniture and Accessories Make For Unique Home Decor. 

If you like the idea of having unique pieces in your home, or are the type of person who loves a good project, you might want to think about including repurposed furniture and accessories in your home’s decor. Popularized in recent years by television shows like “American Pickers” and websites like Pinterest and Instagram, repurposed items often cost much less than new ones. 

According to Steve Fortier, the owner of Canal Street Antique Mall in Lawrence, older furniture also tends to be better made than many pieces you can find in contemporary showrooms, even at higher-end shops. “They were making better quality stuff in the 1920s through the 1940s,” he says. “A lot of new furniture these days is made in China. The joints loosen up over time.” 

Fortier also says decorating with repurposed items helps keep still-useful things out of landfills. 

Adding unique items to your home’s decor is also a great way to show off your personality and creativity. That’s the beauty of repurposing. Almost anything goes.

Melissa Scola-Staude, the owner of Melissa’s Perfect Piece, which has a retail shop inside Canal Street Antique Mall, says customers who buy repurposed furniture from her are often looking for something out of the ordinary. “I set myself a bit apart from other designers,” she says. “I do a lot of polka dots and plaids on my painted furniture. Those pieces don’t always sell as quickly as the ones painted in neutral tones, but there are people who are out there looking for them.” 

Also known as “upcycling,” taking old and found objects and making them new again can be a lot of fun. With a few coats of paint, a large wooden wire spool becomes a durable and attractive coffee table; a worn-out dresser with its top drawer removed makes a unique entertainment center with lots of storage for cables and DVDs. Even old doors, windows, woodwork and floorboards can be reused.

Fortier says many of the pieces sold at Canal Street have been created from things like old workbenches, sewing machine tables and other items that have been rescued from Lawrence’s old mill buildings. “We just made a beautiful bathroom vanity from an old sewing machine table,” he says. “Sometimes we might take the legs off one piece and use them with the top of another to make something completely new.”

Repurposing vintage and antique furniture can be a great way to save money, show off your personality or finally acquire the perfect piece to match your existing decor. Some older pieces of furniture are made better than newer ones, too, so repurposed items can be great bargains. Photos by Emily O’Brien Photography.

Interior designer Debbe Daley, the owner of Debbe Daley Designs, formerly in Lowell and now in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, says decorating with repurposed furniture can work for anyone, regardless of their budget.

“Many people are repurposing what they have, painting something to update it rather than buying something new,” Daley says. “In higher-end showrooms, we’re also starting to see new pieces that have been made to look like something that’s been repurposed. Oftentimes those pieces can be very expensive.”

Jill Cormier and Krista Witt, the owners of Acorn Home and Design in Andover, say that many of their customers who come to them with a special piece, or looking for a special piece, are less interested in deals than they are in the one-of-a-kind nature of a repurposed armoire or sofa. “People are more aware of the value of things than they once were,” Cormier says. “They look at an older piece as more of a ‘find’ than something they can save money buying.”

Many of Cormier and Witt’s customers come to them because they are interested in reupholstering an older chair or sofa. But according to Cormier, the investment can be similar to that of buying something new. “Once you factor in the fabric and the labor, reupholstering a piece can be very expensive,” she says, “but it’s worth it for people who are looking for something
unusual and unique, or who love an existing piece in need of an update.”

Sometimes, however, Cormier and Witt are presented with pieces that really aren’t worth the money it would require to repurpose them. “It’s important to understand and know the quality of a piece,” Witt says. “Research the name. It’s an investment, and what you end up with [after repurposing something] can be that much more valuable.”

In order to avoid choosing pieces that might not be worth the money or effort you’d have to put into them, Daley offers some advice. “Check items for stability. If they are wobbly or in need of repair, and you still decide you want them, try to get the dealer to give you a break on the price,” she says. “If a piece needs work, try to figure out if it’s something you can do yourself, and if not, how much it will cost. There are some things you just can’t fix.” 

 

Acorn Home and Design Center
Andover, Mass.

(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Canal Street Antique Mall
Lawrence, Mass.

(978) 685-1441
CanalStreetAntique.com

Debbe Daley Designs
Portsmouth, N.H.

(603) 427-8648
DaleyDesigns.com

Melissa’s Perfect Piece
Lawrence, Mass.

(978) 408-1832
MelissasPerfectPiece.com

   

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: Accessories, Acorn Home and Design Center, Canal Street Antiques, Debbe Daley Designs, fashion, Furniture, Garden, home, Interior design, Melissa's Perfect Piece, recycling, Repurposing, style

2018 MVMA Winners – Home Chic

July 23, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Thousands of ballots have been cast, the results tabulated, and now we present the winners of the 2018 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners!

Custom Cabinetry & Remodeling
Blackdog Builders
Blackdog is a design/build firm started by Dave and Brenda Bryan in 1989. It was born out of a spare room and a beat-up pickup truck and has since grown into a world-class residential remodeling company. They consistently and efficiently build unique projects and thrive on the challenges remodeling offers.
7 Red Roof Lane
Salem, N.H.
BlackdogBuilders.com

Indoor / Outdoor Furniture & Accessories
Yankee Fireplace Grill & Patio
For more than 30 years, Yankee Fireplace Grill & Patio has been bringing the heat to the world of grill and fireplace sales, service and installation. Their Middleton showroom is a grilling and s’mores enthusiast’s paradise, featuring more than 10,000 square feet of more than 50 real, burning fireplaces, stoves and grills. Yankee Fireplace’s selection of fine outdoor home furnishings from tables and chairs to weather vanes and pergolas might just make your backyard your favorite “room.”
140 South Main St.
Middleton, Mass.
YankeeFireplace.com 

Furniture & Home Décor
Debbe Daley Designs
Debbe Daley has designed new homes and remodeled existing residences for more than 700 clients. From simple paint consultations to whole-room redesigns, or even new construction and space planning, Debbe Daley Design’s team are the designers you will want to have involved in your project. Stop by and visit her studio at The Brush Art Gallery.
189 Market St.
Lowell, Mass.
DaleyDesigns.com

Kitchen Design
Cyr Kitchen & Bath
Cyr Kitchen & Bath’s dedicated design team guides its clients’ projects along the path to completion. From simple, small scale remodels to full renovations, Cyr specializes in cabinetry, countertops, lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring and paint. From favorite brands to exotic materials, Cyr offers expert installation by their in-house installers.
Manchester, Salem, Tilton and Windham, N.H.
CyrKitchen.com

Landscape Supply
M. O’Mahoney Company
Ready for some DIY? Offering construction and landscaping supplies like stone, brick and concrete, M. O’Mahoney Company can help you build with confidence. Visit the showroom for design inspiration and make sure to top off your masterpiece with their outdoor living products, like fireplaces, pizza ovens and fire pits.
175 Market St.
Lawrence, Mass.
MOMahoney.com

Landscaper
Dana Landscaping & Water Gardens
Ready for a staycation? Make your backyard look like paradise with Dana Landscaping. Their quality workmanship can make that water garden, rock wall or patio look like it was plucked right out of a magazine. Let the folks at Dana Landscaping transform your space into a destination.
Andover, Mass.
DanaLandscaping.com 

 

 

Stop by next week for the winners in the first half of our ‘Good Eats’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by: Pentucket Bank

Filed Under: Home & Garden, MVMA Tagged With: 2018, Blackdog Builders, Cyr Kitchen & Bath, Dana Landscaping & Water Gardens, Debbe Daley Designs, Home Chic, M. O'Mahoney Company, MVMA, MVMA Reader's Choice Winner, MVMAs, Yankee Fireplace Grill & Patio

Open House: Making a Chelmsford Home Look Light, Bright and Updated

April 23, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

When the Hardy family needed someone to remodel their Chelmsford home, they knew who to call.

After all, they had been working with designer Debbe Daley on other projects for a decade, and her eye for integrating old and new, and for invigorating classic looks with pops of color, was perfect for them. The Hardys wanted to transform the dated decor into a luxurious space that was BIG. Big dinners. Space for visitors. Room for their two young children to run and play and learn. Plus, they wanted it to subtly evoke their Greek heritage with splashes of Aegean blue.

Photo by Emily O’Brien.

“They wanted it to be light and bright and updated,” Daley says. “Lighting was a huge factor. They have 10-foot ceilings, and with the large island, we needed substantial light.”

To solve the lighting dilemma, Daley recommended mercury glass lights from Currey & Co. These feature individual panels of glass with antique-style etchings.
“The electrician had to insert each one separately,” Daley says of the glass for the twin wrought iron chandeliers. The bold lighting emphasizes the kitchen’s large and open ambiance. It feels inviting and easy to move around in, even when friends gather.

Speaking of size, the island’s cristallo countertop is made of the exotic stone quartzite. According to Daley, quartzite has a translucent quality and looks like marble. Unlike quartz, this man-made material is hard and temperature resistant. “It’s a polished stone,” she adds. “It’s very elegant.” The surface is patterned with an array of webs, veins and icy speckles.

These Bartlett pears are a great example of how smart design can be both decorative and practical. In a home with young children, it’s useful to have lots of healthy snacks near at hand. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

When it came to other accessories, Daley suggested that the homeowners fill glass canisters with things they use every day, such as snacks for the children. Open, uncluttered countertops mean healthy snacks and fresh produce double as decor. This brings a casual element, while retaining a sense of elegance.

The white cabinets were replaced with new ones featuring contrasting cherry with a creamy, off-white bisque finish. Although it is difficult to capture in pictures, this finish gives the wood a lightly textured feel and deepens the complexity of the color.

So, what about the blue?

Making the most of the open design concept means using cabinetry strategically. With the lack of clutter, elements such as urns, mirrors and flowers are more striking. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

“All of the accessories included pops of blue,” Daley says. A pillow, the ceramics, even the chairs add a touch of blue to the rooms.

The furniture in the dining area next to the kitchen is a two-tone whitewash with a cherry top and cherry finished seat from Hooker Furniture.

“The whole idea was to incorporate dark pieces with light pieces,” Daley says. “We wanted a traditional feel and a traditional style, but with added lightness.” The lighting fixture here is more formal than its neighbors in the kitchen. “It has some crystals on it,” Daley explains, “but it works very well with the kitchen because of the iron metalwork.”

This casual dining area serves as an extension to the kitchen. Note the subtle touches of blue in the glassware and art. The use of crystals in the lighting is more traditional than what is used in the kitchen, but the metalwork makes it feel modern. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

As for the family room, the built-in cabinet wall adds both refinement and functionality. Storage is important for families with young children.

The house reflects a contemporary and popular open concept design. The kitchen opens to the living room, which opens to the dining area. In this case, the results are as practical as they are beautiful.

style editor and set design
Lysa Pelletier, Anchor Artists

photography
Emily O’Brien – Boston, Mass.

interior design
Debbe Daley Designs, LLC – Lowell, Mass.

floral, accessories
Les Fleurs – Andover, Mass.

accessories and furnishings
Acorn Design Center
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Debbe Daley Designs, LLC
Lowell, Mass.
(978) 710-4563
DaleyDesigns.com

Les Fleurs
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-9669
LesFleurs.com

Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop
North Andover, Mass.
(978) 689-4141
RoseAndDove.com

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: Chelmsford, debbe daley, Debbe Daley Designs, designs, home, Interior design, MA, open house, Remodel

2017 MVMA Winners – Home Chic

July 11, 2017 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Thousands of ballots have been cast, the results tabulated, and now we present the winners of the 2017 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners!

Custom Cabinetry & Remodeling
Blackdog Builders
Blackdog is a design/build firm started by Dave and Brenda Bryan in 1989. It was born out of a spare room and a beat-up pickup truck and has since grown into a world-class residential remodeling company. They consistently and efficiently build unique projects and thrive on the challenges remodeling offers.
7 Red Roof Lane
Salem, N.H.
BlackdogBuilders.com

Indoor / Outdoor Furniture & Accessories
The Stove Shoppe
Looking for a new fireplace or stove? The Stove Shoppe’s got you covered with wood, gas, pellet and electric options. Worried about installation or need service? They can handle that, too. And while you’re there, check out the Stove Shoppe’s selection of home decor, swing sets and fencing as you brainstorm your next home renovation.
Windham, Epping and Manchester, N.H.
StoveShoppe.com

Kitchen & Bath Supplies
Dracut Appliance Center
Dracut Appliance Center is the place to go for all your appliance needs. They carry everything from air conditioners to ovens to vacuums. Family-owned since 1949, this store offers brand name items, like Bosch, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool, with a personalized touch.
Dracut and Tewksbury, Mass.
DracutAppliance.com

Furniture & Home Décor
Debbe Daley Designs
Debbe Daley has designed new homes and remodeled existing residences for more than 700 clients. From simple paint consultations to whole-room redesigns, or even new construction and space planning, Debbe Daley Design’s team are the designers you will want to have involved in your project. Stop by and visit her studio at The Brush Gallery of the Lowell National Park or at R.A.W. Furnishings (refined, authentic warehouse).
189 Market St.
Lowell, Mass.
DaleyDesigns.com

Kitchen Design
Jackson Kitchen Designs
In the market for a new countertop? How about freshening up the cabinetry? Ready to throw in the towel on your entire kitchen? Family-owned and operated since 1946, Jackson Kitchen Designs can help you love your kitchen again. Work with their designers to create a perfect space for your style and needs.
1093 Osgood St.
North Andover, Mass.
JacksonKitchenDesigns.com

Landscape Supply
M. O’Mahoney Company
Ready for some DIY? Or want your contractor to use only the very best materials? M. O’Mahoney Company can help you build with confidence, offering construction and landscaping supplies like stone, brick and concrete. Visit the showroom for design inspiration and make sure to top off your masterpiece with their outdoor living products, like fireplaces, pizza ovens and fire pits.
175 Market St.
Lawrence, Mass.
MOMahoney.com

Landscaper
Dana Landscaping & Water Gardens
Ready for a stay-cation? Make your backyard look like paradise with Dana Landscaping. Their quality workmanship can make that water garden, rock wall or patio look like it was plucked right out of a magazine. Let the folks at Dana Landscaping transform your space into a destination.
Andover, Mass.
DanaLandscaping.com

 

Stop by next week for the winners in the first half of our  ‘Wine & Dine’ category.

The 2017 MVMAs are sponsored by: Pentucket Bank

Filed Under: Home & Garden, MVMA Tagged With: Blackdog Builders, Dana Lanscaping & Water Gardens, Debbe Daley Designs, Dracut Appliance Center, Jackson Kitchen Designs, M. O'Mahoney Company, Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards, MVMA, The Stove Shoppe

Pentucket Bank

1 Merrimack Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
Website
Directions
(978) 372-7731
Read More →

Pentucket Bank

Pentucket Bank is a full service community bank committed to providing a personalized and superlative experience for all customers at every interaction. The Bank is also known as a top area employer for consistently ensuring that their employees are fulfilled in in their careers through growth and development opportunities; because happy employees translates into superior customer experience. Pentucket Bank and its employees are proud to support the communities in their service area by annually serving over 5500 hours of volunteer time and contributing over $450,000 with over 250 local nonprofit organizations located in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. 1 Merrimack Street / Haverhill, Mass. / (978) 372-7731 / PentucketBank.com
Address
1 Merrimack Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
Website
Directions
(978) 372-7731

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