PATCHWORK AND PAINTS; THE HAND-WORKER'S CHAIR

So as some of you may know, we've done some pretty funky designs in the past, like our chairs and couches upholstered in blankets and rugs, as well as our patchwork style of upholstery which allows for the use of small amounts of fabric and salvaged materials. But when Mignonne Decor lead designer and owner, Johnelle Mancha decided to make a piece that really said something about the shop, she knew just what to do: design a chair upholstered in her old, paint spattered, work pants!

IR: Our 'PAINTER'S PANTS' shop chair is a statement unto its own, and we love how it not only shows what we can do, but also embodies the personality of the shop. This chair displays how we can make use of small our patchwork upholstering, as well making use of remnant materials. Made with scraps of paint spattered jeans (casualties of the job), Johnelle put together a design that not only gave her denim a third life, but also displayed some of the contemporary design ideas that make Mignonne what it is. 

Often a sentimental value is attached to heirloom items, like the blankets and rugs you've inherited or acquired throughout the years. Everyone has a unique story to tell, and we have an interest in helping you to preserve the things you love.

When you upholster a piece in this unique style, you have an opportunity to tell a story, whether it be about your family's history, your interests and passions, or even your lost and forgotten loves, like Johnelle did with her beloved paint spattered pants. Without covering you with paint splatters of your own, she can tell say something about her process, her life, and what matters to her.

So, consider the plethora of upholstery ideas, like splatter paint, before you banish your furniture to the basement or sidewalk! This chair found on HGTV's Emily Henderson's blog is sure to make a splash, but why not let us help you create something uniquely yours, with a story to tell?

There's nothing like a statement piece with a story behind it, and nothing like a display piece with great usability!

Blankets and Textiles at the Alameda Flea Market, photo curtosy of makezine.com

All in all, an outrageous look often expands our minds to the possibilities in design and aesthetic. We love finding unique ways to repurpose all kinds of textiles, often saving them from total degradation, and giving them an new life and use. On top of items upholstered with old clothing, we've done reupholstering with old upholstery remnants, blankets, and even rugs. We're always looking for new ideas in upholstery, so bring us your projects and we can help you to design a statement piece of your own!

xoxo mignonne

Salvaged Chic of the Week: Revamped Mod Couch

This week's Salvaged Chic of the Week is a revamped mod couch! We recently reupholstered this classic mid-century piece keeping in mind the integrity of this original design while modernizing it in the reupholstery process. Here she is before:

When designers say that the success of shows like Mad Men inspired them to create pieces that bridge the style and sophistication of the sixties with the sleek designs and pops of color of modern times, you imagine a piece like this. Here she is all dressed up after:

This was another couch that had great bones but needed to be brought back to its former glory to be fully appreciated and functional in today's time. Johnelle and our client chose a simple gray linen for the overall fabric which compliments the original design of the couch while still making it feel modern. It is always a good route to try to utilize fabrics that might have been original contenders to a piece if you are wanting to keep a similar vibe. To give the couch more dimension and to pump a little fun into it, we added pops of color in the piping. The texture of the piping matches the main fabric as they are both linens, but the teal helps to break apart the long length of this couch and its sleek shape, and also enhances the amazing tufted detailing.

The quality of our reupholstery doesn't just end with what you see. We added all new cushioning and re-lined the underside of the couch. You can see before how the bottom had become tattered and unkempt.

Now this mod couch would be at home in a stylish mid-century inspired space.

This couch is a great core piece that would beautifully anchor a living room and make all of your martini-swishing guests flock to sit on it!

If you have a couch, or other project, you'd like to see reupholstered please email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com!

All Revamped Mod Couch photos by Johnelle Mancha. Other photos One: mildredmildred.tumblr.com, Two: apartmenttherapy.com, Three: jhinteriordesign.com, Four: flickr.com

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

Salvaged Chic Of The Week: Azteca

With the holidays just around the corner it's only fitting that our Salvaged Chic Of The Week should be something that you'll want to immediately add to your wish list!

Meet "Azteca":

Are you in love yet? This gorgeous chair is one that Johnelle recently designed and is ready and waiting for a new home! Azteca is a vintage 60s style chair with a simple and classic design that allows the upholstery to really pop. The chair has been reupholstered with an amazing vintage textile with Aztec influences.

Johnelle added a luscious deep blue velvet to the seat and a linen brown to the back and band of the chair. The design is pulled together by the bright pop of red from the burlap piping.

The Aztec style is one that I find so gorgeous and is also being seen in fashion now. Interior design and fashion are constantly influencing each other. Here are some of my favorite fashion contributions to the Aztec look.

Whether you love this look so much that you want to incorporate it into your fashion as well, or you're happier to keep it as a conversation piece in your interior design, Azteca is the perfect piece to POP a neutral space, or to add to an overall eclectic style and feel that you may have.

Stop by the shop to revel at this beauty and don't forget that we're having our Holiday Bazaar tomorrow from 6-9pm with lots of Mignonne vintage treasures (and on sale!) as well as goodies from local designers and artisans!

Images 1-4 of Azteca taken by Johnelle Mancha, Image Five: intermix online.com ;Image Six: urbanoutfitters.com; Image Seven: net-a-porter.com; Image Eight: shopakira.com; Image Nine: asos.com; Image Ten: operationlettertosanta.com

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

Salvaged Chic Of The Week: "Midnight Rain"

Welcome to our latest installation of Salvaged Chic Of The Week! We're so excited to introduce you to this gorgeous piece, I almost feel like just writing filler to draw out the anticipation...it's a good one! Okay, I'll make you suffer no longer, meet "Midnight Rain."

Isn't she a beaut? While we don't like to toot our own horns too much, this piece is just a stunner.

Johnelle Mancha designed this gorgeous down stuffed chair to be the perfect balance between comfort and style. While this particular piece is sold, it's an amazing piece for inspiration to create your own design or to have Johnelle create another one of a kind piece for you! This chair shows that you can actually have a chair that you can slump down in with your morning coffee one day and then present it as a conversation piece the next.

The inspiration for this piece came from our love of vibrant colors and eclectic designs.

The details of this piece are one of its greatest features. "Midnight Rain" is, of course, a vintage chair and we love its stylish curves and plush stuffing. The vibrant blue and yellow fabric is a fountain pattern (think more modern and stylish brocade) in royal velvet. The subtle checked back and band fabric is a raw silk, which is incredibly luxurious, but less fragile than a typical silk.

You know how people say, "You can't help who you fall in love with?" That's how I feel about the unique pieces that Johnelle creates. To me, one of the best parts about Mignonne is that you can create anything you want. You have your own personal designer (Johnelle) who can either assist with a design that you've been thinking up, or she can design a unique piece like "Midnight Rain" for you with her stash of vintage fabrics and her keen eye for incorporating new ones. For any pieces you're looking to have redone you can either bring in your own, or choose from one of our "yet to be designed" pieces. For more information email us at: quotes@mignonnedecor.com

All "Midnight Rain" photos taken by Johnelle Mancha. Other images, Image One: time.tumblr.com; Image Two: anthropologie.com; Image Three: poppy talk.blogspot.com

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.