'Empire' Side Tables instantly transform a space...

Every now and then I find pieces that are so unique with quirky details that I am able to design around... in this case it was these sweet pair of mahogany side tables.



I was out and about on a mini vaca & buying trip with my other half and we spotted them. The brass details were jumping out and there was a design instantly in the making. It's like finding a diamond in the ruff, pitter patter of the heart as you spot that amazing find! I love pop colors done well as we know, and wanted to do an ode to the asian details of the pieces with out being obvious... so opted no on red, and yes on salmon!

These side tables have a shelf on the inside and a vintage power strip so that you can charge your phone, plug in a lamp, clock etc..Inside cubbies are revamped in a distressed cream. A space can instantly transformed with these lovlies. Next to a bed, or in a living room, a sophisticated pop! This color was mixed with love, and can be re used in a project for a piece you may own, and are now thinking about.

18" deep, 24" wide, 23 1/4" tall

email us a pic for a free quote to
quotes@mignonnedecor.com

Thanks for looking! xoxox

All Dressed Up...

I love mixing and matching things as you'll see in the shop! I am a big believer that anything can go in design, as long as it is put together with intention... a little bit of this and that can be just the things that make your space inviting & exciting. I picked up these two different shaped tables, and wanted to create a bedside set that could live together. I started playing around with their finish.. as I often do with my pieces, never quite sure what they'll become, and they quickly became a darling his and her 'tuxedo' set. The painterly finish makes them not so obvious, and wanted them to read more as a canvas.. Staged with a bit of pop color here and there with books, lamps and jewelry, this set is sure to shine. xx

Matmi Ikat Chair is pure love....

When i picked up this little 60's chair, I was in love with the shape, size and possibility! It had the perfect masculine silhouette, one of the many things I love about these mid century pieces, but it also screamed take a risk...and spice it up. I love the look and feel of raw silks, but also want my chairs to be pieces you can cozy up in with out all the fuss. I picked up a small amount of this green, vintage Thai Ikat fabric, also known as Matmi, and knew I could use it somehow as an accent in a chair. The black & white raw silk blend used in the seat has the durability that I love for daily use, and the Ikat has just the right amount of sophisticated color to shine. The little decorative reversable pillow pulls her all together.

The Matmi Ikat technique is also extremely fascinating and is very labor-intensive! From what I've read it requires great skill because the yarn has a tie-dye technique that happens before it is all weaved. I am so drawn to these bright, bold patterns, that feel timeless, organic, and vibrant. Email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com, for a free review of a piece you are thinking of transforming! Remember my collection of fabrics grows daily, and I would love to help design a piece with you!

more new furniture!

This piece is named: "My Best Kept Secrets", a beautiful black vintage Hope Chest. It is new in store, and has been custom re-designed for your home! It is made of sturdy solid wood, with colors of antique cream, gold, and black. It is a very functional furniture find, and would work well in a living room because it is a great size for a petite coffee table! or at the end of a bed to store linens ... It has darling details including footed legs with hints of gold. Priced at $215.00.

Our shop specializes in furniture revamping. You can always bring in a piece of your own as well and we can charge just for the service! All of our pieces are one-of-a kind, signed and dated.


This beautiful antique craftsman secretary is also new in store! The secretary is made of solid oak. It is an unique conversation piece, and would look great in a living room, hallway, or kitchen to organize bills, and display books etc.. It is a great size for a petite area, because it is not too deep, so could work really well to optimize that small or shallow space! Priced at $425.00.

We just keep the great furniture coming!

winter comforts ...

As the seasons begin to change and temperatures cool ... we think of cozy nights at home, relaxing in front of a fire ...

We just finished off this fun, old-fashioned rocker which would be a perfect by-the-fire addition. Just imagine a cup of cocoa and a toasty fire as you slowly rock in front of the warmth!

Mignonne has loads of cool furniture accents at affordable prices to help you feather your nest for the fall and winter season.

Available Now - Three Amazing Pieces!

Here are just 3 examples of unique furniture you can purchase in the store today ... Mignonne's furniture is signed and dated, one-of-a-kind. ...all beautifully refurbished and ready to become a special décor item in your home:




#1 - Petite Napoleon Salon Table

This little baby has been hand refinished in a golden ochre tone with blue and cream accents. It is solid wood and would be perfect in your living room or family area. It has a bottom display shelf. It would also work nicely as a bedside table.

The curvy legs and carving detail make it even more special. Available now for $195.




#2 - Crowd Pleaser - Antique Church Pew

Wow, what a conversation piece! Eight feet, eight inches long, repurposed in blue with light distressing. Seat a crowd in your open kitchen or dining area ... imagine it on the terrace or in your garden! If you are a restaurateur ... wouldn't this make an amazing entry bench or community table seating piece? Saved from a local bay area church, this is truly something special. Yours for $695.


#3 - The Hide-a-way! - Antique Redwood Hutch

Gorgeous revamped hutch, roomy and divine. It is solid redwood, and is an original built in from a Bay area home. Open the front door to reveal built-in, removable shelves, it retains the original paint, which is a minty/sage green. It has been sealed with a top coat, making it an easy piece to clean and wipe down. This piece would be darling in a kitchen as an additional pantry, hall/living room to hide away papers etc, or style up your home office. Could also work well in a bedroom to store additional clothing etc. Snag this treasure for $550.



As you know, Mignonne specializes in furniture revamping. You can always bring in a piece of your own and we can charge just for the custom repurposing service!

Don't forget, now you can find us at the Alameda Antique Fair as well, on the first Sunday of every month at booth V22. We will be sharing a selection of our furniture and other finds at affordable prices.

Thanks for your support!

We had a super response to our first time at the Alameda Antiques Fair last Sunday. We had a great corner space just off the main 'route' ! Lots of folks came by to check out our furniture on offer and also some great vintage clothing on offer by East Bay Vintage ... another local business we are involved with.

Gone like a flash are four super cool retro chairs with chrome and leather. A great vintage desk was snapped up. Various side tables and chairs and the like ... POOF!!

We are looking forward to being there in the future ... so don't miss your second chance to get in on the fun!

couldn't stop at just one!

We've shared the tahiti chair in photos but until you see the before, it is hard to imagine the transformation and loving attention involved in our repurposing process. Take a look at what we started with ...

before & after ...

a picture is worth a thousand words ... two thousand, coming right up! Here's an example of a recent repurposing project ... this is our passion, we have many great pieces in the store or you can come by to discuss one of your own!

totally tahiti!

We've named this adorable chair "Tahiti" ... you can take a seat and be transported to a tropical paradise ... with its mango arms and gorgeous linen fabric ... it is the perfect spot to while away some time daydreaming of your favorite island getaway ...

In french this is called a 'fateuil', take note of the casters on the legs ...

And at $195, a heck of a lot cheaper than the vacation!

butternut ... butternut

More repurposed deliciousness! This darling petite shelf has been revamped to be a perfect addition to almost any room! Johnelle named it "Butternut " for its tones of olive and yellow. It would look darling in a bathroom mounted to a wall for extra shelving or in a kitchen for books, liquor bottles, spices etc.. This piece however, could work in almost any room for a little bit of extra style... Hand refinished means this multi-dimensional unit is absolutely one-of-a-kind.

Stop by 2447 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley to get a 'real-life' view!

Everything old can be new again ... at Mignonne!

Mignonne is your custom furniture repurposing depot. (Phew, that's not easy to say! :P)

Johnelle delights in transforming funky old castoffs into something beautiful and divine. Her art and design background shines through in every hand-done piece she creates.

These aren't run-of-the-mill repainted tables and chests. Each piece is reimagined and redone into a conversation starter. In fact, they are so individual ... they have names! Yes, as each item is 'reborn', it is christened with a name that fits its new personality!

How's this for a before and after?

Start Shopping Online with Mignonne!

Mignonne is offering selected pieces of furniture, art and gifts via our eBay Store mignonne.vintage.décor. You can easily access our shop by clicking on the photo in our sidebar section called "Shop Mignonne Now!".

We will be adding other features soon, but for now we are excited to connect you with some of our favorite items.

Because Mignonne specializes in repurposing vintage furniture, we can offer you an affordable, eco-friendly option to those big box looks! We select our pieces with care...giving attention to form, function and interesting lines. We then refurbish each piece by hand, selecting eco-friendly products whenever possible. We also consult on your project pieces, so feel free to contact us!

Let us know if there are specific items or trends you'd like us to be on the look-out for!

Introducing ... the Mignonne Furniture Collection!

STUNNING FOYER MIRROR

Stop by Mignonne today and check-out our new focal point!  Custom designed furniture pieces, repurposed with eco-friendly products in Spring's hottest colors.

At the store today we will be showing the new collection, offering 30% off items purchased during the event and offering budget-friendly decorating tips using one-of-a-kind designs.  Bring a snapshot of your project piece for a free consultation!

In store event Saturday April 25th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

"THE" CORAL DESK

Cool Vintage Theatre Chair!

Check out this way cool theatre chair, which could serve as an art installation or functional conversation piece in your home.

Cast iron and wood, the seat adjusts up and down. This chair could be affixed to the floor, would make an interesting subject for painting a hot color ... or even painting a quirky scene on the seat or back.

Of course, Johnelle can assist with bringing your vision to life!

This spring, individuality, color and fun are the hot trends and this cool chair could serve as your palette for all three!

Furniture ~ Empire Style

American Empire-styled furniture dates back to early 1800-1840s.  It is a take-off from the French Empire style of furniture, popular during Napoleon's reign and reflects the majesty of that time. American Empire style is much plainer than the French version.

Characteristics of Empire styling include some elements of the following:  distinctly masculine in feel, wooden chairs with upholstered seats, darker finishes and use of veneers, graceful curves, legs in animal shapes, ormolu or figural mounts sometimes depicting Greek, Roman or Egyptian themes, use of patriotic or military motifs including the letter "N" (for Napoleon!)

We currently have a nice example of American Empire-styled furniture at Mignonne with this simple yet masculine armchair with great Empire lines.  Upholstered with tufts,  lovely curving arms and embellished with a carved wood relief depicting a fiercely royal visage, this chair would make an interesting accent in your home.

Refurbished, why do we love thee? Let us count the ways!

1. Refurbishing is a way to love mother earth. Extending the life of products already here can add up to less new items produced/required and less waste in a dump site. Households often throw out old furniture instead of seeking ways to reuse servicable items. Furniture is bulky waste and disposal to landfills represents a drain on resources.

2. Older furniture is often times of a higher quality, both the wood and the craftsmanship.

3. Refurbishing sustains vintage style and designs, allowing for continued enjoyment of classic looks and features. At Mignonne, we are always seeking ways to improve our 'green impact'. We are focused on using lower-impact products in our refurbishment process.

4. In these times of economic challenge, refurbished furniture and décor items make budget sense! Being more aware of your pocketbook and somewhat frugal doesn't have to mean sacrificing style and comfort in your home environment.

5. Refurbishing with Mignonne can be fun! If you have items you'd like to refresh, Johnelle can help you reveal your personal style with expert advice and customizing your pieces. We will consult with you on color and finish options, and even complete the project for you ... at a reasonable price.

6. Refurbished can encompass a wide variety of styles and looks. Refurbished doesn't always mean 'shabby' ... you can have a contemporary look, a mid-century modern style, European influences, rustic ... your imagination is the key!

7. Johnelle's art background and flair for design means you will always find a great assortment of fun and practical vintage pieces at Mignonne to complement your home. We concentrate on fresh colors and looks to spice things up, and affordably price our items.

Resolve to increase your personal 'reuse' commitment and improve or change your home design at the same time by selecting refurbished items versus new. Stop by Mignonne and see what a wide variety of options are in store for you!

Special Holiday Hours at Mignonne!

We're helping you prepare for the upcoming holiday season with new hours and a new store design.

Mignonne is extending our closing time until 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, October through December. Old Oakland is a favorite destination, and we'd like to help make your visit easier ... now you can plan to stop by Old Oakland for dinner and some holiday shopping.

We've also organized the store to accommodate all of your shopping and gift budgets. We make it easier to find just the right gift in just the right price range ... with vignettes grouped at $10-$25, $25-$50 and $50-$100.

Gift ideas include lots of new goodies, one of a kind vintage furniture & knick- knacks, candles, soap and local art! You can find a special small treasure from France ... or an original piece of artwork. Don't forget our custom refurbishing service ... maybe you have something you would like designed for a special someone? Just ask for a free consultation.

Custom Painted Furniture and Décor at Mignonne.

We recently told you about our custom services for refurbishing furniture and assisting with design make-overs. We thought you'd enjoy seeing a couple of pieces in progress, courtesy of co-owner Johnelle. If you hold your cursor over the picture, you'll see a brief description.

The lovely, refurbished table that would spice up your fall décor is offered at $185.00 at Mignonne. How's that for a one-of-a-kind bargain?

Weekly Peek!

Here's a glimpse of what's on display currently at Mignonne ~ Stop by soon for a closer look ...