“We are all butterflies… the earth is our chrysalis.” - LeeAnn Taylor
We all evolve, even radically. Our homes can be the chrysalis that envelopes us as we work toward a renewed future, allowing us to emerge stronger, ready for new challenges.
This concept, informed by the mission of Dwell with Dignity, the transformative power of beauty, and a supportive environment for families working to change and improve their lives, became our inspiration to create a space for the Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio which echoes the concept of Metamorphosis for us all.
Vignette concept board
We have many people to thank for their part in the successful installation of our vignette. It’s like a roll call from an Academy Awards acceptance speech and I’m so worried I’ll miss someone.
Our metamorphosis.
Before…
After!
First, I want to thank Bree Hyatt and Stephanie Wiggins without whose hard work this project likely wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. Bree is a wonderful project manager. She and I have worked closely for more than a dozen years and she knows all my in’s and out’s. With her assistance I knew the project would be a success. Steph Wiggins also leant her considerable skills communicating with our trades and organizing everything that would eventually be installed in our vignette.
My assistant Angela Burns (who also manages our Marketing efforts) also leant her knowledge to promoting the event via our Facebook page, Twitter, emails to clients and friends, all in an effort to generate as much interest in the Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio as possible.
My talented children donated photos from their respective photography businesses to the vignette. Peyton’s 9-piece botanical collection really worked perfectly with the color palette for the vignette. The rich golds and warm persimmon tones mixed with undertones of purple and green seemed a fresh assemblage of colors that would be universally appealing. The collection follows a single iris flower from bud to withered bloom.
Including my son Allan’s photography introduced an edge to the space. His works focus on the Dallas entertainment scene and the pieces I selected feature a Dallas punk/alt rock band, The Gorehounds, and some of their dancers.
Allan also generously underwrote his staff at Eveready Services, donating their time to pickup and transport items for the vignette. Installing all this furniture wouldn’t have been possible without Eveready’s contribution.
If one were to start at the floor and work one’s way up to the ceiling it would be crystal clear what a large group contributed their talents, skills, and products to our vignette…
Pat Hicks from New Life Hardwoods donated the fantastic limewashed oak floor. Roosevelt White and his incredible installers at Gleaming Floors proved it isn’t just floors they’re good at… they installed the beautiful brick veneer accent wall, working with brick partially donated by Veneerstone.
I can’t thank my brother, Michael Stallings, and his assistant Peter Day, enough for their contributions. Michael, Peter, and Michael’s team of craftsmen at Frias Studio contributed the pickled wood shelves lining our vignette space. They also contributed their considerable skills in gilding by adding little touches of glimmer throughout the space and the pair of vintage windows with panes of inset mirror:
But the Before & After Award goes to Michael for his re-done side table. What started out as a shabby little brown table from the Dwell with Dignity warehouse, coated with dust and cobwebs, became a stunning little cocktail table, finished with grey stains with touches of black stain to highlight the carving, an inset shard of selenite, and an onyx sphere for unique interest.
One of the most generous contributions to our space came from the Scott + Cooner showroom. Known for their contemporary furniture and accessories, they contributed the wonderful “Little People” chandelier hanging over our space (the little gilded figure was a unique touch added by Michael’s assistant Peter).
Other trades and showrooms who donated time or product to our project include: Sherry Hayslip Interiors Boutique, Whitesmith and Company, Renee Rhyner & Co, Park Cities Oriental Rugs, Juanita’s Draperies and Upholstery, Star Lighting, Cele Johnson, Lee Jofa Fabrics, Kravet Fabrics, and Larru Leathers.
The resulting library vignette uses the new and the re-newed to highlight the many aspects of metamorphosis in nature and our lives.
Taking inspiration from nature and literature, this loft style room becomes a library by adding two walls of shelves complementing the bleached and pickled wood flooring. The space itself can transform from a comfortable sitting area to a dining room or even a study using the desk located to one side of the sofa.
If you are in the Dallas area, we would love for you to drop by the Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio from Friday, October 11 through Saturday, November 9. There is a VIP Shopping Night on Thursday, October 10 that begins at7:00PM. Tickets are available at http://thriftstudio.com/preview-tickets/. If you aren’t able to stop by the Thrift Studio, please think about supporting Dwell with Dignity in whatever way you are able. You can find out more about this transformative organization by visiting www.dwellwithdignity.org
“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” - Nathaniall Hawthorne
Love,
Sherry