Textile heaven. A story of a grand picking adventure.

I get involved in a lot of strange trips in my quest to collect, save and bring forth great vintage pieces to the masses. I am in many homes as well, often after owners pass on or move to retirement homes. The families are cleaning out so they can unload the real estate and cash in on their inheritance or have the funds to pay for the nursing home, etc. I was invited to shop at the estate of a prominent interior decorator who, at one time, hosted a work room full of sewers to make decorating dreams come true. The byproduct of this business, which may be a hazard for any of us creatives, is collecting hoards and hoards of fabrics. Bolts upon bolts. From velvet to chintz, there are 60 years of textile history in one building from all the top mills in the finest weaves. It truly is a textile heaven and I got to shop in it!

Nestled in a crook of a Creek bed that formerly worked a mill from the looks of a neighboring converted building, this opulent stone manor had all the makings of luxury. A ballroom with a ceiling so high and equally magnificent windows, a traditional library with beautiful dark wood built in casework and an elusive back staircase. Many little nooks, alcoves and rooms to explore. Traditional craftsmanship that had seen better days but is salvageable with the right financial backer. The times have changed and the sewing machines are no longer humming, but the notes and work orders still hung and there were even bolts out on the work tables. Everything is as it was. A time capsule of a career and a working business. It was chilly exploring on this cold winter day and as we all know, massive homes cost massive money to heat, so minimal energy was being pumped to keep things from freezing up but not enough to keep you from shivering.

The Ballroom.

BALLROOM front WINDOWS.

BaCk stairwell in the library.

The library stored quite a few large couches in need of restoration. I plucked that cobalT bolt in the back On a second look through this room.

I walked from room to room and made my way through the small paths. It was hard to see in the dim lighting. I had many questions. The first of which is why???? Why so much inventory? I can understand scraps and remnants but massive quantities of to the trade fabrics? It definitely was not ‘lean manufacturing’. There were several upholstered antiques around the house and I recognized the fabrics from a bolt I saw somewhere prior. The son told me that the sewers never went without work, even in the slow periods. They were kept busy and the furnishings I found were definitely redone by the team. Lots of chintz and treated fabrics, not something I’d choose for my pieces but respectable to say the least. If I was lucky, I found some info on the selvage. My tour guide of sorts, studied textiles and is very knowledgeable so shared some tips on what I was looking at. All of these fabrics were European made and top quality. Many of the ones I chose were even hand woven. Picky about smells, I did note that there was not much lingering odor in the bolts I chose which is pretty amazing in that kind of environment that definitely had some moisture issues, the kiss of death for fresh smelling textiles. If you have been following me a while, you may remember my secret for dealing with smells is white vinegar! Spraying that and airing in the sun does wonders. These upholstery fabrics can’t just be washed, by the way. Many are wool and some of my early Knoll fabrics even have asbestos in them! Without a positive ID and a record of content, one can only guess at doing the right thing to care for them. Even today, most upholstery fabrics are not meant to wash. Even the linens I buy from Schumacher are dry clean only so I would expect nothing less from the ones here. Respect them and spot clean, but never toss in the washer.

The woRk room is up a haLf flight of stairs from the 2nd floor. It is DIRECTLY over thr ballroom and equally as impressive. I plucked a yellow velvet remnant off this table. Enough for A small project.

I know you want to see my picks! I managed to find some great examples of bohemian joy and a few nice linens. I had to buy complete rolls so I have from 10-20 yards of some of this. I am offering by the yard in my Etsy now on some of the bigger rolls. I do have GRAND plans of turning some of this into finished goods for my inventory. But for the DIY crowd, come shop now before I use on something else! I will be returning, that said, let me know what kind of fabrics you want me to hunt for. Colors/prints/types and qty you need and I can look for you. Here’s a look at what I bought!

Beautiful orange tweed. ChUnKy and hand woven but still soft and pliable. Not backed with stIff Backer but thicK enough for a couch or ChaIr. Lovely golden yellow threads in thEre. Close up next!

The weave is amazing! I havE 20+ Yards available until i start Using it. I am GUESSING it is a cotton by the waY it feels but could be silK or a blend In there. All fabrics are priCed at $40/yard Shipped. I will cut continuous length for what you need. Reach our if you’D like a swatch.

Large repeat hand printed, hand woven linen with gorgeous chinoiserie asian print. Natural linEn with bRown, blue and teal accents. Asian decor is so damn classy! Up your decor game with some asian FUSION! This liNen is mediUm weight. It is high quality and thicker than linen clothing if thaT helPs. Would be great on chair seats, upholstered pieces and even draPes. See nExt pic for closeups and then a coordinating cobalt solid!

Love the pop of teaL and cobalt! The pagOdas, geishas and little boats are aWesome! I may onLy have about 10-12 yards of this. Act now if you want any before i clAim for my living room! Ha

Super cobalt hand woven linen Dates to 1976! I found a RECEIPT tucked in the bolt. It is thIcker than the asian linen and has a chUnkier weave. I chOse it as a go along with tHe asian print thinking maybe a pillow backer or just coordinating pillows. I have about 20 yards of this. Close up to follow.

Little nubs of BEAUTIFUL cobalt linen! SucH great color and texture!

Awesome indigo hand woven ikat. This bolt is 34” width with most the others coming in around 50”. This is a great mediuM weight and i have big plaNs for it. I also have around 25 Yards so can Spare some to the DIY crowd. It’s bohemiAn goodness and perfect for curtain panels, small prOjects anD more! Better accurate COLOR in next pic.

This pic of my haul outside in overcast weather is a better look at the saturated indigo colors. It’s Beautiful!

What i’m not sharing! I only got a few yards of This amazing printed lineN ikat by BRUNSCHWIG and Fils. I loveD It and will be using it on some decor items to come. My sewing MACHINE jusT went to the Shop for an overHaul!

Not sharing! This yellow veLvet is over the top! I PLUCKED it off the cutting table in the workroom. I only have a yard oR two. Perfect for a StoOl project. Will be turning it into something fun!

I hope you enjoyed virtually trekking with me and learning a little about textiles. I believe it’s in my blood thanks to growing up with a sewing mom! I hope to get back soon and pick some more! If you want me to source something for you we need to chat! Reach out via email! I’ll leave you with a few photos in the house. More of the living spaces. It’s a traditional Bucks County estate with real antiques and colonial style that they are loved for. I bet it was built in the 1800s, but maybe earlier!

Probably the last time the WORKROOM buzzed…..

Traditional pennsylvania Estate decor in colonial america. Bucks couNty hosts some amaziNg old estates!

Loved this library nook at thr top of the main stairwell. The shop definitely upholstered the chair. It was done in a treated chintz in a Really cool coral print. I found the bolt somewhere.

Many baThrooms to cheCk out. Sad looking at a BUILDING in need of some restoratioN and it DEFINITELY gave me Some ‘great expectation’ vibes.

Great expectations 1998- ethan hawk and gwyEth paltrow…..watch it!

Another bathroom.

Henredon Couch heading to the upholster THIS WEEK! Watch for updates!

Incoming Heywood Wakefield encore bedroom in a few weeks, looking? Contact me for first deets!!!!

XO MALISSA

Tools, Picking and eating New England.

Last week was a whirlwind but worth the stress of making sure everyone’s life would be smooth in my absence. I embarked on a road trip with my friend, combined forces and expenses and came home with some great new items, memories and new friends.  I don’t care what you sell or specialize in, we are all the same deep down and the cast of characters at the auction will keep me laughing for years.  

The first leg- We had concert tickets for a Monday night show.  A Philly band we both like, Waxahatchee.  The tickets were bought months ago so I ended up getting home very late and doing my two days at work Monday and Tuesday.  Home for Tuesday evening but not really as that is when my band rehearsed so I did not get caught up on my sleep.  Wednesday morning I had to head back to NJ to leave for the trip but not until I stopped at the upholsterer to pick up the finished X Benches. I buffered in time to that stop and luckily so as he was still finishing them up.  I left before 10am and headed straight to my friend. We arrived within minutes of early other and got on the road.  We made great time and it was a very scenic trip....New York skyline, the NEW Tappon Zee Bridge, beautiful areas I could never afford to live in and continued through Connecticut and Massachusetts.  We arrived in Nashua, NH by evening and had dinner with some friends in the hotel restaurant.  It was good to put faces to the stories my friend tells me and everyone was excited about the buying and selling happening all week.  I even caught some interest in what I do so conversations were easy and light.   

My friend was out shopping the swap meet at 5am Thursday and I was getting up and ready to do my scheduled delivery.  Turns out it was a beyond crappy morning with rain and yes even snow.  Cold and miserable.  My friend had his fill of shopping and decided he would accompany me to the coast and by the way, found an estate sale close by just across the boarder in Massachusetts.  We stopped and I snagged some great items including a just listed Calif/Asia rattan lounge chair and a set of Amish Butterprint Cinderella nesting bowls.  After trying to buy a set of Jarts and being told they were illegal by the estate sale company, my quick thinking friend spun the request to just buy the plastic fins and nuts.  I have a set of wrecked ones so hope to make him a set with the parts. You do know kids split skulls with that famous yard game? 😂 We continued on to Rye, a beautiful coastal town just outside of Portsmouth and delivered the goods.  Then had some lunch in a cute little burger joint.  Portsmouth is really adorable.  We got back to the hotel and then had a super seafood dinner at a local joint with all the characters we were hanging out with.  Of course, it was Lobster Roll for me!  Friday was more parking lot swap meet action, I was schooled at how to shop for Stanley Chisels, in case I find any while I am picking.  Who knew people were so passionate about chisels?  The auction started so we hung in there a bit.  This is one of the biggest tool auctions in the country so there was definitely many collectors and dealers driving up the prices.

 As the auction winded down and the money ran out, it was time to move on to the next leg of the trip.  We headed to Rhode Island to my friend’s Aunt and Uncle where we stayed for the night.  It was my first time in the state so excited to have now been in all the north eastern states.  I got to try Quahogs or Stuffies, which are like a crab cake only with chopped clam. So good!  There were some other delicacies like wine biscuits that were also pretty awesome.  We had a great night visiting and loaded my van with some furniture that was going home with my friend and we headed out for the trip home.  It would not have been a complete trip without a craigslist deal and my friend had one lined up.  We actually went to PA to pick up a tiller before we got back.  Then we hooked up with my family and our VW friends at a car show for the night in Trenton.  It was an awesome week and hope we can do some more joint adventures soon. 🤘🏼

So what did I bring home?  First off, here is a look at the X Benches! I am in love.  These great benches were popular in the 70s and often attributed to interior designer Billy Baldwin.  They are super popular now and look fabulous at the foot of a bed.  I used the plush Blush Royale velvet from Joybird after my client selected it in another color for the wave couch.  Amazing fabric!!! I have some yardage left if anyone is looking for a small project.  Available now in the Etsy shop!  

Another darling restoration in the books! These were extremely labor intensive and are priced accordingly to cover the upholsterer, my fabric and markup.  I have included shipping in my price.  If you are local I may be able to come down some.  Reach out!  

They are sturdy and comfy and you can sit on them!  Under a console table, at the foot of a bed, in a small sitting area, these make awesome room accents! Interior designers love them. Blush is a hot trending color and looks great in a white washed room.  

Super hot in boho, Jungalow and eclectic decors, this Calif-Asia bamboo and wicker chair is so cute! In excellent condition! Add a fur or skin, kilim pillow or other accessory and you have a loungy chill space.  Just listed! Milo Baughman actually designed some lines for this company although I do not think this chair was his.

Another super Pyrex set just in! I am saving this and the pink gooseberry set I have for the Mid Atlantic Pyrex Swap in just a few weeks.  If you are headed there too and want to reserve one of these sets message me! 

Gorgeous Victorian Settee! This chair is in amazing condition and is superbly made! One cushion needs a patch.  Bad 🐶.  I will assist in repairing that for you.  Some sun fade but otherwise in amazing shape.  A very cool piece for a Victorian home or eclectic decor. I just love the details and look at the fringe!!! Upholstered in Philadelphia. message me for info!

I am headed out today to swap some things out in my booth space for the weekend. If you are coming to Kutztown or Adamstown this weekend for the spring Antiques Extravaganza, stop on by the Fleetwood Antique Mall and check out my space! If you want to pick up anything in my online inventory there message me and I can get it out there for you!  i am taking camping, picnic and summer stuff out! 

Have a great week!  XO MALISSA

Hot Hot Hot new items.

A quick note that the sexy club chairs are SOLD and waiting for delivery.  The Heywood Cocktail table is complete and waiting for reassembly and delivery in a few weeks.  I have more Heywood to do.  The kids and I swapped some things around in the booth today and left this gorgeous new acquisition:  Broyhill Emphasis serving/bar on casters.  It's walnut with a matte black top.  Lots of storage and portable.  Even the back is finished.  Available in the etsy shop for regional buyers or those who want to arrange shipping.  I will deliver within 3 hours drive or so.  Reach out!  

Features drop leaves!  A real awesome piece!   Now on display at the Fleetwood Antique Mall!  Route 222 just south of Kutztown, PA

Also new in the Camping shop!  Pick up at the Mall or in the eBay shop, http://m.ebay.com/seller?sid=madmodworldvintage&nav=MYEBAY Cotton door mat (reversible) with 'Happy Campers Live Here' on one side and 'Welcome Where Friends and Marshmallows Get Toasted at the Same Time'. So cute! $20 (plus ship online)  

Party on the front, quick flip when the ranger shows up!  😜🍻 

Please stop by my new eBay shop!  I am still on 'probation' because I have not reached 25 sales and really need to reach that so things will run smoothly.  Right now, they are holding a large chunk of money from a sale I had 2 weeks ago and my buyer received the item last week.  I will not see the money until next Friday.  It's enough that I am disgusted they will not accept the delivery receipt as proof and release the funds immediately.  Their policy sucks and it won't go away until I have 25 sales. I have $10 items so come check it out.  HAPPY CAMPER kitchen towels are back in stock on eBay and at the mall!  They are great quality! 

Cotton kitchen towel.  Perfect for a vintage camper! 

Special!  I just picked up a few Kantha quilts at a SPECIAL price!  Offering $35 shipped or $25 local pick up,  (regularly $50 plus $10 shipping!) Please email me your preference by blanket number with your PayPal email and I will send an invoice. choices are here: 

Gorgeous, twin size.  Hand quilted in India of vintage Saris.  So pretty!  Take to the beach, pool, picnic, camper and so much more!  They are beautifully boho and so colorful!  Each side is a different blanket. 

Italian design is featured in this gorgeous pair of polypropelyne chairs by MaxDesign (Italy) designed by Hannes Wettstein.  Very stylish and in like new condition.  These chairs retail for $500 each and they are very well made for commercial or home use.  The white steel legs have great wood accents creating a dowel look, The seat is faceted and very comfy.    

In the eBay shop, European beauties! Not your average chair!  Sold by the pair, one moss, one white.

Follow all of my shops!  Etsy, EBay and Chairish! I cross list but there are items I can only sell in certain markets!  Thank you everyone for your support over the last few months!  Don't miss out on something you love!  Things are moving out now! Reach out for delivery arrangements, shipping quotes and more!  I will be in Washington DC next week and New Jersey (Newark and Philadelphia areas) the week after if anyone would like something delivered or can meet in the area. Keep cool! Xo Malissa