Knoll Vintage Remnant Sale Coming Soon and other ramblings mostly about Knoll.

I was so happy to hear from an old work friend who is currently working for Knoll. He explained some things to me and I was amazed to hear how much more automated the manufacturing is for things like table tops than the shop we both had worked at. Ultimately, speed and efficiency reigns in manufacturing and the big key is to streamline that process to thrive. He also gave me some insight on the mock ups, and he does get involved in sample making for clients. Everything is clearly marked MOCK UP when it gets to production and they need to make sure it’s perfect. He also said the company keeps all fabrics for 25 years before disposing of them (mainly by employee only sale). The main reasons are warranty issues and repair/replacements. Pretty cool that they keep this library of sorts!

This brings me to my decision to offer some awesome mcm era remnants I have collected! I have 2 bins of gorgeous Knoll fabrics I purchased from the daughter of a now deceased former executive. Although identifying them all is hard, I have been able to find a few. If you are sitting on a sample book of swatches, you may fair better. I’d love to hear back from anyone who happens to crack this on their purchases! That said, I worked on my first bin today. Here is a preview!

I have lots of pics, measurements and video of me describing and going over each piece! Now I just have to get things ready for purchase on my website. I will launch the sale at a specific date/time I specify and announce here. Please register for my mailing list! I have another glorious bin to go through and lots of back end work. I am so happy to be able to place these pieces with collectors and enthusiasts. It truly is a joy to have them!

Can’t wait for you to see them all! XO MALISSA

Need shipping?

Hey there! My beloved shipper Jackie will be here the week of Christmas to pick up an item headed to Seattle. Her trip will take her to the south then through Texas/AZ/SoCal and north to the NW. if you are looking for something and in that area, reach out now so I can get you a quote and secure space on her trip,

Manny, my localish East of the Mississippi shipper is headed south and to the Midwest shortly. If you are in OH/CHICAGO/WI AREAS this trip is for you! Reach out now so I can get you a price and reserve your space!

*** I take deposits to hold your item with balance plus shipping due prior to shipping. Shipping rates are up right now due to gas and other expenses being very high. I collect your shipping and pay cash on pick up as a courtesy to save you money when I can use a shipper I know. We are cutting out the middle man (uShip) this way. Our shippers work hard for us and saving them some fees is always worth it!

Don’t get shut out! Things are leaving fast right now! I don’t have any commited purchases in the pipeline right now but I do have some project pieces I can get working on and would like to anyway as I have a window between now and February before I take on a 3rd survey in my census job which will give me more hours.

The Platner dining table base will get to the powder coater this week as I dropped it off with my friend yesterday who will be taking it! As soon as I get it back, in beautiful gloss white, I will get picks of the complete table and list it. The orange formica top with custom wood trim (could be oak or walnut) is 60” and can seat 8. The wood was installed but never finished so I took care of that. If you would like to be first to get info on it, feel free to reach out!

I am running my ozone generator in the garage frequently working on the leather cushions on the Tobia Scarpa Bastiano lounge chair. I have refinished the wood frame with Rubio Monocoat, a superb, LEEDS compliant oil finish. It looks fantastic! I have some more to do on it and will get to work. It’s not 100% but it is definitely in good enough shape to use and the leather is not too bad off showing some stains and light scuffs but overall not abused. There is also a mystery with this chair I have been trying to crack. The model was first made by Gavina in Italy and when Knoll purchased them, they got the rights to make this chair. My chair is made differently than current production chairs in that the leather is wrapping the seat frame. And the wood frame attaches directly to the seat frame. Is this how Gavina did it and Knoll reinvented the wheel when production shifted to the US? Why am I not finding others like mine? I am even checking the European boards. Was this man developing the current iteration for production and this a sample? So many questions! His son has 2 other Scarpa pieces and I want to see them and how they are made. Perhaps the clues lie in that or the metal frame with a label: Sleep-Comfort Lebanon. Although we are relatively close to Lebanon, PA…..there is a Sleep Comfort in Lebanon the country. This may also be a clue that this was a European production. The mystery continues!

I will keep working through my backstock! Make sure you check out my exclusive gift items here on my website or locally at my retail spaces! I do have some cool mcm themed stocking stuffers including the Eames Dopp kits, house of cards notepads and my custom pillow covers from those great vintage fabrics!
XO MALISSA.

Ho Ho Holiday!

Wanted to shoot out a quick update to put some ideas in your head and mine! I typically throw a gift with purchase in packages that go out in the holiday season. This year, I have much less small items listed as I have moved many to my retail space at 50% off. Pretty sure most of my online customers are not even aware of my promotion and I have rarely gotten a message that they noticed. Was thinking of discontinuing the practice this year. I always send gifts to furniture buyers and that will not stop! I put lots of thought into my gifts and hope they bring a smile. I do want to travel to my wholesaler and see what they have available but making no promises. If you have received one of my holiday gifts with purchase and want to drop me a line to tell me how much you enjoyed it, I may reconsider! Ha. That said……I have been moving some large items and I do not see that stopping. I am available THIS WEEKEND for deliveries if you need something for the holiday. From an amazing set of folding chairs to a gorgeous dining table to restored chairs and a couch, I can get you hooked up and cozy before your guests arrive! Willing to travel throughout the mid Atlantic region to make it happen. As always, nominal fee for delivery based on distance/tolls. Hiring me is always cheaper than hiring a shipper and you do get better service. 🥰. Speaking of shipping, Chairish will probably be moving slow and I would not count on receiving any shipped furniture item before Christmas. Not to discourage you, but give you realistic expectations. They are offering amazing shipping rates around the country and you can get an instant price in my shop when you add the item to your cart. Please take advantage of this! Shippers are charging high rates right now because of gas and expenses. Chairish is definitely taking a beating on the shipping but it is saving you money. Until they change something, go for it! My Chairish shop will be 20% off from Nov 21st- 26th. Do not wait! You can send me an offer and claim that discount early. I will take it. Please have a look around and grab it before it’s advertised nationally. I would love to send some more of my beautiful collection out before the end of the year! I worked really hard to bring these awesome items to the market and am very proud to have a great selection. It’s the largest furniture stash I have had since I started my business 7 years ago.

This video (click below to open in browser if in email) gives a look at some awesome new gifts waiting for you in my first floor space at Fleetwood Antique Mall! Some items are also available on my website and in my Etsy shop. Grab some great gifts today! Thank you for shipping small and local! Open 10-6 WED-SUN, closed on Thanksgiving. Stay tuned to my social media for last minute sales!

I am giving thanks to all my customers and friends for supporting my business over the years! I have built up a great little side gig and I love what I do, from picking it up, cleaning it and listing to planning your shipping or bringing it to your home! It’s a process and one that I adore. I meet the best people and you all feel like family! Thank you from the bottom of my heart and enjoy your Thanksgiving! 🦃 I will shoot an update if I run any other sales before Christmas.

XO MALISSA

Scandinavian bounty, Halloween and current acquisitions.

Greetings!
For the first time in over a year I have had a bit of a break from deliveries and quick sales. I am ok with that as I was just trained for 2 new surveys and have been getting paid to work! I have, however, been adding to my inventory and helping some folks downsize their homes. I am still working to get everything listed and ready to go. I just brought home more Danish and Swedish pieces than I ever had! If you love Rosewood and Teak, I have some awesome pieces to show you! So many goodies including dining! Here’s what’s live so far. Get an instant shipping quote in my Chairish shop!

SOLD Very clean, teak dresser by Ed Secon Design Associates

SOLD….Floating credenZa wall mounts. Cane fronts, shelves oN sides, drawerS in center.

Fun teak cart that has a pivoting top to extenD the drop leaf. Gemla, Sweden

Ib kOfOd Larsen hoop dining height chair.

Gorgeous transitional long, skinny coffee table with 3 pullouts for beverageS, etc. Has some asIan elements. Beautiful inlaId top.

AB Seffle MobElfaBrik -sweden, rosEwood extenSion dining table. Includes 2 17” leaves, full set of custom table padS. Legs remove for easier transit.

SOLD AND LIVING IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON BROADWAY!!!! International designers group IMPORTED from sweden

International designers Group imported from denmark

Oak spindle chairs. Unmarked. Probably American. Super cute.

AlUminum folding chaIr set- stellar! Beautiful condition.

I SCATTERED some great halloween items around my spaces! -Upstairs at fleetwood antique mall. Lots of items 50% off in this space-look for the dots!

downstairs at fleetwood antique mAll.

Stop out and grab some goodies! I appreciate your support! XO Malissa

Insights behind the scenes.

What started out as a business based on me scurrying around to find cheap vintage inventory in thrift stores, yard sales and roadsides has literally evolved into a machine of connections, referrals and being an integral part of helping families recoup some money after the loss of a family member or clean out of a property. I love to thrift but I don’t live to do it anymore. This business consumes a lot of time quickly. Between the sourcing, cleaning and repair, photo shoots and listing and then the customer services, shipping quotes, packing and delivering. As you grow you realize that you cannot do it all. I am very grateful for the connections I made along the way! I have cut the whole looking for inventory out. I basically just review photos and show up and pick it up these days. It has been liberating especially since I do have a real paying job to deal with….and by the way, I still don’t get paid from doing this. My car is finally mine…..compliments of 5 years of hustling vintage. I am paying rent in 2 retail spaces for now but I do have goals of combining into one at some point. I do still wish my local presence would leave more of an impact of my sales, but I do better in the national market. Play bigger, win bigger I guess. I have people asking me to sell their stuff regularly now and although I never intended to do consignment or buy complete collections, I will attempt to help as budget and time allows.

I want to leave you with some thoughts of the coming months. Shippers have done a great job throughout the pandemic keeping vintage furniture moving around the country. The younger generations really appreciate vintage and that is a blessing for those of us in the business. I don’t see this slowing down yet, but I do see a hurdle or two. Shippers are dealing with high gas costs and travel expenses. I see one of my own markets low balling them. I also see shippers on to this and letting bids sit so out of desperation to get an item shipped, the price goes up benefitting the shipper. Well deserved, but now we have a situation where the middle man who arranged the shipping lost money. Sure they take a hefty cut off our sales with them so they have a buffer, but no telling how long this can sustain without some new rules. As an observer, I will sit and take this in. They are still, in most cases, charging the buyer less than I could arrange shipping for myself. Oh and by the way, they just bought a similar company in Europe and expects to open that up for us and Europeans can buy our stuff and they will ship it there. There is much to be excited about, leery of and patient for right now in this ever changing world. That said, while things are still the way I know, please check my Chairish shop first when looking to purchase a large item. I can price my network of shippers but if the price is good, I may not be able to beat it anyway. They are currently offer the best rates, in most cases and I can’t afford to pitch in to your shipping like apparently they are! Shop early if you need stuff for the holidays! Shipping large items can take up to 8 weeks! Previewing of upcoming inventory addition below! Good stuff!
XO MALISSA

Preview of some great danish i Have committed to buy and will be pIcking up early october!