Hello lovelies! Today I’m taking y’all on a trip to my booth. For those of you that may be new here, welcome! I have a booth space at the Virginia Beach Antique Mall here in Virginia Beach where I sell most of the pieces I blog about.
Let’s start where we left off in November, shall we?
The last time you visited, it looked like this:
Sadly, most of these furniture pieces are still in my booth! Booo! See, it happens to me too! Many of these pieces are taste specific and need just the right buyer to come along. However, I can’t wait for forever for them to show up, so they all got marked down on my last visit. Hopefully, they will sell now!
Thankfully I have been moving my smalls, which has kept me afloat. Most of what is on the furniture pieces have sold.
In December I decided to move things around a bit and brought in a few holiday items…
That little rocker had been painted green and white last Spring and it just sat, which is not the norm for my kids’ pieces, so I took it home and painted the green parts blue. It has sold since then.
If I can find cute decor pieces that match my style like the glass lamp below, I grab them. This was $9.98 at the thrift store and I found the shade at HomeGoods for $12. It sold for $42.
I brought in the green beachy table I shared in December…
I also brought in the black bench…
After Christmas, I removed the few Christmas items and rearranged a few things again.
In January, I started sharing my makeovers in groups, working through an entire thrifty haul piece by piece. This Frenchy wall cabinet below was the first one:
It sold right away!
I also brought in this table from that first haul…
As well as this mirror…
I’m thinking the white serpentine dresser that was in that spot sold, however, perhaps when they were trying to remove the harp that held the mirror, it broke somehow. I brought it home to repair it, but without the mirror, the dresser has been a fantastic piece for staging so it’s a keeper!
This coffee table from haul #2 made its way in also:
And so did the Chateau drop leaf table and the magazine rack that was part of that haul as well:
The magazine rack sold and the black bench sold in the foreground there, and the Chateau table joined the oak side table, the buffalo check suitcase, and the tufted stool in the center:
I need a few plain painted pieces to add to the mix. A lot of these are too taste specific.
I brought in vintage suitcase #2…
But…on the next trip in, I brought it back home. I just couldn’t part with it!
The white dresser with the wood drawers is still there. I might have to bring the drawers home and paint those too just to get it sold.
I don’t think this was a fan favorite anyway.
This striped dresser has been sitting for a long time! It was one of the first furniture pieces I painted when we moved into our new house.
I thought it would be cute for a child’s room. I never lined the drawers in this one, and I swear sometimes that is what seals the deal! I may have had it overpriced as well. Marking these pieces down should move them.
I just dropped this little end table off on my last visit. It’s white, so it should sell!
I didn’t mention all of the non-furniture items that have sold, but thank goodness for those! They have kept me going! Here’s how my booth looked as I was leaving last week:
The estate sale shelving unit I recently did is out of the photo just to the left. I forgot to get a photo of it.
I don’t put quite as much hustle into stocking my booth as I once did. Sharing two new makeover posts just about every week keeps me pretty busy, so I use my booth more to sell the things I blog about. I still like it to look stocked and fresh though. If I start back with a bunch of white furniture pieces, you’ll understand why!
You can see all my previous booth updates below:
If you have a booth or are thinking about renting one, you may enjoy my 10 Tips to a Successful Booth:
I hope y’all enjoyed this little trip to my booth!
I’m still working on that cabinet with the fretwork and should have it ready to share by Thursday. We are taking the kids to DC for a few days over Spring break so I wasn’t quite able to get it completely finished in time. I will be back here on Tuesday though sharing how I repurposed this set of candleholders from my latest haul:
UPDATE: See how I repurposed these candle holders HERE now!
Have a great weekend! I hope you get to feel the warm sunshine on your face wherever you are! š
XO,
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Christina in SW FL says
Great field trip! I adore your booth and am always shocked when you paint something black. š
It seems to me that marking a tag with “sale” or “marked down’ grabs people’s attention. š
Thanks for the visual on your beautiful booth!! You have a great and fun weekend as well.
Christy says
Thank you, Christina!! Black is definitely a stretch for me ha ha, but hey someone did buy the black bench…woohoo! Great idea on the sale tags…we have a storewide sale coming up also which will help! XOXO
Candy says
Loved seeing your booth. You put a lot of hard work in everything you do. Looks great! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
Candy
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tour, Candy! Thank you!! XOXO
Paula says
One of these days I hope to see your booth in person. I don’t know how you get so much done to keep it stocked!
Christy says
That would be awesome, Paula! If you ever come this way…I hope you’ll let me know so we can do lunch! Working through these hauls has kept me on point, and that has really helped to keep inventory moving into the booth! XOXO
Ann Williams says
I love to see your booth updates. Thank you so much for doing your blog. I either didnāt see your black bench makeover or forgot it but I love it! Did you do a blog on that piece? Have fun in DC. Itās a beautiful time!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoy them, Ann! I did share the bench and you can visit that one here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/headboard-bench-update/ š Thank you…it is supposed to rain all weekend, but we have our raincoats and umbrellas ready to go! XOXO
Mother Deer says
Everything looks lovely. I can see why you brought the vintage suitcase back home with you š Regarding the white dresser with the wooden drawers not selling yet, did you try gold knobs on the white drawer? I wonder if that would draw the eye up to the beautiful wooden surface on the top of the dresser š
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mother Deer! I had to go back and get that sweet suitcase ha ha! You might have an idea there on the dresser… it just got marked down so we’ll see how it goes for now! Thanks! XOXO
Joni Gonzales says
I don’t know why but I love seeing you do the white pieces anyway lol. You inspired me to want to do some too so I bought pieces. Then I started a blog (www dot myorganizedadhdlife dot com – it’s still new so the site sucks, no pictures or anything come up but I am chugging along on writing content) and now I’m in EBA. I decided the furniture was a distraction so I put some pieces on the curb this weekend when I cleaned out my garage. Then I saw your end table post and dragged the end table I had put out back into the garage LOL. Luckily nobody else had seen its potential yet! There is just something about white distressing over pretty details that I love!
Christy says
I’m so glad to hear that, Joni! Thank you!! I seriously would paint everything white if I could lol. Congratulations on your blog…I will have to check it out. Funny about the furniture! That sounds like something I would do!! XOXO
Joni Gonzales says
Hey Christy, I’m sorry this isn’t a comment on this post but I have a quick question for you. I bought a metal tray with filigree edges that is painted a shiny green (it’s similar to the tray you put your tiny little white and blue Christmas village on, which is what inspired me to buy it in the first place). It’s so shiny that I actually thought it was a glazed ceramic tray at first. I just spray painted it flat red with Rust-Oleum 2X . I would really like to now go back over it and chalk paint it white with some distressing that lets the red show, especially around the thin metal filigree. I don’t want the green to show, obviously. Do I need to let the spray paint cure? And would you use the Vaseline method or just wet distress it with a cloth or would you sand it? if it doesn’t work out, I will just start again, but I figured with your experience you might be able to advise me. Btw I just used my homeright spray shelter for the first time. My husband bought it for me for my birthday in February. Hopefully he used your link since I had sent it to him previously! I love it!
Christy says
Hey Joni! If you lightly sand, you may be able to avoid going down to the green. The vaseline method works great though, and I would probably lean in that direction. Wet distressing has a short window, so if you go that route, do it as soon as the paint is dry to the touch. I probably would let the red cure for at least a couple of hours and be sure it is dry to the touch. (Humid conditions can delay dry time.) Hope this helps! XO
Kathryn says
Be careful with spray paint! I called the manufacturer one time when doing a project for a friend and they said it is very important to let the paint dry thoroughly so that the chemicals that make it spray paint can āescapeā and so it adheres well. Just a bit of advice to pass on.
Christy says
Yes! Thank you!
Sherry Stuifbergen says
You do such a good job with repurposing items. I love that dresser with stripes. I copied your style and did a white tray with green stripes. I am really pleased how it turned out. You are a great mentor and I love all your posts. My favorites are the videos of you and “Artsy” thrifting. I can SO relate…(you have good thrift shops.) I love your blog!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sherry! I truly appreciate your kind words! I love stripes also and I bet your tray is lovely with the green! Nancy and I went thrifting a couple of weeks ago so we should have a new video soon! And yes we are lucky to have such great thrift stores here. š Have a great weekend! XOXO
Debbie Sellers says
Hey Christy, thanks for the booth update, I always love to see your booth! I am new to selling my crafts and trying to make a living at it. I started my booth in December and have made money every month, but havenāt sold anything in 2 weeks ????. Started an Etsy shop a few weeks ago and Iām slowly putting things there. Now, Iām struggling over wanting to start a blog, I am studying everything I can and found you yesterday online on āTop bloggers to watch for 2919ā. Wow! Iām thinking, āI know her!ā.
I know you are too busy for my ramblings, but I love you and everything you do! You are my teacher and inspiration!
Thanks for all your hard work!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! I’m so glad you enjoy it…I love seeing others’ booths as well! Do you recall where you saw my blog listed as one to watch? I’d love to see it! I appreciate your sweet words so much! XOXO
Gail says
Christy – I am in awe of your talent and energy! Everything you create is just right, lovely and bright. Your booth is awesome – I’ve been in the antiques business for years, and have seldom seen such a charming collection of well-done re-purposed treasures. You are a constant inspiration to me as I work to fill my booth up here in Michigan! Love your blog! Blessings to you and your beautiful family.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Gail! You are so sweet!! That means a lot to me. Hoping your booth has much success. Blessings to you as well! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy, I don’t have a booth but have you ever watched Jami Ray Vintage on You Tube? Her and her husband Zeb create videos just about every day and they are very successful at what they do i guess. Every Saturday night they do a Live on their pickings and how they re-create them for her booth. She has a lot of “smalls” in the way of milk glass vases, mirrors, signs and they even paint the ends of rolling pens. I love watching them create so i though i maybe you would too. I think everything you paint and make is wonderful. If i every visited your booth it would be empty for sure. You always look outside of the box and build these wonderful pieces. Paint those drawers white and put on a transfer. That is the popular thing these days. Whatever you do please keep doing.
Christy says
I’ve never heard of her, but sounds like something I’d enjoy watching too! Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement always! XOXO
Denise says
Your booth looks amazing …where do you get the energy girl!?!! No sunshine here today. We might even get a dusting of snow. Have a good one Christy. xo
Christy says
Aww thanks, Denise! No sunshine here either and rain is threatening to ruin our little getaway, but at least it isn’t snow…you poor thing! Mother nature is all confused up there lol! XOXO
Lynne says
Where is your booth?
Christy says
At the Virginia Beach Antique Mall in Virginia Beach, VA. š
Jane Clelland says
I love your blog! I really like seeing the booth updates. You do a great job. The dresser with the dark drawers is a beautiful piece, but it looks out of place with all the white and aqua. I’m sure it would sell if it was by itself or with other like pieces. Good luck with your sales. Looking forward to the next update!
Christy says
Thank you, Jane! I appreciate that! I agree that dresser looks out of place in my booth. My sister said the same thing. I’m sure it will be coming home for a redo soon! XOXO
elizabeth mapleson says
Everything is very pretty. Well done
Christy says
Thank you, Elizabeth! XO
Robyn Wright says
I love seeing your booth and how all of your pieces look so nice. Thank you for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! XOXO
Kimmylouwho says
It is always fun to see your booth! a couple questions; how much is a typical booth rental/month and what are your average sales/month?
Christy says
Thanks! I believe our Mall is $12 per square foot. I have a large area that is actually two spaces and pay $300 per month. As for sales, it really depends on what I have in my booth. I usually have a couple of larger pricey pieces in there at all times that give me more potential for profit. At the moment I do not so I am surviving on the smalls. XO
Margie says
I always rave about your makeovers to my husband,this morning I told him you had marked down some of it…..,.his response thank heavens we live in Illinois!!!!!!! Do friends or customers ever ask for special pieces ? Thanks for all the smiles you give me.
Christy says
Oh ha ha ha! That is so funny! I do have friends quite often ask if I have a particular item they are in search of already painted. I try not to do custom pieces for people though as I find it takes the joy out of creating. Thanks, Margie! XOXO
Cathy Z says
All your stuff is lovely but my only thought for why some stuff hasn’t sold is maybe not everyone loves stripes.
Christy says
Thanks, Cathy! I usually sell my striped pieces very well and that is one of the reasons I do a lot of stripes, but I guess these in particular just aren’t working! XO
Rose Lefebvre says
You make such lovely items that I am not surprised that they sell. If I lived there I would have a lot of it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! XOXO
Janet Schen says
Your booth looks great! I love it when you show us what you bought at the thrift stores and then go thru it piece by piece!
Christy says
Thank you, Janet! I love that you are enjoying seeing me work through each piece. It has been fun for me too! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
How fun taking a look back on your beautiful pieces from the past! It was so easy to look back with all the links together! Just looking at all the many pieces you have done makes my head swim!! Enjoy DC and your family for a few days and I’ll be here when you can share a new makeover! XOXO
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed revisiting everything, Cecilia! We are looking forward to our little getaway, thank you!! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Also, I just giggled when I read that you picked the suitcase up!! I still think about the first piece I painted and sold (way to cheap) and miss it. š
Christy says
I don’t even have a spot for it, but I regretted taking it to my booth lol. I just had to bring it home! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Kathryn Buckland says
Hey Christie. I found your website when I was searching for ideas to do something with silver flatware storage boxes and I have been a subscriber ever since. You have given me LOTS of inspiration and tips. Thank you!! My daughter recently moved to Norfolk and she and her husband and I thrift together. They have an eBay business and I just like stuff! Anyway, we were in Va Beach but I couldnāt find the name of your place!! I was so frustrated cuz they wanted to go too. Well now I know and we will come in June when I am visiting again. I live in the beautiful Florida panhandle. Look me up if you are ever in the Destin area. Our beaches are awesome!!
Kathryn
Christy says
Hi Kathryn!! Thank you so much for following along! There are a lot of great thrift stores in Norfolk…Iām sure you all find some fun things! Sorry you couldnāt find my booth, it is tucked along the back wall in what was once an office, and that place is huge, so Iām not surprised you had a hard time finding me. Maybe next time! XO
Becky says
Your booth tours are always so fun! My son and I love puzzling over why some things sell and others don’t – it’s like trying to crack a code, haha! Yep, sometimes you just need the right buyer.
Hey, I think all of us readers really like your style, so “too many” white makeovers are not something we worry about. I love your work! It’s always inspiring to see something go from outdated and boring, to new and fresh.
Christy says
You are the best, Becky!! Thank you! Yes…sometimes the right buyer has to come along. Also I price my items pretty high since I donāt pump out tons of things just for the booth like I once did, so that certainly is a factor too! It felt good to mark a bunch of things down. Hoping that moves a few pieces more quickly! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Sandi Wagner says
It is such a good thing I no longer live in Virginia….I would clean your booth out! I LOVE the striped dresser…it will sell! You are such an inspiration!!! Keep up the GREAT work!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandi! I appreciate that!! XOXO
sherry sumerlin says
Hi Christy,
I really enjoy your work and your blog! I opened my painted furniture booth March 1st and did pretty well for the first 2 months. Your tips on opening a booth inspired me! Always wanted my own “shop” and this is pretty close! I’m in Williamsburg VA and have a different market, but surprised at what sells and what doesn’t! Thanks again for your inspiration! Look forward to your next post.
Christy says
Thank you, Sherry! I am so thrilled to hear you are finding success with your new booth! Yes, I too find it funny what sells and what does not. Best of luck on your continued success! XOXO