Hello lovelies!! I haven’t shared my booth since last October, so I thought it was high time. It has gone through quite a few changes since I last shared it.
If you are new around here, welcome! I have a booth at the Virginia Beach Antique Mall here in Virginia Beach where I have been selling my redos for the last six years. If you’re ever in the area, I hope you get a chance to visit. The antique mall is huge and there is a ton to see!
I usually share my booth by talking about the larger pieces that have come and gone since I last shared.
When I last shared my booth, it looked a little something like this:
You can visit that update HERE.
That dresser with the fabric drawers, and the matching night table sold (separately), as well as that dressing table with the transfers on the drawers, so I rearranged and brought in this pretty ornate Duck Egg painted table:
You can see that headboard bench HERE if you missed that build.
Not long after, I brought in this Caviar secretary, the pink and white night table in the background, the petite white table, and a set of chairs like the one here:
My MIL bought the secretary the day after I dropped it off!
Then I brought in this Bombay entry table and this round tray:
Not long after, I brought in this table that I had taken home to redo to go along with this Windsor chair:
That little Mint Julep table sold and I brought in this china cabinet that I scored for $25!
Not long after, I brought in this set of vintage night tables:
Then I brought in this Steel Magnolia night table and that Antebellum lamp in the background:
Both the night table and the lamp sold, and then sales started to slow as COVID became a real threat.
Thank goodness for Dixie Belle, because suddenly, people found themselves with time on their hands and my paint sales hung in there!
Next, I brought in this desk and the Mermaid Tail table:
It was at about that time that the antique mall was forced to shut its doors.
They were fantastic though. They advertised our pieces on FB marketplace to keep business going and offered curbside pick-up. They also continued to sell my paint for curbside pick up. They actually sold this cabinet for me through FB!
Miraculously, I made my booth rent for April, thanks to Dixie Belle and the mall allowing curbside pick up! I also did several porch drops as well. It was at that time that I decided to step up and become a premier retailer for Dixie Belle.
I then decided that I needed more display space and I added another bookcase to display my paint:
I shared the makeover of that bookcase along with tips for easily styling bookshelves HERE.
Luckily, we were still able to get into the mall and work on our spaces while it was closed to the public, so I took advantage of that opportunity to paint the shutters on my back wall that I have wanted to paint for ages:
The white on the shutters made such a big difference!
It looks so much brighter and more fresh!
The mermaid table sold and I continued to bring in pieces like this cutie pie mini-checked bench and the little toile suitcase:
I wish I had kept that little case!
I ended up moving this desk to this corner and it sold shortly after:
I then brought in this striped mirror and sofa table:
That sewing machine table in the corner sold and I brought in this low boy:
I also brought in a few frames that I repurposed:
If you remember when I shared the frames, I shared four total. Two of them were made into chalkboards, and the other two were made into dry-erase boards. Wouldn’t ya know that the chalkboards sold, but the dry-erase are still hanging around?
Then I brought in this pretty ornate sofa table I did with Sea Glass and Black Wax as well as this cute queen Anne style bench:
Both pieces sold, as well as the the two Vintage Duck Egg Blue night tables I had stacked on top of one another and the ornate side table in the same color.
By now, our mall was open and back to regular business hours, and the low boy sold to a lady that planned to add a vessel sink to it for her bathroom.
She also bought the large mirror leaning against the china cabinet:
The mini check bench sold as well.
July was turning out to be one of my best months ever and one day, I came in to find this:
That worked out perfectly since I had wanted to expand my Dixie Belle Paint display even more. I felt like it looked like a hodge podge, now occupying a total of three different bookcases:
My paint was so crammed together that I knew it was not the easiest for customers to shop. So, I went on a search for something more “professional” looking and that led me to IKEA where I settled on three of the Hemnes style bookcases in white that I had delivered right to my door.
Jack came to my booth with me and helped me put them together and they were just what I was looking for!
I could not have been more pleased! Now my paints were organized by color and so much easier to shop!
I loved how my booth was looking!
Soon I brought in this sweet table and chairs set and the Caviar night table behind it:
And one of my favorite makeovers to date made its way in as well:
As well as that large white mirror to the left of the dresser that I had a hard time parting with.
But…there was just one teensy tiny problem.
My booth is located in a small room and you could not see a single jar of paint from the doorway. There is a booth to the left as you enter that is in front of mine and they have a wall of shelves to separate our spaces that completely obscured my beautiful new display.
Our mall is so large that I hated the thought of buyers not being able to easily find me, so I moved my new display to the back wall instead:
I had to separate the bookcase because there is an outlet where the oar is that I need to be able to reach and we are not allowed to use extension cords.
While I don’t love this set-up quite as much, it is working just fine!
I had to move my shutter wall to where the shelves were in front of that window:
I do like that.
I just dropped off the little Farmhouse green table and a couple more small things yesterday…
I also dropped off this yard sale frame that I filled with pegboard to display my brushes:
Dixie Belle’s brushes are made by hand by a small company that is local to them, and were hit pretty hard by COVID, so they are only getting small batches out at the moment. I was able to order some for my booth, and then they sold out quickly again. I’ll add them to my online shop as soon as they get more inventory in.
I sold a few things that I didn’t mention like the set of wooden barstools that I had been hanging onto for forever!! I also sold this striped headboard bench that surprisingly, took a while to sell.
And here are a couple of smaller things that I didn’t blog about…
In the bottom left photo, I did share a set of three of those trays, but the pedestal dish was a thrift store find that I thought was cute, and it is holding my coaster set business card holder! The small ironstone cup on the bottom right is what I used to use, and that tray was a silver plated tray that got a quick makeover with paint and a small transfer. That small tray has since sold.
Oh and here is the corner to the left next to the booth that was hiding my paint with their shelving divider:
The backs of her shelves are kind of ugly, so I try to stack high to hide them. Think she’d be upset if I painted them white??
And this is what is directly across from me:
A swear I’m going to break something one of these days with me bringing in furniture next to all that glassware. If she ever moves out, I’m nabbing her space! I’d love to have this whole room, but I’d let the other vendor to the right of this one stay. They have cute stuff!
And that is my booth update! I hope y’all enjoyed the field trip!
You can see all my previous booth updates below:
It’s fun to see how it has evolved over the years!
Have a great weekend and I’ll see y’all back here Tuesday with my final piece from my post-shut-down haul, this tray:
UPDATE: No need to wait! See how this tray looks HERE now! 🙂
See ya then! Be safe!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
How fun to see your booth again!! I want to come to Virginia Beach to see it in person!! I have this thing I call a job that I have to go to every day! Work is so over rated!! Looking forward to retirement! Thanks for sharing, and I am looking forward to Tuesday as I have that same tray and can’t wait to see what you do to it!!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing it again, Mary! And what a bummer jobs are lol. Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! XOXO
Pam Walsh says
Your booth looks amazing !!! Love the shelves and the new additions… you have been super busy !!!
Christy says
Thank you, Pam! My booth has seen more change this summer than it has since I started in 2014 lol! It needed a boost! XOXO
Julie Jumeaux says
It looks so pretty.
Christy says
Thank you, Julie! XOXO
Holly says
Please can I have some of your energy? Don’t know how you do all that moving around but your booth looks beautiful.
If I ever get to visit the US again, I know where I’m heading 🙂
Christy says
Aww ha ha thank you, Holly! I shouldn’t say this out loud, but I think I enjoy spending so much time in my booth these days because I have my boys and my husband home every day lol! Mama time!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Oh Christy, it’s GORGEOUS!! I’d love to come for a weekend to visit the mall with your booth as the highlight!! I don’t have enough words to describe how much I love it!! It’s like wandering into a fairyland… 🧚♀️
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Denise! Thank you!! XOXO
Sandra says
I missed what you did with sewing machine table. I see lots of them and pass them up. Ideas??
Christy says
Hi Sandra! I didn’t do anything clever with the insides, but I think they make very charming side tables and the height is perfect to sit beside the bed. You can see more of that one in my booth here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/sewing-machine-table-makeover-with-transfer/
Christina says
Wow, your space has evolved quite a bit!! I love all your creations! Thank you for the tour and details of how you have made this space work better for you and your customers. Sweet! The mall has been great for vendors. 🙂
xo
Christy says
Yes it sure has evolved and it was long overdue! Thank you, my friend! And yes, the mall tried to do everything they could to support us through these trying times! XOXO
Cheryl says
Everything looks perfect Christie. Your eye for displaying your “trash-to-treasure” makeovers is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s a gift, and your booth “turnover” is a testament to your talent. I’m constantly amazed and delighted by your field trips. 😍😍😍. Cheryl in Charlottesville
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I appreciate that so much! I’m so glad you enjoy the booth visits! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Rosie says
Thank you for the tour, enjoyed it very much!
All the items jumped out at me and so many items I would love to take home with me lol. One day when I make it to Virginia beach I will definitely come visit your shop. I will be like a kid in a candy shop!!😍
Have a great weekend!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rosie! You’re welcome! I’d love for you to visit if you ever get the chance! Thanks, and you enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Mary King says
Looks great! I am over due for another trip to the Antique Mall to see your booth and am excited to see all you have done. Hoping to do so soon.
Christy says
Thanks, Mary! Yes and you are not too far from the antique mall at all now! XOXO
Barbara Holmes says
I love all your beautiful pieces. I hope one day to take a road trip and visit your booth.
Christy says
Thank you, Barbara! I’d love for you to visit! XOXO
Sharon Godwin says
Hi Christy! I soooo enjoy your field trips to your booth! I too have a small booth and have shutters similar to yours. How do you secure them so you can hang larger things (like a small shelf)? Love your style!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! I brought my stud-finder with me so I could find studs in the wall to screw the shutters into. It was a bit more of a challenge against the window, but I secured them below the window in those areas. XOXO
Linda Petersen says
Hi 👋, the booth looks fantastic!!🤩 How wonderful the mall kept things going. And, I love how the Dixie Belle looks in the matching bookcases. Taking the paint colored spatulas & setting them out by their respective jars is a supercute idea. I was wondering, could you maybe hang a couple of long drapery sheers to cover the neighbor’s ugly wood? You could get the kind that just need a round rod to gather on & use Command hooks to attach on the back. Just a thought. Anyway you’re the best💗! XO
Christy says
Thank you so much, Linda! The mall was wonderful! And I love that idea of hanging a curtain…thank you! XOXO
Judy says
My booth neighbor has cabinets with ugly backs as well. We hung burlap on the back using a few push pins – with permission. Not as invasive as paint and a big improvement.
Your booth looks great. Are the shutters nailed together to create a wall? Would love a blog on how you structured that. Does it have feet? I need to make a wall so I can hang some merchandise but can’t figure it out.
Christy says
Ooh that is a smart idea with the burlap! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of something like that? I guess it never bothered me much until I saw it in photos! Thank you! The shutters are held together with hinges, and then I used my stud finder to find studs in the wall and drilled long screws right through the shutters into the studs in several places. I have used these shutters at shows before, but to do it so it would be free standing, I had about four-six shutter panels across the back and two on either side attached with hinges and turned at a 90º angle on either side. Then I used a narrow piece of wood about a foot long to act as a brace and I screwed that into the top of the shutters, one screw on the part that was turned and one on the back part, to hold the ends in place. I sure hope that makes sense! XOXO
Sue Verbaan says
I too wish I lived nearby. Your booth is fabulous! That was a lot of moving- especially the paint display. Putting it up and filling it and then emptying it and moving all the furniture and filling again! I’m worn out
Just reading about it🤪. You have a great ‘eye’.
Sue Verbaan
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! It was a lot of moving around for sure, but I think it’s finally where it will stay for a while lol! XOXO
Carol S says
I’m worn out just thinking about all the rearranging you’ve done to your booth. It is spectacular! I finally have a booth of my own and love being there and playing. I just feel “ahhh” when I’m there. Thanks for sharing your little slice of peace and love.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carol! It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it since I’ve spent way too much time at home LOL. I totally get what you mean about enjoying playing in your booth… I love it also! Wishing you lots of sales! XOXO
Jan says
One of these days I’m going to get down there! I’d love to see your booth in person. But love seeing the pictures!
Christy says
Thank you, Jan! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. I hope you can come down to visit sometime too! XOXO
Ann says
Thank you so much, Christy, for the great tour! I am having shopper’s withdrawal and this tour was just what I needed this morning. I can only imagine the patience it took to move all those paint jars…twice! Do you use stencils for lettering? Love, love, love your blog!
Christy says
You are so welcome, Ann! And thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tour. And yes, it was a bit to move everything, but I actually enjoyed the me-time! I do use stencils, and also I’ve been using a lot of transfers lately as well. XOXO
Dianne Noffke says
That was fun! I was just in your booth to buy paint and noticed your new paint setup. it is very convenient and I love the spoons with the paint colors by each of paint. I like to visit your booth. It’s like visiting old friends. I’m looking for lamp inspiration as I have 3 that I want to redo. By far, you have the best booth in the mall.
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Dianne! Yes…the paint is so much easier to shop now. That really bugged me when it was all crammed together. And thank you! You are always so sweet! XOXO
Cecilia says
I always love a tour of your booth! Your paint display looks great too. I’m glad you were able to survive the shutdown and then had a great month once it reopened. Thanks for sharing – you’re displays are always so inviting.
😊 Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! I’m very blessed to have survived the shut down. I know that wasn’t the case for everyone. Take care! XOXO
Kathy says
Would you share the location of the antique mall you’re in. I would love to visit when I am in the area.
Christy says
Hi Kathy! Absolutely! I just linked to their Facebook page in my post, but it is located in the VA Beach Antique Mall at 3900 Bonney Rd. in Virginia Beach. XOXO
sharon austin says
I’d probably spend an hour in your booth browsing just because of the colors you use!! And genius idea with the wooden spoons, by the way. The Dixie Belle dealer near me doesn’t have any type of true color samples, you’re just kinda’ winging it in her booth.
Christy says
Aww thank you Sharon! Dixie Belle provided the spoons as part of their starter package, I believe, so your retailer may have them elsewhere or maybe in a jar somewhere? They are really helpful! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Wow Christy, you do really well on your booth. I painted a table identical to your mint julep one and mine is still sitting there. I’m going to re paint it. Your booth looks really good.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! A color like mint julep really takes the right buyer to come along. I love it though! XOXO
Sharon says
You do stunning work. Everything is unique and beautiful. You have a great sense of style and decor. Loved looking at your space.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sharon! I really appreciate that, and I’m glad you enjoyed the tour! XOXO
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
So many great pieces! Bet they will sell quickly.
Christy says
Thank you, Rose!! XOXO
Mary says
Wow! Your booth is beautiful! I too am amazed at your energy level Christy 🙂 When reading your blog each week on Tues and Thurs I’ve always thought, how does she make such quick decisions about how to transform those pieces so beautifully? My “projects” sit and sit most of the time because I can’t decide what to do. And then to see all the upkeep of your booth too? I hope you sleep once in awhile 🙂 🙂 Thank you for inspiring us, once again!
Christy says
You are so sweet, Mary, thank you! It is probably easier to come up with a plan for something when it’s not going in your own home. And when I’m stumped, I give it a coat of white and that does wonders to turn into a blank canvas. Sometimes it stays white and sometimes it is a great jumping off point for other colors or additions! I do sleep, I promise lol! I do spend a lot of time on my business, but it is definitely a labor of love! XOXO
Jennifer says
I love your booth! It looks like what I strive for in my very small new booth that I just started in July. Your booth looks very neat and easy to shop which is my favorite type of booth to shop.
Christy says
Thank you, Jennifer! Wishing you much success with yours! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
SO fun to see your booth Christy! So much awesomeness and creativity and WORK……it looks like the work of TEN people! 😀
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Connie! It has been fun giving my booth the much-needed love it’s gotten the past couple of months! Have a fantastic weekend! XOXO
Tracy says
Thank you so much for sharing !! It’s super cute and gave me so many ideas as my sister, daughter and I have a booth at a local flea market where we live. It’s a lot of fun being creative and then sell those items so we can go on to next haul! 😊. I wonder if you have a post about ideas for a booth and your best suggestions!
Christy says
You are so welcome, Tracy! And thank you! It really is fun seeing what you can make over and turn a profit on. And of course, the most fun thing is finding more stuff LOL! I do have a post that you may find helpful that I wrote a few years ago and you can find it here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/10-tips-to-a-successful-booth/ Wishing you much success with your booth! XOXO
Phoebe Grace says
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Your booth is so fresh and uplifting. I would be in big trouble if I lived near you as, I love your style. Thank you for sharing, and have a fabulous day, from me in the West coast.
Christy says
Hi Phoebe on the West Coast! Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Barbara Fister-Liltz says
OO! It’s like faeryland for grown-ups! Your work and your offerings have always been superb but this new arrangement and the added splashes of a few unique colours (I LOVE the deep teal/aqua) just makes everything alive and enticing. APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
Christy says
Wow thank you so much, Barbara! I’m glad you like the new look… I really enjoyed giving the space some much needed love! XOXO
Patty says
So lovely, Christy!! I wish you had been there when we lived nearby – but we were newly married & had no extra money!! Sad that we live too far away now to visit – I would furnish a lot of my home from your shop!! You are so creative and all your pieces are beautiful!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Patty! I appreciate that! I wish you still lived close by too! XOXO
Carly says
How wonderful you booth looks, I only wish I could see it in person. Maybe if I get to travel east. I love it when you take us on a tour, it is so much fun to see all of you craft together. Beautiful
Christy says
Thank you, Carly! I’m glad you enjoyed visiting my booth. It was long overdue LOL! XOXO
Lynada says
I enjoyed looking through your shop! I love your blog and enjoy reading it every day. You have some of the best ideas and makeovers! I haven’t tried your paints yet but I intend to with a few projects in mind!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lynada! I’m so glad you enjoyed “shopping” my booth! Thank you for following along with me! XOXO
Marilyn Holeman says
I love your booth. Unfortunately, I’m on the West Coast. But someday . . . I’ll bet if you asked your neighbor, she wouldn’t mind at all if the backs of her shelves were painted white. You should ask her! Thanks for all of your lovely inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Marilyn! Yep, you’re just a bit too far away lol. Someone suggested hanging a curtain on the back If my neighbor’s cabinet with command strips, and I think that could work. But you’re right…she probably wouldn’t mind it painted at all! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Just now getting to see your booth. Have been to Spring Hill, TN thrifting at their Goodwill. They had a lot of small things to paint and picked up several things mainly for my daughter-in-law has now opened a booth at a store near by us (Florence, AL). She does a good job (like you) painting and does a lot of furniture pieces. Will send this to her so she can see your booth. Enjoyed looking at it so very much.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’m so glad you enjoyed my booth tour. Shopping for things to redo is the most fun part, so that’s great that you get to do that for your daughter-in-law! I bet she really appreciates it too! XOXO
Joyce says
Hi Christy, your booth looks fabulous. I’m curious about your shutter wall. Are the shutters connected together and how? Are they free standing (and how) or leaning back against the wall? How to you hang things from them; especially the shelves? What great ideas you have. Does your mind keep you up at night 😆? What a beautiful imagination!
Christy says
You are so sweet, Joyce, thank you! The shutters are attached to one another with hinges. I have them attached directly to the wall using screws. I used my stud finder to find studs so they could be screw directly into the studs. I hang things on the slats in the shutters using large paper clips that I open to the shape of an “S”. They work incredibly well! And ha ha…Sometimes I do have a hard time turning my brain off at night LOL! XOXO
Jeanie says
Enjoyed your tour so much and this has to be so much fun, and work and sweat but its so lovely. Your pieces are fabulous.
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanie! It is a lot of work, but I truly enjoy it, which doesn’t make it feel like work at all lol! XOXO
Lisa says
Christy- Love, love, love all of your inventory!! Wish I lived near your shop, as I’d probably shop there all the time:) The secretary and black and white table set are are my faves! Did you hand paint them or use a stencil, transfer, etc.? Also love the black chest with gold design on front. Perfection👍👍
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lisa! I used a stencil on the secretary and a transfer on the table and the front of the dresser! 🙂 XOXO
Phyllis says
Love seeing your booth. Have never been to an antique mall but it sounds great. You never disappoint.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Phyllis! Most of the booths there sell vintage and antique finds…there are only a few of us with painted or redone items, but there is so much to see! XOXO
Camille says
This was my first time seeing your booth. You have a great eye for detail and the space is so inviting and fresh. I wish you were closer, as I’d probably visit just to relax! You have some beautiful ideas; thank you do much for sharing 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Camille! I usually share it in the spring and again in the fall, but there wasn’t a whole lot to share this spring! XOXO
Lisa says
Hi Christy, Love the secretary❤️Appreciate your instructions on redoing your items. I have some questions:
Does the Loctite leave a sticky film on your furniture?
Did you only use white Boss on the drawer sides before applying the transfer?
What does it mean to “fill in the breaks” from the stencil?
Do you know of any product that will take the musty smell out of old drawers?
Do Dixie Belle products work on countertops? I have been wanting to try the Dixie Belle brand for a long time. I’m sorry for all the questions but I need an expert to help me along😉 Love your work‼️👍
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lisa! I use the Loctite General Purpose and it is light, so does not leave any sticky residue behind. As for the transfer, yes, you can absolutely just use the white BOSS underneath. I have done that even on a larger piece that I wanted to see white behind. To “fill in the breaks” means to take a small brush like a liner brush and fill in the areas where the stencil left a break in the lettering, so that the lettering flows continuously and does not look like a stencil. And BOSS in the clear will remove the musty smell from furniture. I used it on the inside of this dresser recently and it worked amazingly well: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/antique-serpentine-dresser-makeover-with-transfer/ And as for the countertops, I have not personally tried Dixie Belle on counters, but here is a video from Pam at 44 Marketplace that you may find helpful! Hope I answered your questions! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
There’s no business like booth business! I am having so much fun with mine that I rented another space on the 2nd floor. I run myself ragged when reworking them since I have to go up and down stairs, but it’s good exercise! I have shutters in one booth and want to hang something heavier than paper clips will hold. I see you are hanging small pieces of furniture on your shutters. What are you using for the larger pieces? My furniture is not moving lately but the small things are doing well. We have several customers who stage houses to sell and they are great for getting smaller items. Take care, looking forward to seeing your post tomorrow!
Christy says
Yes! Isn’t so fun to play with? I love dropping off new items so I can play more lol! If I have something heavier to hang, I will just add a screw to a solid part of the shutter, but I have found the larger paper clips still work great for small shelves and such. Have fun and wish you a successful fall season! XOXO
Robyn D. Wright says
I LOVE how you know have your paint sample spoons next to the paint color. So easy to find!
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! I have been wanting to do that for so long…I love it too!! XOXO
Michele M. says
It’s almost November – would love another booth update. This was awesome to read. One day when the threat of Corona virus is over I am going to road trip and see it in person. You aren’t far away.
Christy says
It is just about that time! I’d love for you to get a chance to visit! XOXO