Salvaged Chic of the Week: Revamped Mod Couch

This week's Salvaged Chic of the Week is a revamped mod couch! We recently reupholstered this classic mid-century piece keeping in mind the integrity of this original design while modernizing it in the reupholstery process. Here she is before:

When designers say that the success of shows like Mad Men inspired them to create pieces that bridge the style and sophistication of the sixties with the sleek designs and pops of color of modern times, you imagine a piece like this. Here she is all dressed up after:

This was another couch that had great bones but needed to be brought back to its former glory to be fully appreciated and functional in today's time. Johnelle and our client chose a simple gray linen for the overall fabric which compliments the original design of the couch while still making it feel modern. It is always a good route to try to utilize fabrics that might have been original contenders to a piece if you are wanting to keep a similar vibe. To give the couch more dimension and to pump a little fun into it, we added pops of color in the piping. The texture of the piping matches the main fabric as they are both linens, but the teal helps to break apart the long length of this couch and its sleek shape, and also enhances the amazing tufted detailing.

The quality of our reupholstery doesn't just end with what you see. We added all new cushioning and re-lined the underside of the couch. You can see before how the bottom had become tattered and unkempt.

Now this mod couch would be at home in a stylish mid-century inspired space.

This couch is a great core piece that would beautifully anchor a living room and make all of your martini-swishing guests flock to sit on it!

If you have a couch, or other project, you'd like to see reupholstered please email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com!

All Revamped Mod Couch photos by Johnelle Mancha. Other photos One: mildredmildred.tumblr.com, Two: apartmenttherapy.com, Three: jhinteriordesign.com, Four: flickr.com

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

The French Connection ... Dixième (10th) Note ... It's A Sign!

a fading sign from times gone by, I would love to restore this beautiful old building ... and keep the signs! (épicerie = grocery shop)

Bonjour à tous! I thought it would be fun to share some snapshots of signs from Laon, a city near where I have been this winter.

Driving around most parts of France, you can find signs from so many periods ... and their accompanying styles and fonts. So often, I find myself wishing I had my camera to grab ... I get a lot of inspiration and ideas from all sorts of things, not just looking at other furniture but nature, cars, rooftops ... and yes, signs. They can put you in a mood, send you to review another era, display colors gone by and generally just get you thinking in another way about something you see every day.

Here, most signs are 'eries ... as in Boulangerie (bakery), Poissonerie (fish shop), Boucherie (butcher) etc. Signs are more often focused on the activity vs the name of the shop ... well at least it is the activity that is emphasized.



Neat as a pin Boulangerie (bakery).

Above, the emblems regarding the bread and flour.


















Cordonnerie (shoe repair).













Close-up ... It reads "teinturerie blancherie"

the little painting gives it away ... it is a Laundry shop, 'teinturerie is dyeing and blancherie is bleaching' ... they also iron clothes and launder by the kilo!

LOVE Love love that green ...






easier to guess this one ... but here he uses his name 'Nourry' on his butcher shop. He specializes in pork and sausages, could you tell!!



love the shades of grey and aging on that metal pig.









speaking of metal, I adore the sleek, industrial look of this sign, very modern!

Horloger (Watches) and Bijoutier (jeweller)










not a big fan of their clothing, but their sign is terrific ...

love that Déco font.



















another butcher!

(we were making the rounds on Sunday which is why the shops are all closed!)







Bar à Manger (rough translation "eat at the bar!") ... this has that early 70s feel, kind of ugly cute! digging that 70s orange too!

Another painted on stone, La Crèperie is a sign of good things to come!










kind of crappy picture, but you get the drift ... it is american (like) stuff! how about them stars on the As? lol














my post would not be complete without the Texas News ... made us smile because there is the good old flag of ... wait, what? Britain!? ha ha



















this is actually a beautiful, older but not SO old shop with a very mod sign and cool black tile. wish that car wasn't there!
















another beautiful example of a flashy tiled storefront in black ... this one is a print shop (imprimerie) with a déco flair!









finally, one of my faves. now I can tell myself (get thee to a rhumerie ...hee hee ... and do it! slurp!) Music AND rum, how could you go wrong?


See you next time!

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.

The French Connection ... Neuvième (9th) Note ... Lighting!

hello again, this week's from the Maison et Objet salon is all about lighting. I still have some other topics but I will probably mix them up in the future as I am itching to cover something else!

But for today I am going to share some photos about lighting because I seem to have captured more than a few pictures of lamps and other lighting features.

One that was in abundance was grouping of fixtures to form a display that almost seemed like one big light ... check this one out, it was huge, made from individual hanging lights in the same shape but various sizes hung at different lengths! you could easily play on this idea but in a smaller size, it was definitely striking.



Here's an idea of this years shapes in lighting:




















photographing lighting is not easy, but you get an idea of this year's styles .....

This is a room size chandelier .... breathtaking!




also, this chandelier-shaped floor lamp is a stellar idea ...

These combined with all of the lamps in prior posts (color and whimsy) added up to a vast selection for the year's trends ... guess we are being told to lighten up, eh!!

à trés bientôt!

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.

Salvaged Chic of the Week: Custom Reclaimed Counter Keter Salon

This week's Salvaged Chic Of The Week is just...so cool. Johnelle and Brian have done it again with the latest addition to the commercial design project they've been working on for Keter Salon, on 4th st Berkeley. Nestled on the second floor above Molly B, and next to Bette's Diner, Keter Salon has open & airy vibe...loft feel that Johnelle and Brian have had the pleasure of transforming! Johnelle's inspiration for the redesign of the salon was to create a well curated rustic modern design that you can see in their latest creation:

This amazing revamped counter is sure to wow new, and returning clients when they see it. The new reclaimed doug fir counter is a reimagining of their formerly somewhat dated counter (see pic below, and also note the old carpet which was removed as well in the remodel and revamped with herringbone flooring custom done by Brian Hill). With the remodel, the counter became even more of an eyesore, as it felt out of place and did not fit with the rest of the updated space. Johnelle knows that good redesign means a cohesive redesign. Leaving such details out can make you question the intention of a remodel, if all parts of a space don't tell a story! Yet again, this small detail can be amazing inspiration to show you what an eye for potential Johnelle has. She and Brian saw the old counter and knew they could remake it into something incredible. Here you see the "before:"

How perfectly is the reclaimed Doug fir counter balanced with the mural behind it?! Johnelle did that too...I know, she is JUST that talented! I have to admit that it doesn't end there either...Johnelle and Brian designed and built the mirror behind the counter (reclaimed wood frame built around custom cut mirror) AND designed and installed the custom hand-milled reclaimed wood herringbone floors too...hey guys, want to stop by my place later??

Not only is this a project that could be done in your own home on top of laminate or old tile you're sick of looking at, but knowing that they're available for commercial projects is huge. The interior and furniture design Johnelle does is so impressive, and now it doesn't have to end there. Commercial projects are one of the greatest spaces to revamp because they're so dramatic and customers remember that!

I've loved having been in Keter last year before our renovations began and coming again; it's just incredible how much a new design elevates a business. Showing how you feel and think of yourselves on the inside (but on the outside) will impress your current clients/customers and wow the new ones you're hoping to pull in!

She's good and she know's it! Here's Johnelle in front of the AMAZING vintage lockers she scouted for the Keter dressing room, so perfect. Bringing in new furniture pieces adds character and a story to your space. We offer guided scouting services where we accompany you to find the perfect furniture or decor your space needs, or we can scout for you if you don't have the time or you know exactly what you're looking for.

One of the best parts about our work with Keter, and an important one for you to remember, is that this wasn't all done at once! The custom hand-milled floors, vintage decor, custom upholstered bench seat and pillows, light fixtures, new mirrors and workstations, mural and counter were all done in phases! Often as a business owner it's hard to think about committing to such a big overhaul, but that's what's so great about working with Johnelle--she understands what being a small business owner is like and she will help you to create a cohesive design with a plan that works for you and hits all the major updates in phases so that it isn't overwhelming.

If you have a commercial project, or you've been inspired by some of Johnelle's creations for your home, please feel free to email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com to get more information and to get the ball rolling on your new and improved space in 2012!

All photos taken by Johnelle Mancha.

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

Salvaged Chic of the Week: Beryessa Velveteen Couch

This week's Salvaged Chic Of The Week is Berryessa, a formerly dated and somewhat sad looking couch that now has a new rocking velvet upholstery and a timeless look that will last the ages!

Check out the before shot of Berryessa... frumpy and dated she was screaming for a makeover! We removed the dated skirt, as we wanted a more streamlined look. Part of our consultation process when you bring in a piece, will be to discuss whatever changes you want to make in addition to the new upholstery. This is the clients chance to discuss any areas that they are wanting to change, reinvent, or update. Examples such as adding tufting, buttons, different colored piping, thicker cushioning or the removal of a skirt are all details that we can address. Knowing that upholstery can be an investment, Mignonne strives to create redesigns that can be knockouts in a space!

Our client selected this rich gray velvet fabric to reupholster Beryessa with, as they wanted something durable & kid friendly, but also something that could be adorned by them and their friends. We think it turned out beautifully, and removing that dated skirt also really allows you to see the silhouette and cute feet! Beryessa has gone from blah to WOW with it's make over.

We love how velvet couches can have either a romantic look; with their warm textures and how they can also allow the shape of a piece to really be highlighted:

Or a modern look, accented by art, graphic pillows or area rugs:

Remember, we can also customize pillows with fun vintage or new fabrics that you can switch out with the seasons, or your mood! Pillows are such an easy way to update the look of your space and make sure that your newly reupholstered piece continues to evolve throughout the times and your taste. These are some of our favorite combinations of velvet couches with fun pillows:

We now sell fabrics, so your reupholstery project is even more convenient. Send us a photo of the piece you're hoping to have reupholstered and we can give you a quote. After that we can set up an in-store appointment to look at our selection of fabrics and come up with a cohesive design for your chairs or couch! Email quotes@mignonnedecor.com for more information.

Berryessa photos by Johnelle Mancha, additional images: One: sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com; Two: sweetautumnday.wordpress.com; Three: blog.designsourcect.com; Four: leftoverlemons.wordpress.com; Five: moodboard.typepad.com; Six: tumblr.com;

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.