Earlier this morning we mentioned that we slipped through Mary Jo’s fabric store outside of Charlotte, NC again (read about our first trip here) where they have bolts of discount fabric stacked higher than my 5’2″ self.
We thought it would be fun to share what caught our eye along with what we actually bought since some of you guys might be on a fabric pilgrimage of your own. And the good news is that a lot of this fabric should be sold by multiple places (although MJ’s prices are hard to beat) so if you see something you love, I’ve tried to include as many details as possible so you can sleuth it out online or in a local place near you. Enough jibber-jabber. Here we go.
The first fabric that caught my eye was this pretty yellow & gray ikat loveliness, and at $13.98 a yard (down from $35+) you could reupholster 2 dining chairs for under $15 (manufacturer: Richloom, style: Modesto, color: Charmom).
This red and blue floral-but-not-stuffy fabric also struck me as fun yet sophisticated thanks to the color and intricate pattern. It was also $13.98, so you could make a great little headboard out of it for under $28, assuming you need two yards (manufacturer: Richloom, style: Cornwall, color: Garden).
And then we have my favorite find: this gorgeous oversized medallion fabric with tons of texture, color, and associated cheerfulness (I stood there and grinned at it like a crazy person). Oh as for the details, the manufacturer was Richloom, the style was Brompton, and the color was Citrin.
This designer suzani fabric was on clearance for $16.98 a yard (down from $50.95 per yard!) and I couldn’t walk out without one yard of the one I loved best. After vacillating between each bolt (I love aqua and greeny-yellow but in the end thought the gray one with the greeny-yellow detail might be the most versatile) we left with one yard of the one on the right. I actually have plans to use it for some giant wall art – kind of like a tapestry. So more on that when I get there.
We didn’t find any curtain fabric (boo) but we talked about a few ideas on the ride home so we just have to sleep on them a bit more to decide which direction we want to go. Then you know we’ll blog about every last detail (I’m guessing in at least 1,500 words, because we’re anything but concise).
But now let’s switch gears to our Pottery Barn Outlet trip in Gaffney, SC (also mentioned in this morning’s post). Here’s the rundown of what we saw (and the one item that we couldn’t leave the store without). And so sorry about the terrible pics, my camera battery died so I took most of them with my phone.
First we have this charming little jewelry box with pretty gray-purple velvet lining and a crackled metallic leather-ish exterior. At $34.99 (down from $50) it still wasn’t cheap enough for me, but it did look like something you’d pay $75 for at Anthropologie.
This cool upholstered bar stool was $149 (down from $229) but I snapped a photo more for the DIY idea than the notion of actually buying this specific stool. Places like HomeGoods and Target and Garden Ridge sell extremely similar stools with basic brown upholstery on top for under $50- so you could get this look with a quarter of a yard of fabric and a staple gun (just unscrew the top of the stool from the underside and staple the new fabric nice and tightly before putting the seat back on).
These pretty tiered plates would look sweet on a kitchen counter (or party table) full of goodies or fruit. I forgot to note the price but I think they were $14 or $19.
This big round mirror looked Restoration Hardware-ish and would be one of those pieces that makes a room. It was also marked down by almost $100 (from $279 to $194). Still steep but pretty darn gorgeous.
This window-looking mirror was $208 (down from $299) but for a dark room that’s missing a window (like a basement) or even a large span of wall that could use some architecture, two hundred bucks is a lot cheaper than actually adding a window. Or you could use it as inspiration and DIY something with an old mirror from a salvage yard and some add-on mirrors.
John died for this oversized clock but after drawing a blank when it came to where the heck we’d hang it we decided to leave it for the next person. It was marked down from $249 to $124. Still semi spendy, but this is another one of those room-making things.
This is also a photo that I took more for the idea than the concept of buying this specific item. This charming chalk board easel might be something we could DIY someday (it was $169 down from $199, but I bet the materials would be substantially less expensive if someone were to make it themselves).
These urchin bowls were textured and fun (priced at $9.99 each, down from $15).
I wish I could have taken a picture of this out of the box (none were on display and I cracked a box open but it was disassembled). Apparently PB sells a pink kids version of a Dyson vacuum complete with realistic sounds and little beads that jump around when you push it back and forth. It was $24 (down from $50) and I actually debated it for the bean (it’s a lot cheaper than a real Dyson and it never hurts to get the young ones into cleaning from the get-go) but the car was pretty packed already (baby stuff + dog stuff = tons of stuff). So we left it behind.
I could totally envision a few of these chairs painted white (or soft gray) with chic cushions at our future kitchen island (I love the idea of comfortable stool seating with a back). They were priced at $99 a pop (down from $200 each) but since we don’t even had an island yet (and there was no room in the car) I tearfully walked away.
These little silver ornament frames were just $5.99 (down from $10 a pop). Cute for adding family photos to the tree (and pics of your dog in a Santa hat if you’re weird like us).
I loved the idea of someone getting this faux sea fan “placemat” (it was made of flexible cut-out rubber) and then spray painting it a bold color (navy?) and framing it on a homemade burlap or linen backdrop. It was $9.99 (down from $16).
These cute braided red lamp shades could definitely add texture to a room in need of a shot of color or interest (they were on sale for $19 each):
This pretty pillow sham was so textured and tonal (priced at $32, it was still a little not-outlet-y enough for me thought).
And then there was the lighting. Oh the lighting. There were so many great sales in that department I could hardly contain myself. Especially since our house has a whole lotta lighting to be updated. This charming bronze sconce with the oversized seeded glass bulb cover had me at hello (and it was just $39). But the color isn’t exactly what we’re going for (I’m an oil-rubbed bronze or silver/stainless/nickel girl lately) so I left it for the next light-hunter to pounce on.
But I couldn’t leave this baby behind. At just $29 (cheaper than most lamp shades and down from $80) this 8″ wide hardwired pendant will be perfect for over the sink when we start upgrading the kitchen.
Everything from the mercury glass tone to the subtle honeycomb shape on the shade (you guys know we have a thing for bees right?) screamed buy me. So we listened.
Which explains why these pendant photos were snapped at home (and not with my iPhone in the store). Now it’s just sitting in the playroom until the big kitchen makeover gears up (soon I hope, J and I were brainstorming stuff on the drive home along with writing our book – yes we had laptops charged and Microsoft Word open for most of the trip). So that’s what we saw while window shopping slash actual shopping. Any favorites? Have you guys seen anything lately that you couldn’t not buy? Let’s talk shop shopping.
Kimberly says
I used to live on the same exit as Mary Jo’s! Sigh…how I miss that place. My girlfriends and I actually make pilgrimages there every so often from Lynchburg…
Georgia says
OOOH nothing i like more than a good ole shopping post!
Im going to hunt for a PB outlet when im in vegas… or even just a normal one… my cousin has even requsted i bring him back a catalogue… haha (we need a life)
Love the jewellery box!
Holly@Country Girl says
Oh if only there was a Pottery Barn Outlet by us! On second thought it would probably be dangerous for me to be so close to a store like that. I love the light you picked, but I don’t know that I would have been able to walk out without that cute little vacuum!
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
Off to google that luxe fabric you bought! I am gathering things for our bedroom makeover and I would LOVE that for our headboard. And that pendant light, d-i-e.
Well done!
Chris Loves Julia
Katie says
I need to find a fabric outlet near me apparently because the one you bought is a great deal and really pretty.
Michele says
Did you find your curtain fabric?
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, nada. But we have a few ideas (two to be exact) so we’re going back and forth and will blog about whatever we decide as soon as we do!
xo,
s
Jessica says
LOOOVE Richloom Cornwall, I bought some not knowing what I wanted to use it for, & it ended up framed in my dining room.
Lisa in Seattle says
AAGH!!! I need those window-frame mirrors – they’re exactly what I want in the windowless dining room. Curse their high price tag and geographical inaccessibility.
Emily @ Awesomania says
Thank you SO MUCH for finding that yellow and gray fabric for me! It will make the best curtains for my bedroom. Now to hunt it down online…
Michele Daggar says
I agree with Emily, that is my favorite fabric (ikat) with my favorite colors (yellow and grey) sigh….. no new curtains for me though
Jessica says
So even after a trip to MJ’s you still didn’t find fabric for curtains? :(
YoungHouseLove says
I know right? But we have two ideas for where to go from here (just want to think a bit more about what we want and then we’ll blog all about it).
xo,
s
Liz says
That pendant you bought is GORGEOUS! So jealous!
Emily says
Amazing! Cool finds. I especially love the fabric. And we bought one of those Pottery Barn Chalkboard Easels for $15 at a garage sale last summer. Zing!
Lauren M says
Petersiiiiiiiiks I love youuuuu, what a good YHL blog day! Clara DOES look like a freakin’ angel in the below post. Anyhow, this post has given me a lot of inspirashe (inspiration, the abbreviated casual version), especially in the pattern department. I pinned the freakin’ hellz out it.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, five million YHL points for the use of inspirache. Casual and hilarious.
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
Hahaha inspirache is awesome.
Jessica McCoy says
Just wanted to share that I am fortunate enough to live mere blocks from Mary Jo’s. I even conveniently do my grocery shopping in that same plaza! But I can’t let myself set foot in there if I haven’t already alotted at least 3 hours of my day to that amazing store!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
I love the lamp! I’ve never been to a PB Outlet but I may have to take the drive now! We have an over-sized clock (my fiancee’s dad calls it “Big Ben”) and love it. We got it at Target for around $22 on sale (I know, it was a lucky find considering how expensive they are!).
Did you end up buying any fabric for curtains?
YoungHouseLove says
We didn’t but we have two ideas (just trying to figure out which way we want to go and we’ll spill all the details).
xo,
s
Laura says
I was at the PBO in Gaffney Friday!! I didnt find any goodies at PBO (Nothing can beat the West Elm queen duvet cover for $15) but I went to town at the Banana Republic sale. Those outlets make driving home to Charlotte from school in Atlanta veryyyy dangerous!
Misty says
Oh! I love the fabric and the light pendant!
A friend of mine buys the frame ornament every year and puts a recent family picture in it to hang on the Christmas tree. It’s lovely to see how the family has changed from year to year.
Vallie says
I saw this photo and thought of you, Sherry!! I don’t know if it is quite your style, but it’s white and an animal figure..
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu155/theglamourai/blog%20posts/glamourai_surreality11.jpg
I found it over here on the glamourai.. i think she has a thing white ceramic animal figures, as well.
http://www.theglamourai.com/2011/06/surreally.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! The dog on the right looks a lot like my dearly departed guy from Framegate 2011.
xo,
s
Elisa says
There’s a PB outlet in Gaffney?! That’s only an hour away.. innerstin’ (and dangerous.)
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
So happy there’s not a Pottery Barn or Pottery Barn outlet near me because I don’t know if I would have been able to show as much restraint as you guys did! Loving that pendant lamp you chose though :)
I recently purchased a white garden stool at HomeGoods (seen here, 4th and 5th photos: http://desertdomicile.blogspot.com/2011/05/bedroom-nook.html) for $50 that’s identical to one West Elm used to sell a few years back for $199 (seen here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/roundup/roundup-garden-stools-077356)!
Talk about a deal!
Ashley says
Love your pics, so much fun “shopping” through your posts.
This post inspired a thought for me. I’m a lifelong Virginian soon to be Texan and if there’s one thing I’ve heard about my soon-to-be hometown of San Marcos, TX – it’s got HUGE outlets.
Never thought to check what they have though and YES!, there’s a PB OUTLET!! PB Outlet plus new home = Maneater in my head all. day. long. “Ohoh here she comes..!!!”
Kelly says
Greetings from a fellow Texan! The outlets in San Marcos are FANTASTIC, seriously. Just remember to never ever go on a holiday unless you want to take your life into your hands. You’ve got tons of local people AND bus trips from Mexico! Plus, you can drive maybe an hour north – with no traffic, ha ha- through Austin (capitol of cool) and get to the outlets in Round Rock which are also awesome. And right next to the outlets in Round Rock…Ikea. Boom.
Enjoy your new state, and don’t expect it to get under 95 until at least September, if you’re lucky.
Alisa says
Yep, the outlets in San Marcos are MARVELOUS! I live up in the Dallas area now, but when I lived in Austin I went there far too often! I actually lived right in between those and the outlets in Round Rock so no matter which direction I went on 35, my wallet would be emptied. Now I live about twenty minutes from an outlet center- that’s almost empty! So sad. I might write Pottery Barn a letter about how badly I need them to bring an outlet here!
Erin says
Sigh :( ……. I need to go for a shopping road trip to the US, you guys get the best deasl! Until then, I will have to live vicariously through you two, which is pretty awesome!
On a totally different note, I have finally figured out who John reminds me of ( you look so familiar). There is a Doctor on a local TV station that looks like he could be John’s brother ( lol or at least I think so).
His name is Bryce Wylde: http://www.google.ca/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wylde+on+health&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1339&bih=707
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I totally see it! He doesn’t but he never does. Haha.
xo,
s
lisa says
there is actually someone i think looks like john. he is on saturady night live now…oh, what’s his name? he’s fairly new…i know he played james franco in some clips…maybe i’ll imdb snl and see if i can find the name of the guy. he either started this year on the show or last year. anyone know the guys name?
lisa says
ok, found the guy that i think looks like john…paul brittain saturday night live…here’s a clip…
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, we kinda see it. But I’m never good at judging for myself. Anyone else?
-John
Chris says
On the topic of look-a-likes.. Sherry looks EXACTLY like a girl I know. Unfortunately I don’t think this is a great pic to show the resemblance, but seriously every time I see a pic of Sherry I think of her, and visa versa. http://m.facebook.com/home.php?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fhome.php&refid=8&m_sess=1iYUL-HPzsNXV-&_rdr#!/profile.php?id=30701788
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man I’d love to see her but I think your privacy settings make it impossible since we’re not “friends.”
xo,
s
Chris says
Yikes! You’re right.. google imaged you for some side by side action.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/63832634@N06/5810879002/in/photostream/ I swear you could be twins (or at least sisters!)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s too funny! She must be my long lost sister.
xo,
s
mike @ the lil house that could says
+1 for Ghostbusters title :)
Katie says
I found a great easel at IKEA and it was only $15!! One side is dry erase, the other a chalk board, and there is a paper roll holder in the middle to add a roll of drawing paper. It could easily be personalized with a coat of paint!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50021076
Now to look at some of those fantastic fabrics! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!!! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
That light is awesome! As is all of the fabric!
Jaime says
I have the Dyson vacuum and what makes it really awesome is it actually vacuums up small things like confetti, etc. There is a little pull out drawer in the back that collects everything and can then be emptied. My husband cuts up little paper so our daughter can clean away!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man now I’m so sad that we didn’t get it :(
xo,
s
Marla says
Excited to see you visited the Bowers. I knew Katie and her family way back when as a Jersey girl. It wasn’t until recently that I realized she was the same Katie – thanks for reacquainting us :) Yeah for being 5’2″ and having a 6′ hubby – right there with ya!
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says
Yes! Let’s talk shopping!! You are an Ikat/Suzani loving fabric gal after my own heart. I have a fab Queen Anne style salon chair ( I don’t know if it’s really a salon chair, but I like calling it that. SALON CHAIR. Awesome yes?) that I think would look oh-so-Anthropologie great recovered in an ikat or suzani fabric, without the 2000k Anthropologie price tag they seem to want for their upholstered chair items.
And lately I am having a resurgence of Pottery Barn love! I thought they were too….Pottery Barn for awhile, but I have been loving their pillows and the looks featured in their recent catalogs. I saw some coral hand towels that I thought would look great in my guest bath but I didn’t get them and now I regret it! I hate that! PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUZANI TAPESTRY PIECE SOON!!! xo and Aloha, Melissa
Laura says
Oh my, I totally love that pendant! Do you know if they still have them in the stores? I am in So Cal, I will have to see if there is an outlet out here. I am getting ready to replace the pendant over our sink, there is nothing wrong with the other one, just tired of it. (It is 6 years old) DH is not to keen on replacing it though, his motto is ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. He doesn’t get the whole design thing. Love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Not sure- maybe try calling them and describing it? Good luck!
xo,
s
Courtney S. says
Pier One has indoor/outdoor pillows in the red and blue floral fabric! I LOVE the fabric you came home with and I love the idea of making it into a wall piece.
Barb says
I so love the pendant light….and you only got one? Envious…
B.
YoungHouseLove says
I wanted to get all three (all that they had) but John made me rein it in. Haha. Good thing he did though, since I can only think of one spot for it.
xo,
s
Kendra says
It’s a good thing I don’t live close to a PB Outlet. But if I could find those pendant lights, it would be worth the trip. I wonder if Leesburg has them??? I am in desperate need of some lighting.
Lauren says
We have the baby dyson! My little guy went through a MAJOR vacuum obsession and we got it for him at Christmas. He loves it and matches mine perfectly. Although ours is yellow, not pink. ;) Totally worth it.
Nikki T says
LOVE that fabric you picked up! Those colors would be fabulous for pillows on my (soon to be, hopefully) new couches in my living room!
The window mirror is perfect inspiration for my antique-loving (a new addiction of mine lately) self.
The shopping is so much better in the US than it is in Canada…we NEED more outlet stores!
Amy @ This DIY Life says
Last year when my parent’s church was remodeling, we got a chalkboard. When it arrived at our house my dear husband said “What? Why do we need a chalkboard?” Trust me dear, we do and I’m going to do something awesome with it. Loved Ana’s chalkboard when I saw it…and she has a Clara-sized plan too!!! http://www.ana-white.com/2010/11/schoolhouse-chalkboard
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont says
Awesome finds you guys! I think you saved the best piece for last, too. That pendant is amazing!
I just did a post on thrifty finds I saw, passed by, and then found photos of and regretted not getting: http://welcometoheardmont.com/2011/06/iphone-inspiration/
Oh well! The next deal is always right around the corner. :)
Meg says
Great finds and ideas! I will have to see where the closest PB outlet is for me! Do retailers ever give you a hard time about taking pictures in the stores? I always feel like I’m doing something wrong if I snap a picture to remember an idea for later!
YoungHouseLove says
They never do! I definitely do it in plain view but I guess they think it’s good publicity if you take photos to share? Well, we did once get asked not to take them in a Restoration Hardware Outlet but about fifty other stores have never said anything. Isn’t that funny? I think it used to be more of a thing (when I was in retail ten years ago we enforced it a lot more).
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I love that bronzey outdoor light! In fact, I bought the Home Depot knock off! It too was about $40 and looks smaller (since now I can see the PB one in your hand), but I thought it was totally worth it at the time. Though I do like the light bulb in the PB one :)
We got two, one for over our garage doors and one for the back of the house, loove them! Here are pictures incase anyone else is lacking a PB outlet nearby!
http://thelilhousethatcould.com/2011/05/04/all-of-the-lights-all-of-the-lights/
Megan says
I have been lusting after that clock. I have a place to put it, but no marital consensus.
Stephanie says
oh! that fabric store is heavenly! I would be in big trouble if there was one around here!
Stephanie says
That yellow and gray fabric would be perfect curtains for our new bedroom suite-Favorite!!! I can’t wait to be able to decorate in our new home (undergoing complete gut-tage/renovation right now). I love the blog, it’s definitely inspired me to look into awesome things to do when it’s finally time!!!
Lauren G. says
As a mom of three boys, I can tell you the vacuum is the BEST toy. We have a not-so-fancy one and everyone loves playing with it, and its always a hit when we have friends over. And you’re absolutely right when you say its never too early to get them to learn about chores :)
Angela N says
Oh how I wish I lived close to a PB outlet. I used to have a C&B outlet near me (in another state) but PB has a much better outlet.
We have a baby Dyson at our house. My daughters used to be scared of the big version so we though if they had their own mini one it would help. And it did! They bust that little guy out every.single.time we get out the big daddy one. I have a picture or 2 somewhere of both being used at the same time. lol
LOVE the pendant you found for the kitchen! Great find!!
Keri says
I have literally had that Richloom Cornwall fabric sitting in my shopping cart at fabric.com for two weeks. I plan on making pillows for my patio furniture. I really need to get on that! LOL!
Kelly says
Sherry, where did you pick up the word “spendy”? I thought only Oregonians (like my hubby) use it! I am weirdly interested in regional differences in slang and pronunciation, so I just had to ask since I’ve never heard a lifelong east coaster say spendy before!
YoungHouseLove says
I think from a few blogs that I read – so maybe they’re Oregonians? Or it’s spreading! Haha.
xo,
s
Jacqueline says
we say “spendy” in Maine!
Tia says
As a native Oregonian that says spendy all of the time, I had no idea that it was regional! Learn something new every day :)
Taylor says
I never knew a pottery barn outlet existed. What wonderful news. Does anyone know if that is the only one or where others might be located?
YoungHouseLove says
I think you can google around for others (there’s one in Leesburg VA too!).
xo,
s
Sarah says
there is one in Memphis, TN!!
Brittany says
There is also one in Jeffersonville, Ohio which is an hour outside of Columbus. It is in with some Prime Outlets, which are great!
heather s. says
Birch Run,MI!
carrie says
Theres a really cute rocker with the Cornwall fabric on Grandinroad’s catalog. It looks like a really comfy chair-I love the fabric too!
http://www.grandinroad.com/ann-swivel-rocker/159361
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that is adorable. I’m in love.
xo,
s
Olivia W says
I live in Loganville, Ga! That’s insane, and here I was thinking were in the absolute middle of nowhere!
Jenica says
Love, love, love the fabric you ended up buying. I would die to have that for my dining room curtains. WANT!
Andrea says
Love Love Love the pendant you bought! Of course it’s not available on Pottery Barn’s website anymore and there are a couple on Ebay for $95 and $125 each! What a steal you got!
YoungHouseLove says
Woah- that’s awesome!
xo,
s