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.
Blair says
Great fabric finds!
~Blair
Katie says
Oh my goodness. I’m so glad y’all pu Gaffney on the map! My mom grew up there and I’ve spent many a holiday there over the last 26 years. I can definitely say that the “yella mall” (said with a sweet southern accent) definitely has given us grandchildren something to be proud of!
Nicole says
As soon as I saw your first picture, I didn’t need to read anything to know where you were. I’ve been there once and had to stop myself from buying everything. I had so much fun just looking and touching all that fabric.
Olivia says
Speaking of those elusive curtains, have you seen this DIY tutorial for those ones you loved at West Elm? You could solve that pesky green vs. brown color dilemma too! http://knockoffdecor.com/modern-stenciled-curtains/
YoungHouseLove says
Yes I love that project! So amazing!
xo,
s
Steph Collins says
I was literally just at the PB Outlet in MI and looked at that jewelry box! I said to my mom “I thought this was clearance!” hah. Just a bit lower and it’d be on my trunk right now.
Nicholin says
I shop here http://www.newtoto.com/ for great buys on discounted fabric. (I live where there is only one retail yardage store.)You can find some great stuff, and to help you decide if it’s what you want to buy; they will ship a sample to you free.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the link! Never heard of them but they sound great.
xo,
s
Erin says
I love the Richloom Cornwall fabric – I recovered a chair in it a while back. :)
Rachael says
i could have die when i saw you were at mary jo’s. i’m from gastonia!!! my husband and i, lived in uptown charlotte, and loved taking trips down to the gaffney outlet to see what we could find for at pottery barn outlet… we found a lot of inspiration for our outdoor fall wedding there. i love it! well… someday when we return from living in sydney, australia and have a home in the south, it will be worthy enough for a house crash, i promise.
kimberly says
i am so jealous of your kitchen pendant! it’s perfect for my kitchen–which is complete except for the lighting (it’s been such a long & tiring search)…
and, on a non-related note, have you seen this on pinterest?
http://makeprojects.com/Project/Light-switch-time-capsule/445/1
it totally made me think of you guys :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes I LOVE that! We’ll totally do that if we ever leave this house.
xo,
s
Katrina says
I used to live about 20 mins from Mary Jos. I grew up shopping with my mom there. Incredible place!! My brother and I used to sit in the back where the drink machines are and have a snack while Mom spent hours scouring over all the beautiful fabrics. I get to go whenever I visit home. I will have to make a special trip to Gaffney though. DIdn’t know about the PB outlet but will HAVE to go now!
Leah says
I’m sorry not to have read 3 pages of posts, but I love that easel.
I couldn’t leave ’till I left a link for you to DIY it. Ana has 2 on her site, schoolhouse-sized and child-sized.
http://www.ana-white.com/2010/11/toddler-chalkboard-easel
Chalk has been my saving grace with these two boys. I find that they can’t ruin anything with chalk, ever!
(a proud momma note: my 4-yr-old showed a huge increase in his attention of books and reading after we started using a chalkboard to make letters. he’s super proud too :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that! Thanks so much for sharing!
xo,
s
Donna in TX says
You mentioned you like oil-rubbed bronze or silver/stainless/nickel. Maybe you could answer a question for me. I’m updating my bathroom-painting the the cabinets dark brown, white countertops, new oil rubbed bronze faucets and light fixtures, new dark brown wood framed mirrors. SHOPPING for, but can’t decide what to do for the cabinet pulls. My sister says it’s okay to mix metals. If I use the bronze for the pulls, they will not show up too much on the dark brown paint. If I use brushed or satin nickel, it will pop, but it won’t match the fixtures. What would you do?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m all about mixing metals! As long as it looks intentional so it’s not like you have a ton of nickel hardware and then an old dated gold faucet. In your case it’ll work since the ORB color is so similar to the dark brown paint that you’re using that it’ll tie in (and the satin nickel will pop really well- especially if you bring in some other satin nickel items so it’s in other places, like the toilet paper holder or a silver frame or some cup or tray on the counter). Good luck!
xo,
s
Aron says
You bought the best thing in the store. Hands down. What a deal!
Michele says
I LOVE Mary Jo’s! In fact, my mother and I bought all of the fabric for my wedding dress there! My parents don’t live too far from there and I always stop in on my trips to visit them. Too funny!
Adam says
What a fabric store! I may have been raised in the country, but during the winter when we weren’t farming, my mother thought it important to teach all us kids cooking and basic sewing. The projects I could stock up on in a fabric store like that! If I ever roadtrip to Charlotte…
Sydney says
I have that red-and-blue-floral fabric in a cushion on a dark brown wicker chair in my living room-woohoo, I have something Sherry likes : ) I love the pop of mixed colors it brings, I actually have used it as a color palette for my house, more or less.
For everyone wondering about Pottery Barn Outlets, there’s also one in San Marcos, TX.
Joy says
Hmm…My in-laws live thirty minutes from the Charlotte IKEA. We’re already planning on hitting it up when we’re there in two weeks. MJ’s is only thirty minutes from IKEA…off to convince my husband that we HAVE to go there!
Christen says
Awesome! I live in SC and try to make it to the Gaffney outlets at least once a year. At christmas the PB outlet has some AWESOME stuff for decorating. Di you know there are actually two Pottery Barn outlet stores in that mall?
YoungHouseLove says
What???? I’ve been missing one. I’m devastated. Next time I go back I’ll make someone walk me by the hand to the hidden second location.
xo,
s
shannon says
*jaw hits the floor*
WHAT? i live in sc and have been to gaffney quite a few times. do share the secret second location!!! i’m intrigued!
Christen says
Its on the opposite side of the big store…they sell mostly furniture in the 2nd one. Its been at least a year since Ive been there but I dont think it has closed. They have some West Elm stuff in that one as well.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it. Man, but so mad I missed it. Oh well, next time.
xo,
s
Sandra says
l.o.v.e. that pendant light you purchased
Been a long time since we saw a moodboard from you guys – maybe you could throw us a bone with some of your kitchen ideas? Doesn’t matter if it evolves in a completely different direction, we need some inspiration! Pretty please?
YoungHouseLove says
John and I were just talking in the car about how I’m craving a mood board (or five). Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Rachelle says
ana white has a darling plan for an easel chalkboard and one sized for a toddler She drew up the plans just in time for gift giving last Christmas.
http://ana-white.com/node/527/revisions/639/view
http://ana-white.com/2010/11/schoolhouse-chalkboard
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet! Thanks for sharing the links!
xo,
s
Carrie says
LOVE the pendent! LOVE the thought of leafy placemat art!
As far as not being able to pass up items…CHRISTMAS TREE SHOP!!!! Have you ever been to one? I think it’s just a Northeast chain… AH.MAZ.ING. Everything is super cheap and LOTS of stuff is funky, fun, cute, re-purpose-able.
On your next trip north, find one!!! xo
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man I’ve never been but I’ve heard nothing but amazing things. Can’t wait to check it out someday.
xo,
s
Kim says
Hey guys, I’m wondering if you happened to notice what kind of deals the PB outlet has on sofas. We have one about an hour or so away from us, but we’ve never been. Does it seem like the best deals are found on smaller items like your pendant lamp?
YoungHouseLove says
It seemed like bigger items (tables, sofas, dressers) were marked down around $100 to $300. Sometimes even $400-500 in certain instances. Definitely worth the money if they have what you’re looking for, but not dirt cheap like a yard sale or anything. Maybe you can go to potterybarn.com and look up a few sofas you like and then call the outlet to inquire about their prices on those items (and see if they have them)? Good luck!
xo,
s
Joy says
Random, but I just realized that’s the PB outlet my cousin used to work at before she started her photography business.
lesismore says
what is it about little fake vacuums that kids love so much? i’m going to make a kid’s vacuum that actually WORKS! what’s the point of them pushing around something that doesn’t do the job? yep, i’m all about using my children for child labor. ;P
MelissaG says
I have the second fabric in my kitchen…kind of made it into a valance (which is not something I’m totally in love with having) but I do love the fabric. (I just hate to block too much light and the windows are in a semi-odd spot. I noticed Pier 1 is using this fabric as well.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/HomeTextiles/tabid/980/CategoryId/144/ProductId/29272/ProductName/Outdoor-Kaeden-Pillow/Default.aspx
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/975/CategoryId/93/ProductId/29408/Default.aspx?ProductName=Kaeden-Indoor/Outdoor-Foam-Dining-Cushion
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/975/CategoryId/170/ProductId/29235/ProductName/Deluxe-Kaeden-Chair-Cushion/Default.aspx
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet! I wonder if they got it on sale from Mary Jo’s. Haha.
xo,
s
Susanne says
I am slightly freaked out… I just got on here and saw where ya’ll visited. I am visiting family in Charlotte this week, and my mom and I went to Mary Jo’s and Pottery Barn Outlet today, too! I actually picked up, and held, that same pendent (or I guess, its twin). WEIRD. Have ya’ll ever gone by the ReStore in Charlotte. It is AMAZING and right up your alley… you should next time!http://www.charlotterestore.org/
YoungHouseLove says
No way- that’s too funny. We love the Richmond ReStore but haven’t been to the Charlotte one. We’ll have to drop in next time!
xo,
s
Kacie says
Nice finds! I LOVE that light cover!
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.blogspot.com
Rocky b says
Here in Los Angeles I frequent the Zgallerie Outlet. Its only about ten minutes from my house…trouble… I found out that there is a Restoration Hardware outlet on the way home from where we are camping trip this weekend. I think I’m as excited about camping as I am to check it out ;)
D'vine Living says
How freaky is this: We also took a trip over the weekend. Visited my favourite decor shop, wanted EVERYTHING in there, but also only walked out with a light :)
You can see my beaut here:
http://www.dvineliving.co.za/?p=2228
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh so pretty!
xo,
s
Courtney Rutledge says
JEALOUS. Love the PB in Gaffney (ok, fine and the peach too). Used to only be 45 minutes away but we relocated to the beach (fair trade-off). Love everything you found and can’t wait to go back there soon. Will def. be using your ideas for our new house! Thanks.
Clarissa says
On a totally unrelated note, saw this freebie deal for today and thought of YHL…
http://dealnews.com/My-Publisher-My-Mini-20-Page-Photobook-for-free-free-shipping/469534.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
xo,
s
julie says
have you guys ever been to the pottery barn outlet in Leesburg, VA? I’m wondering if it’s a real outlet like this one seems to be
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve been there a few times but have never bought anything. It seems to have less stuff but it might just have been the timing (they all seem to be hit or miss in general). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jane says
the same urchin bowls are at Kohls. I got them earlier this summer and they were $5 each.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip! Love it.
xo,
s
Jackie says
Does anyone know a store like MJ’s in the DC area? Or even a couple of hours away?
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone know? You could also try googling “discount fabric warehouse DC” to see what comes up. Good luck!
xo,
s
Jenn says
I live about 35 miles from the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney… I spend so much time in there that the employees know me by name! Love it! You should head that way on a major holiday- always a 25% off of one item sale. I got a outdoor dining table on Memorial Day :)
Stefanie says
I bought a jewelry box similar to that one in HomeGoods a few years ago (only difference is that mine is satin on the inside and has a pull out tray with more storage underneath) – I love it so much, it still sits on my coffee table in the living room, great for the little odds and ends that never seem to have a place. :)
Sarah says
Nice finds. I love the fabric you selected.
My in-laws received a “toy” dyson with purchase of their for-real dyson and gave it to our son. It was a great idea in theory. The problem was that the toy took like 6 9 volt batteries. Those batteris are so expensive that we never did get that thing working. So, I say good call to pass on that purchase!
Melissa T says
Yay for this post! I live in Charlotte and head to Mary Jo’s every few months to grab craft supplies. Thanks for giving me some good ideas for fabric choices for some projects I need to work on!
em says
Just a comment on the toy vaccuum. I was at a neighbor’s house when her 4 year old son took out a little yellow vaccuum, plugged it in, and proceded to vaccuum! The neighbor told me that he seemed into vaccuums so, instead of buying him a toy, they got him a real one for Christmas. He loves his “toy” and the house is cleaner. I thought this was a brilliant idea (credit- my neighbor Jen)- even if you bought a cheap stick vaccuum from Target it would do some good and many already come in fun kid colors. If you got one with an extending handle and did not extend it, it would be perfect for a toddler (though not yet safe for Clara, I think).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that idea!
xo,
s
Christine says
Can’t wait for the post with that second kitchen. I love that light fixture.
Neely says
I actually bought that placemat from PB back when it was on sale in the store last summer for $12 and I just recently painted it a dark turquoisey-blue, now it just needs to go in the frame for hanging in my half bath. Great minds think alike!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it. Happy hanging!
xo,
s
Jill says
I actually bought the Richloom, style: Cornwall, color: Garden at one of our local fabric outlets. They only had a remnant left (7/8 yard), but for $3.77 I couldn’t pass it up. Thinking about turning it into a valance for my kitchen. Love it!
Ali Miller says
Sherry, I would be amazed if you hadn’t thought of it, but you didn’t mention it so I have to tell you…
You and John could totally DIY that round Restoration Hardware-ish mirror from any round mirror you find. If you couldn’t match the stain you could always paint it and affix the wooden (painted or stained) bars of wood to the mirror somehow.
I just might give that a try myself! (Start small, right?)
YoungHouseLove says
I love that idea!!! Never would have thought of it myself!
xo,
s
Tracey says
Aw! You guys were literally five minutes from my house at Mary Jo’s! Durn it!! As my husband tells me “Oh, those guys again” as I show him your blog on a daily basis as I add to his “To-Do List” :) I just love Mary Jos!!
Erin says
Sigh, the Dyson is still full price on the PBKids website.
Wom-mom Ethne says
We just got on pinterest and I swear I saw those fabric bolts on your board? Or something similar maybe. Still trying to figure that out. Loads of good finds – I want to go with! ~Ethne
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe something similar? Or someone else pinned them from this post? Ah Pinterest. I can get lost there.
xo,
s
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says
oh gosh! I am absolutely IN LOVE with the fabrics!!! I’m beginning to sense a serious need for a decent fabric store in my area!!!
I also love some of the fun PBO items, and the honeycomb pendant light is stunning! Can’t wait to see what you guys do!
laney says
We actually bought the purple and red Dyson vacuum for my son. He’s 20 months old and LOVES it! Every time he sees “Tata” (Romanian for Daddy) vacuuming, he grabs his kids dyson and helps. Here he is in action! http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae258/parcmain/mainblog/5ec4ae6f.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
Cuuuute!
xo,
s
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I love all the fabric. I’m on the hunt for the perfect one to make cushions for our new green couch. Any of those would have been perfect. Seems we don’t have quite the selection here in Australia :-(
Ally says
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I live in the Charlotte area and have never made it to MJ’s! No joke I am venturing there tomorrow in hopes of scoring some of that gray and yellow Ikat!