Thursday, May 24, 2012

NOW OPEN! CURIOUS SOFA OUTLET

The new Curious Sofa 'Outlet' at the Lone Elm Antique Mall

I am happy to announce to all my local customers, friends and fellow Kansas Citians, Curious Sofa now has a small booth inside the Lone Elm Antique Mall in Olathe, KS. It took awhile for me to decide to do this, and as I had mentioned back in a January, I had signed a lease at one of our biggest malls and then backed out. I decided it was just too big of an undertaking and if I had done that mall it would have been. But after visiting Lone Elm throughout the winter, I decided it was less of a commitment (cheaper rent!), small and simple and just right for me to sell off a few personal things I had acquired that were too big to ship online. I moved in mid February and anonymously set up few items in the back of this 18,000 square foot mall. With over 100 dealers I knew it would be easy enough for me to hide and not do a full-on "Curious Sofa show".

Once my larger items had sold I began to look at a space closer to the counter and finally one was available. At the same time I removed a few items from the website and did a small show in Lawrence to get rid of some overstock. Once the items were in my car I decided it was time to come out of hiding, redecorate and announce my new space at Lone Elm and decided to name it the Curious Sofa Outlet! Not only is it filled with larger tables, lighting and shelving, but most items are offered at discounted prices (and certainly less than you remember me for in Prairie Village!!)

Only 8' x 9' but packed full of treasures.
Old ticking fabric made into a new awning.
My signs that hung outside the old Prairie Village store.
I added assorted white shutters added to extend the side walls.
I began by adding a collection of white shutters I had to the top of the side walls, then I added the barn wood wallpaper I sell online over the pegboard back wall. And of course I cannot leave the white painted sheet rock alone but had to distress it a bit although I knew it would be covered with so much stuff no one would see it! The booth had a shelf high on the back wall but the building interior was painted a deep burgundy so I wallpapered sections of a cloud mural on a thin piece of paneling and secured it above. I also had an old duvet cover at home made from faded ticking so I cut it up and made this scalloped awning. The Curious Sofa letters were saved from closing my store and the metal sofa had always hung outside too, so I just made the little Outlet sign and hung it from that. I'm still not 100% happy with that, but so be it.
The backside of the shutters (not for sale)
Barn wood wallpaper (order here)
I added a bit of distressing to the painted walls.





So once the bones were completed, the rug went down and the shelving, tables and lighting were put in place and then the tubs of smaller merchandise began to fill every nook and cranny. Now that it is done I know I should have waited for a space twice the size because I have already outgrown it!- but for now, it is just fine and I actually had fun making my new tags and postcards again which was something I always loved doing.

Faux Bamboo Metal Shelving, $295
Provencial style side table. $88
Primitive original painted table, $120
Bamboo folding tray, $48
XL Burlap Shade Pendant Light
Round Mirror Top Tables, Fabric Mirror




Once sold online but too delicate to ship, Plaster Capitals, $78 each
Farmhouse Candles, $12, Blue Plant Stand, $48
A passion for hand objects!
Assorted suitcases and satchel from $28
Wonderful Black Print Antique Rug, Lingerie Bag, Hippie Fabric
Assorted Quite Squares and Ticking Fabric
Mantle Mirror, $58
First time offering: Essential Oil Soaps $6.95
JUST IN! Tiny Iron Hand Hook ($10.95)
Misc. Smalls
Paper Feathers
Paper Roses
Pearl Votives, PBN Mary, Sconce Shades
And tons of great junky jewelry!


A sampling of some of the website provisions.
Check out LONE ELM ANTIQUE MALL on Facebook for hours and directions.

The new card!




























Stop in and see my booth and all the other dealers offering everything you can imagine!
(and we're open Memorial Day 10-4)

AND AS ALWAYS, SHOP ONLINE
where the best of the best is always offered there first!

11 comments:

Jennifer said...

Oh my Goodness! I am so excited!!! I almost cried when you closed your last shop. I live very far away and was never able to visit, but I looked forward to and loved every store photo and post you would put on your blog!
Especially at Halloween. You have a gift and I am so happy we are going to be able to enjoy it again through this Outlet!! Hooray!!

Suzanne said...

I thought my dreams of a road trip to visit Curious Sofa had been forever dashed with the closing of your store, but hope springs eternal. Even though I may never actually be able to visit, just the thought that I can is so heartening.

Do you remember the movie "Breaking Away" where the mom gets her handbag and shows her son that she has carried around a passport for many years, even though her lower middle class lifestyle dictates that she will never go anywhere that will require a passport. That's the feeling.

Carol Spinski said...

Rejoice! Our beloved Curious Sofa is back outlet style! I'm on my way to see it in person:)
(((Hugs)))
Carol

Lee said...

After shopping at Curious Sofa on the Boulevard and then in Prairie Village, it's so great to see a Curious Sofa awning hanging again. Congratulations!

Any chance you'll find that gorgeous, hand dyed, French silk ribbon again?

Debbie Dusenberry said...

That wonderful silk ribbon is LONG GONE! My source sold up every last drop from her original vintage stash.

Nathalie Thompson said...

All I can say is ditto what everyone else has said.

Congratulations on your return to brick and mortar! I was never able to visit either of your first two shops, so am excited to think I have a third chance!

Hurray for your outlet!

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Debbie, so happy for you and I'm sure your customers will be happy to see this too. Do you sell your soap online, would love to order some. Happy Junkin, T

Anonymous said...

Just in kansaas city two weeks ago for my annual antique shopping.I always loved going to your store,and this is now on the TOP of my list for next year!

Heather said...

I know where I'll be going tomorrow! Congratulations!

Mary said...

This is such a great and wonderful surprise.....sharing your talents and beautiful finds for all to see once again. My niece is just graduating from Notre Dame and will be taking a job in Olathe.........methinks I will have to go visit her when she's settled in so I can come to Lone Elm!

Love that wallpaper - trying to find a place I can use it. All your items are scrumptious, doubt they'll hang around for long Debbie......but know you'll wow us will even more.

Thrilled you have come back to retail - and in such a way that's manageable yet still fun. I'm missing having my booth here in Raleigh but will try to start over once my travels slow down!

Happy Spring dear - keep sharing with us please.
Hugs - Mary

KarenB said...

I found this just in time! I'm headed to KC on Saturday and my parents and daughter live in Olathe! Woo hoo!
So glad you're back off-line, even if just a little.