I thought today you may like to hear a little tale of a blogger with a vision. This is an inspirational journey that a small business owner embarked on based solely on her passion for decorating and determination to help others create beautiful spaces, the same spaces that she creates and is inspired by when she reads her favorite magazines and peruses the blogs of her fellow writers. Meet Jamie Meares, a blogger, decorator and new shop owner of Furbish in Raleigh, North Carolina. And when I say new, I mean it — she opened on November 21st!
I heard about Jamie’s work through Michelle Smith who took the time to write to me recently singing the praises of Furbish and this creative shop owner. Jamie authors the blog, I Suwannee, where she has been writing since January 2007. Through I Suwannee, she started working on e-decorating projects for her readers who were looking for help purchasing and arranging things in their homes. Jamie then did what few have the courage to, she left her full-time “stable” day job to take the ride of a lifetime – and threw herself straight into decorating full-time. Now think for a moment, you are Jamie, could you imagine yourself taking such a risk? It takes a lot to jump into a new career but when one feels the heart strings pulling, and you suddenly find yourself surrounded by clients asking you to jump ship to work with them instead, well I assume the answer is obvious. This is what I find so encouraging, though it is risky and not for everyone, but if an opportunity presents itself in a field of work that you’ve dreamed of entering, then why not?
And her success story continues – she decided Raleigh needed a little more of her design sensibility in their city since her clients requested furniture and accessories that were not of the mainstream variety, rather those that came from the larger, more affluent design hubs like New York and Atlanta. And this is where we will begin my interview with Jamie, she’ll be telling you more about her shop and decorating practice…
Holly: So Jamie, tell everyone what your store is called and what ultimately made you open it?
Jamie: My shop is called Furbish and I decided to open it to fill a niche in Raleigh for the younger set who wants one-of-a-kind painted furniture that’s a little more sexy and edgy that what was currently being offered here (think cottage, shabby chic, distressed white beach house pieces — that’s about all there was).
Holly: Many shop owners I’ve met can trace their shop ownership dreams all the way back to their front year lemonade stands… have you always wanted to have a store too?
Jamie: Yes! I’d always had a dream to open a little store, so the time was right – I found the perfect building with a great, sunny, window-lined upstairs for retail, and a huge basement for a workshop/storage for my furniture.
Holly: When someone visits Furbish, what can they expect to find?
Jamie: I’ve filled the store with my favorite vintage pieces of furniture, new accessories and lighting, artwork from a local painter, my collection of ‘treasures’ accumulated from years of thrifting, ebaying, etc. For example, lots of vintage decanters, kilim rugs, floral dishes, retro glassware, pillows made from vintage fabric. Rowdy, my schnauzer, works with me and he has a select offering of locally made dog collars he oversees.
Holly: And you are a decorator, can you explain how this works?
Jamie: I also offering decorating services out of the store, and that’s done really well. I have my desk right out in the middle of the retail space, with big inspiration boards hanging behind it – and I think it makes approaching an interior decorator, something a lot of my customers would never consider, to be a much more attainable, approachable thing… They’ll sit down at my desk and we’ll talk through an issue they’re having and bam! they’re working with a decorator.
Holly: That is a very clever marketing strategy! I like it! What do you charge for your services?
Jamie: My rates are very affordable – $75 per hour, and I’ll come over and do in-home consultations for just 1 hour. I’ve had lots of boyfriends and husbands buying gift certificates for this service for Christmas. Sometimes ladies just like to have a second pair of eyes to help size a room up, offer suggestions, move stuff around – and it’s pretty amazing what we can accomplish in as little as one hour together in their home.
Holly: I also heard about your plans to teach classes in-store, can you tell us more about this?
Jamie: Yes, that’s right — I also plan to teach a class once a month in the store. We started last week with Tablescapes a la David Hicks style, and that was lots of fun. It got ladies in the store shopping, and I got a few new decorating clients.
Holly: Congratulations on transforming a dream into your reality — your story is an inspiration to many and I wish you a happy and successful 2010, and thank you so much for visiting all of us today on decor8. :)
(images: jamie meares)
Tags: interviews
December 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Gorgeous shop! I love all of the little and big unique items everywhere. I especially love all of the letters and type I see around!
December 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
This sounds so much like my story! I can really, really relate!! Thanks for the post Holly!!
Mina
http://www.bohemianvintageonline.com
.-= Mina´s last blog ..Bohemian Vintage Friday – 12.18.2009 – New Finds =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
A great feature! One of the best I’ve read in months. Her drive is very inspirational & I like her creative ideas for finding clients. Congrats to Jamie & her new endeavor. :)
.-= Victoria Klein´s last blog ..Random Thoughts: 7 Months Left to Enjoy Him =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I love these stories! Gosh they plant little seeds of courage in me every single time. Jamie, I wish you continued success!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Scene Around Home: Dear Santa… =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I featured her right before she opened the store and I knew she’d be a hit!
I LOVE her stylish shop…so chic… :))))
Pls God bring some of that to Las vegas.
Jen Ramos
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
.-= jennifer ramos´s last blog ..Charlie Smith… Interior Stylist & more…. =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
What a lovely store! I love the layout and mix of new, vintage, and one-of-a-kind that gives the store such a welcome feel – the kind of feeling you get in a well-tailored home. I particularly love the dresser in the 14th and bottom photos (with the twin lamps), and the low, modern dresser (maybe media stand?) in the second-to-last shot.
Great store, Jamie! I’ll be sure to point my friends in the area your way!
December 18th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Jen – I think YOU need to be that lady — I can see you owning a very successful store in your city, drawing in local design enthusiasts that you would have never known existed there. I can see you seeing beautiful things, including your prints and cards, have you ever considered this for yourself — of course after your upcoming wedding, that is?
December 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
WOW! Such a cool shop! So many chic and stylish items! I especially love the white and blue dressers :)
.-= Arctida´s last blog ..Alina – Natural Intense Electric Cerulean Blue Fire Flash Labradorite and Antiqued Silver Wire Wrapped earrings =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
would love to be able to browse and shop in Jamie’s store and have her into my home to help me decorate. I wonder if she flies to Idaho! I am responding to her wares in each photo. love that entry table with the two green lamps and botanical prints —
and love even more that Jamie is realizing her dreams.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I’m so happy for Jamie and can’t wait to visit her store in person. Thanks for the great interview and feature!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Beautiful store. I’m in Raleigh often and will make a point to stop in and check it out.
.-= Rene´s last blog ..A Greensboro Tradition =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Such an inspiring story! My partner and I are in baby stages of our e-design business, and I’m hopping over to i suwannee blog right away. How interesting, I’m not sure I’d have made the leap from design to store ownership, but it definitely looks exciting!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
This is a real nice post i also bookmarked your site and look for more updates.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Lovely shop and story…I must know what that color of gray paint on the walls is?! Thanks!
December 18th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I visited Jamie’s site 2 weekends ago. So many lovely things to see! I’m already wishing I would have picked up that cute little teal table!
December 18th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I could move right into this shop. EVERYTHING is exactly my style. I would love to come visit this place on my way home from work everyday… but I don’t live anywhere near it! haha Congratulations Jamie!
.-= Shanon´s last blog ..Simplicity (Or fashion, lists, and disco balls!) =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I live 5 minutes from her store and still haven’t gone! Shame on me! I can’t wait to see it in person.
.-= Aaron´s last blog ..Craigslist Inspiration and an Easy Bow Wreath =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Such a fun feature! Thanks for sharing! Her shop looks beautiful!
.-= Katie (Re:fresh Design Studio)´s last blog ..{Quote of the Week} Happy Friday =-.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Excellent shop and my kind of project i would like to offer. I currently own my workshop as a decorator and interior and i am teaching courses every month. But i really like to make a store with items i love and i believe i will in 2010. Here in Athens, Greece. I really enjoyed the fact that someone so far has the same dreams.
.-= rdekko´s last blog ..?????????????????? ???????? ? {Christmas Details} =-.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Congratulations, Jamie – your store looks absolutely beautiful. I just made a career change and opened a shop myself, so I know it’s a bit of a leap of faith! I love what you’re doing there and will be checking out your blog for more inspiration. I confess I’ve already pinched one of the display ideas pictured and just went over to lay a pile of books on one of my display chairs, and they look great :-)
December 19th, 2009 at 1:53 am
Oh yes, this is a lovely, gorgeous and inspiring shop!!
Congratulations!
g.
.-= g.´s last blog ..Photo =-.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Well, its such a cool shop! So many chic and stylish items! I especially love the white and blue dressers
December 19th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I love these ideas (like in-store consultations and classes) to make working with a decorator more accessible to the common (wo)man!
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..THAT girl =-.
December 19th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Jaime is literally living my dream! She is such an inspiration and I am drooling over everything in her shop. I just need to figure out an excuse to go to Raleigh!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..You Ugly =-.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Why not, right?! I love that she is doing what she wants. Just decided and did it. I love her confidence and her style is amazing. I don’t know why I didn’t think to put one of those gift certificates on my Christmas list. Darn.
.-= Karyn´s last blog ..Found Accidentally =-.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
this looks like such a fun place! i’ll have to tell my friend that lives there about it – if she doesn’t already know!
.-= alexandra keller´s last blog ..The Red Barn =-.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
great interview and pictures! i featured an interview with jamie a few months ago where she gave some great ideas. she’s great!
http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/08/conversation-with-jamie-meares.html
December 20th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I love her blog.
The shop is so well edited. I wish I lived around the corner from it! But I’d probably max out my credit cards and want to take it all home.
December 21st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Such an inspirational story . . . because I am trying to do the exact same thing. The Hubby and I decided to take the leap and are currently trying to manage working for ourselves. My true dream is to open a similar shop and offer my services in Toronto, although there is much more competition. Having recently visited North Carolina and seen the amazing stores and resources available, I know Jamie will be successful. She clearly knows what she’s doing simply based on the fact that her shop is gorgeous! All the best!
December 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
What an inspiring story! I heard about her shop but loved to hear the story behind it. The store is absolutely beautiful, and her marketing strategies are so clever!
December 21st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I live in Raleigh and was so excited to hear about this shop! I can’t wait to check it out : )
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Fantastic! What an inspiration!
.-= karyn´s last blog .. =-.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I love those green and white pillows. Please let me know where I can buy them!
.-= jamieofalltrades´s last blog ..english party crackers =-.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Jamie’s shop is awesome in person, you have to check it out.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Wonderfully, inspiring story!!! Love the ‘tablescapes’ class wish I could have attended!
.-= Miss B´s last blog ..DIVINE TWINE BY WHISKER GRAPHICS =-.
December 26th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Hi Jamie,
Yours are just great Jamie…!
I’m an interior magazine Editor in Malaysia under the MPH Groups and would love to feature your collections in my mag.
Pls if you can, e-mail me to: mizzie_kassim@yahoo.com
Ok bye…thnx
December 27th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Wow there is some stunning items there absolutely gorgeous.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
her store is a hit success in raleigh – and we are so excited she is here!!
.-= rachel´s last blog ..Book Review :: Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism =-.