Happily Better After: Episode 3

What is it about beauty that draws us? 

Whether it's a green rolling landscape, a piece of art, or a song, we as humans are perpetually attracted to beauty. We get so much satisfaction out of watching HGTV shows--relishing every minute as the dilapidated house is painstakingly transformed into someone's dream home. And for thirty minutes we get to go on an adventure of discovery, watching the transformation process. 

Many of us are filled with a sense of possibility when we see something ugly or broken. Our minds begin to solve and search for possibilities to renew and make beautiful again. We love the journey of creating, and when we get to step back and see the finished product we breathe a sigh of satisfaction.

We love showing you our Before & Afters photos. This way, you can experience a little bit of the creative process with us! :) We hope it fills you with excitement for your own projects or gives you some decorating ideas.

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Many of these items (and more) can still be seen at Ramshackled Treasures Thursday-Sunday. 

Plan a trip with your girlfriends! We are worth the drive! 

Step into Our Vendors' Homes: Meet Paulette

As part of an ongoing monthly series we will be entering the homes of our talented Ramshackled Treasures vendors. They will show us their recent DIYs, room remodels and favorite furniture refinishes. Prepare yourself to learn, share and be inspired!

Last month you met Tammi and saw her gorgeous office remodel. This month we are excited to introduce you to Paulette! In this Valentines month it feels so appropriate to share Paulette's story because she truly has a heart overflowing with love for those around her.

Paulette joined Ramshackled Treasures 9 years ago. Stacey, the RT's owner, is Paulette's daughter so it's a fun opportunity for mother and daughter to work and spend more time together. Paulette has been a sewer all of her life and now that she is a senior citizen, she finds joy in creating meaningful gifts for friends and family and also making microwave hot pads, pillows, aprons, tea rags & "mug rugs" for the Ramshackled gift shop.

Over the years, Paulette has turned her town home into a little-slice-of-heaven. Her home feels very peaceful and is furnished with a lot of furniture from the shop. 

She chose to show us her sewing room for this months's feature, because it is the place where she loves to create. It is also very special to her because it was a room her son, Rick, remodeled for her eight months before he passed away.

"When Rick passed away I spent a lot of time here journaling on his Caring Bridge site. And afterward they let you print a book and so I plan to give that to his children when they are older." Paulette said. "...This is also (the room) where I honor my grandchildren." Paulette pointed to pictures of her grandchildren in frames and pinned to her bulletin board.

When asked where she gets inspiration for her creations Paulette said she references Pinterest, hunts for unique patterns, or sometimes an idea will hit to her when she comes across a pretty bolt of fabric. 

"I used to only buy fabric when I had a project for it, now I'm not that way. If I see fabric that I like I buy it even if I have no use for it." She laughed. "I need to stop that." However, many of these odds and ends that she has neatly folded and organized in bins later become scraps for quilts and coasters. We agree, sometimes fabric is just too nummy to pass by! 

Fabric cutting table

Sewing work station

Besides creating gift shop items, she also likes to make quilts for friends who are expecting babies or have lost a loved one.

(Sneak Peak: She is in the middle of several quilt projects too!)

In progress...pink and gray quilt for a friends baby. LOVE! 

Sewing together the squares for a blue and white quilt. 

Paulette's quilts are like little memories to the people who receive them. She wants people to feel loved or have something to remember a loved one by.

Paulette is looking forward to her granddaughter Grace's upcoming wedding.  And the pajama party she is throwing with all her grandkids in March. 

Decorating Your Living Room with Ramshackled Treasures

Maybe you love your living room as is. Maybe your are looking forward to loving it. Whatever stage your living room may be in, it's always fun to bring some fresh decor and new ideas to the coffee table! ;)

Dresser or Buffet in the Living Room

Sceptic: "Wait...is that acceptable? Dressers go in the bedroom and buffets go in the kitchen." 

Us: "Do we have an elimination buzzer...anyone?" 

Unconventional Decorating is 100% Ramshackled Approved! Sometimes bringing the unexpected into a space can be just what it needs!

Use this extra storage to store games, kids' artwork, photo albums, doggie toys, dishes--whatever! 

Upholstered Accent Chairs

Light, movable accent chairs are a great idea to accommodate a large amount of guests rather than busting out that flimsy card table and fold out chairs. They can be kept in the living room, or moved to a spare bedroom when they aren't being used. 

Wall Hangings 

Massive pallet wood clock. Boom!

Mic drop. 

**A little tip: Most of our wall hangings and signs can be custom ordered at the shop, be sure to let us know if you have something specific in mind. 

One-of-a-kind salvage window frames, bring a meaningful message to your living room. We have dozens of sayings and styles. 

Sofa Table

Behind a couch or off to the side, the functionality of these little guys is endless. 

Coffee Table

Pillows

We have many different handmade throw pillows at the shop in different colors and styles. Pop over to see what's new!

Everything pictured here is from our store. If you like what you see here, plan a trip to Ramshackled Treasures in Zimmerman with your friends. You won't be disappointed!