My Blog

Some favorite things...

10/03/2011 15:59:00

Hello everyone, so..the next step. The temporary boutique is closed. Looking for a new locale in the St Henri neighbourhood of Montreal. So, in the meantime, I am burying my head in my furniture.

Even though I enjoy redoing clients furniture, my absolute favorite thing is to design my own. I usually pick a piece of furniture and just look at it for abit. Sometimes it's a couple of hours, but mostly, it's a couple of days.

A little secret, sometimes I don't get it right the first time. There are pieces that I have redone 2-3 times. The safe bet is white, black or gray. Which is great! But, you know...I love colour. I love texture, whimsy, and something different.

Here are a few things I have done in the past few weeks. They are my favs.

Le Debut de Deuxieme Debut

09/14/2011 18:51:00

What do a 1970s vanity and a three-year-old striped tabby have in common? In a youth-obsessed, novelty-driven culture, pets and furniture are often abandoned before their time. This isn't very good for the planet or the nearly 100 cats and dogs who are euthanized every day in the province of Quebec, or worse, sold to laboratories that experiment on them. (source: Animal Alliance of Canada).

One Montreal entrepreneur and animal lover, Dorothy Kryworuchko is determined to make a difference.

For the last 13 years, Dorothy has been reclaiming old furniture and giving it a sort of deuxième debut. Her pieces combine the sturdiness and durability of older, pure wood furniture with funky, contemporary fabrics, eco-friendly low-VOC paint and a range of styles including French Country, shabby chic, vintage and Hollywood Regency. So far she has already saved hundreds of pieces from the landfill, and given scores of Montreal homeowners a chance to own furniture with history and character.

Dorothy is proud to invite you to Le Début de Deuxième Debut, September 15, where she hopes to raise funds for Petits Pawz animal rescue and debut her new collection of one-of-a-kind furniture. She has teamed up with other local businesses including Sweet Lee's Rustic bakery (who are also donating a portion of profits to the shelter), and and will have fabulous door prizes for visitors.

Lovin' it...bitter sweet!

09/07/2011 09:07:00

Hmmmm...where to start?

As of September 1, 2011, we have taken over the space, in our building, that I have loved from 13 yrs ago. The door between the atelier and the space was opened.

Our building is over 100 yrs old, so alot of history, alot of panache...and just fabulous character.

Alas, the bitter sweet part is that we only have the space for one month, then the new tenants are moving in. Life is all about timing...isn't it.

But, I can still be excited for the month. This is the space that will be the showcase of our Deuxieme Debut event on the 15th of September.

Everytime I walk into the space, it puts a smile on my face, love the old rickety hard wood floors...with years of different paint colours, wear and tear. I stare at the floor and think of what history it holds and wish it could tell me it's secrets. Yes, the floor amazes me.

The windows are huge, with the original air vents. Years ago, we stripped and uncovered old windows above the door, that were covered with layers of paint.

The new tenants have since painted the floor, yet another colour. But, to me, this adds to the history, and hopefully, one day, someone else will be looking at this space, and wondering why?

Ahhhh...my bitter sweet moment. Savour the taste, just like bitter sweet chocolate. Enjoy the moment, smile, and take the next step, for the month.

An elegant lady back to her full splendour

08/22/2011 09:23:00

As years go by, I initially had a problem with attending estate sales. I couldn't handle the disrespect people showed during these sales. Clothing thrown around on the floor, cold attitude towards the furniture. To me, every item in the home had a history. It was once loved and cherished by the person who had lived in that home. The haggling, the arguing over things, to me showed disrespect. So, for a long awhile, I stopped attending estate sales.

Then I started thinking that I don't have to be "those" people. In my own way, I can show respect to the home, the person who had once loved and cherished and enjoyed their things.

This leads us to a very elegant lady. A friend's mother had passed away. Even though I had not known the friend's mom, I was still sadden at hearing about the loss.

My friend asked me if I would like to see some of the items in the home, and if I would be interested in purchasing anything. This friend knew what I did. She knew I would be respectful and fair. Not take advantage of the situation.

My friend grew up with this lovely lady. She told me how, as a young girl, she stripped the dresser from years of paint. How special this piece was to her, with alot of memories. Of course, the tears started flowing. I asked if she was sure she wanted to sell it. My friend said yes, as she simply did not have the room to keep it.

This lovely lady is now in our atelier. Being admired. Slowly, with love and care, being redone to bring her back to the beautiful lady she once was.

Necessity to passion to dream come true...my story!

08/14/2011 19:37:00

I suppose you could say that Deuxième Debut is an ode to my mother.

Mom was a strong-willed business woman. The kind of woman you'd call a lady; always elegant and perfectly put together, unflappable in her poise. She and my father were very much in love. So when Dad passed on, it was a huge blow. She held on for a couple of years, but then things seemed to fall apart in slow motion. She had reached the age where her friends were dying and it seemed that society no longer had any use for her. My once proud mother stopped caring for herself.

For a while, we were afraid we would lose her. She fought cancer, then suffered a stroke. Our family rallied around her, working hard to counter the message she seemed to be receiving from the rest of the world: "Old people are unnecessary." As a woman of a certain age myself, I've begun to feel that cloak of invisibility around my own shoulders. In a culture that's obsessed with youth, it sometimes becomes hard to remember that beauty (at least the kind that lasts) stems from character. My mother taught me that. And I'm happy to say she's doing well. She's in a wheelchair now, but she's smiling again.

It was during those years of caring for Mom that I realized it's not just people we discard thoughtlessly. In 1998, I left my job in finance in Toronto and moved to Montreal. We bought and renovated a 100 year-old-building and launched a 4-star B&B, now a vacation rental. Thing is, once we'd finished renovations, we realized we had a whole bunch of rooms to furnish, but precious little capital left. I had to think up creative (and inexpensive) ways to dress up the place. The prices of brand new dressers and armchairs made my hair curl, and it made me angry to be paying so much for items that were cheaply made and likely to fall apart within a few years. So I started buying old, discarded pieces and redoing them. Giving them a sort of "Deuxième Debut", if you will.

What I ended up with was a series of rooms that are filled with charm and character, each piece bringing its own history and uniqueness to my space. And (though I realize this makes me sound old) I must say, they don't make them like they used to. All Deuxième Debut pieces are solid in a way that you simply can't buy brand new these days (at least for a reasonable sum).

The best part? Each time I find an old, discarded piece of furniture and spend time with it, getting to know its character and then transforming it, it's like a part of myself comes alive again. And now, through Deuxième Debut, I can share this joy of discovery with you!

Daruscia, Darkha and Darcijya - Curious?

08/05/2011 14:08:00

As some of you may know, or have heard, Creations and Stuff by Me is going thru abit of a brand transistion.

New ideas, new name, and lotsa fun stuff happening. It's an exciting time!

First and foremost, Creations and Stuff by Me has a name change on the horizon. We will be called Deuxieme Debut. The new logo is ready.

Next, is the development of different lines of reclaimed furniture. Below are pictures of where we are heading of the Daruscia line.

Daruscia

- one of a kind, custom, unique.

This is a small taste and introduction to Deuxieme Debut.

Have a fabulous day everyone. Stay tune to pictures of the Darkha line.

A grand old gentleman found his way!

08/05/2011 13:35:00

Gosh, I really wish I had a before picture of this old gentlemen.

He was looking pretty rough when we found him. The leather was aged and worn, all kinds of chips, dings, worn varnish, broken leg, and the list is endless.

The potential was there. Old banker's chair that may have seen alot of neat things in his life. Hmmmm...wonder if he was part of some fabulous bank transaction? Or someone famous enjoyed the very comfortable curves and bends in this old guy.

Anyway...the work began. Just touching the fabulous old wood, feeling the softness of the curves. We knew we had a winner here. So the thought and deliberation started. Colour of stain, how far to take this old guy, keep it natural, or paint. Well, as you can see, we didn't have the heart to paint him. Too many beautiful wood grains and detail come thru.

Below is the after picture. Fully restored, with new leather, hand rubbed finish, new hardware. This grand gentlemen paid us back by letting us now enjoy the full splendor of the craftmanship of many years ago. A bygone age, full of grand gestures, and grand times.

An amazing sight to behold. Hmmmm...wish I knew his secrets. Wonder how many he has to tell?

Your thoughts? Where do you think this old guy has been?

Let your imagination soar to bygone years of ball gowns, horse drawn carriages, a time of softness, true gentlemen and grand ladies.

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My thoughts...rants and raves!

07/03/2011 11:05:00

Should I or shouldn't I? That is the question.

Small businesses verses big box stores? Home decor magazines not supporting small business. Young reporters and the young media type will only support their own.

My thoughts..my experiences...my frustrations.

Yes...this is a dilemma and a shame. Encountering and trying to be noticed by decor magazines is difficult. If you do not purchase advertising, then they will not consider doing an article on you.

A few years back, I contacted a local Westmount newspaper. I was told that I need to purchase advertising before they will do an article on the business. This I did. Yes, they did an article, with 3-4 sentences, hidden away. Lesson learned.

This, of course, starts making you question your work. Is it not good enough? What am I doing wrong? Is it my age? Yes, I am in my 50's. Are others doing the same thing? Yes, but not at the caliber I am. As I have been told time and again.

Only because of what I believe in, my stubborness and tenacity, has kept me pushing ahead. Bit by bit...day by day.

I truly believe that being in my 50's, I have earned my badge to speak my mind with honesty. This is one of those honest times.

Your thoughts?

The saga continues with Matron Lulu de Bench

06/29/2011 17:27:00

Phew....being stripped down, exfoliated, and bathed makes me feel nearly new again. It was quite the adventure.

You should see what the nice lady looks like after finishing this stage. I was looking better, and she was looking alot more tired and dirty and worn as the day progressed. But, the nice lady was smiling. She loved the outcome of her hard work.

Alas, now it's time for me to dry out and take a break from a rough day. That's ok. I enjoy watching the activties around me. New friends are coming in and waiting in line to feel happy again...like me.

It's time for be to say good bye...until the next set of decisions are made on what I will look like.

Have a happy day all....I certainly am...chatting with all of my new found friends.

The story of Matron Lulu de Bench

06/25/2011 14:31:00

Hello everyone, my name is Matron Lulu de Bench. This is my story.

You see, I have gone thru life and had a good one, I think. A little tattered and worn around the edges, but I am sure I was loved. But...tragedy struck and my family was not able to keep me any longer. So, I was given away.

There I was, sitting in this large warehouse, waiting for someone to come along and give me a new life. Luckily, after not a loooong wait...a nice lady came along and decided I still had too much life in me to be alone.

This is where my new story starts. I was alittle afraid at first, not knowing what she would do. This nice lady was excited she found me...so I think I will be well taken care of. The transition is about to start. I am hoping, after this story is written, a new family will take me home. Love me alittle more...for awhile longer.

The nice lady checked me out, stared and stared, poked and prodded. Moved me around alot. I was getting dizzy. But patient I was and let her do her thing.

I heard her say..."what to do?"

Then..." well let's start with a sanding and a cleaning. We will see what's under all of this dirt and old stuff"

Me oh my...all of a sudden...out comes this machine. Oh my...I hope it doesn't hurt. Awful loud sound...brrrrrrrr...tee hee....giggle giggle...it actually tickles.

To be continued after my bath. I am alittle shy you know.