Vintage Expert | Shannon Quimby
Sep 3, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Shannon, in the midst of finding new ideas. Photo, Shannon Quimby
Embracing a vintage lifestyle is simply marvelous for many reasons, but perhaps one of the best things is you get to be fashionable while being sustainable. Besides, being green doesn’t mean you have to abandon glamour! While our knee-jerk reaction is to consider clothing and accessories as the most obvious way to express your retro appreciation, home furnishings and decor are other great options. And within that realm lives an amazing pocket of possibility: salvage/reclaimed items. Working in this sphere lets you unleash your creativity and adventurous side, but it can seem daunting to start down this road. Our latest vintage expert, Shannon Quimby, is a maven of all things do-it-yourself and a shining light on your path to success. We had the opportunity to chat with her about her favorite tips, projects, and ideas. Read on and share your thoughts and questions below…
Shannon Quimby
Shannon Quimby
Oregon, USA
“My inspiration comes from my parents and grandparents. Salvaging, using, and reusing was our way of life and embedded into us from the moment we could walk and talk. Can’t was a swear word. Instead, we always asked ‘how can we accomplish this?’ Nowadays salvage decor is getting more popular by the day. It used to have a stigma, but now it’s quite the opposite. Everyone can go out and save the planet by incorporating some simple ideas. The best part? There aren’t any rules – the established design police won’t give you a ticket!”
Learn more about Shannon’s work and inspiration on her website. Shannon is also a renowned speaker, inspiring people nationwide for over fifteen years. If you would like to engage her for an event, please reach out via her contact page.
How to create unique DIY ideas
The quickest, simplest, and least expensive way to personalize a recent find? Paint! A great example is Shannon’s recent transformation of some unfortunately-colored ottomans. She found the 1960s beauties in their original brown tones, but soon took them from shabby to sophisticated with an application of vinyl spray paint. (You’ll find this in your local hardware store, just ask for the spray paint auto body shops use to spray upholstery.)
A revived secretary, thanks to a new paint job by Joy Corgain. Photo, Shannon Quimby.
Beyond a new splash of color, try to expand your mind. Don’t just think of color as a technique reserved for your walls. Consider furniture and other accessories. Perhaps you have a collection of vintage suitcases that you stack – make one bright yellow. Have bar stools with a scratched up paint job? Give them a new hue or shorten the legs and move them to another part of the house all together. Let your furniture be nomadic. See what pieces might work well in different rooms.
The REX Project
A great story of personalization and adaptation is Shannon’s home: the REX house (short for Reuse Everything eXperiment). Like all epic journeys, it started with something small. For Shannon’s family, that was the decision to buy a cute 650 square foot bungalow. Originally the house wasn’t much to look at; it was held up by two warped 2×4’s and the interior was a disaster zone. But Shannon’s expert eye saw promise in the sweet little abode. Initially they were told that the home couldn’t be saved. Once the realization sank in, they decided to build and save what they could. Then Shannon asked: what if we could save everything?
Her quest was to save every thing and no one had done that before. Parts, electric knob insulators, sheet rock, carpet – nothing was tossed away. Due to this bold goal, she took a unique approach to the design process. She approached every day as it was the first day on the job. Going in with the mindset to learn meant that her approach wasn’t restricted due to preconceived notions. She fearlessly asked people what to do with any piece that puzzled her. Some of the questions were easy, but others were hard.
The REX house, enjoying the early days of its transformation. Photo, Stephen Cridland.
One of the toughest challenges was convincing typical general contractors that things could be done in a new way. The common reaction always was “you can’t do that” or “it’s too expensive.” A case in point: relocating seven trees to new sites on the property. It took many investigations to find a willing contractor. The first phone call ended in an immediate no, the second in a site visit (where he didn’t get out of the truck), and finally the third who said it would be a piece of cake. By the time it was all said and done, she spent less on relocating the trees than on her plumber! Funny how the thing that was an automatic “no way” turned out to be one of the easiest parts of the construction effort.
REX in all its glory. Photo, Stephen Cridland.
Shannon stresses that she is not a general contractor herself, but rather a home owner with a can do attitude. Don’t let your vision be discarded by the “experts.” Approaching things with an open mind and a zest for adventure will make you an expert in your own right. This hard work pays off in indirect ways as well, by inspiring those around you. One person really can create positive change! The REX Project ended up saving Shannon tens of thousands of dollars, helped Mother Earth, and made an impact worldwide. Her home has been featured in many publications from Better Homes and Gardens to the French publication of Glamour. (And the interest continues to this day, years later.)
Top thrift store shopping tips
Speaking of inspiration, thrifting provides a cornucopia of new ideas. But it can be easy to see things at face value when you spend a day on the lookout for treasures. Shannon recommends taking a new approach: see things for their shape not their function or name. Case in point: her floor grate project. The floor grate is not a mere floor grate, but a rectangle. What can a rectangle be turned into? Consider the size and dimensions and ask if it is a good fit for a table, etc. Also, wonder if it can hold something or have a new function?
Floor grate coffee table. Photo, Stephen Cridland.
Bonus tip: take your old plastic containers, spray them a beautiful color, punch holes in the bottom, and bury them halfway into the soil to make a unique garden arrangement.
What you need to know when you start a DIY project
In addition to having basic tools on hand, it’s essential to come into any DIY project with a clear mind. Don’t be worried by any feelings of nervousness. The best way to combat the nerves? Rally your friends as they’re your biggest supporters. Invite them over for a glass of wine and chat it through. Let your project become fun and see it as play not work. Keep in mind that a “mistake” isn’t the end of the world – always remember, as long as no one got sent to the hospital you don’t need to fret. It’s okay to mess up because if you don’t mess up you’ll never know if you did it right or not.
If you’re still feeling a bit uneasy, then start with something small that won’t require a lot of financial investment. Shannon says to keep in mind that she built the entire REX house by asking friends – even social media friends. Reach out to your support networks! If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you may miss out on. (And you’ll miss out on the opportunity to help inspire someone else in their future endeavors). The world of DIY is a friendly one, so be part of the community and join the fun.
DIY gift giving ideas
With the major retailers reminding us about the upcoming holiday season, we asked Shannon about her favorite way to incorporate vintage items when it comes to gift giving. She said her preferred way to highlight vintage or antique items is to put them on the top of the package. Don’t just think of a bow as the only option. For example, if you find scrabble pieces or large letters that correspond to the recipient’s name – incorporate them on top of the box. See it as a chance to reach out to your friends and families; really dazzle them with thoughtfulness. Use old fabrics for ribbon or find trinkets that relate to an interest they enjoy. Keep in mind that the packaging should be special because it makes the first impression! Using reclaimed items for gift packages and home decoration is a wonderful way to create a special impact that perfectly reflects your own individuality.
Cause A Frockus would like to thank the incredible Shannon Quimby.
For our readers: Do you love to DIY? Have any questions for Shannon? Share them with us in the comments…