Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Milton.
Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business in 2009. I’d purchase pieces from the thrift or yard sales, paint and then sell them on Craigslist. As the demand grew I decided to move the our home to a small brick and mortar in our neighborhood. I taught myself how to reupholster furniture as I often ran into pieces that had beautiful bones but needed updated fabric. This really changed the focus of my business, there was a high demand for upholstery work to the point that I would sometimes have to outsource the jobs to keep up with my clients demands.
In 2018 a client who happened to be a realtor asked me if I’d consider home staging. He had a client selling a condo in Brush Park. It was listed for over a million dollars. It was my first job, the condo sold quickly and the realtor was so pleased he offered me additional staging opportunities. Since home staging has been a large part of my business often outperforming the retail shop
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The retail shop has had many ups and downs. At the height of its success I was selling my Upcycled vintage pieces nationwide on Etsy. I’d ship back then through Greyhound it was very affordable. They no longer have that service so I would say the cost of shipping has been a real drawback in selling online. Today the cost of shipping can be as much as the cost of the item. I’ve struggled to sell locally as I’ve open and closed the retail space numerous times to focus on my staging work which has ultimately been a more stable stream of income. Struggling to maintain the brick and mortar has contributed to customer instability which I strive to capture
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Our tagline is “this is how we do vintage” and it’s the motto I’ve built my business around. I love vintage, antique and previously love pieces. I don’t believe you have to break the bank to have a beautiful space. I believe in the power of our environment, how it contributes to how we feel about ourselves, how we want others to feel when they’re in our space and who we really are. The furniture and accessories I create are meant to tell a story whether large or small I want them to stand out from what you can purchase in a big box store. I add clay moldings to dressers to create beautiful floral details or upholster a chair with a beautiful image of a painting. I’m constantly challenging myself to use items in unexpected ways. Even when I’m staging I use vintage items, them bring a warmth and interest to a space. I love a collected look instead of a space that looks like you purchased everything from big box store.
I also teach workshops, they’re held at the shop. I provide instruction and the experience of learning how to transform ordinary items into works of art.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Everything that I do, I’ve taught myself. When I first started upholstery I looked for classes or for individual instruction. I spoke with an upholsterer he adviced me that the way you learn is to take the fabric off and then put it back on. Do it over and over again. He was right, so many of the projects I’ve done, I’ve fumbled through, I’ve made mistakes, alot of them but they have been learnings. I’ve learned a lot from trying and from doing. It used to take me 2 weeks to stage a home now it takes me 2 days. My anxiety has been replaced by confidence and that has come with time and practicing my craft
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Redesignandrestoration.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/redesignandrestoration
