20 minute read
Modern Fabrics Reclaiming the Creative Spirit!
from LKN October 2022
by Forsyth Mags
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RECLAIMING THE CREATIVE SPIRIT!
BY MARTIE EMORY | PHOTOS BY CARRIE ALLEN
The mission of Modern Fabrics in Huntersville is seriously very simple!
Our company saves the earth, one yard of fabric at a time!” explains Ewa Powell, who owns the truly unique – and truly green – company with her husband, James and their store manager Debra Worthy.
With every purchase of their discounted designer textiles, customers join the couple’s fabric “reclaiming” efforts, geared towards reducing waste, as well as reducing the demand for virgin materials. These reclaimed fabrics are from the finest luxury furniture companies in the United States – and are remnants that would otherwise be discarded. For you, the customer, that means the opportunity to purchase the best designer drapery and upholstery fabrics that have been quietly rescued from cutting room floors – at 50-75% off their list price. That’s a far better choice than discarded remnants ending up in trash bags at the closest landfill!
All their fabrics contribute to qualifying for LEED credits, and selection is continually updated, so always check back if don’t see what you need.
Modern Fabrics is also a prominent online resource for discounted residential decorative fabrics, many sought-after designs from MidCentury modern, to retro, vinyl, and velvet – all for sale by the yard. You might find one yard, or 100 yards, and shipping is even available to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU.
Originally from Warsaw, Poland, Ewa immigrated to Chicago as a pre-teen with her parents, to escape communism. “After University, I married my husband, James, who is from Florida, and we moved to North Carolina,” says Ewa. “We settled on a farm in Lincolnton, where we lived the original ‘van life’ in an old Airstram trailer,” she says. It was not ideal, Ewa will tell you, but she fell in love with hiking in NC. Being in nature is truly her happy place!
But Modern Fabrics is the other happy place, and the thrill of her job is definitely in the hunt for fabulous fabrics!
“While employees run the store during the week, one of my many jobs is sourcing fabrics for the online shop, and for our Huntersville store,” explains Ewa. Saying she enjoys her job is an enormous understatement, and she is quick to say she absolutely loves finding beautiful pieces of fabric, in the most obscure locations, all over North Carolina.
“I travel far and wide to source the fabrics you find at our store, and each bolt has a unique story of where I found it,” smiles Ewa. “But don’t ask me – because it’s a secret!”
“We did business in Charlotte for 13 years, but we had to change locations three times due to the city’s rapid growth,” explains Ewa. “Each building we occupied would eventually be sold!” Between the last Charlotte relocation and the move to Lake Norman, Modern Fabrics temporarily closed for five months, storing all their fabric in a shipping container, and leaving Ewa and her family fighting back some heartfelt emotions.
Moving to Huntersville required a leap of faith, as they worried former customers might not drive that far (turns out, they do!), and they weren’t sure the business climate was right for a fabric store. “Luckily, it seems to be working out,” says Ewa. “That was the hardest time we have faced as a small business, and we feel fortunate to be on the other side! In Lake Norman, small business still feels small. Everyone is friendly, takes their time, and is willing just to sit down for a chat.” Plans are also underway for another location in the Hickory/Conover area – coming in 2023.
What can consumers do to help with textile waste? Ewa suggests buying furniture made of sustainable materials, reusing or reupholstering furniture you currently have, and always donating or re-purposing extra fabric. Ewa loves meeting new people who have turned her fabrics into something wonderful.
“We meet young men who hand make oneof-a-kind cloths like Robert Craig, or young women who work with us to grow their passion for purse making or jewelry creating with some of our remnants,” says Ewa. “Also, Michelle Trogdon, who recreates paintings with leather, and my local favorite pillow designer, Judy Brown, who utilizes our leftover trim to make amazing one-of-a-kind pillows.
“Lake Norman feels like ‘old’ North Carolina – small and friendly,” says Ewa. “I hope we never lose that.”
Located at 15435 NC-73, Huntersville, NC, 704-740-9676, Ewa and the Modern Fabrics family can’t wait to meet you! Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm You can also shop online at modern-fabrics.com.
A recent survey of 1,000 Americans found that the most stressful event in life was moving. 45% of responders said that moving was more stressful than a break-up/divorce at 44%, followed by getting married at 33%. If you have ever moved before, whether that was around the block or across the country, moving is not just time consuming, it can also be a daunting task, especially if you have a busy schedule and are carrying on with everyday life in the process. For the past 17 years, Amy Cushman Jah, owner of American Moving and Hauling, located in Winston-Salem, NC, has gone above and beyond in helping her customers with residential and commercial moves, making the process, from beginning to end, a good one.
STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF
In 2005, Amy was managing a climate control storage facility and started helping people in need of movers as a side business. “Our business has grown from rental trucks and two guys to a staff of 35, and a fleet of 10 trucks, and a pack van! Once we got licensed, we started buying trucks. We offer car hauling, full service moving, as well as packing services- local and long-distance. We will travel anywhere within a 900-mile radius. While our bread and butter are North Carolina moves, we do a lot of out of state up-and-down the East Coast. From the beginning, it has always been important to remain true to who we are. Locally owned and operated sets us apart in the moving industry. We have no desire to partner with a nationwide van line or to subcontract our work out to anyone. With American Moving and Hauling, what you see, is what you get. We keep everything in-house, and we pride ourselves in communicating with our customers; no detail goes unnoticed,” said Amy.
American Moving and Hauling is a certified woman owned business, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for over 10 years, winning awards as a top pro on Thumbtack and Angi, online sites to hire, rate, and review local service providers. A BUSINESS IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS EMPLOYEES
Finding a work-life balance is hard for many women, especially when you own and operate a business. “I literally have the best office staff in the world! With young children at home, I am devoting more time these days to them, knowing that my staff is hard at work and can handle any situation that arises. My staff shares my work ethic and know what I expect. It’s no issue for me to tell someone I need you to make sure something gets done and I know it will be done correctly. It’s such a relief to me to be able to have people around me that I trust and who support me,” Amy commented.
GROWTH COMES WITH KNOWING YOUR LIMITATIONS
Amy hasn’t always been good at delegating responsibilities to her staff, but she found that her business grew when she took care of herself and trusted others. “I remember when I used to do everything myself and was literally on the verge of a mental breakdown. With no balance in life, something must give. My office staff has helped me ease my workload, giving me some time to be with my family and with the right people in place, business has grown exponentially. As a company, we would not be where we are without allowing people to help me. I know it’s hard for many women, and especially a control freak like myself, but letting go of the reins has been one of the best decisions I have ever made,” stated Amy.
American Moving and Hauling is located at 535 East Clemmonsville Road, Suite D, Winston-Salem, NC. For more information on services, call 336-765-3499 or visit americanmovingandhauling.com. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 8-5pm. Packing materials available for purchase at the office.
Chase the
Feeling of Home
Motto Mortgage knows Lake Norman and takes pride in being part of this vibrant Motto Mortgagecommunity. And Chris Campolieta is known among Lake Norman realtors and homebuyers for his hard work, speed, accuracy, and incredible communication. Contact him today to help make your lake home dream a reality.
Christopher Campolieta
MOTTO MORTGAGE MOVES Mortgage Loan Originator LO NMLS #2089901
Office: 910-406-2305 | Cell: 704-619-8565 christopher.campolieta@mottomortgage.com mottomortgage.com/offices/ moves-southern-pines/chris
Motto Mortgage Moves Office NMLS #2091000
Always the Perfect Gift
BY MARTIE EMORY | PHOTOS BY CARRIE ALLEN
When your recipe for the perfect small business blends one owner with a distinctly creative side, and one owner with proven business savvy, adding a shop name whose mere meaning evokes a peaceful ambiance is just the perfect finishing touch!
Since 2007, Michelle and Rich Harris have welcomed shoppers – who are now family -- to savor the Sweet Grass “experience” at their store in Mooresville, NC. While Rich is a practicing pharmacist (cue the business side), Michelle has a background in interior design, and excels more at the thoughtful pursuits of purchasing and merchandising. The retail venture has allowed both to excel using their best skills, and although Rich may be more “behind the scenes,” he does enjoy spending a good bit of time at the store!
“We greet everyone and make them feel at home right away,” says Michelle, noting that many shoppers simply stop by to say hello. “Most go the self-guided route and browse on their own, but they always know we are here to help with inspiration. For many, it’s a moment to unwind and relax.”
Here’s a perk that customers really love: Sweet Grass keeps an essential notebook with lists of customer favorites – so when a husband comes to shop for his wife, the staff has ideas of what she admired last time she visited, or maybe a special item they already have on order for her. That’s a signature small business touch! Michelle enjoys telling the story of a man who once came by with a map of the inside of the store in his hand – drawn by his wife so he would know exactly where her wished-for gift (she hoped!) could be found!
“We absolutely love our customers, and know they are the reason we’re even here,” says Michelle. Those customers are always on her mind when she’s attending markets, too, and buying for the store. She knows what the “regulars” love and want. Imagine this scenario: You’re on the way to a dinner party – without a hostess gift. Time is short, but you stop by Sweet Grass, find the perfect gift, and let their amazing staff provide gift wrap in one of their signature bags, complete with a card from you. Done!
Gift sales are definitely the store’s largest category – gifts in all shapes and sizes, for every occasion. From birthdays, new babies, and weddings to new homes,
whimsical hostess gifts, and hard-tofind gifts for men, the store’s incredible selection, at various price points, always provides excellent choices. Sweet Grass loves focusing on locally owned businesses and enjoys showcasing local vendors whenever possible. Gifts can be personalized (often while you wait) including items such as acrylic frames and party cups, and the store offers local resources for both etching and embroidery. Picture a name or initial artfully etched on wine glasses or a beautiful wooden cutting board, and embroidery or monogramming on a new baby’s keepsake blanket. The staff loves when three-and fouryear-old children visit and still have the stuffed toy they received as an infant. Personalized, of course!
“We don’t buy in large quantities, and our inventory and displays are constantly changing,” says Michelle. “If you see something and like it, don’t wait, buy it!” The Sweet Grass team – which averages around ten employees depending on the season – is also proud to tell customers products are selected for the store because they seriously like them!
“Everything – including our gourmet food items – is a personal choice, even the cherries we sell for your trendy oldfashions,” says Michelle. “We believe in what we sell, and we encourage customers to shop local – so the money stays right here.”
Every season deserves its shopping time, and you’ll find fall accessories, including seasonal candles and home fragrances, right up until Thanksgiving. Then Sweet Grass welcomes the holidays! As you’re reading this issue, mark your calendar for the Sweet Grass Holiday Open House Thursday, November 10, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., where you’ll enjoy a food truck and other local vendors, plus “The Side Bar,” serving a festive signature cocktail. Michelle and Rich are also delighted to bring back monthly events at the store, so follow them on Facebook and Instagram for news of upcoming events.
Sweet Grass is located at 146 Mooresville Commons Way in Mooresville, NC. Reach them (the old-fashioned way!) at 704-6635878, by text at 704-450-6313, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Store hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Porch Sitting
I am famous, well, perhaps
“infamous” for my porch sitting.
Oh, there’s Jean Marie again, say “Hey” y’all. I happen to be a stickler for self-awareness and selfacceptance. I mean, otherwise, you spend an enormous amount of time being someone you are not and disliking yourself in the process.
There is no point in that. But I digress. Anyway, when folks wave at me with enthusiasm, or even if they give me the half-hearted, obligatory, milk toast version of acknowledgement, I am reminded that porch sitting is very much a part of who I am. Of course, this does mean spending an inordinate amount of time on my butt.
I felt a tad vindicated when I discovered there is an organization that honors one of my favorite past times. It’s the Porch Sitters
Union, founded in 1999 in
Louisville, Kentucky. Who knew?
I soon learned that porch sitting as a legit activity is seriously inclusive. The website says it all: “We look at Porch Sitting as a broad term. While a classic
Porch can be ideal, we believe it is not entirely necessary to enjoy
Porch Sitting. Whether you are on a smaller portico, a veranda, a terrace, front porch, back porch… even the garage with the door open while watching the kids at play, that counts.” You see, they get it! And just as the Porch
Sitters Union proclaimed, who needs a porch when one can
“porch sit” just about anywhere?
Perhaps you observed more of this phenomenon emerge during the pandemic. I certainly did.
I especially recall a cool (as in chilly) St. Patrick’s Day evening when neighbors were gathered in a garage with the keg in full swing, the music blaring, and the
“porch sitting” well underway.
Of course, it was St. Patrick’s Day, so the ante was up!
BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON The American porch is iconic. It makes sense that its original purpose was to provide shelter from the elements. But beyond the practical, the porch soon became a decorative feature and evolved as a place for our private and public selves to intersect. In fact, porch sitting can be intensely private. When I am seeking my own company, I head out to my “veranda” which is on the backside of my house. With a wall fountain gurgling beside me, and the sights and sounds of nature enveloping me, I am in my version of heaven. At other times I embrace and seek out connection, because the porch is about community, about gathering in good times and in bad. It’s about heartfelt conversations, harmless gossip, and raucous fun. It’s about watching the world go by, even if that means only a few birds and a solitary butterfly. It’s about being in the moment because the moment, with little fanfare or planning, matters. COVID reinforced that. Sharing that moment with others may matter even more because it’s a space in which we strengthen our relationships and make memories with others. It’s autumn now, my favorite time of year. Pumpkins adorn my front porch and porch sitting requires a sweater and a few lit candles. Some evenings, my porch sitting moves to the firepit of one neighbor or another. It’s the winter season that really tests my porch sitting mettle. When a mild evening arrives unexpectedly, I am the first to text: “Y’all sittin’ out?” “Yep.” “I’ll be right there.”
Designs by NMarie
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Using Pinterest
to Plan Home Projects
BY TARYN JEREZ
There is something beautiful and innately human about cultivating one’s home and the spaces we dwell. New York interior decorator Billy Baldwin, also known as “the dean of interior decorators,’’ once said, “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” Frankly, I couldn’t agree more.
In a world where we’re now face to face with so many images of perfectly curated spaces fit for an interior decorator’s portfolio, I am on a never ending quest to create a home around my own tastes and not give in to “keeping up with the Joneses.”
If you’re anything like me, however, it can be difficult to take all of the things you like and pair them with the functionality your family needs in a home to create a space you love.
PINTEREST IS THE PERFECT PROJECT PLANNING TOOL YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED!
If you’re unfamiliar with Pinterest, it is a visual discovery engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. It’s a great place to get home inspiration and to help you create a plan to bring all those ideas to life! STEP #1 - CREATE AND
TITLE YOUR BOARDS INTENTIONALLY
Once you have your Pinterest account you can create a “board” for each project with whatever that particular board’s purpose will be. When planning out your home projects, you can either create an entirely separate board for every single room in your house or, I prefer the option of creating a main board that’s specific to its overall purpose, creating sections inside it. For example, a board called “Outdoor Projects” could have sections titled “backyard,” “patio, “curb appeal ideas” and more. This is how you will organize all of the ideas and products you will be saving, referred to as “pinning” on Pinterest.
Sometimes inspiration finds you and other times you go on a mission to find it! If you’re on Pinterest you can use the search bar to search for different ideas by being specific. For example, you can search “boho half bathroom” and pin ideas you like to your “bathroom ideas” board or “playroom organization” to pin to your “bonus room idea” board. Make sure to download the free Pinterest Chrome extension “pin button” so you can easily pin any ideas you see on the internet. If you’re browsing a local houseware boutique online and see a beautiful bed set for yourself you can pin it to your “master bedroom” board for instance.
STEP #3 DIYS (DO IT YOURSELF), DIFMS (DO IT FOR ME), AND PURCHASES
Review your Pinterest boards when you are ready to start planning out the execution of your next home project! You can drag and drop things to reorganize the order of your pins if you wish to group certain ones together, or delete whatever you longer need. Next, you will look things over and decide which pins to adopt to your space as a DIY project vs. DIFM and create a timeline for yourself. This is the perfect time to look at any pinned items that you’ll be wanting to purchase. If you pinned something for inspiration to purchase, open the mobile app when you’re out shopping so you’re clear on what you’re looking for.
STEP #4 SHARE YOUR VISION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND CONTRACTORS
Pinterest is perfect for sharing your ideas with others! Collaborating with someone or want opinions on specific projects? You can share pins with them! Just make sure they have a Pinterst account of their own. You can also add them directly as a “collaborator” on a board so they can add pins to the board as well. Working with a contracted designer, painter or builder? You can share your board with them as well so they can see what you’re wanting and also get their opinions. You can even change a board to “secret” if you don’t want specific boards to be seen by other users or collaborators.
STEP #5 PRINT OUT YOUR PINTERST BOARD FOR QUICK REFERENCE
While the world may be more virtual now than ever before, there’s something special about a good old fashioned physical mood or inspiration board! You can print your Pinterest boards as a PDF or simply screenshot them and print them out so you have a handy reference tool while you’re painting a room, organizing a bookshelf, art shopping for a gallery wall, and more!
If you don’t already have a Pinterest account, sign up for a free one and begin planning your home one space at a time. Remember to be patient as your vision comes together and have fun in the process!
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Modern Fabrics
RECLAIMED + DISCOUNTED DESIGNER TEXTILES
MODERN-FABRICS.COM | 704.740.9676 | @modernfabrics | @ modernfabricsnc Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm | 15435 NC-73, Huntersville, NC 28078
