REFINING YOUR
INSIDE/OUTSIDE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | REFINE YOUR SPACE
Space
Using repurposed and refurbished items to elevate home design REUSING AND REPURPOSING FURNITURE AND MATERIALS
has become chic. Whether it’s because of the ubiquity of home remodeling shows on cable TV or just a general cultural push toward reuse, the desire to turn old into new is frequently requested by designers. But the consignment collection and refurbishment business is strong on its own, with many people taking a do-it-yourself approach to home design and picking out pieces that complement the spaces they’ve cultivate. That said, a well-curated consignment shop can give the shopper ideas and inspiration on how to use unique pieces and antique gems. Katie Dabney and Sam Gaylord own Revel, a new consignment shop in San Juan Capistrano. Inside, you won’t find items strewn about, or even placed on racks—instead, pieces collected from interested sellers are artfully mixed with dozens of other pieces to create display vignettes. Accessories, furniture, rugs, photos and more are arranged in what look like little rooms, creating looks for interested buyers to use for inspiration. “We are resale done right. We take care of it, and try to make it look good,” Dabney said. “We take things in and try to be creative and give people ideas on what to do with their new old things.” Revel opened in mid-September. Dabney quit her job in
Photos of the unique vignettes and displays set up at Revel in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Courtesy
advertising, and Gaylord quit his in finance, to open up the shop and “do something we love to do.” “It’s a lot of hard work. It’s like moving every day,” Gaylord said. Dabney said Revel will make house calls for consultations, and will deliver anywhere locally or ship elsewhere. She said that patrons can save up to 60 percent on retail items, and sellers get their items put in the store for 60 days. There’s also a five-day return policy on items, which other consignment stores don’t always have. The key, Dabney says, is providing quality products at prices that don’t exclude large groups of people. That process requires an eye for aesthetic and passion for refining and repurposing items. “It’s hopefully a little bit different here from your average
consignment store,” she said. We have something for everyone. If it’s dusty, we clean it. We try not to take things that are broken, because would you buy it? If you wouldn’t buy it yourself, we wouldn’t have it here. But everything in here has had some love before.” There’s a bevy of other good consignment shops in the area, including 2nd Hand Treasures in Capistrano Beach. Owners Helen and Ziad Mahshi have created a stunning showroom, that features a rotating selection of well-priced, high-quality and unique wares. At any given point, you’re liable to find something like a music machine from the early 19th century, a signed Salvador Dali print, a restored stage trunk or a turquoise stone necklace. Whether you shop at 2nd Hand Treasures, Revel, both or more, you’ll likely come away not only with a new piece for your home, but a head full of ideas on what to design next.