How I Went From Rags To Fine Vintage Linens And More!
I started decorating at age 10, when I decided my dresser would look awesome bedecked with owl figurines and my walls with apple green wallpaper depicting fantastic lilies...it was, after all, the '70s.
At age 26, I was a starving painter and wanted beautiful things I couldn't afford, so I made them myself. Shortly thereafter I discovered flea markets and estate sales, and by age 30, I was hooked.
I once saw Rachel Ashwell at the flea market and stalked her relentlessly. She was very nice. We compared California Fleas until her "people" whisked her away for the HGTV thing she was doing. I have waited with baited breath for garbage night in the wealthy neighborhoods, circling like a vulture in my conspicuous huge 1991 red F-150. I have stopped at strangers' houses to ask about that antique bed frame that's been sitting in the driveway for three days. "We're just CLEANING it!" was the response. "You're the 5th person to ask!" Hey, if they don't want us asking, they shouldn't taunt us with it.
Clearly, I am not alone in my shameless pursuit. Often, however, otherwise fantastic vintage linens were stinky from 50 years of damp basement storage or smoke, and formerly beautiful light fixtures were sadly neglected and broken. I once received, from an online auction site (nameless HERE, forevermore), a shipment of tattered, musty, inaccurately represented curtains, rudely shoved unfolded and unprotected into a thrice-used box. A box like that says, "I don't care about you. I don't care about World Peace. Thanks for the money." I decided that I, nay, THE WORLD, deserved better.
I wanted a shop that had not only the highest quality vintage and handmade products but that, upon receiving my purchases, made me feel like I was opening a present. I wanted a shop that had accurate photographic representations, detailed descriptions, quick shipping, the best customer service ever, and an owner that communicated with me herself. I wanted a shop that promoted World Peace through fair and friendly commerce. So I made one. Welcome to Queen Decor.
