Earlier this morning we mentioned that we slipped into Mary Jo’s fabric shop just outside Charlotte, NC again—this was our second visit to the treasure trove of bolts stacked higher than my 5’2″ frame. We thought it would be fun to share what caught our eye and what we actually bought, since some of you might be hunting for fabrics of your own. A lot of these textiles are carried by multiple retailers (though Mary Jo’s prices are tough to beat), so when possible I’ve included manufacturer and style details so you can track them down online or locally. Onward.
The first fabric that stopped me was a cheerful yellow-and-gray ikat. At $13.98 a yard (marked down from $35+), it felt like a steal—you could reupholster two dining chairs for under $15. Manufacturer: Richloom, style: Modesto, color: Charmom.
Nearby I found a red-and-blue floral pattern that’s playful without being stuffy. Its intricate design and color balance felt both lively and refined. Also $13.98 per yard, it would make a great headboard—two yards would run you less than $28. Manufacturer: Richloom, style: Cornwall, color: Garden.
My favorite discovery was an oversized medallion fabric full of texture and color. It immediately lifted my mood; I stood there grinning like a goof. Manufacturer: Richloom, style: Brompton, color: Citrin.
On clearance I found a designer suzani print for $16.98 a yard (down from $50.95). I couldn’t resist grabbing a yard. After debating between bolts—torn between aqua and a greeny-yellow—I settled on the gray ground with green-yellow details because it felt most versatile. I plan to turn that piece into a large wall art tapestry, so more on that once it’s up.
We didn’t find curtain fabric this time, which was a little disappointing, but we brainstormed some possibilities on the drive home and decided to sleep on it. We’ll share the final plan once we pick a direction (and yes, we’ll probably write way more than necessary about it).
Next stop: the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, SC. Here’s what we found—and the one item we couldn’t leave behind. Apologies for the so-so photos; my camera battery died, so most shots are from my phone.
First up was a charming jewelry box with a crackled metallic exterior and a gray-purple velvet interior. Priced at $34.99 (down from $50), it looked like something you might find at Anthropologie for a lot more.
I photographed a padded bar stool priced at $149 (down from $229) more as a DIY clue than an actual purchase. Stores like HomeGoods and Target sell similar stools for under $50—swap the upholstery with a quarter yard of fabric and a staple gun for the same look at a fraction of the cost.
There were tiered plates that would look lovely filled with fruit or party treats. I forgot the exact price, but they were around $14–$19.
A large round mirror had a Restoration Hardware vibe and was marked down from $279 to $194. It’s the kind of piece that transforms a room, even if it’s a splurge.
A window-style mirror (marked down from $299 to $208) would be perfect for brightening a dark space or adding architectural interest to a large wall—much cheaper than adding an actual window. It could also serve as inspiration for a salvage-yard DIY using old mirrors.
John loved an oversized clock, but we couldn’t figure out a place for it in our home, so we left it for someone else. It was reduced from $249 to $124.
I also photographed a chalkboard easel priced at $169 (down from $199) as a DIY reference; you could probably build a similar piece for much less with basic materials.
Textured urchin bowls were $9.99 each (down from $15)—fun and tactile little accents.
There was a boxed kids’ Dyson-style toy with realistic sounds and moving beads priced at $24 (down from $50). I almost bought it to get the little one excited about cleaning, but the car was already full of baby and dog gear.
I could picture a row of these chairs painted white or soft gray with cushions at a future kitchen island. They were $99 each (down from $200), but since we don’t have an island yet and had no room in the car, I walked away.
Small silver ornament frames were $5.99 apiece (down from $10)—a cute way to add family photos to the tree if you’re into that kind of holiday detail.
A faux sea fan “placemat” made of flexible rubber caught my imagination; sprayed in navy and framed on burlap or linen it would make unique wall art. It was $9.99 (down from $16).
Bright braided red lampshades on sale for $19 each could add texture and color to a room in need of a focal point.
A heavily textured, tonal pillow sham was priced at $32. It was lovely, though still a bit pricey for outlet expectations.
The lighting section was full of bargains. A bronze sconce with a seeded glass shade tempted me at $39, but the finish wasn’t what we’re planning for our home, so I left it for someone else. However, I couldn’t walk away from a small hardwired pendant that was $29 (down from $80). It’s an 8″ wide pendant that will be perfect over the kitchen sink when we start the renovation.
Everything about it—from the mercury-glass tone to the subtle honeycomb detail—felt right for our style (and you know we have a soft spot for bee motifs). So I brought it home. For now it’s sitting in the playroom until the kitchen makeover gets underway. On the drive home J and I sketched renovation ideas and even worked on our book—laptops and Word were open for much of the trip.
That’s what we saw while window shopping and actual shopping. Any favorites among these finds? Have you picked up anything recently that you just couldn’t leave behind? Let’s talk shopping.