Today’s the day! My booth is “officially” open. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I got everything moved in on Monday—with tons of help from my friend Katie. I was a big, sweaty mess by the end of the day, but was so glad to have it all finished.
I’ve already learned a few things along the way. For starters, styling a booth is much different than decorating a room. My taste is kind of all over the board, and I’ve obviously bought things that I like. So, when you put them all together in a 10×10 space, it can look a little chaotic. I was thinking booth set up would take an hour or so once we got it all in the building. I was wrong.
Here’s what the space initially looked like:
I bought two plywood sheets and painted them with chalkboard paint to create a dark backdrop. I painted the walls and floor the same bright white.
Move-in day:
It took some arranging and then some rearranging. I’ve had to get over trying to make every spot perfect and realize I’m trying to make a little money here. Besides, I doubt most customers mind digging through piles, if they’re anything like me.
I was worried about not having enough things to start the booth, but I ended up taking several pieces home to save for later. I’m also seeing that I need more surface space for display and will probably add some more shelving down the road.
I took pictures for those of you who won’t be able to visit. You may see a few familiar pieces; I’m selling several things from our last house that I didn’t end up reusing.
(You can also follow along on Instagram, #ShopEAC.)
Emily, you’ve done an amazing job curating pieces and displaying them tastefully. I want the brass trunks, the glass jars, the fishing floater thingies, the brass candlesticks… :)
I live in Chapel Hill, but I’m stopping by the next time I drive to my family’s house in SC!
This space looks amazing!! I wish I had to drive through to visit!
It looks lovely, crisp, clean and inviting. I can’t help but think that this is a stepping stone to greater things :) wishing you much luck and many sales
I see so many wonderful things I wish I could buy. You are going to be a smashing success, I know it. Congratulations!!!
Congratulations Emily. Your space is incredible. Oh how I wish you were in Ohio. I’m betting twenty-five items or more sell in one day. Best success to you.
You did such a great job. I already see 3 or 4 things I would love to buy!
Good Lord….how did you let go of all that great stuff? When I had my booth 20 years ago….that was my problem. It looks great Emily and I hope it all sells really fast:)
Congrats Emily! So excited for you – already see a few goodies I want :).
Looks fantastic Emily!
It looks fantastic! Wish I was local so I could shop your booth!
Love it! So excited that you are doing this! I can’t wait to get by and see it in person. Congratulations and happy sales!
Your space is amazing! I frequent a lot of antique malls and have never seen a booth as attractive as yours. I’m collecting things to open an Etsy shop but you make me want to do a booth instead. Best of luck! You’re going to be a great success.
Your booth looks fantastic, Emily. I wish I could come shop! I’d also like to say, from one busy momma to another, that I am very encouraged and inspired by your determination to take on this business venture. Best of luck to you!
I would definitely be a frequent shopper of your booth if I lived close. It exudes style! Good luck with your new venture.
This is so rad!!! The space looks amazing….I’ll take it all! Congratulations and good luck! You’ll do great.
It looks amazing. I am sure you will be very successful. Congratulations!!!!
Looks fabulous!
Your space looks amazing, Emily! I wish I lived closer. ;)
ugh!! those mirrors are calling my name!!! they would be amazing over my sofa!
Wow, Emily! You can really tell you’ve put a lot of time and thought into this, very impressive for a mom of littles! It looks fantastic! Wish I lived closer so I could come shop. Best of luck!
It looks great! Wish I could come shop!
Congrats, it looks great! Wish I lived in the area. 100% obsessed with that milk glass compote holding your business cards!
I love it Emily! I could go cra cra in there!! I’m sure others will too! You have such a knack for styling! Have fun!! Xo, Kathy
Ooo! I see so many things I’d like to get my hands on! Lamps, pillows, dishes…oh my!!
Can you tell me how I can get my hands on those pretty blue floral and cream pillows? Love them!!
Looks fantastic! Lusting after that bamboo wine rack! I’m in NC too but about 3 hours away. Will definitely try to stop by the next time we visit the inlaws in Charlotte.
Your booth looks great and I love your shirt :-) GOCats!
it looks amazing!!!! way to go- wishing you the best!
Lovely space! Congratulations!
Good luck on your new adventure, everything looks great.
Wow! You did a great job! I love it!
Yay! I am so proud of you!! You worked so hard and it shows. It looks so cohesive and well thought out. I wish I could take it all!! Great job to you both!!
fun, fun, fun! looks like my place to shop. i think i may have to make a trip soon. you’ve chosen your inventory well. enjoy!
Emily, it looks great! Congrats- it will be a great success!
Congratulations, Emily! The booth looks lovely and those brass trunks are ev.er.y.thing!
It looks amazing, Emily! I sure do want to come see your space. Maybe I’ll get lucky and catch you there! I know you’re uber busy, but if you have a second would you mind sharing what color green the chest is painted?
Thanks, Suzy. It’s Caper Berry by Martha Stewart Living: https://emilyaclark.com/2014/04/painting-a-dresser-a-100-home-depot-giveaway.html
Good for you, Emily. You always inspire, 5 kids and a wonderful blog. Now a booth!
Booth looks terrific with a good diverse mix of items to attract different decorating tastes! Amazed you fit all that stuff in there! If I may offer a bit of advice…I was in the antique business with booths for 15 years, & I found that if you invest in a good tall shelf unit you will have a ton of space for your smalls and can use the top of the shelf for more stuff. I can’t tell you how many people wanted the shelf units but I would not sell them because I had no where to display my smaller items! Just a thought……wish I lived closer & I would buy those great mirrors!! Best of Luck!
Thanks, Jan! Appreciate the advise.
Emily, it looks awesome – so many great pieces. Congratulations
It looks like so much fun!! Congrats on your new adventure, Emily!!
Wishing you much success with your shop Emily! It’s going to do so well! And people will love to meet you!
So exciting!! Congrats!! It looks awesome!
Emily, I’ve never posted before, but love your blog, your humble transparency, and the topics you write about! Thank you! I’m a mom and a decorator and have an antique booth also!
In case it’s any help, here’s what I’ve learned: Use the VERTICAL space as much as you possible can. Large artwork, mirrors, chandeliers sell really well up there in the vertical space. (Thank goodness for ladders and handy, cooperative husbands)
You’ll do great! Rooting for you, and if I’m ever up that way, you can bet I’ll be stopping by. I love your display of bottles – interesting and styled perfectly! Ps: Your tags are cute too!
Thanks, Katy. I appreciate the advice. I’ve seen several other vendors there run a diagonal board across the top to hang chandeliers. I love the character of the brick wall but it’s making things a little tricky. Totally agree about the vertical space, though. Thanks again.
Congratulations! The booth looks awesome! I really like that you painted it white! Can’t wait to hear all about how it goes
Congratulations! Love. It. All. I’m so excited for you. I can only imagine how much work this was to put together. Hopefully the really difficult part is over and now you can just keep replenishing it with awesome finds. xx
Wow…I REALLY wish I lived a lot closer! I would take 1 of everything…Congratulations & best of luck!!
It really looks amazing! I love it!! I think the black backdrop really makes everything on that wall pop. You really used every bit of that booth space so well. Best wishes!!!! Excited for you to see how it all goes.
THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! I WISH I LIVED CLOSE BY SO I COULD VISIT AND SHOP A BIT.YOU HAVE GREAT TASTE, AND I AM SURE YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!
The booth looks great, Emily. You have staged it well. Having done booths and shelves in antique malls and shops, I agree: It takes a lot more time than you realize to make it look fabulous. I enjoyed doing it as a side-line business for a period of time because I needed to get rid of stuff that I had collected over the years, and it was a way to make a little extra cash. I have a day job as a dental hygienist! I am much more selective in what I purchase now and still love to re-purpose things from Goodwill, etc. My suggestion would be to change things around periodically. The ones who are regulars will walk right by if it doesn’t change, but just moving things around will draw their eyes to a different spot. And don’t get discouraged. Some weeks or months are better than others. I would be puzzled why my amazing items didn’t go like hotcakes! And I always had reasonable prices. Don’t overprice. Even if you paid or know something is worth more, shoppers want a bargain. You will learn along much along the way. Good luck, and keep us posted.
I so wish I lived closer. It’s STUNNING. I want most of it. Happy for you, but sad for me.
Emily,
This is amazing! I so wish I lived close to you. I’d buy everything you have! Good luck!
Looks great, Emily!
Wow, it looks great! Can’t wait to stop in a see it!
Seriously amazing! LOVE your colors and how everything pops! I have been thinking of starting a booth, do you mind sharing – is this a mix of repurposed as well as new items? I love the sea glass and cutting boards, as well as all the glass bottles, just wondering if they were finds or if you can pick up new things you love that do well mixing in with the vintage? I am clueless about the rules :)
Not everything has to be antique/vintage/repurposed but most of what I’m going to sell will be. Good luck!
Nicely done – it looks fantastic! I’d definitely shop there regularly.
I love that you’re using price tags rather than stickers. Stickers are the downside of so many thrifting experiences – so difficult to remove.
Best wishes!
Very inviting! I am sure it will be emptied out by happy shoppers all too soon. Have you considered doing a sign with your logo on the white wall? I don’t know if that would be an antique-market faux pas or not, but it might help grow your brand. Good luck!
Not only is the booth really cute, it also looks just like you! Congrats on the opening. I hope you’ll enjoy the process.
Oh my goodness- I’m so proud and happy for you! It’s full of absolute gorgeous pieces! I pinned it in case I find myself in NC
I want everything in your booth Emily! If only I lived closer. Seriously, I love the way you’ve styled it. You know how you walk around an antique mall, aisle after aisle of dingy looking booths and then BOOM, one booth just jumps out at you and you have to look at every little thing inside that booth? That would be me, standing in your booth for hours. Well done! Hope stuff is flying off the shelves.
I hope that’s how it works :) Thanks, Jen!
A giant congrats to you and your amazing booth! You are one inspiring gal! And you have curated a beautiful collection of goodies to sell. Those gold trunks are calling my name!
Love the before/during/after shots, that show the dramatic changes possible! I’m about to “take the plunge” myself, and doing much in-person & online research ahead of time–this was very encouraging, Emily!