Not Too Shabby By Colleen

Not Too Shabby By Colleen Interior Design Lover / Furniture Refinisher & Re-Imaginer / Minding my own small business

To request a quote: please inbox me with photos of your cabinetry or furniture (please include dimensions for furniture quotes), as well as your location and ideas you may have to transform your space or piece. I also occasionally sell restored & upcycled furniture which will be posted to the shop section of my page. Please be sure to like & follow my page to make sure you see new ideas, tutorials, decorating tips, or finished projects.

A quick thank you.To everyone who likes, comments, shares, saves posts, or sends a message about a piece you’ve seen her...
06/17/2026

A quick thank you.

To everyone who likes, comments, shares, saves posts, or sends a message about a piece you’ve seen here - thank you.

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats, and every bit of engagement helps more people discover my work.

If you’ve been following along quietly, I’d love for you to say hello below. Tell me:

What kind of furniture do you enjoy seeing most?

• Vintage finds?
• Dramatic before & afters?
• Staging inspiration?
• Furniture painting tips?
• Marketplace flips?

Your comments help me create more of the content you enjoy seeing.

And if my posts have inspired a project in your own home, I’d love to hear about it. ❤️

(Photo of Penny just to stop your scroll 😜🙃)

Available & officially ready for her next home. ✨When I first spotted this Art Deco commode, I knew there was something ...
06/16/2026

Available & officially ready for her next home. ✨

When I first spotted this Art Deco commode, I knew there was something special hiding beneath the tired finish.

As I began stripping away years of wear, the incredible bookmatched burl veneer started to reveal itself. Every swirl, knot, and pattern was completely unique—and suddenly the direction became obvious.
This wasn’t a piece that needed to be painted.
It needed to be preserved.

The burl veneer on the top and drawer fronts was carefully restored and deepened to highlight its natural movement, while the original Bakelite and brass hardware was polished back to a beautiful warm glow. The result is rich, sophisticated, and true to the character of the piece.

Features:
✨ Original bookmatched burl veneer top and drawer fronts
✨ Walnut veneer case with dramatic waterfall styling
✨ Original Bakelite and brass hardware
✨ Drawers conditioned and lined with a neutral paper
✨ New wooden drawer glides
✨ Durable flat topcoat for protection

Dimensions:45.5” Longx22” Deepx34” High

Available for pickup in West Haven, CT or I can refer you to a local mover. Cash, Venmo, and credit cards accepted.

Can we talk about Nancy Meyers interiors for a minute?You know the homes…The ones that feel collected instead of decorat...
06/16/2026

Can we talk about Nancy Meyers interiors for a minute?

You know the homes…

The ones that feel collected instead of decorated.

Fresh flowers on the counter.
A stack of books you’ve actually read.
Vintage pieces mixed with newer ones.
Nothing matching perfectly, yet everything feels right.

The more I look at this Art Deco burl commode, the more I think it belongs in a Nancy Meyers movie.

Am I the only one who sees it?

🤎Look at that velvety smooth finish! Just a reminder that this dresser is even more stunning in person. DM me if you'd l...
06/14/2026

🤎Look at that velvety smooth finish!

Just a reminder that this dresser is even more stunning in person. DM me if you'd like to schedule a viewing! 🤎

If you’ve been paying attention to today’s interiors, you’ve probably noticed a shift.Designers are embracing richer woo...
06/13/2026

If you’ve been paying attention to today’s interiors, you’ve probably noticed a shift.

Designers are embracing richer wood tones, layered textures, collected furnishings, and spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and lived in.

From Ralph Lauren Home to Amber Interiors to West Elm to a Nancy Meyers aesthetic , we’re seeing a renewed appreciation for depth, character, and timeless materials. Darker woods, architectural antiques, and pieces with patina are helping create homes that feel both refined and inviting.

While design trends will always evolve, some elements never go out of style: quality craftsmanship, natural materials, and furnishings that tell a story.

It’s one of the reasons I chose the direction I did for my latest antique chest.

Good design isn’t about chasing trends.

It’s about creating spaces with warmth, character, and staying power.

People often ask me, "How do you decide what to do with a piece?"The answer is actually pretty simple: I let the piece s...
06/13/2026

People often ask me, "How do you decide what to do with a piece?"

The answer is actually pretty simple: I let the piece speak to me.

When I first acquired this chest, I knew it had incredible bones.

The fluted columns. The carved details. The substantial scale and craftsmanship.

I had no interest in concealing any of it.

With a piece this architectural, the finish was never meant to be the focal point—the chest itself was.

Rather than a bold color, I chose a layered specialty finish inspired by the patina of aged European furnishings and the understated elegance of Restoration Hardware. The deeper tones visually quiet the carvings, allowing the craftsmanship and proportions to take center stage.

Champagne bronze k***s provided the finishing touch—refined, understated, and just enough contrast to modernize the piece without competing with its history.

The most successful transformations aren't about making something new.

They're about revealing what was there all along.

Photo included, to show you where it started.

Some pieces are transformed by color. Others are transformed by character.This vintage chest has been reimagined with a ...
06/11/2026

Some pieces are transformed by color. Others are transformed by character.

This vintage chest has been reimagined with a custom specialty finish inspired by the rich patina of aged European furnishings and the understated elegance of Restoration Hardware design. Layered tones and subtle depth highlight the chest’s architectural details while honoring the craftsmanship that has allowed it to stand the test of time.

Constructed from solid wood, this chest is exceptionally heavy, sturdy, and built to last for generations. Its substantial presence is matched by its functionality, offering seven dovetail drawers for ample storage—two smaller drawers at the top and five full-size drawers below. Each drawer has been lined in a complementary paper for a polished finishing touch, while new champagne bronze k***s provide a refined contrast to the timeworn finish.

Dimensions:
40” W x 20” D x 56.5” H

A statement piece that feels both collected and timeless, equally at home in a bedroom, entryway, dining room, or study.

$800

Pickup in West Haven, CT.
Delivery referral available.

Not every transformation needs a bold color or dramatic statement.Sometimes the most impactful designs are built on dept...
06/10/2026

Not every transformation needs a bold color or dramatic statement.

Sometimes the most impactful designs are built on depth, texture, and a finish that reveals itself slowly.

A study in patina and depth.

Coming soon.

A well-loved piece with years of character was completely transformed into a one-of-a-kind custom statement for a client...
06/09/2026

A well-loved piece with years of character was completely transformed into a one-of-a-kind custom statement for a client who wanted something fresh without losing its history. Designed specifically to suit their vision, this makeover blends timeless craftsmanship with an updated, sophisticated finish that feels both personal and elevated.

Painted in Polaris Blue by Benjamin Moore, a sophisticated blue-gray that shifts beautifully throughout the day, this color feels serene and timeless.

The original hardware was polished and restored, creating a warm contrast against the cool blue finish. To complete the transformation, the wooden mirror (see photo/video in comments) was finished in Wise Owl's Gold Dust Heavy Metals, adding a touch of elegance and subtle glamour.

It's always rewarding to see a piece transformed into something fresh, refined, and ready for its next chapter.

Okay friends… I have officially reached the ‘I need to leave for vacation without tripping over furniture’ phase 😂I have...
05/26/2026

Okay friends… I have officially reached the ‘I need to leave for vacation without tripping over furniture’ phase 😂

I have just TWO pieces left in inventory and I’d love to find them homes before I go away so I can come back to a fresh start in the shop.

✨ Leopard-lined Curio Cabinet — now $750
✨ Serpentine Dresser — now $650

Both are refinished, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces with so much character and quality that you just don’t find in new furniture anymore.

If you’ve been eyeing either one, now’s the time 👀
Pickup in West Haven, CT. Delivery recommendation available if needed.”

Address

West Haven, CT
06516

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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