KINGSTON — When dropping off the kids at the Kingston Co-op Preschool these days, local mothers may want to take a second look across the street and find an oasis away from their busy schedules.

They’ll see a small, white converted garage with doors that are wide open with delicate lacy undergarments and dresses hanging from them. Inside, they will find walls lined with more feminine clothing and jewelry, in addition to refinished household objects, such as desks, tables and decorative boxes.

The style of this small shop, French Vanilla, is what owner Cathy Sears calls shabby chic, eclectic and vintage.

“I really like to remodel old pieces that are ready for the dump,” Sears said, pointing to a breadbox and clothing hamper she repainted and restored. Sears said one woman just purchased one of her painted and decorated breadboxes and will be using it in her guestroom to store toiletries.

“Things don’t have to be used for what they are (intended for),” Sears encouraged, noting that people should pull the “good” items — like China ware— from their shelves and actually incorporate them into every day use. They aren’t just for looks, she said.

“I’ve got all mismatched teacups, plates at home,” Sears explained. “They are not just to look at any more.”

She also has vintage lingerie, which is becoming popular again, and suggested pairing it up with more modern clothing, such as a lacy camisole with a jean jacket.

“It’s about getting older things and the vintage that you grew up with,” she said.

Sears knows she is off the beaten path from Kingston’s downtown shopping district but said she’s OK with that — she wants to cater to the local market.

Selling unique items to customers is just one half of this labor of love that she has been operating for about a month. Behind the converted garage is Sears’ new workshop, where the walls and floor are lined with unique lamps, desks, shelves and other furniture that she plans to refinish with her own creative touch. Her particular favorite style is the worn-in look, where a piece is painted, then “roughed” up a bit with sandpaper to give it a slightly-used but classy look.

Sears said she finds her treasures at flea markets, estate sales and garage sales and even discount-retail stores, like Ross and TJ Maxx, where unique items can be found cheap and fixed up.

While Sears said she has always been a creative, hands-on type and enjoyed fixing up furniture and selling it at various boutiques and antique malls around the area, she said she is ecstatic about being able to do it full-time now.

“It’s scary, but so far, so good,” she said.

Aside from continuing to refinish furniture, Sears said she hopes to hold classes in her workshop in the future and start her own paint line with the various colors she has already developed.

“I really wanted to encourage women to be creative,” she said.

By TIFFANY ROYAL

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — When dropping off the kids at the Kingston Co-op Preschool these days, local mothers may want to take a second look across the street and find an oasis away from their busy schedules.

They’ll see a small, white converted garage with doors that are wide open with delicate lacy undergarments and dresses hanging from them. Inside, they will find walls lined with more feminine clothing and jewelry, in addition to refinished household objects, such as desks, tables and decorative boxes.

The style of this small shop, French Vanilla, is what owner Cathy Sears calls shabby chic, eclectic and vintage.

“I really like to remodel old pieces that are ready for the dump,” Sears said, pointing to a breadbox and clothing hamper she repainted and restored. Sears said one woman just purchased one of her painted and decorated breadboxes and will be using it in her guestroom to store toiletries.

“Things don’t have to be used for what they are (intended for),” Sears encouraged, noting that people should pull the “good” items — like China ware— from their shelves and actually incorporate them into every day use. They aren’t just for looks, she said.

“I’ve got all mismatched teacups, plates at home,” Sears explained. “They are not just to look at any more.”

She also has vintage lingerie, which is becoming popular again, and suggested pairing it up with more modern clothing, such as a lacy camisole with a jean jacket.

“It’s about getting older things and the vintage that you grew up with,” she said.

Sears knows she is off the beaten path from Kingston’s downtown shopping district but said she’s OK with that — she wants to cater to the local market.

Selling unique items to customers is just one half of this labor of love that she has been operating for about a month. Behind the converted garage is Sears’ new workshop, where the walls and floor are lined with unique lamps, desks, shelves and other furniture that she plans to refinish with her own creative touch. Her particular favorite style is the worn-in look, where a piece is painted, then “roughed” up a bit with sandpaper to give it a slightly-used but classy look.

Sears said she finds her treasures at flea markets, estate sales and garage sales and even discount-retail stores, like Ross and TJ Maxx, where unique items can be found cheap and fixed up.

While Sears said she has always been a creative, hands-on type and enjoyed fixing up furniture and selling it at various boutiques and antique malls around the area, she said she is ecstatic about being able to do it full-time now.

“It’s scary, but so far, so good,” she said.

Aside from continuing to refinish furniture, Sears said she hopes to hold classes in her workshop in the future and start her own paint line with the various colors she has already developed.

“I really wanted to encourage women to be creative,” she said.