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Gardening season is upon us!  Angie, one of our regular customers, came up with this ingenious garden border idea using Blue Willow dinner plates, saucers, and salad plates that she’d been collecting.

Angie said, “I hope this inspires someone to use any type of plates, cups, saucers to liven up their gardens around their homes this spring and summer.”

At Mimi’s, we have shelves full of affordable vintage and contemporary tableware that would make excellent garden accents.

What possibilities do you see?  Come to Mimi’s and get inspired!

It’s that time of year again when we all take some time to honor the mothers in our lives. Did you know that Mimi’s Attic is practically dedicated to moms?? It’s True! The ‘Mimi’ in our title is actually business owner Kelly Moreland’s grandmother! So maybe you can’t name a whole business after your mom this year, but you can probably find her something nice at Mimi’s!

Does your mom like to garden? We’ve got loads of garden accessories and vases for her to display her creations in (or maybe a nice bouquet you can pick up for her). Does she like to cook? Our kitchen aisle is filled with like-new appliances and gadgets to aid chefs of all skill levels. Does she light up at the prospect of bringing new life to found objects? Mimi’s is a treasure trove of inspiration! Does she like coffee? We’ve got mugs! Tea? We’ve got kettles! Do you have no idea what your mom likes? We’ve got gift certificates! To top it all off, we even have got gift boxes! Whatever you decide to do for those strong, beautiful, brilliant women, just DON’T FORGET IT’S MOTHER’S DAY!!! This Sunday May 13th, remember the moms!

There’s just something about antique wood furniture, don’t you think? The craftsmanship, the intricate detail, the history; it makes you feel cozy.  At least that’s the way we’ve been feeling since this gorgeous entryway cabinet moseyed out of the past and onto our sales floor.

It’s simply glamorous! Twin candle holders flank its mirror, reminiscent of a time before in-home electricity. Its original hand-crafted drawer pulls still hang delicately from the facade. It is sure to add drama to its next home and at $300 it’s practically a steal. Come take a look!

Here at Mimi’s, we’re always interested in creative storage solutions.  If you’ve been searching for new ways to store your jewelry and other small items on your dresser or nightstand, then we’ve got just the thing for you!

We’ve got plenty of baskets, vintage candy dishes, and kitchen utensils that can all be re-purposed as attractive and unique small storage.  Imagine the possibilities!

Another creative solution by a Mimi’s customer…

Haley transformed this old wooden crate into attractive, rustic shelving for spices.  She got the crate and spice bottles at Mimi’s, all for under $20!

We’re always inspired by the creative projects our customers undertake.  Thanks for sharing, Haley!

We may be experiencing a late winter chill in Ithaca, but here in Mimi’s it’s nice and warm!  Cozy furniture and warm blankets are just the beginning.  We’ve also got all the equipment to please any hot beverage enthusiast.

For coffee lovers, we’ve got percolators ($15-$32), coffee and espresso makers ($10-$60), carafes ($6-$8), French presses ($35 with mugs), and mugs both large and small (starting at $1).

If tea is your drink of choice, then Mimi’s has plenty for you, too!  We’re fully stocked with both ceramic and silver teapots ($4-$24), china tea sets, cups with matching saucers (starting at $1), and cream and sugar sets ($6-$10).

Curling up with coffee and a good book?  Setting a table for tea for two?  Come to Mimi’s to find everything you’ll need!  As always, the possibilities are endless.

When you see an item that needs a little work, you may see an obstacle. Here at Mimi’s Attic we encourage you to see opportunities instead! One of our regular customers, Ruth, is a master of this idea. When she saw these dining chairs, instead of focusing on their tattered seats, she saw their potential. They had great curves and the wood was in pristine condition. Using some beautiful floral fabric she had, she flipped these chairs in less than a day! Just think of what YOU could do with a staple gun & a little imagination…

Here at Mimi’s Attic, we’re all about finding new uses for old trinkets. Ever seen these glass bulbs on the ends of old power lines?  They were used to insulate the wires, but we think they could make a nifty candle holder, don’t you? Check out this great idea from The Ivy Cottage . With just a little wire from your local hardware store and a pinch of elbow grease, you can add ambiance to any decor. Perhaps add some beads to really make them your own. Maybe go crazy and make a whole chandelier! The opportunities are endless. Hang them from your porch or patio, sip some lemonade, listen to the chirp of far off crickets, and bask the soothing aqua glow of your funky homemade candle holder.

This stylish shag rug made it all the way to Ithaca from Greece. It is an authentic flokati rug made to last generations. Ours is the traditional cream color, all wool, and in great condition. It can be vacuumed with a suction attachment and washed with cold water and mild detergent. It looks great with our classic leather sofa, but it can add great texture and style to modern decor.

Store owner, Kelly, has been on a DIY kick lately, re-wiring some funky vintage lamps. She was also inspired by this recent Apartment Therapy idea. Using a pendant lamp kit, available at most major home/hardware stores, some basic tools, and a globe. There are three vintage globes (two shown above) are at Mimi’s now if you are in the mood for a project! See the directions here for the complete details. A world of possibilities await!