5 minute read
SPOTLIGHT: MICHELLE HOLMAN
Michelle Holman
MEET THE PORCH FAIRY WHO TURNS TRASH INTO TREASURE AND HELPS COUPLES MAKE THEIR HOUSE A HOME
Michelle Holman is passionate about thrifting and drawn to the story of anything vintage as she naturally sees the beautiful worth in the treasure of what others often see as trash. Her passion for thrifting started at a young age with many cherished weekend trips with her father. As a family-oriented momma of four, she is passing this legacy along to future generations and to anyone seeking inspiration within her community. Michelle spends her time thrifting, repurposing, and creating great spaces for her home and the homes of others. Michelle is quick to invite others to her porch to enjoy a glass of tea, but it is usually a bottle of Coke that you find in her hand. In every interaction, Michelle wants people to feel valued and inspired. She is quick to remind people of their worth and inspire them with the truth that it doesn’t take a lot of money to live your most lovely life. Saint Louis Bride had the opportunity to chat with the “Porch Lady,” Michelle Holman of My Thrifted Porch and here’s what she had to say…
After
Michelle’s current front porch out tted for Independence Day
SLB: TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
MH: I live on 12 beautiful acres in the middle of the woods with my husband of 23 years, our 4 children, our 2 Beagle pups, and a plethora of forest animals. Our family of four transitioned to a family of six via two beautiful unique domestic infant adoptions. Garage sales, ea markets, antique stores, thrift stores, and auctions call my name and speak my language. I have a unique gift to see potential and beauty in items that other people discard or view as trash. My greatest regret is turning down an art scholarship for an academic scholarship. Fast forward 20 years…I don’t use my education degree, but I am still creating art each and every day.
SLB: WHEN DID YOU BEGIN SHOPPING AT THRIFT STORES?
MH: My creative resourceful father and I spent just about every Saturday morning of my childhood searching for the next great deal at local garage sales, ea markets, and auctions. It is fair to say that I have ALWAYS been buying used junk with the intention of transforming it into treasure.
SLB: HOW DID REPURPOSING FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS BEGIN?
MH: My husband and I married incredibly young, and we lived on love for many years as we continued our education. Even though money was scarce at best, I was always determined to create a lovely home. Armed with hand me downs, paint, creativity, and a lot of determination, we did in fact build a cozy beautiful home lled with one-of-a-kind items that told stories and sparked creativity. My motto has always been…It doesn’t take a lot of money to live the most lovely life.
SLB: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE NEWLYMARRIED COUPLES WHO ARE POTENTIALLY MERGING HOUSEHOLDS AS FAR AS WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING RID OF FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD DÉCOR?
MH: Carefully examine all your current pieces with a fresh eye. Determine if your furniture pieces are solid wood, family heirlooms, high quality, or hold an emotional connection. Ask yourself if they can serve or function in a new di erent way. Adding a simple curtain and extension rod to an old bookcase can create added storage. That antique dresser could serve as a lovely functional entertainment center. Switch out the outdated art in a beautiful frame with a photo to create something meaningful to add interest to your walls. Consider updating your existing pieces with a fresh coat of paint. Choose neural base pieces (furniture and rugs) adding color and personality with unique accessories. Strive to create a home that speaks to who you are as a couple by choosing to ll it with items that are meaningful and interesting.
SLB: I KNOW THAT I HAVE SEEN SO MANY DITCH THEIR EXISTING FAMILY FURNITURE PIECES AND BUY BRAND NEW. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR MARRYING THE OLD WITH THE NEW?
MH: Pay close attention to the basic style and scale of your existing pieces before making any large purchases. Painting existing pieces will help to create cohesion between the old and new. Consider updating the hardware on your family pieces to match the feel of your new furniture.
SLB: WHAT MAKEOVER ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
MH: The color of our custom kitchen cabinets bothered me for years, but I was so very intimidated with the idea of painting them. After years of excuses and hours of research, I took a leap of faith and painted them bright white. It was such a lovely transformation, and it gave me a renewed sense of con dence in myself and the power of paint!
SLB: WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED PIECE OF TRASH TURNED TREASURE?
MH: Weeks after buying our very rst condo in a suburb of Chicago, I purchased an antique bu et at a local thrift store for $10. While I was at work, my father who was visiting from out of town decided to sand the piece in my freshly painted and spotless kitchen. Today this piece has a place of honor in our home, and it reminds me of my late father’s adventurous spirit.
SLB: HOW DID ‘MY THRIFTED PORCH” COME TO BE?
MH: While quarantined in the spring of 2020, my husband and I decided that we wanted to declutter our home and prepare to send our two teenagers on a once in a lifetime mission’s trip. I merged the two goals and hosted several virtual garage sales on a facebook group that I created. I photographed the items on the porch and o ered porch pick up. One day, I joked that my porch needed its own facebook page, and everyone emphatically agreed. In that moment, “My Thrifted Porch” was born. I now nd myself styling porches all over St Louis for homeowners and real estate agents who a ectionately refer to me as the “porch lady” or “porch fairy”.
