Meet Liz Carrino, Owner of Not Too Shabby

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

One of the many inspirational messages one will find on display while browsing through , the place to go for vintage furniture and other romantically pretty decorative items for the home. The quote is also one that owner Liz Carrino holds dear as it relates to her love for restoration and creativity which is what her business is all about.

“I love transforming stuff. Taking something that is timeworn and making it beautiful again,” Carrino says. What started as a hobby is now what she does 7 days a week.

Carrino always decorated her home with items she’d find in flea markets or hand-me-downs which she would refinish herself. She said many people continuously told her to do it professionally. When her father passed away a few years back it made her think about short life really can be and that one really does have to go after what one wants. She had begun feeling less inspired through her day job in the garment industry and found it was time to open her own shop. That was four-and-a-half years ago and has been doing this ever since.

Although she keeps the shop open three days away, she is still working on the business 7 days a week. It takes time to find items she says. She may go through estate sales, flea markets, and such and not buy a piece if it doesn’t fit her look. She looks for pieces that specifically fit her style which she refers to as “shabby chic,” feminine, pretty and romantic. Much of which is from the Depression era, pieces that have a lot of detail.

She points to two restored pillars which both have a piece of decorated railing attached to it which she said once were part of someone’s porch. These are some of the items that one can decorate with. It’s art, she says. A different type of art that speaks to her more than a painting would.  

Upon walking through her shop one will find a lot of vanity sets, which Carrino says is one of her biggest sellers. Some of them feature hand painted floral patterns a painter she works with designs. Every item is custom and she will have a piece repainted if a customer prefers another color.

Carrino emphasizes that the shop does not just feature furniture. She carries various other items that all add to the romantic design. The shop is full of plagues, frames and paintings featuring the many inspirational quotes and sayings which add to the décor. Mirrors line the walls and chandeliers, tea cup sets, and tables all which fit the setting are on display.

She also carries picture frames, candles, handmade scarves and charms and even some handmade jewelry. She supports other artists as well. She carries tea pots and sets made by artists who uses vintage materials. She also carries jewelry items made by a woman who takes old jewelry pieces and reconstructs them into bracelets.

Shortly after she opened the shop she began to get requests from customers for interior design work which she does as well. Everything she offers is customized and her own personal service comes with it. More information about her work can be found at her website.