This Before & After is so exciting because it really makes you think twice about utilizing interior space. The Hive — a group of creative professionals working in Alexandria, Virginia — decided to lease the upstairs of their row house and transform the front room into a curated paper goods shop called Fifteen/Eleven. The space is open, inviting and bright; I love the idea of working together in a place that feels more like a home than an office and inviting people to join the fun. Wonderful work, Suann! [Thanks to Jeff Martin for these photos] — Kate
Have a Before & After you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)
Read more about Suann’s former townhome turned small paper goods shop after the jump!
Time: 3 months
Basic Steps: Fortunately for us, the space we started with was in great shape from the previous year’s renovations and just needed a few touch-ups. We built off of the charm of our historic row house located on King Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA, and brought in some furniture pieces (e.g., pedestal table, industrial ladder, etc.) and decor that matched our overall classic look but that were also functional. We painted most of our shelving a classic matte black so that they added contrast to our white walls and also so that the products became the main attraction. Our color palette for the store is classic black and warm white with some vintage, industrial metal accents.
Keep it simple. Start with your statement pieces and build off of that. I sourced our pedestal table and a few other statement pieces and everything fell into place. Because our retail space is small, I was very cognizant of making sure it didn’t feel cramped or cluttered. And I also wanted the products to be the main focal point. We pride ourselves on the products we carry and want them to be easily viewed and accessed. — Suann
42 Comments
This is right down the street from me, I’ll have to go!
lovely transformation! such a neat and airy space.
Lovely! What a great idea for a little shop – and King St. in Alexandria is the perfect place for this, too!
How wonderful!
Someday, I want to do something like this with my design studio. Currently, it’s integrated into our storage room. I dream of being able to fit more than just me in there: to be able to have meetings, have clients over, etc.
All without my dog in the room or going nuts!! I”m 100% inspired by this space.
I would love the ‘lollipop’ box! oh and maybe the entire cart as well! thanks for the post!
Lovely!!!
Nicely done–I like how calm and clean it is. It’s obvious that every little detail was carefully considered.
I am such a fan of this store and of Suann. I took her beginner’s letterpress class and it was such a fun experience. I am also pretty sure that I could spend my entire paycheck buying up their cards, notebooks, pretty tape, adorable totes…
I love what you have created in a classic look of warm white with the vintage pieces. The paper and cards really pop off the shelves. What is the paint color name used on the wall?
So bright and happy!!! I love the organization :)
I love this. I tis so inspiring.
It’s so inspiring to see that, with a bit of vision and effort, even the smallest of spaces can become something really exciting.
Beautiful! I love how bright, open, and inviting the space is. I only wish it was closer so I could visit in person.
Wow. It’s really neat to see a business-space before and after here on D*S! I hope one day to visit the shop in person. I’m happy to call Fifteen Eleven a stockist. Seeing the story behind the location and vision for the store is inspiring. I love how the mood of the space they’ve created really makes you understand what it says on the door…”Curated.”
Is the circular “Welcome” sign chalkboard paint? How sweet!
gorgeous!
Yay! I adore Suann and she has such beautiful taste. This is just dreamy and I am so happy for her!
xo
Melissa
wow, thank you everyone for your kind words. the little shop is a dream come true for me and its been so wonderful to get such positive feedback!
and VAL: the welcome chalkboard sign is actually a decal by Shanna Murray: http://shannamurray.bigcartel.com/ (we’re BIG, BIG fans)
-suann
gorgeous … love how clean & simple it is.
I love love love the round shade that descends from the ceiling in the middle of the room. Where did you find that lighting fixture?
Makes me want to buy something. It’s a nice mix of modern and vintage which I like. Living in a modern house (Hollin Hills) I like to mix vintage with mid century modern to add some warmth. With the Old Town house it works in reverse to enliven it and make it look crisp.
Yay! LOVE seeing these photos – big congrats to you Suann. I’m super duper stoked to be a part of your shop and amongst such amazingly curated products. Best of luck on your new adventure!
Suann and her blog have been a constant source of inspiration for me, long before I started blogging myself. Such great style!!
This is AMAZING. I am working hard to eventually own my own boutique and quit 9-5 office life and this is fabulous inspiration!
What a brilliant piece of work, and a great example for others to follow when thinking about converting a household room into a small shop, boutique or maybe an art gallery. The room has been transformed with the use of more natural light, and it’s created a fresh mood.
Wow! Thanks again, everyone, for your kind comments!!
Anne — the drum shade is from West Elm – we got it last year. We love that its big but neutral.
LOVE this!!! I wish I could create a space like that to sell my jewelry.
its even better in person!
I can’t wait to go visit — I’m lucky to be a neighbor!
Susan, this space you have created is beautiful, I would love to come in and look around, and of course I probably would end up buying more than I should. I love stores inside houses(restaurants too!). There is just something special about being inside a house that feels so much more welcoming and personal. I wish I lived nearby so I could shop at your new 15.11.
I’ll be in DC next week for a conference; I will make a point of stopping by! I usually stay at the Hilton down the road so I know exactly where you are. :-)
Suann – Your new shop looks amazing! Congrats!
Saw this shop in person a couple weeks ago when I visited Alexandria for the first time. It’s even better in person! I was really excited to see so many fantastic products I’s never seen before. For a paper junkie….. this place was heaven!
It looks great! I especially like the tabletop black card rack sitting to the right of the fireplace. Where did you get it?
Lovely.
(Really, turned it into “a curated paper goods shop?” As opposed to…an UNcurated one? That word grows tiresome, as does its snooty we-take-ourselves-VERY-seriously air, though admittedly, AT’s MUCH guiltier of it than is D*S — I just don’t want to have to stifle the eyeroll here, too, y’all!)
Hi Suann, do you mind sharing the paint colour(s) that you used on the walls and trim? Thanks!
wow. wow. wow.
I haved passed the building many times…will have to drop by someday! Nice to get a preview.
Beautiful space! What a fun place to shop. I love that wrought iron card display stand. Do you recall where it is from? I would love this in my craft room to hold cards that I have made.
love the space! I know a few others have asked, would you mind sharing the paint color? it’s such a fantastic warm white! and those are hard to figure out sometimes!
I’m so excited that I live exactly five minutes from your store! I just signed up for your newsletter so I find out about and get into your next calligraphy class. Living in a lovely old townhouse in Del Ray, I totally understand the overwhelming task of overhauling the real estate in our area. You did an absolutely beautiful job and I can’t wait to swing by this week and check it out in person!
Does anyone have information on the 3 shelf rolling cart in the last image above. I have been looking for a piece like that to use as a bar.
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