A Conversation with Emily Michelle
CHANGE AN OLD DRESSER. CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Michelle says to look for good quality, such as solid wood, stainless steel, silver and pottery (and check for the maker’s signature on pottery).
If you tuned into HGTV this past spring, you would have seen designer Emily Michelle and her new Blended Living retail space in Strathroy transforming spaces with second-hand treasures. Her own transformation from teenage mother to TV star was part of the narrative.
“I never thought I could be a designer.” She had “an aha moment” when applying for a job and was asked for her high school diploma. She hadn’t finished school and worried that she would never be hired without the diploma.
“Soon after, I painted a used dresser I bought for $15.” Chalk paint was popular at the time, and therefore expensive. Michelle taught herself the technique, including developing her own paint. And sold the dresser for $1,200. “I went from feeling like a failure to immediately thinking I can do this.”
And she did. Starting with a few more pieces of furniture, she eventually opened a space in Lucan with help from her partner and her father. “I always had the support of my family. It snowballed into people asking me to do design.”
Her first design client was a furniture customer who persuaded Michelle to do her daughter’s bedroom. “I had no belief in myself and kept saying no to her.” When Michelle finally agreed, the result was a ballerina-themed bedroom filled with DIY projects. “I loved it. I didn’t know it was possible as a career.” She realized the voice of disbelief was not everyone else’s, but her own. She decided to prove she could do it.
After two years in Lucan, she bought a place in Newbury, but became ill and was unable to carry out her plans. Being resourceful and practical are motifs in her story. She and her partner sold their home and bought a commercial property in Glencoe, moving into an 800-square-foot apartment above it. The plan was to renovate each space and rent out the apartment.
“A month later, I was contacted for the show (on HGTV). It changed everything. It was part of the journey of the show. Now I’m so busy, I really can’t do it all.”
But she almost missed the opportunity. “I received an email from someone who claimed they were from the Property Brothers. I thought it was a scam.” She sent a screenshot to her father, who verified it really was from Scott Brothers Entertainment.
“The initial call — I was so scared. I wore a thrifted shirt and a ballcap.” After a few more conversations, the show was “green-lighted.” Michelle says it was “not about Emily Michelle being, but Emily Michelle learning. I’m not the same person. I have confidence, drive. It brought me back to why I do what I do.”
That reason? To help people make their houses into homes without big budgets. Her own thrifting and DIY skills are a big part of the success. Now she is teaching others how to do their own.
It’s a timely skill as Millennials and Gen Z, concerned with the environment and the economy, have become proponents of reuse and recycling. To share the results of her thrifting and DIY, Michelle opened Blended Living. The name reflects Michelle’s approach to design. “It’s a space blended in design, a mix of every style and blended in price too. There is something for everyone — style or price point. Thrifting doesn’t mean cheap. I started thrifting because I had to. Now multi-million-dollar homes are doing it.”
The store opened on the first day of filming for HGTV. “I was terrified of the camera. The store was full of people, and the camera crew and all our money was into it.”
During filming, Michelle says she listened to customers. An official relaunch of Blended Living on August 22 reflects their feedback. Monthly parties will be held to showcase each new collection and provide a new experience. This provides time to restock.
I painted a used dresser I bought for $15.” Chalk paint was popular at the time, and therefore expensive. Michelle taught herself the technique, including developing her own paint. And sold the dresser for $1,200.
Design projects by Emily Michelle.
Design projects by Emily Michelle.
With the TV show finished, Michelle still juggles the store, her design clients and the commercial property reno. “It’s an overwhelming state. There are some growing pains. The future seems very bright. As an entrepreneur, I feel I’ve spent my life scared of what’s to come. Now I feel at peace. It’s okay. The pressure is less. We can breathe.”
With that confidence, Michelle’s motivation has also increased. “I want people to feel inspired. I’ve heard ‘no’ more than ‘yes’ in life. I don’t want people to think it’s easy. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want people to know that and be inspired. You can do whatever you want. Change your life.”
HOW TO THRIFT LIKE A PRO
“All possibilities become clear when you are looking for something to turn into something else,” says Michelle. Her advice to anyone who wants to try thrifting comes down to three points: keep an open mind; it takes time; and be patient.
She says to look for good quality, such as solid wood, stainless steel, silver and pottery (and check for the maker’s signature on pottery). Bedding can be turned into other items, such as throw pillows. She says you can find 100 percent linen for under $10. Lighting is another good find. “I’m always looking in the kitchen aisle for large-scale bowls to put on coffee tables.”
One of her favourite spots in the area is Second Chance in Strathroy. “It’s my favourite by far. They know everyone by first name and proceeds go to the Christian school. They always have new items.” Goodwill, Value Village, and London antique markets Cobbletog (Exeter Road) and Memory Lane (Southdale Road) are also frequent stops.
“The biggest thing is don’t go in thinking you’re always going to hit the jackpot. I go frequently.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
shoppeblendedliving.com
68 Front St. W., Strathroy • @emilymichellehome
