We have implemented a new display at the Green chair utilizing a dollhouse to show the furnishings a family may receive! By reusing an old dollhouse we have fixed it up with doll-sized “reused furnishings” to show what client could receive with 100 Green Points. The display shows an example of a family of two. The dollhouse is a way we can show clients the potential furnishings they can receive and it also gives us an avenue to show people new to the green chair how the organization works.

Many people walk in to The Green Chair Project assuming it is like any other thrift store. However The Green Chair operates a little differently. Unlike a normal thrift store that receives donations and set them out for public purchase, The Green Chair accepts gently used furnishings that are displayed in the store showroom and are made available to clients in need from our partner agencies. When someone comes in and wants to learn about The Green Chair, our new dollhouse is a great tool to show them how a client has a small buy in to receive a certain amount of points. Inside the dollhouse you can see how the different furnishings are labeled different point values.

The Dollhouse shows the range of items a client can find in their visit at The Green Chair, from household appliances, couches and dressers, to towels, rugs and dishes. Each item has a small tag attached that reveals the amount of Green Points the particular item is worth. It allows clients and caseworkers to prepare to spend their points wisely and resourcefully. This fun addition to The Green Chair will be helpful in the future as we seek to share the process of The Green Chair with clients, partner agencies, and the interested public. Thanks for reading!

BEFORE: The front entrance in its more corporate days

When The Green Chair Project relocated to 1853 Capital Blvd in Raleigh last November, one of the most obvious changes was the very different look and feel of the building.

The Green Chair Project’s new home, formerly the Alfred Williams office interiors showroom, had a distinct corporate office atmosphere.  While The Green Chair Project was enjoying the new finished, professional feel and the many great features, making the space feel homey and welcoming to clients and visitors was presenting a challenge.  So, TGCP started exploring options.  And the idea of a fireplace was born.

The Sears Contract, Inc. team begin work on the wall

Hearth and home have always gone hand-in-hand.  So, the idea of representing the mission of reusing furnishings, rebuilding lives through an entryway fireplace was exciting.  But how to incorporate such a distinct feature and also maximize the space utilization for all the varied activities that go on at TGCP?

After consultation with those volunteering their expertise, The Green Chair Project realized a partial wall would be the best answer.  So, with the support of many donors and volunteers, the dream came true.

Check out this full project photo gallery  and read the story below of how it all came together.

A fireplace was found with the help of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Sears Contract, Inc answered the call for wall construction help.  Sears Contract, Inc. owner, Lynn Sears, visited TGCP and generously offered to donate all of the materials and labor for the metal stud framing and dry walling.  Her crew was fast, careful, and such nice guys!   They did a terrific job.  Following close behind the framers, John Hart, owner of Classic Electric Service, donated his time, skills, and materials to wire the wall.

The ladies of The Flying Fig and the doors they refinished

Retired teacher and overall Renaissance man and volunteer extraordinaire, Jimmy Summerall, joined the wall project and brought with him his material procurement and carpentry skills.  Jimmy teamed with fellow volunteer, Sam Bohanan, to trim the wall with materials donated by Hardin Sigmon, President of Sigmon Construction.  They had a few unexpected challenges thrown at them along the way and, with characteristic patience and problem solving savviness, they made the finished product look extraordinary.

Sam and Jimmy installed French doors, also given by Sigmon Construction, that the ladies from The Flying Fig had so lovingly refurbished and painted.  June Eason and Frankie Remaley used a process involving several different colors and coats of paint that were then sealed with a wax finish.  The result is the gorgeous blue doors that not only look great, but also have a wonderful tactile quality.

The finished entrance area. Beautiful!

A beautiful light latte paint combination, donated by Sherwin Williams paint Store in Holly Springs through Stacey Sherman of Spiffed up Spaces, was rolled on by Site Manager Bryan Yarborough and very devoted Green Chair volunteer Douglas Botting of Zero Waste Today,  The final touch, a decal with The Green Chair Project’s tagline, “Reusing Furnishings, Renewing Lives” was added thanks to Nathaniel Fisher of Sticky Life and the front entrance was transformed.

A huge THANK YOU to all of the great people that made this entrance such a warm and inviting welcome to all that enter!

There is so much to love in this weekend’s Spring Fundraiser Sale that we have found ourselves with every-changing lists of favorites.  Today we offer you a snapshot of a few of our fabulous volunteers with items that they especially love.  Come to The Green Chair Project this weekend and discover your own favorite things!

Preview Party:  Come shop early and enjoy food, beverages, and door prizes!  TODAY, April 26th 6-9 PM, $15 per person.  The first 75 people to purchase tickets will receive a free gift.  Buy your tickets online here or at the door tonight.

Can’t make the Preview Party?  No problem.  The sale continues through the weekend:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost.

100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

To see more sneak peak photos, visit this Pintrest board.  We add new photos often.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, supporters, donors, and shoppers who make this fundraiser sale such a great event.  We appreciate everything you do!

Clockwise: Susan with her favorite chair, Tricia with a menagerie of sweet critters, Karen with a pair of amazing giclée prints. These three volunteers have devoted months to making this sale a reality. They are one powerhouse team!

Clockwise: Liz with a cool art nouveau inspired vessel, Rosie with a beautiful nearly new wicker set, Rachael with the cleverly crafted and pretty upcycled china pedestals; Darius with a statue of David replica

Clockwise: Kaitlin with an Asian folded paper masterpiece, Jack in his favorite green chair, Barbara with a unique antique piece that we know must have a great backstory to match its good looks and elegant lines

Come join the fun at our Spring Fundraiser Preview Party tomorrow evening, April 26th, 6-9 PM.  Catered by At Last…Wedding & Events, wine and beverages, door prices for the first guests to buy tickets, a raffle and more.

Check out the photos below of the beautiful and sophisticated bed donated by Arhaus, available through silent auction and their signature square vase (it can even hang on the wall!) available through raffle.  Mini version of the vase will be handed out as gifts to the first 75 people that purchase party tickets.

Buy your tickets online here or pay at the door on Thursday evening.  100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

Can’t make the Preview Party?  No problem.  The sale continues through the weekend:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost

To see more sneak peak photos, visit this Pintrest board.  We add new photos often.

Come bid on this beauty!

The first guests through the door will receive mini versions of this wall vase. Or win the larger size in the raffle.

This Thursday kicks off the Spring Sale with the Preview Party.   You can be the first to see and shop our curated collection of unique and beautiful furnishings and treasures.  Buy your tickets online here and reserve your free gift, compliments of Arhaus Furniture (for the first 75 people to purchase tickets), or pay at the door on Thursday evening.  100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

We have a selection of tables and desks, ranging from high end, fine furnishings and antiques to more basic models and even an “inner beauty” scratch and dent section.  There are even adorable children’s sets.  Come explore and shop!  To see more sneak peak photos, visit this Pintrest board.  We add new photos often.

Preview Party:  Come shop early and enjoy food, beverages, and door prizes!  Thursday, April 26th 6-9 PM, $15 per person

Sale:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost

a vintage blonde teak with two hide-away leaves and an Ethan Allen round table in cherry finish with two leaves

Whether dainty tea parties, train table fun, or serious art projects, we have children's tables & chairs to fit!

Whether kitschy, quirky vintage is your style or your taste leans more toward mid-century Mad Men sophistication, the vintage treasures at our Spring Fundraiser Sale will provide the most fun and entertainment you’ve had shopping in a long time!  Since we’ve touched on the iconic designer styles in an earlier post, below are a few photos that illustrate a tiny sampling of the additional range and variety awaiting you.

Preview Party:  Come shop early and enjoy food, beverages, and door prizes.  Thursday, April 26th 6-9 PM, $15 per person, Door Prizes for the first 75 people that purchase tickets.  Click here to buy your tickets online today!

Sale:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost.  100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

Atomic Era is at its best in this mirrored curio (top) and the stylized fish tumblers by Fred Press are the epitome of mid-century cool.

Well traveled vintage: Oh, if this trunk could talk...

North Carolina is known for its pottery and you’ll find pieces by local artisans as well as international artists at our Spring Fundraiser Sale, April 26-29 (that’s this weekend!)

Besides shelves of pottery, there is a huge selection of wall art, including original oils, prints, and even a few collections.  The photos below give you just a few examples.  From dainty antique prints to vintage Japanese to very contemporary, there is something for everyone!

Preview Party:  Come shop early and enjoy food, beverages, and door prizes.  Thursday, April 26th 6-9 PM, $15 per person, Door Prizes for the first 75 people that purchase tickets.  Click here to buy your tickets online today!

Sale:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost.  100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

Our Spring Fundraiser Preview Party and Sale are just a week away!  April 26th- 29th, everyone is welcome to come explore the fabulous finds.  100% of your purchases support The Green Chair Project’s mission of reusing furnishings, renewing lives.

Preview Party:  Come shop early and enjoy food, beverages, and door prizes!  Thursday, April 26th 6-9 PM, $15 per person

Sale:  Friday April 27th 10-6, Saturday April 28th 10-5, Sunday April 29th 1-5, free – no admission cost

There are hundreds of great buys, spanning eras and styles, from antique to famous mid-century designers to brand new, never-used items.  Here are just a few photos to give you an idea of the range and variety.  More photos to come!

Antique, vintage, Hollywood Regency, and more!

Iconic styles like Hans Wegner and Franco Albini

The following is a post from one of our young and dedicated volunteers, Caroline. Enjoy! 

Hi. My name is Caroline, and I am a freshman at Ravenscroft School here in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was asked to do this blog post by one of the Green Chair Project’s founders, Jackie Craig, and by the Green Chair’s community coordinator, Kara Curtis. They advised me to discuss topics like what the GCP means to me, and what I have learned from my experiences over the past year volunteering at the organization. After much consideration on my part, the topics they asked me to write about became harder and harder to answer the more I thought about them. I keep asking myself why I am making this so much harder than it should be. Well, after much deliberation I figured out that the answer lies not in my brain, but in my heart.

I remember my first day walking through the doors to the Green Chair Project’s old building and thinking, “Hmm, this looks kind of sketchy.” I may have thought this simply because it was near many warehouses on a side of Capitol Boulevard people normally don’t stop at. However, you can’t judge a book but its cover. After a quick orientation and tour, I realized this is not your normal non-profit. On a closer look, the GCP was the definition of neighborly love in a community. You can clearly see the generosity of many people through the abundance of donations throughout the manicured client showroom. Now, every 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month, I look foreword to going to their new location and joining the army of volunteers at the Green Chair to help pull our neighbors back on their feet.

Caroline receiving a phone call at TGCP

The Green Chair Project has taught me about the different communities around me, and about myself as a person. The non-profit has opened my eyes to a whole other world beyond my school community. I am always amazed at the gratitude every family has when walking into and out of the Green Chair. I step back and think about how much I take shopping for granted, and how special of a time this is for the client after their situation they have overcome. It is cliché, but you really don’t know how much you have until it’s gone. Each time I hear another story of a family who comes in, it reminds me how blessed I am, and how blessed I am to be such a small part in this family’s life. The Green Chair has also taught me to take a step back and listen. Without listening to the knowledge and ideas of the other volunteers, the organization would not be such a successful well-oiled machine. At the Green Chair Project, teamwork = dreamwork, and that dreamwork is what helps our neighbors steer their lives back into the right directions.

Lastly, the Green Chair Project is a true representation of how actions speak louder than words. As I John 3:18 states, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”  The Green Chair is a true representation of how actions speak louder than words. It’s amazing how much this organization can impact lives just by helping families who have come out of disaster, and other tragic situations, furnish their homes. Honestly, right now I seem to be at a loss for words to express the gratitude I have for the Green Chair Project for opening my eyes to so many people’s new, and refurbished lives. There is no question as to why I wake up early on every other Saturday morning anymore because I know that that building, that organization, and that family is where I am supposed to be. I cherish my past experiences at the Green Chair, and I am looking forward to the new ones in my future. Thank you to Jackie and Kara for the opportunity to write this post, and thank you to the Green Chair Project for all that you continue to do in our community.

~Caroline G.

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Everyone has something to offer. One of the many incredible aspects about working at The Green Chair is discovering the different gifts and talents each volunteer brings in.  We rely heavily on our volunteers and would not be who we are without them!  So many people come in, look at our donations, and make beautiful things out of them.  Each volunteer brings something different to the table, and with each contribution, they make The Green Chair Project a little bit more complete.

We have one volunteer who saw our bath towel, curtain, and soap donations,  and decided to make something wonderful out of them. Now every client who needs bath towels walks away with a beautiful basket like one of these:

We also have volunteers who take sheets, blankets, and comforters, and put them together to design bedroom sets. They have amazed us with their creativity!

Some other volunteers looked at our kitchen donations, and decided to make a system for kitchen packs. Clients can get a full set of dishware, pots and pans, and napkins.

Would you believe that this lamp used to look dull and unattractive? One of our volunteers repainted it for us, and gave it some Green Chair Spirit!

We have a new volunteer who started coming to The Green Chair a few weeks ago. On her first day here, we asked her what she liked to do.  She told us that she wasn’t really sure if she had a talent to offer us, but she would think about it. We asked her to start by sorting some silk flowers. Within an hour, beautiful arrangements like this one started showing up in our showroom!

Because of her unique talent, we now have flower arrangements to offer clients when they come in to rebuild a home.

That is part of the magic of the Green Chair. Everyone comes in with their specific gift, and we are changed for the better because of it. How could we manage without the volunteers who are willing and able to repair furniture, paint walls, make signs, wash linens, pick up recycling, or the ones who work tirelessly to organize all our data and information? Or if we didn’t have volunteers to sort donations, organize the warehouse and test electronics?

Everyone has something- where do you fit?  Do you like to organize? We are always getting donations that need to be sorted and organized. Do you like design and arrangement? We are always moving around and rearranging our showroom. Do you like to bake? Last month, Jackie’s neighbor baked some cookies for our volunteers because “that’s what she could do to help”.   Our volunteers are in the business of making beautiful things. We’d love to have you join the team!

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up under our volunteer tab.