DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710070560

SECTION: HOME                    PAGE: G1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SANDRA J. BARKER, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  258 lines

HOMEARAMA KEEP IT THRIFTY GOODWILL HOUSE SHOWS DECORATING ON A SHOESTRING

FINALLY, A SHOW HOUSE decorated in a style anyone can afford.

The Goodwill House at Homearama is furnished almost entirely with finds that were gathered over several months from Goodwill Industries thrift stores throughout Hampton Roads.

A troop of more than a dozen eagle-eyed volunteers persistently scoured the shops, doggedly repaired, restored and coordinated pieces and finally artfully placed them in the $275,000 show home.

``People are going to be absolutely amazed at what they can find at the thrift store,'' said Sandy Webster, owner of Webster Designs in Virginia Beach and head of the Goodwill decorating project. ``We have been stunned by the quality of stuff that comes in there.''

The house, built by Viola Building Corp., is one of 11 Homearama houses in the newly developed Goose Creek Estates in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. The houses opened Friday night and will be open daily through Oct. 19 for the Tidewater Builders Association's 16th annual showcase of new homes.

``The Goodwill House provides real solutions for families on a budget who still are looking for quality and style,'' said builder Albie Viola.

About 98 percent of the pieces in the 3,333-square-foot house - including sofas, beds, dishes, curtains, tables, chairs, dressers and lamps - came from Goodwill.

The few items not obtained from Goodwill were privately donated or are part of a Showcase of Local Artists. Original sculpture and artwork from the Showcase will be on sale at the end of Homearama, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to Goodwill Industries.

The Goodwill items also will be for sale at thrift-store prices (slightly higher for refurbished pieces), with money going to Goodwill.

The goal in decorating the house was to show that a home could be tastefully furnished without spending a lot.

The volunteers, who humorously call the house ``Imagination Station,'' invented a scenario for an imaginary family. ``We have a young couple who have put all their money into the house,'' Webster said. ``As a result, they have no money to furnish it.''

The group called the imaginary homeowners the Wilgoods, with dad, Josh; mom, Jennifer; son Mike, age 10 or 11; and daughter Elizabeth, age 8 or 9.

Once the needs of the family were established, Webster, who has worked in interior design for 20 years, drew up a furniture plan for the 10-room house.

The first order of business was to find sofas for the family room and living room. ``The style of the sofa has to set the theme for the room,'' Webster said.

An Italian provincial sofa creates a formal mood for the living room. Volunteers covered the sofa with a classic taupe fabric, which is reflected in the taupe of the stacked-stone fireplace in the great room. ``Design and color flows from one room to another,'' Webster said.

The great room has a warmer, homier atmosphere, created by a 7-foot-long sofa, which Webster calls ``cool '60's.'' The armless sofa is covered with a ball-fringed bedspread in a solid, taupe woven material that reflects the home's earth tones. Accent pillows and accessories capture splashes of color in shades of the sky and the sea.

Light streams through banks of windows set into the tall, fireplace wall of the great room. A pair of funky wrought-iron chairs with colorful cushions flank the fireplace. ``It's our little touch of humor, because in really traditional houses, you always have chairs beside the fireplace,'' Webster said.

Elegant, sheer fabric drapes across the wide living room and dining room windows. Volunteer Mindy Gumpert created the long gauzy drape by ripping the lining from more than half a dozen sets of curtains and sewing the fabric end to end.

The major expense of thrift-store shopping is time. ``Sweat equity,'' a term popularized by the TV show ``This Old House,'' best describes the process, Webster said.

Throughout the collecting and refurbishing, Webster's right-hand woman was Marti Newland. Newland had some experience with budget decorating: she had furnished her Norfolk restaurant, ``Coffee Tea & Sympathy,'' with thrift-store finds.

The basement of Newland's restaurant served as a warehouse for truckloads of furniture. Week after week, volunteers pulled furniture up from the basement and worked in the side yard. Armed with rags and odorless turpentine, they wiped dirt and grime from 50-year-old wardrobes and dressers. They scraped, sanded, puttied, stained and painted.

Yvonne McKinney and Jamie Roach, interior design majors at Virginia Tech and Mary Baldwin College, fulfilled their summer internships investing ``sweat equity'' in the project. In addition to other duties, they were responsible for decorating the children's rooms.

A folding screen covers one wall of Elizabeth's bedroom. Painted by muralist Sherri Davis, it depicts a picket fence, intertwined with flowers and topped by birdhouses. The window treatment Gumpert designed features brightly printed squares of cloth hung with clothes pins on a line draped across the two windows. At each end sits a bluebird. Pale chambray walls, a yellow and white gingham spread and shelves of dolls and figurines give the room a cheerful look.

Son Mike's room features denim-colored walls, a baseball theme bedspread and enough sports paraphernalia to start a team. Dark red and blue curtains were fashioned from Goodwill sheets and trimmed with buttons shaped like basketballs, soccer balls and footballs.

Other creative furnishings scattered throughout the house include: a huge wrought-iron, oriental chair used as a coffee table in the great room; a tree stump with a terrarium inside; and a ceramic-tile parsons table in the loft.

``We tried hard to use things in some way other than what they were intended,'' Webster said.

``It has taxed my creative juices,'' volunteer Gumpert added.

This is the first year Goodwill has participated in Homearama, but Richmond Goodwill Industries provided furniture and accessories for a home showcased in Richmond's 1994 Parade of Homes. With a decorating cost of $4,000, that Goodwill House won second place in the category of homes priced below $130,000. The first place winner had a decorating budget of $45,000.

Dave Barringer, director of Brand Management at Goodwill's International Offices in Maryland, thinks the idea of decorating show homes furnishings from Goodwill stores is a great idea.

``We like it because it surprises a lot of people who aren't normally Goodwill shoppers,'' he said. ``They're surprised they can find the quality and variety of items, things you can't buy in the department stores.''

As Homearama's opening approached, the team hustled to get every piece in place. The result is an eclectic and attractive interior that is truly one-of-a-kind.

The average homeowner is not likely to attempt to decorate an entire home from thrift stores, but a piece here and there can offer substantial savings and add variety to any decor.

``The Goodwill house should inspire people to use their own imaginations,'' Newland said. ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP COLOR PHOTOS

Volunteer Mindy Gumpert...

A cozy reading nook...

Graphics

WANT TO GO?

[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]

MISSION OF GOODWILL

Goodwill Industries is a non-profit organization providing job

training and employment for the disabled and disadvantaged.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 187 local,

autonomous Goodwill organizations in North America, with 52

international associate members in 37 countries. It was begun nearly

100 years ago by a Boston minister who wanted to help the poor

without giving them charity.

The first Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads was established in

Norfolk in 1925 and has expanded to nine stores throughout the

Southside and Peninsula areas. The organization also runs a career

resource center where computer and work skills classes are offered

to the disabled. More than $4 million in revenues was generated by

the local Goodwill Industries last year, and 347 people with

disabilities were involved in the program.

Volunteers involved in decorating the interior of the Goodwill

House include: Rebecca Andrews, Gayle Atkinson, Collier Aycock,

Sherri Davis, Mindy Gumpert, John Harrell, Debbie Impervneto, Yvonne

McKinney, Barbara Morin, Alicia Morrison, Marti Newland, Jamie

Roach, Susan Walker and Sandy Webster.

WHERE TO GO

There are basically three types of stores dealing in used goods,

not including antique shops, which aren't always for the

budget-minded.

Here's what to expect at each:

Donation-based thrift stores: These are non-profit, with proceeds

going to charitable causes. All items in the stores are

tax-deductible donations to the organization. Volunteers are often

involved in running the stores. There is a no-return policy at

donation-based thrift stores.

Consignment shops: Individuals bring items to the shop to sell,

and the owner shares a percentage of the selling price. These shops

tend to be more selective in what they accept.

Privately owned shops: The owner buys items outright from

individuals and retains all profits. Some shop owners offer limited

warranties and return policies.

Here's a listing of thrift stores in the area that carry used

furniture and other home furnishings:

South Hampton Roads

Consignment and privately owned

Bargains Are Us, 583-6409; 543 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk;

Mon.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Elephants Galore Inc., 463-2823; 3900 Bonney Road, Virginia

Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.: 1-5 p.m.

Herb's Thrift Shop, 497-0976; 676 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia

Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.: 12-6 p.m.

Janet's Thrift Shop, 456-0922; 800 Baker Road, Unit 160, Virginia

Beach; Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Maybee Pearl's Thrift Shop, 437-0260; 402 Laskin Road, Virginia

Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.: 1-4 p.m.

Neat Things, 480-2406; 8434 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk; Tues.-Sun.:

1-6 p.m., wooden furniture.

Norview Thrift Shop, 858-1970; 6211 Sewells Point Road, Norfolk;

Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Rock-A-Bye Baby, 486-0966; 3501 Holland Road, Virginia Beach;

Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.: 12 a.m.-5 p.m., baby furnishings.

Thriftiques, 424-3685; 1642 Sparrow Road, Chesapeake; Tues.-Sat.:

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Village Thrift Store, 420-7451; 4301 E. Indian River Road;

Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Non-Profit

Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Thrift Stores*; 7

locations; call 587-5437 for info; 1356 E. Little Creek Road,

Norfolk; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.: 12-5 p.m.

Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads Inc.*; 7 locations; call

627-7733 for info

900 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.:

12-5 p.m.

Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, 625-7493*; 1800 Monticello

Ave., Norfolk; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Salvation Army of Hampton Roads*; 2 locations; call 499-0032 for

info; 5524 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 10

a.m.-7 p.m.

Things Unlimited, 428-7841; 501 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia

Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Thrift Store City (for partial profit); 2 locations; call

583-6936 for info

7454 N. Military Highway, Norfolk; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tidewater Thrift Store, 473-1987; American Veterans outlet store;

5517 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Union Mission Thrift Stores*; 2 locations, 366-0316; 4016 E.

Indian River Road, Chesapeake; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

On the Peninsula

Consignment and privately owned

Fran's Good Deal Thrift Shop, 723-8242; 203 E. Mercury Blvd.,

Hampton; Mon.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fred's Thrift & Gifts, 727-0749; 1305 N. King St., Hampton;

Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Roam's Thrift Shop, 247-9162; 2715 Jefferson Ave., Newport News;

Mon.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

2nd Time Around, 599-4325; 9601 Jefferson Ave., Newport News;

Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This-N-That Antique & Thrift Shop, 595-8974; 11218 Jefferson

Ave., Newport News; Mon.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thriftworld, 727-7760; 1927 E. Pembroke Ave., Hampton; Mon.-Sat.:

9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Non-Profit Thrift Stores

Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Thrift Stores*; 3

locations; call 599-5437 for info; 11049 Warwick Blvd., Newport

News; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun.: 12-5 p.m.

Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store, 838-8647*; 4209 W.

Mercury Blvd., Hampton; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sun.: 12-5 p.m.

Family Thrift, 872-8387, small furniture only; American Veterans

outlet store; 3314 W. Mercury Blvd., Hampton; Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7

p.m.

Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads Inc.*; 2 locations; call

380-8504 for info; 120 S. Newmarket Square, Newport News; Mon.-Sat.:

9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.: 12-6 p.m.

Parish Thrift Shop, 868-0357; 487 Wythe Creek Road, Poquoson;

Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Peninsula Rescue Mission Thrift Shop, 827-9800; 6200 Jefferson

Ave.; Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Salvation Army of Hampton Roads*; 2 locations; call 875-1969 for

info 14863 Warwick Blvd.; Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Youth Challenge Thrift Store, 247-6377; 7304 Warwick Blvd.,

Newport News; Tues.-Sat.: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

*Stores offer discounts ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent for

seniors and military on various days of the week. Call the store for

discount day.

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