A ReFreshing ambiance, indeed
Home and design business offers curated lifestyle collections
To say that Melisa Yale loves fabric, furniture and interior design would be an understatement. It was just about two years ago, in September 2020, when Yale followed through on this passion by opening ReFresh Home and Design in Wolfville.
Launching a new business venture in the midst of a pandemic might seem a daunting task, but Yale says she was not deterred.
“I just jumped in with both feet,” she says. “I figured if I can make it now, I can make it any time.”
After a 25-year career in nursing, Yale was looking for a new challenge.
“I needed a change and this gives me a creative outlet, while also being of service to people,” she says with a laugh. “People will still ask me health questions.”
With white walls and bright open spaces, the 1,000 sq. ft. shop has a coastal, modern farmhouse ambiance.
“It has a lot of neutral colours, which gives it a timelessness,” Yale says. “It’s not a trendy type of store.”
ReFresh Home and Design is dedicated to promoting and celebrating local artisans, female entrepreneurs, fair trade and sustainability. This focus on fair trade practices ensures that her business gives back to communities and entrepreneurs, Yale adds.
“Whether they are artisans, or operating their own company, I am celebrating my sisters by bringing in their products from across Canada and from around the world.”
The shop offers home goods ranging from lighting fixtures to vases, pillows, mirrors and small furniture. Yale curates home and lifestyle collections that use natural materials to help create a neutral style, whether that be modern, coastal or Nordic.
Yale recently redecorated a cottage in Falls Lake. She offers decorating and refinishing services for the home, including dining room chair upholstery, wall treatments with wood trim, refinishing small furniture and indoor painting services. ReFresh can also update wooden stairs by restaining, painting and installing stair runners.
“The style and aesthetics that you see in my shop is where my heart lies, but I have studied different periods in furniture design, so I can work with other styles as well.”
Refinishing vintage furniture is another part of the business. Yale’s garage doubles as a workshop, and she sometimes has to apologize to neighbours for the noise from her orbital sander.
“From time to time we offer found vintage pieces, as well as pre-loved and repurposed items,” she points out. “I buy vintage pieces on Facebook Marketplace and revamp them.”
The sanding, stripping, bleaching and refinishing process is labour intensive but also a labour of love.
“A lot of these pieces were made years ago in Nova Scotia, from solid wood,” she says. “So, it’s a win-win if I can restore one of these.”
These past two years, Yale speculates, have led many people to do some serious reflection and think about what they really want out of life. While launching a new business has its challenges, Yale has no regrets about the choices she has made.
“I believe when you have a passion for something you will be successful,” she says. “I’m excited getting up every day, looking forward to a new day at the store.”