Beth Skogen
Old furniture gets new life at Booth121.
It all started with some leftover red paint and an old table. When Leah Robertson repainted that secondhand table almost 20 years ago, she had no idea her new hobby would someday lead to her livelihood. In November, she, along with her sister-in-law Rebecca Aide, opened Booth 121, a Monona boutique specializing in upcycled furniture, home decor, accessories and other locally made goods.
“Our focus on upcycled products strikes a chord with people who are thrifty, green, as well as sentimental,” says Aide. Skirts made of repurposed T-shirts, mittens crafted from reclaimed sweaters and jewelry made from old LPs are among the many items made by local artists. “We truly feel that there is something for everyone here, from kitschy to snarky to sweet to rustic to bright colors,” says Aide. More than 75% of the shop wares are made in the Madison area.
While some items are classic boutique staples — handmade soap, soy candles and Wisconsin-themed screen printed onesies — others are wildly quirky.
Where else in the Madison area will you find a vintage tablecloth hand embroidered with a bevy of Simpsons characters? Or hand towels with the stitched faces of Seinfeld characters?
Where do you turn when you need to award a “Bad Badge” to a friend or relative in areas like “Facebook stalking” or “binge drinking”?
Beth Skogen
Unique stitchery is a hallmark of the store. And for your adult feelings: the truly adult coloring book.
One of the shop’s best sellers right now is adult coloring books, made by an artist in Belleville, Wis. These coloring books are truly “adult”; they feature beautifully embellished naughty words, ready for you to take your anger out on in colored pencil.
Many of Booth 121’s goods are artfully showcased on furniture, also for sale, that Robertson has re-done. Vintage chairs, painted in lime green and orange, sit at a purplish-gray table with a white pattern reminiscent of old tilework. A retro china hutch shines in turquoise blue. An abstract floral pattern, in blues, grays and green, fills the front of an old dresser.
For Robertson, her work is about transformation. “I love being able to take something ugly, that most times is on its way to the landfill, and give it a new life.”
Customers can also arrange to have their own pieces of furniture revitalized. “We like providing an outlet to liven up a piece of furniture that has become outdated or boring,” says Aide. “Madison is a community that recognizes the importance of utilizing the things that are already out there.”
Both Aide and Robertson say they are constantly surprised and inspired by the talented local folks who craft the goods they sell. “It’s so cool to see what people are capable of,” says Aide. New stuff by local artists is being added all the time. “The store is constantly changing,” she adds. “There is always something new to see.”
Booth 121 6203 Monona Dr., 608-286-1230; booth121.com, 10 am-5 pm Wed., 10 am-7 pm Thurs., 10 am-5 pm Fri.-Sat., 11 am-4 pm Sun.
