Sarah the Artist
Renewed, restored, reimagined.
Sarah transforms old, forgotten, and often unwanted furniture into strong, functional works of art. She is drawn to pieces others pass over—damaged, worn, or dismissed as ugly—and approaches each one as a story worth continuing rather than something to discard. Through careful restoration, thoughtful design, and meticulous handcrafting, she preserves the history embedded in each piece while reshaping it for modern living.
Every creation is built to be used, lived with, and loved. These are not decorative objects meant to sit untouched, but functional art meant to anchor a room, spark conversation, and invite connection. By reclaiming what already exists, Sarah’s work challenges the idea that beauty must be new, proving instead that it can be rediscovered, strengthened, and given renewed purpose.
Sarah the Artist
Renewed, restored, reimagined.
Sarah transforms old, forgotten, and often unwanted furniture into strong, functional works of art. She is drawn to pieces others pass over—damaged, worn, or dismissed as ugly—and approaches each one as a story worth continuing rather than something to discard. Through careful restoration, thoughtful design, and meticulous handcrafting, she preserves the history embedded in each piece while reshaping it for modern living.
Every creation is built to be used, lived with, and loved. These are not decorative objects meant to sit untouched, but functional art meant to anchor a room, spark conversation, and invite connection. By reclaiming what already exists, Sarah’s work challenges the idea that beauty must be new, proving instead that it can be rediscovered, strengthened, and given renewed purpose.
Sarah the Artist
Renewed, restored, reimagined.
Sarah transforms old, forgotten, and often unwanted furniture into strong, functional works of art. She is drawn to pieces others pass over—damaged, worn, or dismissed as ugly—and approaches each one as a story worth continuing rather than something to discard. Through careful restoration, thoughtful design, and meticulous handcrafting, she preserves the history embedded in each piece while reshaping it for modern living.
Every creation is built to be used, lived with, and loved. These are not decorative objects meant to sit untouched, but functional art meant to anchor a room, spark conversation, and invite connection. By reclaiming what already exists, Sarah’s work challenges the idea that beauty must be new, proving instead that it can be rediscovered, strengthened, and given renewed purpose.
Explore Her Pieces
Pink Ladies
The Pink Ladies draw inspiration from Alphonse Mucha’s The Times of the Day series (1899), blending Art Nouveau elegance with modern whimsy. These once-forgotten chairs were stripped to their bare bones, carefully sanded, washed, primed, and meticulously hand-painted.
Upholstered in a blush of peach velvet, soft as a whisper and rich as a summer dusk, each cushion was lovingly sewn and applied by designer Sarah Merchant. The result is a pair of breathtaking statement pieces that are as sturdy as they are beautiful. Perfect for afternoon tea, curling up with your favorite book, or cuddling your beloved kitty.
Every brushstroke and detail was guided by a desire to honor the chairs’ past while giving them a new voice. The flowing lines and soft palette echo Mucha’s romantic motifs, inviting a sense of calm, femininity, and quiet luxury into any space. The Pink Ladies are not just seating, but an experience, meant to be admired, used, and treasured as functional works of art.
Cat's Meow
These charming dining chairs began as thrift store finds and were thoughtfully transformed into one of a kind statement pieces. Each chair features a hand upholstered backrest showcasing whimsical black cats enjoying Japanese cuisine, one savoring sushi and the other enjoying ramen. The playful yet sophisticated design pairs beautifully with the rich red vinyl seats and sleek gray satin finish frames, creating a striking blend of modern style and cultural charm.
These chairs are designed to be both expressive and usable, blending everyday function with visual storytelling. The illustrated backs invite a second glance and a smile, while the bold color palette ensures they stand out without overwhelming the space.
Every detail, from the smooth reinforced joints to the vivid durable fabric, reflects careful craftsmanship and creativity. Both chairs are fully functional, sturdy. Perfect for a dining nook, café corner, or art inspired office space.
Alice's Gambit
Alice’s Gambit is a striking blend of fine art and functional design, transforming a vintage clawfoot pedestal table into a piece inspired by the mystique of Wonderland. The table was fully stripped, sanded, primed, and reimagined with meticulous care.
The tabletop features an original artwork framed by an ornate baroque border and sealed beneath a high gloss epoxy finish, creating the illusion that the characters are suspended beneath glass. A handmade black and white game board, edged in hand painted crimson and layered in epoxy, attaches securely with hidden magnets, allowing the table to convert easily into a chess or checkers station. When not in use, the board stores neatly on the back, leaving the artwork unobstructed.
Finished in a rich espresso tone with original clawfoot legs, Alice’s Gambit is both dramatic and enduring. Designed and crafted entirely by Sarah Merchant, it serves as a game table, accent piece, and unforgettable conversation starter.
Bombshell Bomber
Bombshell Bomber is a striking fusion of industrial edge and feminine power. The chair features an original graphic illustration on the backrest, depicting a fearless aviator against a backdrop of fire and motion. Wrapped in oxidized copper, the frame carries a raw, timeworn elegance, while hand placed pennies line the arms and legs, adding texture, weight, and an unmistakable metallic rhythm.
The metallic rose gold leather backrest contrasts beautifully with the rich plum painted seat. This piece is a collaboration between Sarah Merchant and local artist Joy Ammatuccio of Sunshine and Chaos Art Studio. Together, they created a chair that balances strength and beauty, history and rebellion, resulting in a functional work of art that feels unapologetic, powerful, and entirely one of a kind.
Winter White Claw
Winter White Claw is a refined blend of softness and strength, designed to feel as luxurious as it looks. Upholstered in an incredibly plush gray fabric infused with metallic silver flakes, the bench subtly catches the light, creating a soft winter shimmer across its surface. The generous cushioning provides exceptional comfort while maintaining its shape and support over time. Beneath the texture is a piece built to last, strong, balanced, and meant for everyday use.
The classic clawfoot legs are finished in crisp white and embellished with metallic silver glass chips, adding a touch of elegance and contrast at the base. Versatile and inviting, Winter White Claw works beautifully at the foot of a bed, in an entryway, or as a sculptural accent in a living space, offering comfort, durability, and understated glamour.
Where Wonderland Begins
Where Wonderland Begins is the piece that started it all, created not for sale or display, but simply for joy. This mixed media chair marks the beginning of an artistic journey, a moment of saying yes to color, texture, and unapologetic self expression. Every inch reflects experimentation, curiosity, and the freedom of creating without rules.
Embellished with playing cards, hand painted tiles, metal wire, pearl beading, and a crowned jewel heart charm at the top center, the chair is layered with story and intention. Gold foiling adds warmth and shimmer, while the seat is upholstered using fabric recycled from an old skirt, grounding the piece in personal history. Wild, whimsical, and completely authentic, Where Wonderland Begins is more than a chair, it is the origin story of an artist finding her voice.
Sarah’s designs can be found exclusively at Elle/K Mercantile in the beautiful foothills of Lenoir, North Carolina.
More than just a storefront, Elle/K Mercantile is a thoughtfully curated space that brings together premium home goods, refurbished treasures, and inspired design. Under new ownership since March 2024, it offers a fresh and modern approach to styling your space, showcasing craftsmanship, creativity, and elevated living.
From customized refurbished furniture to full interior design services, Elle/K Mercantile celebrates individuality and quality. It’s the perfect home for Sarah’s one-of-a-kind statement pieces that are transformed with heart, history, and a touch of magic.
Stop by to explore the collection, discover handcrafted beauty, and find something truly unforgettable.
239 Harper Avenue SW
Lenoir, NC 28645
828-572-2313
thehouseoflora@gmail.com
