It’s Her Rusty City. We’re All Just Livin’ in It: Meet Libbie of Rusticity Decor

If you live in Richmond and have seen a girl rocking a bob of blonde curls, vintage cowgirl boots, and a “bo-ho mono”, it was probably Libbie.

If you’ve seen this girl rummaging around in a dumpster…then it was definitely Libbie.

Libbie is hard to miss. She and I first met when we worked together at a marketing agency here in town. Immediately, I liked her. How could you not? She opened the door in our stuffy office and, like a bouquet of fresh sunflowers, brought new life into the room.

As I got to know her over the next several months, I learned she was full of homey expressions and gumption. She was never afraid to speak her mind. And she stood up for herself and her thoughts with a candor that left me simultaneously aghast and in awe. I have admired her ever since and drawn on her as a role model at times in my life when I needed to remember who I was and to do my own trailblazing. In fact, Libbie is a large part of why Pink & Petrichor is around today. Thanks, Libbs!

Sadly for us but fabulous for her, Libbie only worked at the agency part-time. Her true passion lied with her company Rusticity Decor, a vintage up-cycle and event styling company born out of her passion for all things vintage.

Made, Found, Reimagined

It all started when Libbie and her boyfriend bought a house. We all know how fun it is to find the perfect pieces of decor and turn a house into a home. To put together the elements of a story. And Libbie had a real knack for decorating. Even when her house was full, she continued to buy interesting items and give them a little bit of love and turn them into one-of-a-kind pieces and sell them to others.

“At first,” Libbie recounted, “I turned random pieces into pendant lights – like an old galvanized fish scaler or rusty chicken feeders.” She had her sister take some photos and Libbie sold them at a handmade boutique in Carytown. Eventually, she was able to rent a space at a local antique mall. “I always say it’s a rustic take on bohemian style,” says Libbie, “I like the look of salvaged wood and chippy paint! I love rust and patina. It gives character. It’s always fun to juxtapose industrial pieces with bright colors and natural elements.”

In the spring of 2013, Libbie was working full-time at a branding agency when she and her boyfriend took a trip to Italy. That trip opened her eyes to a different way of living. Pursuing your passions is part of the Italian way of life – I mean, you don’t get all that art, opera, and to-die-for pasta without passion.

“I just wanted to do something I was passionate about.” Libbie said. “I feel like that’s what you’re put on this earth to do. Life is really short and I just wanted to “work to live” instead of “live to work” which is how the Italians live.” When Libbie returned to the U.S. she worked tirelessly to make her business legitimate and made it a part-time job! Today, Rusticity Decor is the place to go for all your upcycling and vintage styling needs. From an old laundry cart turned table to jewelry handmade from skeleton keys and clock parts.

“I’ve always had an extraordinary imagination,” says Libbie. “So I’m really good at thinking outside the box and seeing the potential in what most would consider ‘junk’. It’s the ultimate recycling! I love the thought of turning trash into treasure using my creativity and saving something that would otherwise be in the dump.”

Pretty soon, Libbie was setting up shop at local vintage and handmade markets. And that’s where she really flourished. It was heaven to be able to meet and to talk to customers, telling her story and the stories of her reimagined treasures. She also met folks who were doing their own upcycling and who shared her passion. They became a solid network she lovingly deems her “tribe”. When asked if she could impart anything wisdom to those reading this, Libbie had this to say, “It’s never too late to follow a passion and learn something new. I’ve made it my goal in life to love what I do and learn every day.” Don’t be afraid of failing, she urges, be afraid of never trying.

Here are a couple of Libbie’s handy upcycling hacks:

You can use rope as a unique trim idea.
A dremel tool is your best friend when it comes to rusty bolts.
When you find something old, but you don’t like the color – paint it another color and then sand the hack out of it – boom! – instant patina!
When a piece is really heavy and you are by yourself – just tip it end over end (like it’s a wheel) to move it or get it into a vehicle or wrap it in old blankets and slide it across the floor.
Measure twice, cut once.
Save the bits and pieces – they make for great additions to a gallery wall!
Always clean a piece of furniture with Krud Kutter before you paint it – it helps the paint stick.

Lost & Found

Libbie’s roots played a huge part in the person she is today. “I grew up in the country and had a humble upbringing. Not having a lot of money means you have to get creative. I also just liked having unique pieces that nobody else has. That’s just how I grew up.” Libbie said of her childhood. “On a rainy day, my parents would pile us all in the family van, and we would go antiquing together.” It’s so easy to picture little Libbie, asking sellers about their wares.

Libbie’s parents have been a wellspring of inspiration. Even as an adult, she still spends many of her weekends back home with her sisters on the family farm. She described her mother as extraordinarily handy and a brilliant decorator. Her father, too holds a special place in her heart as her inspiration and teacher.

“He was super handy and believed in making the most of what you have.” For Libbie, her father was a security blanket, he always seemed to know what to do and how to do anything. It was he who passed down much of her DIY know how. When he was lost in 2017 to brain cancer, her whole world turned upside down. “But I think my dad is proud of me,” she said, love in her voice. “The world keeps on spinning and I have had to learn how to do things on my own. My confidence has grown, and I’ve learned that I can do hard things. So, yeah, I think he is very proud of me.” Libbie’s father was a poet. And I was honored that she shared with me one of his works which I have shared with you all below.

One Happy Camper

Perhaps the grandest example of Libbie’s gift and grit is her vintage camper. The year her father passed, a friend saved a small camper from a salvage yard. Though this friend had every intention of fixing it up herself, life got in the way, and she asked Libbie if she wanted to buy it from her.

“My dad and I had always talked about renovating a camper together. But, without my dad around, I was hesitant to take on such a project by myself,” said Libbie. It’s hard for me to picture Libbie hesitant to do anything she had a mind of doing, but such a deep-cutting loss affects us in ways we don’t anticipate. Nevertheless, Libbie partnered with another friend and they decided to fix it up together. I guess, sometimes all you need is a friend to keep you on the track of what’s worth doing.

For nine months, after work and on weekends, in between cocktails and plates of charcuterie, the pair fixed up the old hunk of junk into a real showstopper. “It was a total gut job. We ripped it down to the frame and built it back up piece by piece,” Libbie remembers fondly. “And I have never been so proud of anything in my life. ” The camper in all of her bohemian glory can be spotted at various vintage markets and campgrounds across the East Coast.

In fact, while set up with the camper at Luckett’s Spring Market, Sue Whitney, the author of Junk Market Style and a personal hero of Libbie’s was also vending to promote her new book about she sheds. Yes, a book all about she sheds!

“When I was first getting into the business, I would pour over her books,” Libbie said. “Not only did I get to meet her and have a great conversation, she ended up filming a live interview with me in front of my camper where she told me that I inspire her! We did a photo shoot together in the camper and she even invited me to Pennsylvania to participate in her vintage market. Such a proud moment!”

Gypsy Prom Barn Dance

Another one of Libbie’s passion projects is the Gypsy Prom Barn Dance. I attended last year (fall 2019) and, let me just say, I have never experienced anything like it.

The concept of a gypsy prom was thought up by the Junk Gypsies in Roundtop, Texas though there it goes by the name Junk-O-Rama Prom. The rootin tootin antique extravaganza is held during Antiques Week every spring and fall. It began when the junk gypsies bought a bunch of old prom dresses for $10 a pop and thus decided to throw a party. In the past ten years, the Junk-O-Rama Prom has grown to about 2,000 attendees.

Having always dreamed of going, Libbie decided to host her own gypsy prom with her own spin. This past fall it was held at an amazing barn venue in the country just outside Richmond. Everyone got dressed up to whatever gypsy prom junkin’ barn dance meant for them. There were boho monos, glittery prom dresses and tulle piled higher than cupcake icing. Overalls and fur vests, denim jackets and cowgirl boots. As someone who loves to accessorize to a theme, I was beyond excited. I settled on a sunflower sundress and floppy sunhat with a lace kimono, lots of jangly, tassley jewelry and my trusty Justins.

Buskey Cider was plentiful and poured by the most delightful travelling bar I’ve ever seen. Richmond is beyond blessed to be one of the homes to Kombi Keg. Norma Jean, an aqua Volkswagen Bus is the star of Kombi Keg. She comes to weddings and other special events with beer, wine, and other libations on tap. And you bet your ass she was at Libbie’s Gypsy Prom. (Because Libbie can make anything happen.)

With drinks a’flowin, a live band, and a campfire blazing we danced the night away under the stars. Check out this cool clip from last year’s Gypsy Prom…

If you’re interested in attending the 2020 Gypsy Prom Barn Dance, the next one is happening on October 24th. Make sure to get on the list by RSVPing here. I know I’ll be there.

And, if someone wanted to purchase one of Libbie’s items, they can visit her booth at RVA Antiques in Lakeside or come to any vintage market she was participating in. (Make sure to follow the Rusticity Decor Facebook and Instagram for updates! Items for sale and rent are also showcased on her social media and Facebook Marketplace. If you’ve got an event like a wedding coming up or are interested in throwing down your own shindig, check out her rental pieces on her website or shoot her at email at libbie@rusticitydecor.com. She also offers event styling and day-of event coordination. Having seen her in action, I’d definitely recommend her.