Designer Profile: Alfred Shaheen

Q:  What do Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and President Truman have in common?
A:  They were all photographed in Alfred Shaheen signature Hawaiian shirts.

Alfred Shaheen was a textile industrialist credited with popularizing the Hawaiian shirt. He opened his garment business in 1948. In 1952, his business began silkscreening Polynesian and Asian designs onto silk, cotton, and rayon for creating Hawaiian shirts and other garments. According to Time Magazine, “Originally regarded as tacky souvenirs, Hawaiian shirts in Shaheen's hands were raised to the level of high fashion with artistic prints, high-grade materials and quality construction.”

Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, director of community affairs for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu told the Los Angeles Times: "He traveled his team of 'Shaheen craftsmen' around the globe in search of inspiration, and they found it in Japanese lanterns and Tahitian flowers, in Hawaiian bark cloth and Chinese incense sticks. He opened the eyes of the world to beauty beyond their horizons." 

Add a piece of American history and whimsy with these pillows made from vintage Alfred Shaheen fabric. The vibrant colors and floral and Asian-inspired patterns are timeless and will add a pop of color to any room in your house.

Like our Facebook page and shop on Hayneedle or Merchanstyle to snag these special Alfred Shaheen pillows available from Merchanstyle.

Merchanstyle Profile: Maureen

Today we’re putting the spotlight on co-founder of Merchanstyle, Maureen Hoffman.

My love of vintage and up-cycled items started generations ago. My great-grandmother, Helga, was known in the community as a seamstress, upholsterer, crafter and all around creative entrepreneur. Her home was filled with handmade, upcycled items which she taught my mother about while she was growing up. She had a love for turning old, worn out items into repurposed new treasures in the home (at a reasonable price).

While growing up I watched my mother make her own curtains, blankets, wallets, designs, furniture and so many more. When something was broken or worn out the first thought was never, "Where can we get a new one?" It was more like, "How can we fix this?"
 or "What else could we make with this?" That sense of independent creativity has stayed with me and my home.

I, too, redesign rooms, remake furniture into new styles, sew and share a love for vintage and great detail. I love how we at Merchanstyle can inspire this same sort of love and repurposing with our unique vintage finds.

Merchanstyle Profile: Michelle

Today we’re putting the spotlight on co-founder of Merchanstyle, Michelle Boehart.

My love of design and the history of vintage clothing, furniture and home décor started when I attended college for fashion design. Being a “poor” college student, I learned to be creative and upcycle vintage clothes into current/on trend clothing that I would wear. I am all about details, history, and the way an item makes me feel. Whether it is a pair of vintage shoes that has the top tap still on the bottom of the shoe, the silhouette of a lamp from the 50’s or the impeccable craftsmanship on a Kittenger chair, I’m in….all in. 

I have always believed that once you stop learning you stop living and we learn every day at Merchanstyle. I read a quote once that struck a cord with me: 

“Our culture's obsession with vintage objects has rendered us unable to separate history from nostalgia. People want heart. They want a chaser of emotion with their aesthetics.” 

We at Merchanstyle want to be the “Deliverer of Dreams” for all things vintage, upcycled and repurposed.  

Welcome to the Merchanstyle Blog!

Our buyers and clientele know Merchanstyle as “Established Merchants of Style.” A “deliverer of dreams” designed to fulfill a consumer’s desire for vintage, re-purposed or up-cycled home decor & furniture pieces.


Our names are Michelle Boehart and Maureen Hoffman, co-founders of Merchanstyle searching the far corners of the Midwest to curate vintage collections that complete your favorite spaces.

Our vintage finds can be found on sites such as One Kings Lane & Hayneedle as well as other leading national home decor sites. We are also launching a Vintage Vault on this site, so stay tuned for some great finds.

While you’re here, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to get sneak peeks of finds, style inspiration, and stories behind our vintage pieces.