Shabby Slips leader and owner C. Renea Abbott was educated in NYC and had a great mentorship with the old guard design firm, Irvine & Fleming, who worked in the White House back in “Camelot Days.” Next, helping Mrs. Onassis in NYC, as well as most of the well-heeled of Manhattan. After a decade of NYC, she ventured to Los Angeles to assist various rock-stars, and hockey great Wayne Gretzky and his new bride, Janet Jones, with their new Los Angeles digs. At this time, the idea was born for Shabby Slips.

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Renea and her mom, Barbara Carlton, started Shabby Slips in 1991. Renea commuted from Houston to Los Angeles for the first two years, hedging on a Texas commitment. The two hired seamstresses, Barbara learned how to sew, and they set out to open the first custom slipcover shop. They were well-received from the start and soon started manufacturing upholstery and buying fine antiques all over the country. This went on for 10 years while Shabby Slips flourished in all aspects of decoration.

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They broadened their antique scope and have continued to travel, collect, purchase and import high-quality products from Europe and all corners of the globe. Shabby Slips is now almost 25 years old and has nourished a plethora of designers that have built great design businesses of their own.