about

Mignonne, the décor boutique, was established in 2006, by daughter-mother team, Johnelle and Kim Mancha.  

Mignonne has a strong focus on affordable, custom revamped furniture pieces, upholstery, and Interior design.  Johnelle has an art and design background that was influenced by her early years of French schooling and studies abroad in Paris, and Florence. She rescues old discarded furiniture and transforms them into artsy, decorative pieces for the home...giving them a second chance.  Kim has had a lifelong love of France, its history, culture and way of life, and in 2008, she fulfilled her dream of living in France.  She bought a home and atelier in the picturesque Dordogne region, and opened Mignonne's sister shop 'The Bohemians'.

Mignonne strives to provide options of all ranges to our customers.  Johnelle understands what it is like to see and appreciate a special furniture piece in a high-end store or magazine … and long for a way to make it her own!  At Mignonne, customers can buy one of our existing pieces or bring in their own for custom redesign, which helps in keeping cost down for those on a budget!  We want to help our customers have access to beautiful décor that is priced within their reach.  We offer an ecclectic mix of colorful, vintage décor pieces, local artisans, textiles, transformed forgotten and discarded furniture.  Using quality restoration, painterly and artistic designs, we strive to create stand alone furniture that subsequently becomes a new collectible pieces once again.

 
As Johnelle's describes, " the furniture is her blank canvas".  She spends many hours renovating amazing finds that have good bones and interesting features, some go through major repairs, painting and reupholstery.  Each one inspires her differently, and are all named and stamped during the remodel, and the end results are truly beautiful.  

In July, 2009, Mignonne relocated to South Berkeley’s Home District. This move fits nicely with our transition towards our speciality furniture and interior design services.  Branching out into new design ventures, Johnelle, lead designer of Mignonne, has expanded her portfolio taking on both interior and commercial projects.

Johnelle visits France once or twice a year … and the mother-daughter team scours the countryside discovering treasures for both of their stores.