PHOTOS BY Paul Flessland
Chanyce Dahl of Rusty Barn Junque believes in building a home and life you can bless others with by creating an atmosphere fit for royalty. She does this by giving new life to unique antiques and furniture that were thrown out and then she blesses people with pieces to decorate their houses and lives with. Lawn-and-Leisure.com visited with Dahl as she prepared for her Christmas Boutique pop-up shop that was held last month at her home.
When asked about the inspiration behind Rusty Barn Junque, Dahl said, “Rusty Barn Junque started because we actually do have a rusty barn. It is also a working barn since we have a few animals.” This was the third year of running the Christmas Boutique show in their house. Other shows are held outside, in the barn and in the “she” shed, which is complete with electricity.
The “She” Shed
“When we first got this property in ‘91, that grainery was way back in the trees. We then started having some shows out here and, about a year ago Brian, (husband) and his family helped move the shed closer to the barn. Most of our shows are done out there, except for the Christmas Boutique,” said Dahl.
How it all started
Family and home life is important to Dahl. She has five children out of the house and one still at home. She also loves planning events and parties. Dahl said, “It all evolved with the Pinterest world. Because I like doing this, I’ll make 10 of these.” When she traveled to boutiques, she wondered if people would come to hers if she had one of her own.
The Christmas Boutique
This year, there were about 155 shoppers and the Christmas Boutique was 80 percent sold out by noon. Shoppers came from across North Dakota and Minnesota.

Collector of Memories
In a way, Dahl rescues people’s antiques and heirlooms to find new homes for them.
“It is kind of sad. There will be an estate sale or someone dies, and then we come along and they are delighted that someone else is going to take it and love it,” Dahl said.
Whenever Dahl hears someone say ‘Oh, I love it. I know exactly where I am going to put that,’ it makes her happy that it’s going to a good home and that it’ll bless them. If she knows a story that goes behind the item, she also tries to share that with them.
Wedding Goblets
Dahl found a bunch of silver-plated goblets at a garage sale and discovered they were from someone’s wedding.
Family & Home
Once Dahl was preparing her house for the holidays and someone said to her, “You’re preparing like you are getting ready for the king and queen to come.” Dahl responded by saying, “Well, I kind of am because my family is the royal family. They are the most important people to us. To create an atmosphere that is a blessing to them is important to us. Our kids, over the years, brought their friends here and it’s been a place where we can honor and serve the Lord through our home. I’m a believer in Jesus and want people to be blessed.”
When it comes to decorating, Dahl said, “A lot of people think decorating is just for show but it’s really when you just want to serve and show hospitality to be a blessing to other people. I feel like people should not just live an everyday life, but that they should live life every day. So that means the most of every day at your home, or at your job or someplace else, you should live life, every day.”
Dahl’s Decorating Tip
Have things around you that you like and that you enjoy. It really doesn’t have to be what’s in fashion right now, but it has to be what makes you happy.
For more information, contact:
Chanyce Dahl
facebook.com/rustybarnjunque
Spring Boutique will be held on May 5-6. Rusty Barn Merchandise can also be found at booth #58 at the Moorhead Antique Mall.
