Cameo Bliss Designs

2013-04-10T15:46:00.003-07:00

Updates and 'where the hell have I been?'....;D

Hi There!

First off, how happy are you that winter is finally OVER? I sure am :) I discovered that I really don't like to work in the cold (my workshop is my garage) and so I kinda took a breather from Nov-March. Things slowed at the antique mall as well so I took on more client work instead to fill the time. That always has a different set of challenges and what the customer wants is total priority. All else kinda gets pushed back until those jobs are done, however I won't be taking on anymore now that I'm back to stocking my own inventory. I did get to do some fun stuff for 2 different wedding planners, refurbished a couple dining sets over the holidays and got to tackle a small roll top desk for my neighbor-that was actually really fun:) Then after all that I just wanted to stay warm.

Now that the tempertures are rising again, I've gotten back to my own projects which I am very excited about. My mom flew in from Seattle last week and we tackled Round Top again, not alot of deals (as usual) but always inspiring.

Mom and my youngest, our assistant shopper that day ;)

I am also in the process of moving into another antique mall, this one is in the famous SoCo district of Austin at Off the Wall Antiques which has been there for over 20 years. I'm so proud and excited to be joining their family of dealers!! We should be all set up and settled by end of April so come check it out if you are in the area at 1704 S. Congress Ave, Austin.

Once that move is complete, the hubs and I will be moving our family to a different house...I can't even begin to process the amount of work ahead of me but I know it will all fall into place!

After the dust has settled (or perhaps in between packing boxes) I will post some fresh inventory in my etsy shop as well....it's back to business! xo

A Tale of Two Hutches...

2012-10-31T13:54:00.004-07:00

Happy Halloween!!! I have to admit, it is my FAVORITE holiday. Picking out costumes with the kids, going house to house trick-or-treating...and decorating my own house like it's being attacked by giant spiders! Always a good time in my book :D Although deorating is getting more and more creative with the onset of Pinterest, I've gotta step up my game next year.
Hope you and yours have a fun, safe and Happy Halloween :) Here are some pics of ours last couple years;

Halloween 2010-love how color coordinated they ended up!

Halloween 2011 ( disclaimer: I made my husband put cat ears on for pic:p)

He later switched to a brain sucking spider-much better!

Kids with 'Skully' our beloved skeleton who has been with us for as long as long as they have! That's a black rose we tuck into his mouth. He usually kicks back on the front porch for Halloween.

But this year he's excited to be hangin' out in the bushes.

Okay, on to furniture: Finding a decently priced hutch is difficult and often they are too large or do not come apart from the table or cabinet they sit on making it impossible to transport without renting a truck. The older, prettier ones usually have the shelves affixed as well, so painting every nook and cranny is more challenging. But I managed to find this one on Craigslist (of course). It was in two pieces and was much newer. It also had a particle board backing which was a disappointment but was still sturdy and in fine condition so I went with it. You can always replace the backs with something cut to size from the lumbar section of your hardware store too, I was just being lazy.

This is a good example of when to use chalk paint, the real thing or making your own. A newer piece like this, begs for something more of a matte finish to add age to it. You could use a matte latex as well, but I was concerned about how well a latex would adhere to this piece due to it's slick surfaces. Lots of prep work (deglossing and/or sanding) was avoided by making chalk paint this time. Another key technique is glazing, which I did all over. The lines on this were so simple-very little detail, so adding a glaze brought out the crevices, curves and made it look less 'contemporary'.

I removed the original wood knobs, and replaced with cut glass and brass ones.

Well, it must have worked-I sold it to a famous movie director currently shooting a western here in Austin!! It's going to be staged in a candy shop where some scenes will take place. I am so excited! Although I was kinda bummed it won't enjoy a nice, quiet new home displaying someones treasures. I wonder what happens to movie furniture once they are done with it? Now I'm on the look out for some old apothecary jars for him to place on the shelves....anyone with a tip please let me know?:)

The second one is another contemporary piece I picked up off craigs. Even more simple than the previous one, but it was solid pine and having the 'beadboard' look with the planks was something I thought would be so adorable when finished. I painted it in a stark cool white to give it a beachy/cottage feel and distressed it. No glaze and no wax on this one, just sealed it with varathane.

Photo from the craigslisting

I picked up the chicken wire basket at Marshall's.

Lots of storage options!

To me this piece seems really versatile in that I can totally see it in a bathroom storing towels, pretty soaps, etc, or in a kitchen displaying teacups and old silver, or even as an entry way console for keys, bags and backpacks. I just love it, however it doesn't 'fit' our homes style so I must let it go.

Alright off to trick or treat-have a great night everyone, no matter how you celebrate! XO

Louis XVI Chairs-Learning upholstery

2012-10-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall to Y'all ;)
It's so nice to have some relief from the blazing sun, however it is still in the upper 80's and quite humid here. But the mornings are cooler and the breeze is back so while I'm not able to bust out the riding boots, jackets and scarves (well I could but I'd look like a crazy person), it's a nice break.

This post is long overdue-I took an upholstery class over the summer at the Austin Upholstery Studio that was AWESOME! It's taught by two accomplished upholsterers (Mike and Paulette) who run their own shop where the class is taught. They keep the class sizes small so it's really fun and I met a lot of wonderful people, all of whom had a different reason for wanting to learn upholstery. You can bring any kind of furniture piece too, from a stool to a couch (however you probably won't finish that couch within the 6 wk class time) I chose to redo a couple Louis XVI antique chairs I picked up last year that have been collecting dust in my garage. I won't get into too much detail on how-to's as you can find many tutorials online already and I didn't take pics of every step unfortunately.

First we had to strip them, which I did mostly at home. These were stuffed with hog hair! What they used back in the day.

All stripped and ready to be painted-I painted them in an antique white before taking back in to the studio.

I think I have mentioned somewhere (etsy, facebook, or maybe here on this blog) that many of my family members are painters (artists), upholsterers, seamstresses, and antique restorers. So by osmosis I guess, I picked up a few things-including the confidence to attempt some of these. But WOW, do I know my limits, and upholstery is definitely one of them. It takes so much patience, skill and diligence. I more than a few times felt like I had gotten in over my head, and it didn't help that I picked one of the most difficult styles to reupholster :p

These chairs had springs in them, which are completely hand tied and meticulously retied with twine until all are sitting straight, pulled down to different heights and tensions, and tightly connected to each other...all to create the perfect curve and support of the seat. My fingers were raw after the first hour and it took almost 6 hours for me to get the first one done :[

The blue tape was to mark the direction all the springs were to be facing.

You then cover with burlap and begin the process of creating a seat-something I didn't get pics of but it's lots of foam, edge-roll and poly filling.

That's Mike, one of my instructors helping me decide how to do the corners.

Once the class was over I still had homework to do; affix the welt cording with a glue gun and reapply wax to seal the frames.

And Voila! Ready for a new home :)

I just love the details these chairs have!!


Dark wax helped to showcase the lines and curves better.

Well that's how I spent some of my summer. I still have 3 more of these beauties waiting to be redone, it may be until next summer before I get the courage to try again though! We'll see. Thanks for reading, more soon! XO

Latest using latex and chalk paint

2012-08-29T15:46:00.002-07:00

Big deep breath...exhale....the kids are back in school...YIPPEE!!!! Finally some down time, finally some cleaning that lasts, well, for 8 hours at least. Sit down, catch up on your magazine subscriptions, go for a walk, exercise without needing sitters, grocery shop without needing the Cadillac sized carts, go back to work without needing to pay for childcare, etc. etc.
It's all good until homework starts :)

I have a few projects I worked on over the summer, and some just this week that I thought I would share. Some were done using Latex, some with Chalk Paint and I will group them that way to help give a visual as to the differences. See my previous posts where I talk about the differences and my personal tips for working with each.

I picked this dresser up via craigslist from a woman who let her teeny Teacup-Yorkie bite the heck out of my ankle while I was introducing myself. It didn't hurt but I was a little taken back when she didn't stop it. Then she had the audacity to tell me there was no way this was going to fit into my van and I was wasting her time...a-hem. Luckily her husband came out and swiftly replaced her to help me load it into my all too roomy, more than accommodating Odyssey! He then explained their 26 year old son was finally moving out, and they were selling his stuff. O-kay, all was forgiven.

I'm still in search of the before pic, and I KNOW I have it..but here it is, in a nordic blue latex, after:

This sold to a med-student moving into her new place. Her sweet parents picked it up for her along with her 2 dogs and cat inside the trucks cab and a washer/dryer in the back! In my head I thought 'this is your future'. I hope I can do it with as much energy as they had! ;D

I love me some deco, I know it's not so popular these days but it is so unique and if you can stay true to the style when refurbishing it then you will always find a buyer. This was a waterfall style vanity that I was anxious to try a turquoise on. It sold to the perfect person for it too!

I applied a dark wax to the details to make it look authentic and aged.

The wax warms up the brightness of the turquoise and makes it look like it has all been there for years.

I just finished the below set today-we are having a big labor day sale at the Antique Mall and I wanted to get some new stock in. I used latex, in a robin egg blue shade that I am fond of. I recovered the seat this morning, distressed it all, sealed it, loaded and unloaded it. I've earned my glass of wine tonight!

Perfect for a little or big girls room :)

Highboy Dresser with crystal knobs

Matching vanity with mirror, original stool.

And here are a couple chalk paint vanities I did this summer. I have to share the story of this first one...I picked it up from a guy who travels a lot for his job. It took weeks to schedule a day to see it. He said he was selling it for his buddy who had moved with his girlfriend, out of state. He was simply the middle guy, and his buddy was asking $100 for it. Well when I showed up, it was covered in melted candle wax and missing some of the hardware. When he couldn't get one of the drawers open, he took a butter knife to cut through the wax and jostle it open. When he did, we found one very large...how should I say it....adult toy. I swear, honest truth. I immediately bartered for 1/2 off the asking price.

Before (that drawer was being 'sanitized' when I took this!)

After-Good as new!!

More dark wax along the edges, legs and details.

Okay, shake off that last story. So here is another vanity (not much variety in this post I know!) but college students are getting settled this time of year, so desks, vanities and dressers are in demand. Plus they are just so fun to do and I really love meeting the 'kids' that come to buy them. I used Annie Sloan chalk paint on this one as well, but this time used a glaze (wood stain mixed with a glazing agent) to darken and age it a bit more. Click on pics for more detailed images.

Original stool, recovered in a textured velvet.

Anthropologie crystal knobs with gold accents-so pretty!

That's all for now-my 8 hour break is officially over ;) I'm off to feed, bathe, and practice writing with my future college students (fingers crossed!!!) :D
Cam

Part Three-Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex

2012-08-09T14:49:00.004-07:00

Part One-Milk paint
Part Two-Chalk paint
Part Three-Latex

Latex, Latex....how do I love thee? Not just any latex though, as all are not equal. The wrong Latex can be a rubbery mess sometimes that doesn't adhere well or will scratch at the slightest scrape of a nail. But a good brand of latex applied properly can achieve anything! While chalk paint or milk paint would help a piece achieve a certain look easier, all can still be created with latex. You can distress it, glaze it, chip it, wax it, clear coat it, etc.

There is oil based or there is water based, and you can use either for furniture. I like to use water based latex because it's odorless (almost) whereas oil based latex smells toxic immediately. Water based latex washes off your skin and other surfaces easier, and it also dries much faster. I have only had problems with it when I have bought a can of 'oops' paint (paint mixers mistakes, usually in a gallon size that sell for 7 bucks-beware of these!) or if I hadn't mixed and remixed it enough between uses.

I have used a few different brands of latex and I will say that by far my favorite (I am NOT getting paid to say this, it's strictly my personal opinion) is the Behr brand sold at Home Depot. Valspar isn't bad, but on occasion it's had more of the 'rubbery' feel to it and takes more paint to cover a piece at times (not to mention it took DAYS to get it out of my nose ;p sorry but it's the truth). I have had both negative and positive outcomes with Glidden for the same reasons. Martha Stewart's brand is really nice too, though I think it's being phased out in the stores?

No matter what brand you use, make sure you let latex dry completely before doing any other techniques with it. It's a good idea to wait 24 hours if one to two coats were done, 48 hours if 3 coats were applied before you distress or seal it. The reason being latex, by virtue of it's rubbery nature will shrink and expand depending on the climate until it's fully cured. In fact, latex takes a good month to cure completely, so if it's going to be a highly used piece of furniture (like a dining table or chair) let it sit in your garage or a low traffic area long as you can first. It doesn't have to be a month, but the longer the better for the finish to hold up. Just my two cents.

Some other benefits of Latex are....

You can distress it easily;

Click on the pics to see better detail

Chair and table were both water based latex and distressed.


Example of the distressing on latex

Desk painted with interior latex and distressed with a fine sanding block.

You can wax it
This little table was painted with 'Creamy White' which is a dead-ringer for 'Old White' by Annie Sloan (you're welcome) by Behr and then sealed with a clear wax. I then added some age back to it by applying a dark wax onto the carvings and along the edges;

Before Dark Wax:

After Dark Wax:

You can give it a 'Chippy' look;

I used Glidden brand on this desk, then scraped the paint off.

I use butter knives, scrapers, whatever I have on hand.


This was a moderate chippy look-you can be much more aggressive with it and peel more back.

Glazing it is easy;

I don't always like to glaze with chalk paint as the dry 'stone' like texture of chalk paint can soak up too much to quickly. You don't have that problem with latex though and can control the application of it. I have glazed it with watered down stain, or a stain mixed with a glazing agent. Both work great!

I used stain mixed with a glazing agent and wiped all over for a subtle yellowing affect.

This time, I applied stain directly with a brush and followed with a rag.

You can buy additives for latex to achieve different consistencies;

For example, if you are painting by hand with a brush and want to decrease your brush strokes as much as possible then buy some Floetrol. It won't alleviate them entirely but it does help! Just follow the instructions.

Buy here or in store

You can also create something close to chalk paint which I discuss in detail here and here. By adding either unsanded grout, calcium carbonate or plaster of paris, you can give your latex a more chalky consistency and matte finish.


Before

Applied first coat of latex mixed with calcium carbonate

After, and I applied an all over glaze as well as dark wax to seal it.

Lastly, the cost and color options!

Endless colors to choose from, I have an entire drawer filled with paint swatches that I open whenever I am in a bad mood ;) They inspire me for some reason. Both milk paint and chalk paint are limited in their color options however both can be mixed with their own colors to achieve different ones.

Latex comes in sample sizes for $3-$5, quarts for $12-$15 or gallons which range from $20's to mid $30's depending. A gallon is more than you would probably ever even want of one color...it would last you longer than it's shelf life. One quart will paint 1-2 dressers or desks and a sample size will cover a vanity or console style table. Pretty good bang for your buck!!

Well that's it for my series on the three types of paint. Click on the links at the top of this post to see my advice and thoughts on working with Chalk paint and milk paint.
Thanks for reading!
XO

Part Two-Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex

2012-08-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

Part One-Milk paint
Part Two-Chalk paint
Part Three-Latex

There are many tutorials on chalk paint in the blog world, but I wanted to share own personal experiences with it. You can never have enough info when you are trying to learn this stuff yet sometimes simple tips are and advice are easily overlooked. Click on the above links (Part One, Two or Three to see my thoughts on other paint types). Here are my tips for Chalk Paint;

Part Two-Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

So many fans, so many testimonials, new stockists popping up all the time and a whole industry built around this stuff. Many feel it is worth it, and honestly I have spent the $ myself and will probably continue to on occasion. But I am blogging about the three different paint types to be completely truthful and give advice from my own personal experiences on each, and so I have to say - I feel a lot of this is hype. I do like chalk paint for the right piece, and I keep a can or two on hand but I feel it is an unnecessary expense most of the time.

Just humor me and let's see if you can tell which of these pieces is chalk paint and which is latex?

Any guesses which were Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?

None...all of these pieces were done using latex. The only exception being that the last one-the teal green vanity/console-was done by making my own chalk paint (calcium carbonate + latex) which I've blogged about before. My hope is that those pictures demonstrate you don't have to spend a fortune on 'special' paint to make something special.

That said, here are some of the things I like about Chalk Paint;

-The ease of distressing with it. If you want to create a heavily distressed, very 'worn' look to your piece then it's very easy to accomplish with this. It truly does sand off as a powder and you can get it done quickly! (However if you are going for 'chippy', then stick with milk paint or even latex) This also makes it easy to sand any brush strokes out before sealing it with a wax. Here is an example of the distressing;

-It can make any piece look shabby or vintage. This can be achieved with latex too, and I will get to that in the next post. But chalk paints lack of any sheen is what helps to create that time-worn effect like the finish is decades old. For instance if you have a newer piece that you want to look more aged or shabby, this paint achieves that pretty easily by virtue of it's 'chalkiness'.

1980's desk with hutch, had thin particle board on back.

I used French Linen Chalk Paint and gave it a glaze to give it a farmhouse/country chic look.

-It CAN be used in a sprayer! I have many times and you don't have to water it down (chalk paint is thicker than most), but I live in Texas where my garage is 85 degrees in the morning so all the paint is nice and thin already. If you store yours somewhere cooler, then place in a nice warm location and let it sit for an hour or so before using, this will thin it for easier use in a sprayer. Another idea would be to sit a sealed can about half way, in a bowl of hot water for 10 mins or so.

-You don't have to buy the Annie Sloan clear wax to seal it. I use Minwax finishing paste instead which is less than half the price of Annie's and I love it. It forms a hard, more durable seal as opposed to the soft and tacky feel of Annie's that never seems to completely dry or buff out. You can also use clear coat products as well, for instance the hutch and desk above I used varathane instead to protect the top and it worked beautifully. No matter what you seal it with, it will change or darken your color slightly....that can't be avoided.

Things I don't' like about Chalk Paint

-It dries really fast, some see this as a plus but when applying this by hand, your paint brush will start to dry too, creating small clumps or larger grooves in the paint strokes. I always have a few different brushes on hand to switch to as this happens.

-It's claim that "you don't need a primer" is false, false, false! You will still have bleed through with this, maybe some things are covered easier than others but I have always had to get my can of Kilz out for something seeping through and then reapply the paint.

-Lastly, the expense. One QUART (not gallon) costs an average of 38.00 not to mention shipping costs if a 'stockist' isn't near you. I paint to resale, so for me it's an added expense I have to work into my prices though I do keep a quart or two on hand just in case a piece would really benefit from it (ie; newer, smaller, lots of distressing). Another down side is the limited amount of colors, though all are beautiful and can be mixed with each other to achieve other hues...but I guess I find more benefit in finding the perfect swatch color at Home Depot for half the price.

Up next, Latex....XOXO

Part One~Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint vs Latex

2012-07-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Originally I was going to write a comparison of all 3 types of paints, with a couple finish treatments, in one post. As I tried to do that, it became so long winded and I was tired of reading myself 'talk'. So I am going to break them down as such:

Part One-Milk paint
Part Two-Chalk paint
Part Three-Latex

I'll try to get all 3 up within the week and I will include some examples of glazing and waxing finishes as well. There are many tutorials on all of these, in particular www.missmustardseed.com or www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com, have some great ones. But I wanted to share some advice based on my own personal experiences with each. You can never have enough info when you are trying to learn this stuff yet sometimes simple tips are overlooked. These are mine:

Milk Paint
As you've probably read before, Milk Paint has a mind of it's own and adheres differently on every piece. I have used this a few times with COMPLETELY different results. I buy mine from John Miller Hardware but am anxious to try MMS own brand soon as it's out! True milk paint comes in a powder form and needs to be mixed with water. Simply follow the directions on the package, however my tips are these:

-Use HOT water (NOT boiling-just hot) and preferably filtered, it will help dissolve the clumps that much easier. It will take several minutes of stirring at minimum to get a fluid consistency, and the most for your money (I imagine every clump is another 1/4 oz of paint! lol) Inevitably there will be still be clumps, and that's fine since they seemingly disappear once your piece dries. Just try to get as many out as you can. Also, as I've learned, the color will not be consistent if you don't mix really well.

-DO NOT mix in a blender, do this by hand. True Milk Paint has powdered lime in it which is like colored concrete when it decides to adhere to something! Like they say; you NEVER know how this paint is going to react....so think twice before using anything you can't clean thoroughly within minutes afterward. I mix mine in leftover cottage cheese or sour cream containers with the lids! You can actually store it this way for a couple weeks after you've mixed it.

-You CAN use a sprayer to apply but just be sure to strain it through something disposable first :) And strain it several times. It will save you lots of frustration to do that right off the bat, but again...hand-painting it with a brush works in favor of milk paints special effects.

-It does not discern and it does not listen to your plans :) One aggravation with milk paint is that sometimes it will chip or peel exactly where you don't want it to. If you try to paint over those 'flaky' parts it will only make them flake more. If it's chipping somewhere you didn't want it too-the deed is done. You really will save yourself the frustration if you just go with it. However if it's really not what you want, you could try to sand down the spot with some extra margin around it and reapply the milk paint later. That is why I always keep mine a for a week or so before tossing. However be sure to remix the leftover paint really well so color stays consistent.

Here was my first Milk Paint piece, an unfinished oak dresser. I brushed the paint on by hand, clumps and all. This piece had no wax or barrier of a sealant, so the milk paint acted like a beautiful 'stain' that penetrated the wood to give it a subtle yet uniform color effect, that I loved. You could see the wood grain through the color, so it didn't look 'painted' if that makes sense...


Before Milk Paint


Gorgeous sea-green color, no glazing on this one just the paint and coat of clear wax.

My most recent experience with milk paint was on a desk that had lots of 'gunk' and wax or surface oils on top of the wood. I didn't use any mineral spirits or special prep products, but I washed it down with some hot water and a drop of dawn dish-washing liquid. The simpler the better I say. Then I let it dry (in 101 degree weather that took about 20 minutes ;p) I used the same Sea-Green color as I did on the previous dresser.

I didn't get a before pic with drawers in, but you can see the existing finish was really worn and uneven.

The backs were covered in veneer that was badly rippled, in this case I chose to rip it off and paint over. Not worth the effort in saving and since it was in back-not a detractor.

This piece chipped beautifully!

I loved the way it flaked in a 'speckled' way-like an egg.

Here is an example of where I DIDN'T want it to chip but I've learned not to mess with it.

You can apply a glaze to darken up your color if you like too. I did glaze the the top of this desk to give it more depth and blend it in with the dark wood chipping through the rest of the piece. To seal Milk Paint pieces I like to work with a wax, it controls and stops the flaking well while still allowing it to look authentic and vintage. I prefer Minwax Finishing Paste over Annie Sloan's myself, it feels more durable and dries quickly but use whatever you are most comfortable with.

So there is my 2 cents on working with Milk Paint:) Up next in Part 2, Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint.......XO

2012-07-26T14:01:00.003-07:00

Hello!
Just back from a little family vacay...my Mom was visiting for awhile and we hit the Fredericksburg Trade Days for some great 'fleaing' with the kids. We scored lots of great old shutters, doors, window panes, statues and architectural pieces. After that we revamped our space at the antique mall. And when that was done, we took the kids and headed to San Antonio for a girls -get-away with my Grandmother and Aunt, who were visiting from Colorado. It was such a great time, yet it feels like it was over in the blink of an eye. We stayed at the J.W. Marriott which is this amazing water park within a hotel. Sea World and Knotts Berry Farm are minutes away but we couldn't pull ourselves out of the pool long enough to bother...it was the best of everything for the whole family! Highly recommend :) Anyhow, back to shop talk!

Here is what the space looked like when we first opened back in April:

Our first day. I was so proud-and a little exhausted!

We are down to our last two pairs of wings....act fast!

Loved this hutch, French Grey with a glaze-Sold.

And here is what the space looks like as of now:

Sorry for the blurry pic-only had my iphone.

I'll be getting back to some furniture make-overs in the next post. A few of them are in the above pic, peeking out :) And I am almost done with my first upholstery project too, if I can get over my fear of the glue gun! I've come so far with these chairs that this last step is a bit intimidating. For now I'm gonna take a few days to do nothing-then I'll unpack us, and get back to business. It appears I've got an apprentice in the making as well ;) My daughter recently refurbished this side table for herself (with face mask, shower cap, gloves and ALL the protective gear carefully removed for this photo opp) I don't know who was more proud, me or her!!

Till next time :)

Living on the Face of the Sun....

2012-07-14T17:31:00.001-07:00

Summer is here!! No mistaking it where we live. Where I am from however, is a different story. My friends and family back in the Seattle area tell me how much rain and general overcast has been lingering still...they are patiently waiting for summer to arrive and it's already mid-July! :( And yet here in Austin, or anywhere in the central to east parts of the country, we are melting. It's CRAZY hot. Like, bottoms of your shoes start to melt a little as you walk on pavement- hot. And I actually LIKE heat, always have. If I'm sweating, I'm happy because because I feel like my thighs are shrinking, LOL! As of now, my husbands dream of some winter cabin out in the wilderness of the Rockies will NEVER happen ;) I say this because I was born and raised there and as much as I love it, I do not like or miss the cold. I'll take heat any day over freezing. Of course, my dream is to move us to Maui, but until we can afford the cost of living in paradise; well...touché.

Fortunately for us, Austin has elements of both here. The people truly embrace the climate and so much activity is focused around it. There is a thriving 'something for everyone' downtown culture. It's a small city for certain but that is what keeps it charming while still offering so much to do regardless of weather. On any given day, no matter the temps you will see everyone jogging, sprinting, rowing, kayaking, paddle boarding, even doing one of tons of outdoor fitness boot-camps in the parks. Austin-nites are HARD CORE and I have been truly inspired watching them. There is a beautiful wide gravel trail called 'the hike and bike trail' that goes 7.2 miles around the lake downtown (with bridges that run across if you want to cut it shorter) and hundreds descend upon it every day, with their dogs or their jogging stroller or their iPod and they are unfazed. I can't tell you how many hipsters, business people and long time residents you see mid-day, dining outdoors for lunch, wearing their jeans, or nice suits, hats and boots ...with a SMILE. They are completely undaunted by the heat. I feel like I'm on another planet sometimes, or in the midst of a science project. I'm captivated.

With all that said, I can't last more than an hour in my garage right now :p This is why I've had nothing to post for a while. The kids have been out of school since May and our routine of pools-daycamps-gym-groceries-errands and 'where else has AC?' has taken precedent. Yet I have so much to catch up on work wise. In the meantime, just to fit something creative in (as well as time for myself), I have been taking an upholstery class that has been so much fun! Every weekend, for 6-8 hours I have been working on two antique spring-seat chairs - yep just two chairs...but that is how labor intensive upholstery is. I'll be lucky to complete them by the end of the class. Upholsterers earn every dime they make, and I will never balk at the expense again! My Grandfather and Aunt are both professional upholsterers and anytime I'd ask what something would cost to be redone the answer was 'aah just buy a new one!" LOL Now I get it.
I will be sure to share pics and some of the process when these are completed!

In the wings I have a great desk I plan to do with Milk Paint (where is Miss Mustard Seed's already?? I can't wait to try it) as well as a vanity in chalk paint, and then a tall dresser in regular old Latex (or maybe my own milk paint mixture, we'll see ;) It will make for a good visual comparison of the three types and I will be sure to share those as well.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer wherever you live and keeping cool! Here are some pics I found on google just to share what an Austin summer looks like :) Of course with 3 small kids we have yet to do some of these...but it WILL happen!! XOXO


A view of Lady Bird Lake that runs through downtown

You can rent kayaks or paddle boards or bring your own.


How about yoga on your paddle-board? I told you, hard-core!

Or just bring your best buddy :)

View of the 'Hike and Bike Trail' that runs around lake.

Yoga classes all over in the park...

As well as fitness boot-camps and training sessions.

It could be 101 outside or it could be 35 degrees, they don't care. They will be there with their gym shoes on!!

Latest Projects

2012-05-17T11:40:00.002-07:00

Hello,
Hope this finds you at the end of a great week! Things are going well in the antique store, so I have been a busy-bee working on new pieces and keeping up. My Etsy shop has actually been the best advertising because almost every piece has sold to a local who found it there first! I then have to go deactivate the listings which is kind of a bummer because then you can't see it anymore as opposed to a sold item. I like to be able to show a portfolio of sorts on there to prospective customers but oh well-that's what this blog is for I suppose! That and my ventings ;}...sooo this week it's having sick kiddo's. Like dominoes, they all fell ill one at a time since last weekend :( School is out here in one week (YIKES!) so I'm just trying to keep them going for a few more days...

On another note, the hubby finished his first semester of classes working toward his masters degree, and we all lived to tell about it! Phew. Only another year to go...(we can do this, we can do this, we can do this!)

The following pics are some recent before and afters, some have already sold and the rest are in the antique store and/or etsy;.

Before: Nice green but had lots of damage to the finish and on top.

Stripped, polished and painted. Sold to a local musician and his wife to furnish their new farmhouse!

This was a beautiful cabinet already, and didn't really need to be redone. But I can't NOT change something somehow so I just let my inner painting diva go crazy!

I had already removed hardware and started brainstorming here.

After-what do you think? I gave it a heavily distressed look which isn't for everyone but I love it.

This next one was another 1920's table that just needed some love. A fresh coat of white paint and subtle detail distressing along the legs and edges. I painted some cute spindle back chairs to complement it, though they have sold already. I don't have a before of the table but here is the after:

A couple more converted farmhouse tables below. These are very popular sellers so will be a staple in both the store and etsy!

This is the only before I have of these! It's the pine table behind the awesome cupid bed-frame.


After

And another one that I have no before of at all. It actually sold via etsy to a woman who just so happened to live up the street from me!! She had contacted me asking for notice of the next one and when I let her know where to come see it, she mapped it and said she could basically walk here! Small, small world.


Close up of the finish.

That's all for now. Right now I am working on several bedside, coffee and end tables. I'll be getting back to a few desks and vanities that I love to do! And a few more farmhouse tables of course. Have a great weekend! XOXO

My Office

2012-04-30T16:12:00.001-07:00

No, not the garage :D Although officially I suppose it is. I thought I'd share some pics of my little room that has FINALLY come to find some personality. It's actually the formal dining room in our house (hence that awful chandelier I must do something about) but our life does not have a use for formal anything...so it became my office-slash-fancy-folding laundry room. hehe

Here is what it looked like when we first moved here, it was sort of a hodge-podge of all the smaller, odd sized pieces of furniture that had a place in our previous house in Seattle. While it looked nice and I had no complaints about it, I really wanted to bring some light in and needed an excuse to keep some of these refinished pieces for myself ;)


Very contemporary, very brown and not very me.

I first listed everything in here on Craigslist to sell, then used that $ to buy a used Ektorp loveseat, also found on Craigslist. I bought a new slipcover (around $30) for it at Ikea and it looked good as new. Around Christmas time, we scored this awesome antique sconce while perusing 'Uncommon Objects', a wonderful place on Congress Avenue to find cool vintage treasures.

Aaaah...much better already.

I found a pair of solid wood shelves on Craigs (where else), but they had some damage and holes in the backs so I just ripped them off, gave them a good white-washing and moved them in along the sides of the sofa.

Chair was a steal at Marshalls! Luv luv luv that store-too much.

The trunk was a Round Top find, I might add some castors to the bottom to give it some more height but it holds my feet up and my coffee cup just fine for now :)

I've started collecting small vintage paintings of the sea, my Mom sends me one when she finds a good deal. Usually at a flea market or salvage store! I just pound them out of those funky frames they are always in and keep the canvas. I have some resting on the shelves and some I hang within them to layer things a bit.

We ordered a couple pairs of these wings for the shop but I just HAD to keep one set to myself. They have the most awesome mix of taupe, teal and white peaking through the distressing in the feathers. We'll be getting more in soon though so check back! I have a different desk in here all the time, as one sells I just replace it with the next finished one until there is room in the shop space. It keeps things interesting and I don't get bored. I'm too busy putting everything away again!

A couple views of the other side of the room (and that awful chandelier!)

That bright pop of pink is a paperweight my son made me in school :)

One last look. Sorry for the lousy pictures. I just got a new camera and am still learning how to use it. Obviously I've got a long way to go but the manual is so intimidating :{ Every time I sit down to read it I start thinking I'd rather fold some laundry in my new room ;}
Hope you are having a great week!

Round Top, Texas

2012-04-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

How is your weekend going? Mine started out fine, but as this Saturday has worn on, it's getting a little
umm...character building ;) My oldest son had a birthday party to attend that I was able to convince his Daddy to take him too, thinking it would enable me to take a little break while our younger kids took a nap...HA! That madness started at 1:00 and it is now after 3 with both kids STILL getting up every 5 minutes; 'I hafta go potty again', and 'Is it time to get up yet?' are popular with 'Sleeping takes sooo long!' being the latest. :} Meanwhile my hubbie has been texting me pics from the serene pool party (kids are behind glass walls) he accompanied our oldest to. Not exactly the vision I had when I made this arrangement :p

As I wait for my little monkeys to go to sleep, I decided I would revisit pics from the Round Top show that occurred last week here in central Texas. Find your happy place....

It's really odd but when you google info for 'Round Top Antique Festival' or any search terms like it, you don't get much. There aren't many good current images or info other than the shows website itself which frankly, and I am all about frankness today-blows. So I thought some might find it useful and insightful to see first hand what it looked like at the Spring show (it goes on twice a year).

I will say that the only great deals we found, were a little further down the road at the Warrenton part of it, Coles Antique Market being the best. Within Round Top the main attraction is always Marburger Farms and that was just flat out ridiculous in its pricing. If you are shopping for yourself, than by all means pay the $10 in parking and extra admission fees to attend, because it is gorgeous! You will probably even spot a celebrity. The displays, inspirations and if you can afford it, the pieces are worth your time. But for resale and bargain hunting-just stick to the Warrenton end of it. Most of the pics below are of the Marburger Farms because it really is so spectacular to look at. It's hard to take pics of what were the actual buying tents in Warrenton since it's kinda like a needle in a haystack when you are finding those deals - it doesn't make for as pretty a picture!

See what I mean? This is Marburger.

The Marburger Farms portion is under actual structural buildings, and barns whereas the rest of show is under portable white tents.

I apologize that I didn't take many of the Warrenton side of the show. That is where the true buying begins so we weren't thinking to take pics. But it is miles of white tents filled with treasures, you just have to hunt a little as they are not as 'artfully displayed' and obvious as at the Marburger Show. At Warrenton we saw rustic, architectural pieces such as doors, tons of iron beds, old table legs, statuaries, lots of linens, collectibles and the like. Think 'Picker Sisters' at a junkyard:) But it's still a stretch to find things at good prices for resale purposes. Here are the VERY few pics I got while we were there;

There are restaurants, saloons and beer gardens sprinkled throughout which was nice in 85 degree temps!

Rustic beauties

There were many huge doors, birdcages, window panes, salvage pieces, etc. Very 'Restoration Hardware'.

Lamps made out of all kinds of artifacts, corbels, etc.

Some pretty eccentric prints and upholstery pieces here and there too.

I know, my pics don't say much and I'm kicking myself for not taking the time to better document the deals because Warrenton is truly the resale persons better time spent-but hopefully you get a little idea of the difference. :) I'm really looking forward to going again in the fall, if only for the beautiful displays and fun of it!
XOXO
Cameo

We are officially in business!!!!

2012-04-05T13:55:00.002-07:00

Hello to Y'All :)
I just wanted to share some pics of our new space~we are up and running now! Yippee :D

As you can imagine, it's been a frenzied few weeks getting this all together and moving in. Lucky for me, my Mom (who has more energy than I do!) flew in from the Seattle area to help me. It has been U-Haul trucks, 'leverage loading', make-shift ramps, dollies, bruises, broken nails, and one injured knee-but never has it been more fun! This is a partnership between us, with me covering the refinished furniture pieces and her shipping in the vintage/antique 'smalls'. We have also incorporated lots of NEW pieces like home decor items and accessories, (check out the wings below for example) as I believe it's the mix of both that really creates a beautiful space.

Currently we are hauling even more inventory back from the Round Top Antique Show that's happening here. This show is just MASSIVE, miles and miles of white tents filled with gorgeous stuff and it's impossible to see it all in the week that it spans, but my-oh-my what treasures can be found! This is the same show that Rachel Ashwell (of Shabby Chic fame) began, and continues her treasure hunting in. She has now built a Bed and Breakfast there, called 'The Prairie'. We haven't had time to see that yet, but we have more trips ahead. My brother and his awesome girlfriend (who's done marketing for the likes of Restoration Hardware, Sephora, and William Sonoma Home) are flying in from San Francisco tomorrow to go back with us again. People fly in from all over the country for it, so I'm pretty lucky we live only an hour or so away.

My Mom went back to the show today in our minivan (I needed a break to catch up on laundry, dishes, and life around the house frankly) and she called to say she was done with walking it and decided to drive through the aisles instead...you know those scenes in movies when the confused tourists are in a small, foreign town and mistakenly drive through a narrow stone alley where the people are selling there goods to pedestrians or hanging out their laundry to dry? Then the crazy tourist's car comes crashing through and people and livestock are scurrying for their lives! That is the immediate mental picture I had....so I ran to check out insurance policy....I think we're good.

But honestly, I am just so grateful and fortunate for the support and help of my friends and family in this...I just couldn't do it otherwise. I could keep doing etsy, craigslist, and custom orders, because I love all that (not to mention the slower pace), and still will but a shop space is an undertaking I've only dreamed about. I am cherishing this wonderful chaos with all my heart. Smooches :+

Visit our space if you can!
The Antique Gallery of Round Rock
1601 S I35
Round Rock, Texas · 78664
512-218-4290

Milk Paint

2012-03-15T15:53:00.006-07:00

Well, I gone and done it. I painted in the dark...couldn't stand the suspense after receiving my first order of Milk Paint and mixed it up, grabbed my flashlight and went to work in my burned-out-bulb garage.

Prior to this, and when the lights were still working I had stripped and re-stained the top, to remove deep ink spots so at least that was accomplished first!

Using this paint is really fun, it has a sort of seaweed smell and once you blend with water (per the instructions included) you then have to strain it through a mesh colander to get the clumps out. You can even use a sprayer with it if you are super diligent to get those clumps out! I used a sponge brush since I couldn't see where the heck the sprayer was anyway and applied just one coat to achieve what looks like a 'stain' of color onto the wood. I really liked the effect so left it at that, no distressing or glazing, etc. The color I bought was 'Sea Green' but there are 20 total to choose from. Normally this paint gives a heavy 'chippy' distressed finish but being this dresser was unfinished oak, it just adhered differently.

I still need to seal it, but here it is with hardware (what I had on hand) and a flash on my camera so unfortunately the top appears more 'orangey' than it actually is. It's really more a golden color :)

Apologize for the bad photos this time! Bulb has been replaced since:)

This week is Spring Break for the kiddos, but it's also mid-terms for my husband (as well as his day job) and I've been cramming to finish up the last projects to be ready for move in at the Antique Gallery of Round Rock. We've made the best of it though, I used the time to have the kids 'cull' their toys and go through their drawers. A spring-cleaning of sorts, so they can personally donate them to some local kids organizations and learn the value sharing/helping others. We then picked out a few necessities for summer and tomorrow we'll start the first in a 3 day SXSW extravaganza!!! Family-friendly version of course, but we are all sooo looking forward to it. Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO

New Inventory

2012-03-09T14:16:00.003-08:00

Helloooo...
Long time, no blog! I just wanted to share some pics of the latest before and afters, all of which are going into the new shop space at The Antique Gallery of Round Rock in a couple weeks. I'm so excited!! We are starting to receive our wholesale orders that will be in the space as well. It's like Christmas around here, new shipments almost daily...I can't break down the boxes fast enough. My kids keep building forts with them so I guess that's good re-purposing :) I took some pics in my office to share. Here are just a smidgen of the goodies we will have when we open April 2nd;

French wire baskets, egg baskets, iron wall shelves, antique white mirrors, etc.

Bell Jars, milk bottle flower holders, reclaimed wood trays....

And TONS of vintage finds between both the Seattle and Austin flea markets; "CHARMS" wood sign, beautiful old ladies suitcase, silver serving trays, authentic antlers and SOOO (8 boxes) much more-I am too lazy to pull those out just yet!

Now on to the big stuff. I'll just show some before and after pics of the latest pieces. This first one was a secretary desk inspired by the one in Brooke Giannetti's book 'Patina Style'. I painted this in an antique white, glazed, waxed and distressed it. Then gave the inside a pop of mauve-pink for an unexpected surprise. I then rubbed the finish to make it look worn again.

Before

After

The next is a desk with hutch that I picked up, it was missing one piece of hardware so I have to replace all of it. Still on the hunt for 4.5 inch pulls that suit it.....

The rags are there just to protect the finish as it 'cures', hard to see the details on this but in person it's really pretty! The right hardware will only enhance her! Like jewelry on a lady ;)

Lastly, these two are not completely finished, the dresser needs 2 more knobs (on order) and some more distressing I think, but getting there. They were not a set, I found them separately but their lines complimented each other and I thought could make a great pair in a little girls room, OR a big girls!

Looks a little like Sponge Bob doesn't he?

And here they are almost finished in a Robin Egg blue with lightly distressed edges, and crystal knobs fit for a princess!

After

Ooh, one more! A desk that the previous owner bought at an antique auction in Virginia 30 years ago. His daughter (now a school teacher) had carved her name, her pets names, in the top of this as a little girl ;) So cute-but not cute for a new prospective owner. So I sanded it down and painted it in a blueish-gray called 'juniper ash'. It's more gray than pics make it appear. This desk could work for a gentlemen as well as a lady! I can't find my before photo darn it.


Great carvings and details on this one...sooo wanna keep it!

That's it for now. I just received my first order of 'Milk Paint' and am dying to try it!! Everything I've read says it has a mind of it's own and dries uniquely, depending on the piece. Unfortunately my garage light bulb burned out yesterday so I will ~~have to move everything out and park my car in garage again so I can stand on the minivan to reach the light socket before anyone notices~~ until my hubby can get out the ladder and replace it...ahem. I don't think I can take the suspense. Perhaps I'll just paint in the dark, I mean it has a mind of it's own anyways, right? I have no control of the outcome.....

Flipping Tables...

2012-01-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

Not the Real Housewives of New Jersey kind, but rather the Jeff Lewis kind (clearly I've seen my share of Bravo TV). On any given day there are a plethora of tables for sale on Craigslist - for ridiculous resale prices I might add! Somehow many people think they should get the near same amount of money for something they overpaid for 5 years ago! Puh-leez. So my aim in refinish-resale with regards to the over-flowing stock is to find ones that are unique, truly vintage and have some character. At an honest, reasonable price. And for my purposes, the more roughed up the better!

Here is a table I bought off craigs for exactly what is was worth, less than $50. It was your standard pine, shellacked table but with lots of wear, which saves me the trouble honestly, and had a center drawer. Making it a perfect 'farmhouse' style candidate.


Here I had begun stripping the top to remove the finish and start with fresh wood underneath.

Then I stained it with 'ebony' by minwax and as you can see, the wood didn't absorb it evenly. But that's OK, we want to make it uneven and worn looking anyway. It's just a starting point in achieving the look we want.


Sorry for the bad photos, I took them with my i-phone in garage :p

Then I applied a technique called 'white washing' which you can read about here, and actually did 2 applications to lighten it enough over the dark stain. Then I flipped it upside down, and painted the body in a mineral gray by Behr that is like clouds on an overcast day...not gray, but not truly white either.

Perfect kitchen size to seat 4 or could use as a desk!

The next one doesn't have any before photos because it was taken apart and stacked against the back wall of my garage. It was listed for $25 and when I showed up to buy it, the owner was looking frantically for a missing piece (as her dog gnawed on an unknown 'chew toy' next to it-ahem). Then as I lifted one of its 'v' legs to inspect, it broke in half! She and I looked at each other in disbelief and then she said 'ummm, you can just have it.' Yeah, Okay.
So here it is, no before shots other than mid-painting. I distressed rather heavily and sealed with a few coats of varathane which is always best when doing tables. At least on the table tops because it creates a smooth, safe barrier against coffee and food stains as well major scratches. It's what is used to seal hardwood floors most of the time.

Here is a snapshot of my garage so you can see what I'll be working on next!

More tables, a desk/hutch and some dressers.

And I am so THRILLED (and terrified at the same time) to announce I'm moving into an antique mall in a couple months!!! This will make things all the busier around here but it's a dream come true and a great way to get increased exposure. My mom will be coming out to help me fill it with 'smalls' and get it set up. So I am spending a lot of time 'hunting and gathering' off craigslist these days. I can only do this during the day when the kids are in school so I can take out the carseats, pull out the bucket seats and haul things....it's quite the endeavor. I've got it down to a science now though ;)
In other news, my hubbie is back in school to complete his Masters Degree, something he's wanted since I met him (8 years ago). This on top of his day job - so well, it's a little crazy these days between the two of us. But I'm so proud of him and happy to support it :) Even if it means my kids eat microwaveable meals 4 times a wk :o They're not complainin'!
Till next time....

White Winter Wonderland

2012-01-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

It's over!! Halleluiah...whoever decided kids should take a 2 wk (18 days actually) winter break over the holidays must not have had any themselves. Don't get me wrong. I love my babies, luuuvvv them ~ but 18 days is torture. For all of us :p Not to mention the hubs took 2 wks off at the same time which in theory sounds helpful, but really it's just an extra person 24-7 to have to cook, clean, do laundry, clean, etc. after. We did lots of fun stuff though, took kids to all the parks, trails, even some new ones. We rode bikes, scooters and watched movies. And of course they had all their new toys from Santa to play with and yet toward the second week they were already climbing the walls and I was reaching for my merlot!

Phew, so nice to have a quiet, CLEAN home today ;) For the 8 hours it lasts anyways! How were your holidays?

Prior to all that, I've been busy busting out some new pieces and the theme has been various shades of white. With no snow here in Austin (yet) some white seemed in order this time of year. First up is a dining set from the 1920's, and unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the chairs before it sold (bad blogger!) OR any before shots...I'm just kicking myself...but it had a matching buffet that I did manage to photograph with the table before it all sold:

They had lovely legs and details that unified them as a set.

And of course there had to be some shade of blue somewhere...it's just not finished to me otherwise:

I was a little bummed that this set sold as individual pieces, one couple bought the buffet, another lady bought the table and chairs. It felt like I was breaking up a family that has lasted almost a hundred years together!! Sigh....at least they got new life for more years to come :)

This next piece was a HUGE undertaking that I had no real idea what I was in for. I had been looking for the perfect armoire/computer cabinet for my office. My etsy shop supplies, sewing machines, and my laptop were in need of some better organization. I saw this at the local Salvation Army one day and fell in love. I didn't even think about how I was going to get it home (and had to pay extra for delivery), how much it was going to weigh (had to pay extra for oversize item plus an extra delivery person), or when it was finished being redone in my garage, how I was going to get it inside the house (paid same delivery people to come back-they did so begrudgingly).

I had tested out some chalk paint in old white here. I had to paint her by hand since I couldn't move it into my spray area yet as the table and chairs where being done at the time and the delivery guys wanted to put it down asap.
Here it is finished, and moved into it's new home-mine :)

I did a rubbed, time-worn finish and added some dark wax to the details to make them 'pop' a little more. Then added some mother-of-pearl knobs from Anthropologie which I am still mulling over... And now for my NEXT project:

The inside - I am going to paint it I think, and try to stay away from the usual blues! Any suggestions? And add some cork board to the door panels. It's getting there.

Lastly, in my previous post I mentioned my daughter getting frustrated that all these pretty pieces were going to other homes and none to her...so at her birthday party in early December I gave her what she wanted most; a lift top vanity with crystal knobs. Here is her reaction:


She was so excited, I just love the joy in her face (and the scowl on her brothers) ;D!

Happy New Year to you and yours :)
XOXO

Makeovers

2011-12-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Lord knows I need one~ I have family coming in this week from Seattle and San Francisco, my daughters 6th birthday party is this weekend, then I have 2 desks, a table and and an armoir to paint. Including a little vanity for said birthday girl. She sees all these pretty pieces come and go and gets a bit angry with me that none get to stay-in her room. So she's getting what she's coveted most; a vanity with the lift up mirror in the middle~I can't wait to give it to her!!
I'm so excited to have my Mom visit, it's hard being so far away and we've missed her terribly. We talk almost daily as she's also my own walking Britannica (she's an antiques dealer). I know we'll be comparing paint sprayers and distressing techniques as much as we'll be shopping and going for coffee ;) LOL

I wanted to share two desk makeovers I did recently that couldn't have been more different. I didn't use the chalk paint mixture for either of them (this was before I delved into that.) Just regular old latex.

The first one I picked up from an antique dealer in Austin who was clearing out her garage with her sons help (awww memories) and it was in worse shape than I realized. When I first saw it I thought "$40 bucks? SCORE!! Oh My Gosh...I am so running out of here before someone else gets it!! Here's your $, all the best, bye!" Then I got it home and saw that a huge piece of wood was missing on one of the legs, chipped veneer on all sides, and I went "What the heck were you thinking?? You didn't even check it out first, this is gonna take weeks, ugh....you @$%&......s-i-g-h." In fact I don't even have a before pic of it because I was SO sure it wasn't going to work out. But here it is after I stripped it, stained it, repaired all I could and painted it:

You can see the big 'chunk' is still missing out of the right leg. The only thing I wasn't able to fix.

I then glazed it, sealed the body with minwax and sealed the top with wipe-on poly in satin. Here she be after her complete make-ovah! Drum roll please....


I kept her original hardware-so pretty!

I think she was a natural beauty, just needed some serious "spa time" ;) Well, okay more like plastic surgery I guess. The next desk I picked up from a man who had just finished his PhD here and was selling everything fast as he could so he could go home to France to be with his wife. I was so taken with his story (and his accent) that I didn't even care about the desk, I just wanted to help him:) It was sturdy, solid wood and HEAVY...we carried it down from his 3rd floor studio to my van in record time though. He needed to pack, I needed to pick up my preschooler!

Once I got it home I tried stripping the top for staining, only to find that while yes, it was solid wood, the top was actually made of pressboard. Ce la vie! ;)

So I painted the whole thing in a matte charcoal black and bought new knobs from Vintage Skye and label pulls from Martha Stewarts collection to help jazz it up. I gave it a rubbed finish (hard to see in photos-sorry) and sealed with 2 coats minwax. Au revoir Monsieur!

Interestingly enough, the white desk went to a woman who'd just moved to Austin to begin completing her Masters degree. And the black one went to a lovely couple ready to 'makeover' their sons bedroom into an office now that he's moved out :) So cool! XOXO

Make your own Chalk Paint-Part Deux

2011-11-14T18:09:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

So I have some updates on this topic, having just tried it again. See my previous post on how I tried to make my own Annie Sloan chalk paint :) This time I tried it on a 1920's french cabriole style vanity that I picked up a lonnnnggg time ago. It had been sitting in my garage waiting for my attention for probably 6 months...I'd look at it with it's heavily chipped veneer and water stains and think "ugh, I don't have time for that one, what was I thinking?"

It had become a 'counter' in the garage for my stuff.

First there was the veneer issue, and that is a whole other topic...but in short, if you have a clothes iron you are willing to sacrifice, and putty knife it can be done.

On to the chalk paint. So my recipe was the same, I used 2 ounces of Calcium Carbonate to one sample size paint jar, which is 8 ounces. Only THIS time, at the suggestion of Lauren at west furniture revival , I mixed 1/2 ounce of hot water in with the Calcium Carbonate first and stirred until it was completely dissolved and paste like (about 1 minute). Then I added my sample size paint and blended by hand for a few minutes..super easy. And here is what it looked like after my first coat:

You can see the bleed through of the water stains, something Annie Sloan's claims won't happen as you don't need a primer or prepping first. However, this piece was SOOO rough on top that I'm not sure Annie's would have done the trick either...but my version DID do an awesome first coat everywhere else. It was enough to give it that time-worn, heavily distressed look. There were some little brush strokes here and there but it actually added to it's appeal. It glided on so much better than latex too, less paint needed and much better coverage with the Calcium Carbonate-I thought. I decided to give it a coat of primer JUST ON THE TOP to ensure those stains didn't' come through. Then I put on a second coat of my faux chalk paint. Here is what that looked like;

I had already applied a glaze here, but you can see the result of two paint coats was more than enough!

I used a clear wax, then followed up with a dark wax around the edges and corners to 'dull' the brightness of the turquoise more. And here is the finished product:

So having never swallowed the expense of using the real thing, Annie Sloan that is, here is what my recipe definitely accomplished:
*Much better coverage! I used one jar of sample paint for this with the addition of the calcium carbonate and it was enough to completely cover twice.
*Improved Texture! The paint glided on, didn't dry as quickly and left less brush strokes then regular latex. That alone was worth it for me. I could have stopped at one coat if I wanted to let more wood show through (other than the need for primer on the top!)
*Better adherence. It removes some of that 'rubbery' feel of latex and therefore seems to cling to the wood differently, better.

So with the exception of Annie's claim to not need primer, this was by far an improvement over regular latex, for me. I'll be using the calcium carbonate in my paint from now on, and maybe trying some of the other ingredients people have suggested (ie; unsanded grout, whiting powder, plaster of paris, etc.) I'd love to hear other people's experiences or suggestions as well.
Till next time! XO

Make your OWN Annie Sloan! aka Chalk Paint

2011-11-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

a pic of their opening night party

Happy Weekend Friends!

Before I get to the chalk paint, I have some exciting news I'd like to share with you. I have just been added as a vendor to an amazing new boutique in Austin called "flock." I am so excited about this, to think my products are finally in a 'brick and mortar' store! In fact they cleaned out my etsy shop, so I am working at a feverish pace to restock it for some upcoming showcases as well as the holidays. But I'll have lots of new pillows, some refinished vintage desks, consoles, and even a dining set I am working on, (using my recipe for chalk paint ;) Here is a brief write up that was in the Austin paper about 'flock';

Friends flock together for business

Flock, a new addition at South Lamar Boulevard and Oxford Avenue, is a local artists' oasis nestled in a growing area of locally owned business in 78704. Flock was born from the collaboration and friendship between owner Tamara Carlisle and manager Ashley Woodson, whose mutual love and appreciation for the art and talent of their Austin neighbors lead to a business partnership. Flock carries jewelry by Tracy Tenpenny, Mari Andrade and Woodson's line. Other items include home accessories, furniture and décor, art work, greeting cards and Carlisle's Lights Out candles. The women at Flock officially opened their store in mid-September and search online marketplace Etsy to bring in new local artists each week. Flock is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 2120 Oxford Ave. 707-1093.

Anyhoo, if you are in the area be sure to check them out. These gals have a great mix of things that are so artfully displayed you just want to sit and take it all in...in fact they do private parties there were you and your friends can partake in some wine, some shopping and lots of fun!

Now on to chalk paint~chances are that gorgeous piece you saw in the antique mall, the one that had that perfect patina, that time-worn distressed look was the result (and hard work!) of the refinisher and a can of this magical chalk paint. 'Annie Sloan' is the ONLY manufacturer of this stuff and its beyond expensive. It costs 39.99 per quart to be exact. That's per QUART, not gallon. And there are very few distributors so most people have to pay the shipping on top which equals over $50.00 for again, a QUART. Lately the blogs are a buzz with different recipes/concepts/ideas, etc of how to create some of this yourself. I just wanted to share my personal experience and what I thought of it with you.

So chalk paint, by name implies there is a chalk like substance in it right? I've read various theories on this and here are some of the additives people have used with success: sandless grout, whiting powder, plaster of paris, and calcium carbonate. I chose to try calcium carbonate because that is what chalk is actually made of, a form of limestone.

I bought a cheap sample size of paint ($2.50) at Home Depot-my home away from home-and purchased some Calcium Carbonate at a local health food store for 7.75, you can also order online from www.evitamins.com or other places.

One sample pot of paint is 8 oz. and I'd read whatever additive you choose should be a 3:1 mix so I went conservative and added 2 oz. calcium carbonate.

It definitely maintains a sediment like consistency now matter how much you mix it, in fact these pics are taken a week after I mixed it and it is STILL like that.

I tested it on my large picture frame from the previous post. And what I found was that it still went on well, and you can add a tiny bit of water to dilute things too. The first coat is a little scary, but you have to lightly sand after it is dry, BEFORE you apply your second coat. Then just a light sanding and whatever distressing you want to do, and all the clumps go away. Now I have never used Annie Sloan as I just can't swallow the cost, but this to me-is a great alternative and definitely worth experimenting with. Especially with sample paint pots and a small piece of wood just to get a feel for it, decide on your preferences for the mixture (add more water? more calcium carbonate? etc). I'd really love to hear from anyone who's tried the plaster of paris or the unsanded grout. How do they compare?

I hope some have found this at least helpful in attempting to try this. I definitely think it can be done, and I will be attempting it again and sure to post the results when I do!

Have a great weekend! XO

Chalkboard's and Chalk Paint

2011-11-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Post Halloween! (or the 'Halloween Hangover')
Hope yours was fun, safe and full of treats. Our kids gather so much loot in such a short time....I end up passing half of it back out when we get home (kids kept coming until 8:30)! It was kind of a whirlwind of a day for me so this morning, after getting the kids ready and off to school (yeah, go ahead and buy lunch today....you've already snuck candy into your breakfast) I just wanted to veg on the couch and catch up on some of my favorite blogs. Check out this AWESOME Halloween display that Sausha over at http://www.theshowandtellblog.com put up this year:

LOVE the use of old baby dolls ;) Twisted but fun!

She's my kinda gal, a ~~morbid~~ fun sense of humor and sooo amazingly talented! Be sure to check out the rest of her post to see all of the decorations.

So I'm slowly getting back into the blogging after a bit of a hiatus. I have a back log of desks/vanities I've been working on just to get them out of my garage. I think I'll lump them all together in another post soon. But a quick, easy little project that I recently tried, (and is perfect for fall, kids and gifts for the holidays) is making your own Chalkboards! Here is all you need:
Frame of your choice-any size
Chalkboard paint (found at any hardware store)
Pressboard or even foam project board cut to size

So I found this pretty old frame at a Flea Market here in Austin a few weeks ago-$15.00! I took it home and gave it a thin coat of blue, with a foam brush so just the details were hit with it. No sense wasting time and paint on the whole piece for this step.

Once it was dry, I tried making my own Chalk Paint (look out Annie Sloan! :} I'll share this recipe in my next post) and applied 2 coats with a regular brush. While that was drying I went to Home Depot and picked out a piece of pressboard in the lumbar section and had them cut it down to the exact size (be sure to measure first!) of the inner groove inside the frame...I'm sure there is a name for that area but I don't know what it is. They cut any piece you purchase for free, and you can keep the scraps for practice too ;) I then sprayed it with 3 coats, or basically the whole can, of chalkboard paint.


Before


After

I did some light distressing around the frame to get the blue underneath to show through and then attached the chalkboard into the 'grooves' and secured it with some wood glue...I know, super technical ;) You are probably better off using little nails or those frame staples that hold pics in. I was just being lazy and used what I had on hand. Here is the final result:

And here is a sneek peak at one of the desks I did recently, same color paint was used on her. Well I must go pry the candy out of my 3 year old's chocolate covered hands...his siblings just found him hiding under MY desk with his trick or treat bag ;p I will post about making your own Chalk Paint tomorrow and hopefully get some more before and afters up soon! XOXO

San Francisco and Big Daddy's Antiques

2011-09-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'allzes!
Just got back from a super quick get-a-way to visit my Brother and his wonderful girlfriend, Karen in San Francisco. Here they are, aren't they cute? ;)

I can't say Thank You enough to both of them! They hosted my Mom and I for 4 days of jam-packed sightseeing, amazing wineries, restaurants, 2 of the best Flea Markets ever (Petaluma and Treasure Island) and of course lots of shopping! On my last day there, they took me to see Big Daddy's Antiques. A place that had reached mythological proportions in my head after I had read and seen a few pics of it, and let me tell ya' it did NOT disappoint. It's a huge warehouse in the design district, jam packed with large scale artifacts, European antiques, statuary's, leather and linen upholstered furniture, etc.

Karen and I at the entryway (look at the size of that door!)

How about a Giant Ship in..oh, I don't know, your living or family room?

Loved this stone Mantel and all the charcoal grey chairs!

This is what greets you once inside-GORGEOUS. My pics don't do it justice.

Farmhouse style coffee tables, stacked, vintage leather chair, huge movie reel and that ship.

Doves coo as you shop!


My adorable Mom and Karen. I'm told this is a 'cupola'- I just want it in my living room :)

We also visited a couple Flea Markets and it took all the will power in me not to buy and ship home so many things. Unbelievable stuff, and we did do some minor damage ;) But nothing a borrowed suitcase couldn't hold!

Petaluma Antique/Flea Market


Treasure Island Flea Market-this sculpture greets you at the entry. Originally built for 'Burning Man' back in May, and it is filled with LED lights. So cool!!

Then we of course had to sample some of the finest wines California has to offer, and 'sample' we did!!

Me, Mom, and Braden

Nooo, we didn't drink all that!


Me and my date, Braden and Karen

We also got to dip our feet in at Point Reyes, such a beautiful drive. I have truly missed the ocean being here in Northern Texas...

My Mom, Bro and Karen


Mom in her element :)

And just like that, it was over...bye for now San Francisco! See you again soon-I hope!

Thanks again guys, and give Stella a big ole kiss for me! XOXO

Too Much Time on my Hands...(T-T-T-T-T-Ticking away)

2011-09-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hello,
How are you?
Thanks for the awesome color suggestions from my last post (Crystal and Robin :) I am working on finding the perfect pieces to use them on! I had to put a temporary halt on painting while I've been redoing my work space in the garage. I discovered there was a little bit of over-spray making its way past the plastic sheeting. So I had to order one of these:

Combo Welding Screen

While I am STILL awaiting its arrival (grrr), and the kids are in school I decided (or some sort of a crazy, crafty, mid-life crisis is taking hold) to take up sewing. I know....what the...?? But I haaave sewn before. I come from a family of antique-rs and professional upholsterers so somewhere deep within, it's always lurked - waiting for the opportune time...Bwaahaahaaa ;) My Grampa had an Upholstery shop in Beverly Hills and did work for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, and Liberace. (I would have loved to have seen those pieces!) My Aunt has been an Upholsterer for decades doing work for Calico Corners. Personally though, I always became way too frustrated and impatient with it. I gave up before I finished or the minute I had to install a zipper/button/closure. That was until I saw this baby:

www.ourboathouse.com

It was love the moment I set eyes on it...I had been ~~obsessing~~ searching for an affordable type coffee table/ottoman that matched my decor and didn't have sharp corners (kids). Problem was they are all require such commitment for the $$$, I mean what if I don't want brown faux leather for the rest of my life? What if my kids jumped on and broke it? What if they ripped that faux leather, hurt themselves on a corner, what if-what-if?? But this one was kid friendly, washable, portable, cozy and surely couldn't be more than a couple hundred bucks right?? WRONG.

SKU:	5704402991
Price:	$1,320.00
Quantity:

I was in some serious sticker shock when I saw the price tag, really. Couldn't believe it. I mean-is it filled with diamonds?! All the sudden my DIY instincts kicked in, how hard could it be to make? Well...I'll tell you.

It's not. Although I did make mine slightly smaller, and by using a serger style sewing machine, but you can create a similar effect by using piping, bias tape, etc. with a regular machine. The serger is an easy way to get that 'French-seam" look which is what I was after.

I filled it with poly beads which you can order online, but you could also use shredded foam, or even old pillows and blankets! Whatever you liked and all depending on how squishy or firm you wanted it. My kids love laying on it watching movies.

Here's where it got out of control though. So while I was still waiting for that darn screen to arrive I kept sewing, in fact no one could stop me! It was a journey all it's own, I just kept going...and going...and I sewed up these:

swiss cross looks a little crooked here, but it's just overstuffed.

And these,

Robert Allen 'Nautical' fabric line

and then there HAD to be another Pouf to match, right?! It's called O.C.D :)

I was in a Nautical mood I guess....this my version of 'Fall' for the coastal-type style aesthetic. I don't do orange, but never say never.

Cameo Bliss at Etsy.com

I'm putting these up as inventory in my Etsy shop (Cameo Bliss) I have a feeling I will be adding more items intermittently as I wait for paint to dry. That or they will all be shipped to the Mutiny Bay Antique Mall in Whidbey Island, WA. soon.
Next week I hope to be back to paint spraying some new furniture pieces! I have an itchy trigger finger. Thanks for reading and have a great week everyone :)

Tricks and Tweaks

2011-08-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things just need a little 'tweak' to make them more interesting. Like this newer Vanity I found last week; it was probably made in the nineties or maybe late eighties and kinda had that 'Dynasty' effect going on which is fine, but not my thing. The middle drawer wasn't a drawer at all, just had a pull on it to make it look balanced when it was actually a lift-top style, very cool!

I wanted to make it more vintage looking yet keep it girly. I was also dying to paint something grey! So while I waited at Home Depot for my paint to be mixed I killed time exploring the lumber side of the store. This is also where they sell moldings, wood trim, wood table legs, and appliques like this one:


This costs about $5.00, others are less.

I grabbed my new grey/gray (?) paint and the applique and was off to Anthropologie to check out knobs next (any excuse to go there right?!) They sell beautiful hardware, but a bit higher priced then you would find at say Hobby Lobby or Ebay. Another good place is http://www.leevalley.com for their amazing collection of vintage styles.
So several hours, (a dress, a sweater) and 2 crystal knobs later......yikes.

I got to work (to pay for that dress and sweater). First I took wood filler to the two holes on each side drawer, as I wasn't going to use pulls but rather the one screw knobs I got at Anthro. Then I drilled a new hole in the center of each (I wish I'd taken pics of this step, but hopefully you get the idea). Then I glued the applique to the center 'drawer' to cover the two holes there. Some paint, some new fabric on the seat plus those crystal pulls and we got this:

I haven't decided on the fabric yet so it's not attached and looks a little sloppy here, but all it takes is a staple gun.

Another trick I've tried from visiting the same aisle, is using trim pieces to modify plain looking or more boxy shaped furniture pieces.


These come in different widths and designs

I got this bookshelf a while ago on clearance from Tar-jay, painted it and stuck it in one of our nooks in the living room. It looked okay but after I put all my 'knic-knacs' inside it still looked too plain.

So I picked out a long piece of trim/molding, these cost about $8-$12 depending on size, style, etc. And had them cut two pieces to the width of my shelf. Then I took them home, painted them, let it dry completely and glazed it to show off the details a little more. This is done by taking wood stain, mixing with a clear glaze about 50/50 and wiping it on, then wiping it off-that easy!!

What remains in the crevices is what showcases those details and gives it an antiqued look.

Then I glued one on each end of my shelf using clamps, heavy cans, books, whatever I could find to pressure them down!

I know it's a subtle change, but it made a difference in taking a cheap shelf and making it look a little nicer. Plus the shape of the detail blends in with the pieces on the shelves themselves, bringing it all together.

I'm off to pick up another desk, any color suggestions? I'm trying to deviate from blue but it's hard!! I'm all ears if anyone has a color idea. Till next time...

New Desks

2011-08-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
This has truly been a hectic week and as my 3 munchkins are entering school at the same time for the first time, I am a ~~basketcase~~ tad bit anxiety stricken. Business has been a little slow as well, which I am sure is relative to the end of summer and back to school. But it doesn't help my nerves either! I took some risks with these last two desks...one was a complete re-constructional mess and the other I just went with what I had on hand. I guess I had grown a bit bored with my usual blue and wanted to try something new. Next up I am going to do some dining sets, dressers, etc just to get out of my comfort zone. As well as some upholstery projects so stay tuned...

First desk was pretty at the onset but once I looked deeper I saw just how much work was ahead of me; chipped veneer in multiple areas, one whole side was completely unattached, and scratches so deep my sander couldn't buff out. But fun is fun and I love a challenge.

I used paint cans to pressure the side after I re-glued it.

I really wanted to try something different with this one, and the hardware begged replacing so I just went in the direction of things I found that worked. Here is the final result:

I used a Jade Green color and then glazed it, added copper rose detail hardware to match the wood top.

The next one was an antique vanity, very pretty but missing one (just one, dang it) piece of hardware so I had to find replacements (Thanks Mom! ) and I used some 'oops' paint from my local Home Depot...this is a shelf by the paint station that sells mistake colors for super cheap. Like $5.00! Always check it out when you go looking for paint. You never know what you might find in there for a fraction of the cost.

So here is this Miss Vanity at the start:


Left middle drawer was only one missing a pull.

Here she is with a brighter blue, some distressing and 'new to her' antique hardware that fit the bill:

I want to say a big THANK YOU to my friend Danielle who put one of my desks on her Pinterest page! You can check out her amazing 'Favorite Places and Spaces' here; http://pinterest.com/thecrayonbox/favorite-places-and-spaces. She also has the most ethereal collection of REAL treehouses and Castles! I'm completely captivated..check it out for yourself. More soon :) XOXO

Linking up to this party:

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