Vintage Paints

~ Garden Green Night Stand, New York State of Mind Table & A Ladder ~

2012-03-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hello there!

How are you all today? I'm doing much better--my kiddo was not feeling well but he seems to be on the mend. He did go to school today but wasn't going to stay for Chess Club. Well, he was supposed to text me if he wanted to stay for Chess Club. Guess who didn't text me and I found out after sitting in the car rider line for 15 minutes! Can I say that I was not a happy camper? Please tell me all 12 year old boys go through this forgetful/irresponsible stage?! I have to dial down the crazy because I was M*A*D when he wasn't in that car rider line. LOL! Fortunately for him, Mr. Vintage Paints went back to the school an hour later to get him while I was napping. :)

We have a winner for the Giveaway---it was comment #9, Shawna Mattes! Yay! If you're reading this Shawna or checking my Facebook page---please drop me an email KimG@VintagePaints.com so we can get started on your prize. Thank you for participating, that was much fun! We will do another giveaway at 1000. :)

I've been working on some projects, oh yes I have! The big stuff is gone and I've moved on to some little things. It's nice to start and finish a project in a day. I started on this little night stand for a friend's daughter:

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. That is an old crackle finish. Which was a bear to remove! That crackle stuff means business--I've had 2 pieces with it on it. This one, which I finally conquered and another table about a year ago that I junked because I couldn't get the hideous finish off. The second piece was a million times worse than this one. Do you all remember the orange headboard I worked on a few months ago? Well, that was for a little girl's room and this is for that same sweet girl. Isn't her room going to be fun?

The color is called Garden Green, from Ben Moore. It's got nice storage and I really like the open storage down below. I added a flower shaped crystal knob, since the old pull was ugly and white. I can't wait for Em to see this!

I'm also trying to get stuff ready to send over to Leisa's great boutique in Fern Park. I so want to add more things to her store but I've been so busy. This is something that is important and I really need to do what I can to get stuff over to her. I worked on this piece--here's the before:

This piece was in okay condition--just a super shiny dark finish that I didn't care for. I'm going to try and use colors and combos that I wouldn't normally--I need to step outside my comfort zone. The other day I was looking at Pinterest (of cours!) and saw a blue dresser with yellow pulls---I thought that was such a great color combo that I decided to do that with this little table.

Here she is:

The color is New York State of Mind and the the stenciling and accents are done in Mellow Yellow. I added some stenciling to give this great table some details. Aren't the turned legs fabulous?! I really love the trim around the top with the spindles, too. I did some heavy distressing to show the dark wood underneath and glazed with a mustardy color with a hint of metallic. What a difference some paint makes!

I also started working on this ladder:

I thought this would go quickly when I listed it to be customized. This just proves once again that I have NO idea what people like! :) I sanded all of the ick off---there was alot of that! Years and years worth of dirt/grime/paint splatters. I decided to use a color I picked up the other day----it's called Florida Keys Blue.

Isn't that pretty? I'm going to add some white accents on the ladder rungs and make it really fun! I think this would be great in a living room, on a porch with plants on it, strictly for decorative purposes. Oh the possibilities!

I've also started on the old desk with the inkwell and the chair that's going to go with the desk. Pictures to come on that tomorrow since we will be delivering on Thursday. I'm so excited to show you the pictures, it looks really great!

Okay---I'm off to bed. This DST business is kicking my butt. I do not like getting out of bed when it's still dark outside. Blah!

Night night!

~ Sunday Sunday ~

2012-03-11T08:51:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

I hope everything is right in your world today! I know it is in mine. I always feel incredibly relieved when big projects are complete. My neighbor/friend/client's huge desk and aquarium are all done and ready to be picked up---whoosh! That was hard work. Do you like to stain furniture? I don't mind a tabletop here and there or something small but these pieces were huge! I love paint because I think color just makes me happy--almost any color changes the entire look of a piece. Stain? Ehhh...it's either darker or lighter than it was but it doesn't make me want to jump up and down like paint color does. Yes, I do jump up and down in my workshop---can you imagine?! :) So, those are done. Delivered some big pieces of furniture this week. I feel like I'm back on track now. I can breathe again. I can sit here and write on my blog without feeling anxious and nervous. I still have nearly 30 orders waiting but, I'm on schedule at the moment. We all know that will change come middle of the week and I'll be a raving lunatic again. Slap me when I start to come unhinged again, will ya?

We had a great Saturday night--our best friends invited us over for dinner---the dinner was delicous, we made drinks, talked, laughed, enjoyed our kids. It was just what I needed to recharge these tired and rundown batteries. Now, I'm going to share this delicous drink recipe with you---you will thank me for it, trust me!

This is an Oatmeal Cookie:

<><><><>

Oatmeal cookie

ounce Cinnamon Schnapps
ounce Butterscotch Schnapps
ounce Irish Cream

Shake ingredients with crushed ice and strain into a shot glass.

My brother-in-law and mixologist extraordinaire made this for me a few years ago. I came home and immediately bought all of the ingredients for this fabulous drink. Last night, we made a drink out of this instead of a shot and did 2oz per ingredient. Served over ice. You're welcome.

Let's move on to furniture---what have I got going on over at Vintage Paints, you ask? Checked off several things on my to-do list and added more new orders---always a wonderful thing! This week I'm working on a chair for my friend's kids playroom, a nightstand for a teacher/friend's daughter, a sewing table that will be shabby chic pink, an old desk with an inkwell and a chair to match--those will be painted Gossamer Blue with a hot pink seat cushion. I also want to start on a baker's rack and a bread box. My client has guests coming in later this month and I want these items done in time for that. Fun!

I don't have many items that are ready for purchase at this time--I think my photo album on Facebook just has 6. I'm going to try and get new items ready for purchase, too. It's so hard because I have soooo many custom orders, which I love! I love picking colors and just painting things too though. I think I'm going to do that with these:

I know they aren't much to look at in their current state, right? I'm not a fan but I think they could be great! Solid and sturdy---great wicker---that's a great thing to have in Florida. I was thinking of this Sun N Shade fabric by Waverly called Magic Carpet Ocean:

Maybe I will spray the wicker white, or green or...maybe blue? I am so indecisive! I know I want this fabric, what color I do the wicker remains to be seen. Ha! What do you think of that fabric? I love the colors---so pretty.

Well, it's time for me to roll! On top of painting, I need to buy groceries--always big fun on a Sunday--sigh. If I don't go today, then I will make a million trips to the store this week and spend xxx every day browsing around and that's not going to help my cause at all. You can do it, Kim. I need to mentally prepare myself for the nutso that the grocery store is going to make me. I despise grocery shopping.

Now..go drink your Oatmeal Cookie.

Byeeeee!

~ Yin Yang Harlequin Cabinet, Gypsy's Kitty Perch, Banana Yellow Dresser + a Busted Toe ~

2012-03-09T22:33:00.001-08:00

Hi there!

Yes, back from the dead again. I've got pictures this time---and a much improved attitude. I know you all are happy about that! Who wants to read anything written by grumpy girl? I know I would just skip right on by. I feel good---got 4 things crossed off my list and added a few more but, that's a good thing.

How has your week been? Do anything fun? I'm back to my "ladies who lunch" routine--which I love. I don't often have a ton of time but grabbing lunch with a girlfriend is one of my all-time favorite things to do. I got to catch up with my friends, several of whom were just my clients at one time. I am a firm believer that people come into your life for a reason and people leave your life for a reason. Vintage Paints has brought so many truly terrific people into my life, I feel so fortunate to have met these great girls. <3 It's always great to meet people you just click with--they get you, you get them. It's really cool! So, I did that and I did a ton of work, hung out with my honeys...my usual routine.

Wanna see some pictures of finished work? Let's start out with the Banana Yellow Dresser---yes, you read that right---BANANA YELLOW. Here's the French Provincial Dresser before:

Yum, right? Oh that finish was atrocious. It had this weird wavy paint job---I can't explain it. Seriously fugly. For the most part, this piece was in good shape. A few pulls had some problems but overall, not too bad. This girl's biggest problem was the smell. Oh, lord have mercy. It was a combination of old, wet, musty furniture. A couple of coats of Kilz Oil Based Primer everywhere---inside drawers, outside the drawers...but you know what? I could still smell something. I finally laid it on it's back to inspect it and found a pretty big spot that used to be wet and had soaked through the bottom..etc. I primed that and no more smell. Whoop! I was seriously grossed out hunting for the odor though...ugh. My client initially chose a color called Mellow Yellow---and it was mellow all right. Zzzzzzzzzzz...it was a pale yellow, almost Easter-ish color. My client could not get on board with that color so, we switched it up and she chose Banana Yellow instead. It's bright, vibrant, fun. Here it is:

Do you love it, too? I don't normally care for yellows--just my personal preference but I just thought this was so much fun! It makes me happy just looking at it. I cleaned up the pulls, sprayed them a glossy white. No glazing, no distressing (you know I'm in withdrawals, right?!) just clean and pretty. My client loved it, her little girl loved it and it's for her bedroom. It's all good. :)

Next up---the Boyscout Cabinet---all done and delivered this morning! My client loved the harlequin pattern I've done on a few pieces so, I did this up the sides of this cabinet for her. The color is Yin Yang by Benjamin Moore. The cream is Champagne by Sherwin Williams---glazing and distressing and here she is:

I just think this cabinet is really cool! It's not too wide but is very deep so it's great for storage. The little cabinets down below are nice for closed storage. I staged this like a bookshelf but I think it would be great in a bathroom for linen storage, too. That harlequin pattern gave me absolute fits but, I still big pink puffy heart it. :)

Next up----this sad & pathetic foot stool:

Doesn't that ripped off tassle just annoy you? It does me. Who rips off a tassle? The hideous damask fabric reminds me of my Grandma's old couch, although that was olive green which is infinitely worse. My client chose some really great colors! Here's the finished piece:

My client and I have been referring to this as "the kitty seat" for so long! Her cat Gypsy likes to sit on the balcony and now she can relax in style. No frumpy cat tree for her! The color on the base is called "Watermelon" by Krylon. The fabric is Waverly Sun N Shade Essex Onyx. It's a really great fabric that's meant for outdoor use. This should hold up great with our unpredictable Florida weather. I hope Gypsy enjoys it!

Well, that's all I've got for pictures. Unless you want to see my toe that I demolished the other day? I'm thinking no one wants to see that but if you're a sicko and like stuff like that, drop me a line. :) I'm the klutziest human being on the planet. I am forever with bruises on my body and I don't know where they came from. I run into things, trip over things...I managed to bash myself in the face the other day at Joann's with a bolt of fabric. Yes, a bolt of fabric. Who does that?! Back to my jacked toe. Tried to pick up a dresser that was much too heavy for me to move by myself----ripped my big toenail almost off. Oh yes, did a little cursing and shed a few tears over that. That hurt like a mother. You will always know it's me---I'm rocking a blue Spongebob BandAid--hey, that's all we had! I'm sure I'll have to wear a band aid over this ugly eye sore for months. Lovely.

I've got a Giveaway going...don't forget to check me out on Facebook and add a comment to throw your name in! It's running until 10pm Monday night. Good luck!

Alright---this chick has to go to bed! I've got a busy day tomorrow-back later with giveaway deets and an update on some furniture I'm almost done staining.

Bye!

~ Monday, Monday, Monday ~

2012-03-05T19:47:00.002-08:00

Good evening!

I hope you all had a great weekend and a good Monday---if Mondays can be good?! Our weekend was a good one, I felt very productive. Cleaned my house, took care of laundry, painted, went to dinner and the movies with my main men. Mr. VP and Kid Vintage were just dying to see Chronicle. Have you seen it? If you are with reality---don't bother. I can't tell you the amount of times over the years Kid Vintage has asked me "Mom, if you could choose any special power, what would it be?" or "Mom, if you could fly, wouldn't that be cool?" or there is always "Which would you prefer; fly, have super human strength, be invisible...?" None son because that ain't happening! Of course, I don't say that, I pick one and play along. :) Well, this movie is about all of those things so if you're 12 OR Mr. Vintage Paints, you'll love it. :) I told them I liked it so, shhhh...don't tell, ok?

I've been a painting fool---I have 4 large projects going on right now and 1 small one--all at the same time. If I had a choice I would mix it up---large projects are tedious and start to wear on my nerves. Especially 4 in a row. I want to rip my hair out! It's just my adult ADD kicking in and my desire to finish stuff up and get it delivered. I've got no new pictures, nothin' to show you, because none of these items are finished. Sigh.

Boyscout Cabinet---Almost done, need to put the hardware on the little doors at the bottom and touch up a few spots, needs to be sealed and the glass shelves cleaned.
Aquarium---Sanded, needs to be stained, should be quick and easy from here on out.
Massive Oak Desk---This is a great desk but it is monstrous. Solid, heavy--I can't move it by myself, I've tried. Imagine me pushing & pulling this desk in my workshop. Yeah, pretty funny, I know. It's been sanded, took a million years to get that all done and has 1 coat of stain, needs another coat. Drawers need another coat.
French Provincial Dresser---This dresser belongs to my client, it's a 9 drawer number with a mirror and heavy! Almost done---well, I thought it was. Need to spray the pulls white and now it might be too much of a pastel yellow. I see a color change in my future.
Foot Stool--Sprayed the iron bottom of the stool hot pink--looks good. I've been all over creation looking for the outdoor fabric my client chose--Joann should have it but for some odd reason, none of them do. Finally ordered it online last night, it shipped today.

Yikes and I was wondering why I was grumpy?! I love to get things out for delivery--my favorite thing is when items are all done and headed to their home. I'm always excited to hear from clients, I hope they love what I've done. So, the fact that I have 5 items partially done isn't working for me, AT ALL.

Tomorrow is a new day--I'm hoping to finish up some of these beauties so I can show you some pictures! I'm off to answer emails! Byeeeee!

~ I've been off smelling the roses....~

2012-03-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Did ya' miss me? I've been off enjoying family, our best friends and soaking up some much needed family time. Did you all hear about the horrible shooting at the high school in Ohio? Well, that hit quite close to home for me. One of my very dear friends lives in Chardon and her son attends that high school. Not only does he attend that high school, he was sitting in the cafeteria minutes before the shooting occurred and his good friend was shot in the back. Doesn't that just send shivers right up your spine? Make you want to cry? Grab your kids and never let them go? It did all of those things to me--my girlfriend and her family, along with everyone in that community will never be the same. In an instant, your life can change dramatically. I am one of those people that can get wrapped up in work, life, housework, chores, things that need to be done. Or at least *I* think they need to be done. Well, I'm going to really try to not get so wrapped up in that junk and make more time doing the things I really want to do. While I feel like I am pretty good at setting aside work for the important things in life, I could be better. I'm going to work on that!

Kid Vintage and I have been outside on our 2nd floor deck hanging out alot, with Hermione of course. The Lizard Chaser Extraordinaire would never let us go outside without her. Here they are, 2 peas in a pod.

Kid Vintage taught me how to play chess---I'm not very good and I had to ask him a million questions but it was fun! Smarty Pants also had to put songs on my iPhone---thank goodness I have a smart kid to help me---I don't know how to do jack on this iPhone! I'm lucky I can send email, seriously.

Going along with my theme of stopping to smell the roses---we did just that yesterday. I had plans to paint all day, Mr. Vintage Paints was home helping and my friend came over to help, as well. Vintage Paints is in serious back order status at the moment-----we are working hard to rectify that. Anyway, our best friends called and asked if we wanted to hit Disney for this:

To celebrate Leap Year, Magic Kingdom was going to be open 24 hours--from 6am on 2/29/12 to 6am on 3/1/12. I felt like I should stay home and work but Mr. Vintage Paints would have none of that. :) We spent the evening in Epcot, soaking up the gorgeousness that is Disney. I hate the crowds and the crazed Disney-lovers but I must admit, the entire area is fabulous. We people-watched (always fun!), ate, laughed, rode some rides and just relaxed. It was exactly what my tired/sad soul needed. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and to live in a place where Disney is just down the road. <3

On to furniture! Remember I told you that I like trades. Well, we delivered a desk and chair last week and traded for these beauties:

I loved the style from the moment I saw them in my client's house. Fortunately for me, she wanted to sell them/trade them. They had a tired plaid fabric on them but were in otherwise good condition. I chose a great paisley fabric from Joann---my house has lots of beige, aqua, browns so, this fabric was perfect. Here they are all done:

The background color is called Polar Ice---sort of a bluish green. I love them! They are so much prettier than my old bar stools. I think the legs and the great backs are so great! I'm over-the-moon about this trade!

I've been working like crazy on several things...still finishing up the BoyScout cabinet. Sigh. Those blasted harlequins on the sides are enough to make me run into traffic. One side is done and I think I've gotten it under control but seriously. Not fun.

I started on this:

My client chose a color called "Caribbean Breeze"---by my boyfriend Benjamin Moore, of course. It's a soft, minty green. The chairs are all done, just need to finish up the table. I'm also working on a French Provincial Dresser that belongs to my client--that will be painted Mellow Yellow. I've got like 86000 projects partially started---why do I do that?! It's so annoying because I like to start and FINISH projects. My adult ADD is about annoying, right?! It sho' is!

Alright---I'm off to bed! Oh, don't forget to check out some new items on Facebook. I didn't have many for this week but there are some great wicker chairs, a round table and my old bar stools. Check it out!

Night night!

~ Georgian Blue Hope Chest ~

2012-02-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

It's foggy and overcast this morning but it is supposed to hit 88 today. No complaints about that from me!

I finished up my Hope Chest last night---finally! It has been sitting in my formal living room, partially finished for 2 weeks. I only worked on it when I had a few extra minutes so it took awhile. I finally decided that as much as I loved it, I was SICK of seeing it sitting there, all sad and halfway finished. I am totally re-doing my bedroom, 'cuz you know I have so much free time to be doing that right?! What am I thinking?! Anyway...yes, re-doing it. I chose a vibrant color that will be that pop when you walk in the room. The rest of the room will be soft, neutrals--I wanted it to be relaxing and calm. Unlike the crazy red floral pattern I have going on in there now. I loved that Ralph Lauren bedding but it's time for a change. I think I showed you the before so, here are the afters:

This Hope Chest is huge--we have a king size bed and this fit perfectly. It has a ton of storage space inside, which is perfect for me, the girl with 100 pillows on her bed. :) The color is called Georgian Blue by Sherwin Williams, the accent color is Pashmina by Benjamin Moore. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with the top and the front--it was just this wide open space and that I wanted to fill up! Once I got the Georgian Blue on, it was so so pretty, I didn't want to cover it up anymore. I chose a couple of stencils, after searching high and low for an applique for the front. I went every where yesterday in search of one. If you know me in real life, you know that I almost always have something in mind when I'm shopping. So, of course, you know how that goes. I am NEVER going to find exactly what I had in mind and that was the case yesterday. I didn't like any of the appliques I found. BUT I did find a few stencils that I liked. Score! I did some distressing and glaze with my favorite glaze ever, and she's all done. Yay!

Mr. Vintage Paints is home today, since he worked last night. I'm making him take me to lunch and to find some fabric I need for my bar stools that I traded for. Woot! These are real grown up bar stools, not like my little ones that I've had forever. That are actually for ADULTS. Love!

Okay---I'm off, I need to do some painting before we head to lunch. Ciao!

~ Like Banging Your Head Against A Wall ~

2012-02-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

This was me, Saturday afternoon. Shall I backtrack as to how I arrived at this sorry state of mind?

Friday: Tried to lay out the Harlequin pattern on the top of my hope chest. I had done this pattern one other time and it was soooooo easy! This time? Notsomuch. Straight edge, tape measure, level---check, check, check. All of the things I would need to lay out this pattern, right? Sure I had all of those things but this chest is OLD and isn't aligned properly with the planks on top, the hinges aren't straight so although this pattern was laid out well, it didn't look right visually. Paint over it and start over---making adjustments for the poor construction from years ago. Laid it out, diamonds don't match up, still looks like a 5 year old did it. Paint over it. I decide to wait for Mr. Vintage Paints/Mr. Engineer to come home and assist. He tells me how to do it, I explain that I've already done all of that and it doesn't look right. He insists we lay it out again, we do. Doesn't look right. No kidding. Correct me if I'm wrong but I THINK I JUST SAID THAT! He explained to me all of the reasons why it's laid out properly and measured correctly and how it *should* look ok. Yeah, I know but it doesn't because your eye is distracted by the planks and the hinge--none of which are lined up right. Oh the frustrations! So, guess what I did? I didn't do the Harlequin pattern on that---I scrapped that whole idea after painting over it 4 times. I did some stenciling and an applique instead and I'm a happy camper. :) See, painting isn't all butterflies and flowers. Sometimes it's really *&^&^%$$% annoying!

I did do the Harlequin pattern on the Boy Scout cabinet though and it looks soooo good! I love it! I'm hoping to finish up both of these pieces tonight---pictures hopefully tonight, too.

How was your weekend? Hopefully it was fun-filled! Okay---I'm leaving you with some pictures of beaches & summer. It can't get here soon enough for me!

~ 20,000 Hits ~

2012-02-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

I awoke to this:

20,195 page visits to be exact! Now, that's pretty exciting! I think I've been lax in saying thank you to everyone that takes the time to read this little ol' blog.

I love blogs---I always love everyone else's blog. My friend and I would always joke around because I would reference people in blogs, like I knew them! We used to laugh and laugh...until I got her hooked on blogs, too. I'm a good friend like that. When I started this one, I wondered who on earth would read it. Seriously. I figured I would fill it with pictures of pretty furniture and distract you from my ramblings and how I get wayyyy off track on things. Maybe it worked! You're here, you're reading. That's always a good thing. Thanks for being here---you just made my day!

Our weekend has been a good but, busy one. Kid Vintage went to his school dance---awwwww.

Isn't he so handsome? He looks so grown up! He was asked by a girl but I have a ~~spy~~ friend that was chaperoning and she said they barely said two words to each other. :) They all just hung out in a group of boys & girls. I like that much better! They had fun, which made me happy. My sweet boy.

I didn't find much for new items yesterday---just a few interesting things. I am so picky--I know what I like. Mr. Vintage Paints, notsomuch with the pickyness. He brought me in to show me some bench/table combo at a place where we were picking up some wicker chairs. Horrors. I think he's lost his mind---he reminded me I thought Big Ugly was hideous but this set? Beyond that. I still don't see what he did--it was warped (no!), the table was wobby & rickety (no!), the benches opened up for storage but the storage compartment underneath was missing (no, again). No, no, no, no. No way, no how.

I did find these---I'll give you a sneak peek--I haven't even put them on Facebook yet:

Aren't these great? I think they are just perfect for spring & summer in Florida. Wicker can be so expensive too---so, these were a great find. I'm going to completely rip out the padding/fabric and replace with brand new stuff. I'm sure they've had plenty of rain and weather over the years and who wants to sit on THAT. Ewww! I'm going to decide on the paint color after I choose the fabric. Well, all of this is contingent upon the fact that no one buys them from me and gets to customize them. I guess I will have to list them and see what happens before I go buying fabric! Ha!

I also found this:

I fell in love with the base as soon as I saw it. Isn't that great? I have a ton of chairs in my workshop (aka garage stacked to the rafters!) I need to see if I have 4 chairs out there that match or would at least kind of go together. If not, I thought about painting the table Pallaidan Blue, which is this:

And pairing the Key West chairs with it. Here they are:

What do you think? Is 2 chairs at a table lame? Oooooh, I just had a thought---maybe I could use these like Captain's Chairs and take 2 chairs that I have with high backs but don't match these and work them in somehow. 2 chairs or 4? The table is big enough to have 4 chairs so maybe 4? Oh, I am a mess! My wheels are turning....I will see what I come up with. Weigh in please in the comments section. :) Thanks!

I've got more furnitur to show you---I've already shown you the Snowfall & Pear Desk, the matching chair is complete. This set has been delivered and my client loves it. Woot! Here's the set:

I really like the chair, with the desk. I originally had it painted solid white but the more I looked at it, the more I wanted to add something. My client suggested adding some pear in somewhere so, I did just that. I added it just to the great cutout in the back. Some light distressing, great fabric and voila--a new chair for the desk! Isn't the fabric just straight up cool? I want to pick up more of this for future projects. It's called "Owls on Aqua"..I love it! Fun, whimsical with great colors.

Did you know Vintage Paints takes trades? Yes ma'am, TRADES. I've been trading furniture + cash for awhile now. Anything we can do to keep things interesting. People always have furniture they don't want---why give it away or deal with Craigslist---I'm your friendly neighborhood trader. A jack-of-all-trades. Hee hee. I love trades! I traded this desk + chair set to my client for some fabulous bar stools she no longer needed plus cash to cover the difference. I need to take some pictures of the bar stools---I will do that today. I'm going to recover the seats and use them in my own house. :) So, if you want to trade--hit me up! KimG@VintagePaints.com

I've got info coming up tonight on where you can see Vintage Paints furniture in person---in a boutique, in Fern Park. I'm so excited about this venture--deets and info to come tonight.

Vintage Paints needs some help so, I'm going to get some part-time help in here. I've done this in the past and it hasn't quite worked out. I have a good feeling about it this time around--she will be great! I knew I needed help when I scratched off 4 orders as completed last week and added 5 to my list. :) I love it!

Well, I've got to get it rollin'. I'm working on the Boy Scout Cabinet, the Murphy Trunk for myself and an Oak Desk which needs to be stained.

Have a happy Sunday! :)

~ Fair Isle Blue Bedroom Set ~

2012-02-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

Hola Amigos!

Yes, it's me, just burning the midnight oil again. What can I say---orders rolling in daily, major freakout because I need to get stuff done = Working until midnight! Plus, I am miserable with these:

At this point, I think I'm just allergic to Florida. It used to be just the fall with the ragweed now, it's every damned day of the year. Some days are worse than others, of course. Today? Not so pleasant. I have an earache that hurts like nobody's business. This was me about 3pm.

It's finally easing up, after I've done all of my surefire-get-rid-of-the-congestion tricks. I've been to doctors, I've been to ENTs, I've had my sinuses x-rayed, a CT scan of my head. Allergies. <<<insert any expletive you choose>>> I've certainly said them all today. Shall we talk about furniture? Why certainly, so glad you asked. :)

I finished up and delivered the French Provincial Bedroom Set this morning--my client loved it! Thank goodness for that! The pictures are coming up--I don't think this picture truly shows off this pretty, pretty blue. It's much darker in real life. These are taken in bright sunlight.

Both colors are by Benjamin Moore---the blue is Fair Isle and the yellow is Baby Chick. I'm guessing you would already know that based on the names, right? What can I say, the neurons aren't all firing tonight. :) These 2 pieces didn't come in a set but we pieced them together for my client. I think they look great together because they are both French Provincial style. One of my favorites! I really wanted the yellow to somehow tie in with the blue Dresser but I wasn't quite sure how to get that. I've been stewing over that for weeks now. I was putting on the final touches last night and decided to add the hints of blue and it was just what I was after. I sprayed the pulls the same color on both pieces and glazed with the same metallic coffee color. I love the two together! What a vibrant & fun bedroom!

I've finished up the magazine rack, pictures to come on that tomorrow. I was too tired to hunt down my camera tonight. I think it's fun and will be great in the kid's playroom.

Kid Vintage is headed to the Sweetheart's Ball on Friday night at school. A girl asked HIM to the dance. Hmmm...I'm not sure how feel about my baby being someone else's sweetheart. :) Even if it is just for 2 hours. It's formal attire so, I need to get him something to wear. He certainly has no formal shoes. Hey, we live in Florida and we live in flip flops! I gave his last pair of dress shoes to his cousin----I did that AFTER I made him squeeze his feet into them for family pictures. He complained the whole time that they were way too tight. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be winning any Mom of the Year Awards for that one! He only had to wear them for 30 minutes but by the way he was acting, you'd think it was 30 years. So, he clearly needs shoes. And dress pants. And a tie. Looks like Mama is going shopping!

I am so looking forward to spending part of my day doing a little shopping and having some lunch! I'm meeting my client (who is now my friend) and then I will be able to give her the Farmhouse Red Letter Tray she bought and the magazine rack for her kid's playroom. So excited!

I'm headed to bed.....be back tomorrow friends!

~ I'm a guest blogger on Sissy's Salvation ~

2012-02-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am so excited to tell you all that I'm the guest blogger for Sissy's Salvation this week! Isn't that cool!? Tracy had me write about the color red since it is the month of L.O.V.E. :) It was my pleasure to talk about red because I love it and I adore her---she could tell me to write about MegaCon and I would, if she wanted me to. I'd do anything for that girl!

**Please see reference to the horror that is MegaCon in post that is a few down from this one. :)

Alright...I swear to you that I am really out of here----go read my guest blog spot...tell me how I did. It was my first guest blog appearance. I was nervous. :) Check out Tracy's other posts and give her some love, she deserves it! She works hard and does great work--I guarantee you will be inspired and impressed.

Sissy's Salvation

~ Agave Table & Magazine Rack ~

2012-02-20T08:45:00.001-08:00

Good Monday morning to you!

I'm up and ready to go this morning-so much to do! I've already had a client/friend swing by and pick up her Agave Magazine Rack. She loved it, which made me happy. She's going to use it to store her laptop---great idea. Here's the before:

It was in good shape---just needed some cleaning up and those water rings on top sanded off. I fell in love with style, the spindles and the wavy top. You are never going to find furniture like that now.

My client chose a color that I use often, called Agave. It's alot green, a little blue but it's so neutral it looks good almost anywhere. It's just a gorgeous color. Here are the afters:

The streamlined style is so nice, it could just slide right in anywhere! The details make it so charming. I did some distressing and glazed with an espresso and voila. She's done and gone to her new home. :)

I've got so much on tap for today! I'm working on this for myself:

It's a Murphy Cedar Trunk that I picked up last summer. I have wanted one of these for ages! We have a king size bed and every trunk I've picked up has just been too small. Not only do we have a king size bed, I have a million decorative pillows that need a home while we're sleeping. Piled up next to Mr. Vintage Paints' side of the bed hasn't been working because they end up under the bed or scattered everywhere. He's like a bull in a china shop. Now I will have a place to put them AND I'm sure Hermione will sleep right on top. It's all painted, I chose this color:

I'm going to do some whitewashing, maybe a glaze and put a Harlequin pattern on top...I'm thinking of doing the Harlequin pattern in this:

This is Pashmina Gray by Benjamin Moore. I will have to see what I think of the 2 colors together. Looking at them here, I'm not sure. My bedroom has been dark florals with lots of red for years. I'm ready for a change. I'm going with whites, grays and this trunk will be the pop of color in this room. More of a light and softy beachy theme. I still need to paint my bedroom furniture but, well..there aren't enough hours in the day. I'm just trying to squeeze in some things for me, while I'm doing client work, too.

Speaking of client work---today I'm sanding a huge oak desk, finishing up this dresser:

It's been painted a color by Benjamin Moore called Fair Isle, along with some glazing and distressing. It looks great! I sprayed the pulls, they are ready to be put back on. It has a night stand that goes with it which will be painted Baby Chick Yellow. It's bright & so fun! Pictures to come on this set tomorrow morning.

I'm also working on a magazine rack for one of my favorite clients--she gave me some ideas for colors and then told me to decide what to do with it--isn't that cool? Here's the magazine rack before:

It's going in her kids playroom. I'm thinking the base one color and the planks a different color. Fun project!
Many other things are on my calendar for this week----a shabby chic pink sewing table, an aquarium, one of the Boy Scout cabinets (with a Harlequin pattern down the side) and a ton of other stuff. Better get rollin, it's almost noon!

I am out of here...bye!

~ Fun Weekend + Checkerboard Apothecary Cabinet ~

2012-02-19T22:30:00.001-08:00

Hey Hey!

I hope you've had a good weekend! Maybe you are off tomorrow, too? Kid Vintage is off tomorrow but sadly enough, Mr. Vintage Paints must head to his office. Pfffttttt on that! We have had a fabulous weekend though so I've got no complaints!

I planned on spending most of my weekend painting, which I did get alot done but that wasn't all I ended up doing. Kid Vintage had one of his best friends spend the night on Friday night. He got invited to spend the night at his best friend's house on Saturday night. Then we got a dinner invite and I am NEVER passing up a dinner invite. N.E.V.E.R. :) We met up with our very funny friends for dinner---such a good time! They took Kid Vintage home with them and Mr. Vintage Paints and I headed out for a movie marathon. :) We hit up Pointe Orlando to see two movies---and also make fun of all of the geeks leaving MegaCon. Star Wars costumes, Jack Sparrow, Tinkerbell...I just don't understand the appeal of MegaCon but not surprisingly, Mr. Vintage Paints "gets" it. He explained that it's some kind of sci-fi-comic-book-convention-thinga-majig. GeekFest 2012 is what it sounds like to me. I can say that because Mr. Vintage Paints wants to go next year, of course he does. They say opposites attract and that is a fact in this relationship. I would rather sand 20 pieces of furniture than attend that thing and that's saying something. I despise sanding! We saw this:

Starring ~~Harry Potter~~ Daniel Radcliffe. I don't like scary movies and did NOT want to see this. Since Mr. VP saw The Vow with me last weekend, I had to take one for the team and see this movie. It was scary. Soooo scary!!!! I was spooked and pretty much crawled into Mr. VPs lap for most of the movie. One girl in the audience must have been just as scared because after a scary part she yelled out "I told you I wanted to see Ghostrider!!" That made us all laugh! It was early for us-well, fairly early so we decided to check out another movie:

Despite it's pretty poor reviews, we both really liked this movie. Denzel is just soooo good. I'm hard-pressed to even think of a movie he's done that I didn't like. I recommend it, go see it and tell me what you think. :) We strolled on home at close to 3am. Don't ask. I have no idea what we were thinking.

Today, we went and delivered the Checkerboard Apothecary Cabinet to my client--here's the before:

There was nothing wrong with this item--just unfinished wood begging for some paint! My client purchased this for her 6 year old son. She asked that it be painted black & white to coordinate with her son's desk. She is going to use it to store supplies..etc. Here it is, all finished:

The colors I chose were "Snowfall" by Benjamin Moore and "Tricorn Black" by Sherwin Williams. I used a "Shimmering Silver" for the knobs. This is not a color palette I would have ever chosen and I absolutely love it! Great contrast between dark and light---it's just really cool! The drawers all pull out and can be rearraged. Mr. 6 Year old was rearranging them before we were even out the door. How fun is that?!

We picked up Kid Vintage from his sleepover---my friend and I get such a kick out of our husbands. They both have guitars and picked up Rocksmith....so you know what that means? Yes, they want to start a band and think they will be looking like this guy soon:

So funny, right? We were hysterical at dinner when Mr. Vintage Paints yells out "Hey, you're going to be so sorry one day when I'm a rock star!!!" Oh yes dear, I certainly will be. <<insert eyeroll here>> Funny stuff, man.

Well....I've got a few more pieces to show you but I am tired and still have to edit those photos. Be back tomorrow with pictures, more funny family stuff and new items! Oh and I want to start my 365 days of Instagrams tomorrow, too. Who's gonna do it with me?

Ciao!

~ Voyage Blue Medicine Cabinet, Instagram & a Paint-Filled Weekend ~

2012-02-18T07:21:00.001-08:00

Good Saturday morning to ya! I hope you all enjoyed Tracy's post on chalk paint, I know I did! Aren't her frames to-die-for? Absolutely gorgeous! Guess what? I will be her guest blogger very soon--she asked me to talk about my red furniture!! I am so excited---I do love me some red! :) I will let you all know more on that later.

I've spent the past few days doing some painting and tons of cleaning. I have a serious problem when I don't think my house is clean. As in, it really makes me mad/annoyed/grumpy/irritable. Doesn't that make you want to come live at the Casa de Vintage? You all would throw me out and lock the door! :) I'm sure Mr. Vintage Paints wants do that. When I get on my tear, complaining about this & that, he usually rolls his eyes and his common response is "Hey, we live here" or "It would take 30 minutes to straighten up this whole house." Grrrr. I have a fairly big house (2900 sq ft) and it's a 2 story so you know it's going to take more than 30 minutes to do anything in this house! Pffffttt on him. So, yesterday I just cleaned my little heart out and I feel so much better this morning.

I saw this fun little challenge on another blogger's page.

Do you all want to do it, too? I'm going to put a little tab up at the top, near the furniture for this. I know this blog is about furniture (mostly!!) but it's also about me, my life, the things I enjoy..etc. If you feel like checking out my pics, please do. If you don't, just skip right on over THAT tab! :) I want to see your pictures----please make sure you comment here so I can follow your blog and check out your loves, too.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my family, my house, my business that I forget about ME. Do you do that, too? Most of the time I am dead last on my own list. That's not the way it should be. I constantly strive for balance, I don't always find it but I know it helps when I am on more of an even keel. I saw this on Pinterest the other day and it hit home:

I'm going to really try to make it a point daily to do something for each of these items. Wish me luck!

On to furniture--I have multiple projects around my house at the moment and it's annoying me to no end. My goal today is to finish everything up that has been started! That will feel so good. :)

I DID finish up this wooden Medicine Cabinet the other day----love it!

Here's the before:

You can't really tell in the pictures but this was a terrible paint job. Drips, runs, globs. The inside hadn't been painted at all so it was brown. What wasn't brown was the back, behind the shelves...oh no, that was a hideous fabric, done in a red calico pattern that was about 100 years old. Ugh! I couldn't wait to get rid of that fabric and sand this ugly paint right off. My client chose a color that I've used alot, called Voyage Blue. It's such a pretty blue, everyone loves it---myself included! Here are the afters:

Didn't that turn out cute? It had so many grooves and places for the glaze to really settle in, I love it! The curved top and the towel bar at the bottom are 2 of my favorites. I'm at it again with my cute crystal knobs! LOVE!!!

I've got a million things to do so, I need to roll! Hope you're Saturday is awesome! Bye!

~ Guest Blogger: Sissy's Salvation ~

2012-02-15T07:14:00.004-08:00

Good morning! It's a gorgeous day in Orlando, I love it! I've got a ton of stuff to paint so, I'm off to do that. I'm going to leave you with some wonderful reading material---our guest blogger, Tracy from Sissy's Salvation is here to tell you about her gorgeous frames and chalk paint! Don't forget to visit Tracy on her blog: Sissy's Salvation Without further adieu, here's Tracy!

I have to start out by letting y'all know that I am over the moon excited to be here at Vintage Paints! Talk about the ultimate in flattery! When someone as talented as Kim asks you to be a guest on her blog, well it just don't get any better than that.

Kim asked me to share some picture frames that I recently painted.

Originally, it started out as an experiment with homemade chalk paint.

I had been reading about it all over blog land and wanted to give it a whirl but, being the big chicken that I am, I wanted to try it out on something small and not jump out of the gate with a big piece of furniture.

I started by priming first. I know everyone says this is an unnecessary step, when using chalk paint, but I'm not big on taking chances. (Did I mention that I'm a big chicken?) After the primer dried, I got down to the business of concocting the paint. Here's the

recipe:

1 part Plaster of Paris (you can find it at Home Depot or craft stores)

1 part warm water

3 parts interior latex paint (I prefer a flat finish but you can also use satin) For a few small frames the following amount should be plenty:

1/3 cup plaster

1/3 cup warm water

1 cup paint

Containers with lids work great for mixing because you can shake rather than try to stir the plaster lumps. It's much faster and who doesn't like faster??? Old mayo jars, sour cream containers, that sort of thing work great. I start by mixing the plaster and warm water. Give that a good shake, then add the paint and shake again. VOILA!

I use the little cheapo sponge brushes because the paint goes on smoother than a regular brush and also because I'm lazy and I just chunk them in the trash when I'm done. When I ran across these babies at the dollar store it was like pay day! A whole bag in assorted sizes for a dollar? That's right up my alley!

After two coats of the chalk paint, I apply flat white paint (white primer will work fine too) to the details of the frames using a dry sponge brush. Lightly dip the tip of the brush into the white and then wipe the excess on a paper towel so that there's just a hint of paint on the sponge. Then, with very little pressure, skim over all the raised details on the frame. You can go back over them as many times as you like to get the look that floats your boat. I usually go over them twice. The white pretty much dries instantly so there's no wait time on that.

The last step is to seal them with clear Minwax Finishing Paste. I made myself a red neck version of those fancy wax brushes, you may have seen, by taking a regular synthetic bristle paint brush and putting a rubber band tightly around the bristles which works like a charm! Just lightly swirl your brush in the wax and apply to the frame in a circular motion. Allow about 20 - 30 minutes for the wax to dry and they are done. Here they are all done:

This will work on wooden, metal or plastic frames. I pick most of them up at thrift stores but you can also find inexpensive frames at the dollar store if you don't have any good thrift stores around.

Before:

Thank y'all for letting me into your World today and HUGE thanks to my painting bestie, Kim for inviting me over! Love ya' girl!

Peace, love & PAINT,

Tracy (aka Sissy)

~ Happy Valentine's Day ~

2012-02-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to you and all that you love! I hope you have a wonderful day today. I know people complain and say "oh it's just a marketing ploy...or Happy Hallmark Day...blah blah blah." For me, it's just a day that I like to make special for my husband and my son. A day to just do something a little sweet for them, to tell them I love them and a way to show them I love them, too. I asked my Little Valentine what he wanted for his special dinner, he chose Zuppa Toscana. This has been his birthday dinner of choice for many years and apparently now it's his Valentine's Day dinner, too. :) Fortunately, Mr. VP and I both love it, too! I will pick Little Valentine up one of those cheesecake assortments from the bakery, he loves those, too. My Big Valentine and I are going to spend the day together---I'm so looking forward to it! We are going out to lunch, doing some shopping and just enjoying the day. Don't forget to tell your Valentines you love them. <3

I'm in the midst of working on about 6 projects but none of them are done. I will surely have some pictures for you tomorrow. I'm working on a wood medicine cabinet, 2 magazine racks, an apothecary cabinet, a French Provincial dresser and a foot stool.

Oh and guess what? Vintage Paints is going to have a guest blogger. My great friend and very talented artist, Tracy from Sissy's Salvation will be here. If you don't know Tracy, well you simply must. She's a darling girl---hysterically funny, sweet as can be and extremely creative. Trust me, you will thank me for introducing you. :) Stay tuned for more information!

Alrighty Blog World, I'm out of here! Have fun, sweethearts!

I jinxed myself!

2012-02-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

Well, it's freezing this morning in Orlando. I mean it, seriously freezing. All my talk about summer and warm weather turned into freezing weather, in the 30s last night and a high of 53 today. <<<insert frowny face here>>> Today will be a cold one! I need to suck it up, it will be back in the 80s in a few days.

I found some fabulous pieces yesterday--I am so thrilled with my haul! This was me:

After quite a few trips out and finding pretty much nothing, I was thrilled to find so many pretty things. To be fair, I am quite picky. I only buy things I like and I have strict criteria. Also, I have a 3 car garage jampacked already. So, you know I must *love* what I find. I'm always on the hunt for new items though. I like to have new items available for my clients, it keeps them interested. :) I lucked out and came upon an unadvertised yard sale. This very sweet woman had had some of her husband's grandmother's antiques in storage for 10 years. After buying a house up north and deciding to RV it for awhile, she knew she had to part with these things. I found a fabulous buffet, an antique china cabinet, a desk with an old ink well and drawers on the bottom and that was at just one stop. Along the way, I picked up a 6 drawer dresser with cool hardware, a coffee table and an end table. After 2 trips home, we decided to call it a day. My workshop and my 3 car garage are full. Mr. Vintage Paints and I need to get out there and reorganize as soon as it warms up. I had to climb over the buffet yesterday to get out of the garage. I can't even say I'm a hoarder. They have trails...I have no trails! :) New items are coming up tonight!

I will be a workin' fool this week. 22 orders are on tap....how cool is that?! Thank you all so much for keeping me busy and trusting me with your furniture. I love ya' for it! :)

BBL with pictures and some updates on sold pieces..etc.

PS. The Nantucket Fog Twin Headboard & Footboard sold yesterday. I will update the sold tab.

Stay warm!

~ Harper's Little Red Rocker ~

2012-02-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey...

Two posts in a day? Who am I? Some days I barely get here and other days I find myself at my desk quite a bit. Probably because it's raining. Rain & paint don't mix well. I did finally get some pictures of the little red rocker that I've talked about for days. Finally, you've got some pictures!

Here's the before:

This was in good condition overall. A little beat up, had been wood puttied in some spots and needed some sanding. Nothing me and my mad skillz couldn't fix right up. Ha! Mad skillz...I am very funny! My client and I finally decided on one of my favorite colors, Farmhouse Red. It goes really well with Harper's nursery, which is adorable! Here are the afters:

We decided to do some distressing and a rich dark coffee glaze. Harper is just a baby now, I believe she is 6 months old. She'll get so many years of use out of this cute rocker!

In other news, The Prop Shop has been updated with some cute new items for your photo sessions. Take a peek and see if there's anything fun you're interested in. Drop me a note to make your reservation for these items. :) Many new items will be added next week!

That's all I've got my friends. I think I'll go read for a while...night night.

~ Snowfall & Pear Desk + TGIF ~

2012-02-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

Are you so glad it's Friday? :) Mr. Vintage Paints + Kid Vintage home all weekend---yay for that! On the weekdays, it's just me and my shadow..errr, I mean Hermione all day. I think she thinks she's a dog. She scratches at the door to go out, follows us around like a puppy, is waiting for us on the washing machine when we come in through the garage door and plays fetch with a sock. She plays fetch! Kid Vintage taught her to do that when she was just a kitten. Here's my sweetie:

Isn't she so funny? I know you all have caught glimpses of her in my furniture pictures. She just loves the camera! I was taking pictures this morning and here she comes, trying to get her mug in the shot. :)

I finished up the desk we talked about the other day. I just love it now! Mr. Vintage Paints reminded me that the lady we bought this from, had had it since she was a child and I would say she was in her 70s. She said it had been in her garage for so many years because she couldn't bear to part with it but she finally decided it had to go. I am so thrilled that I could restore this beauty. I have to be honest, I was a bit concerned initially. So many colors of paint, so many layers. Once I got to the bare wood though, it was good and solid. Here are the afters:

Once I got all of those layers of paint off, I found some interesting things. Apparently someone named "Faith" had carved her name into the top of the desk. It makes me wonder if the woman I bought this from was named Faith. Someone had also started a game of tic tac toe on the front, decorative piece. Ha! Apparently there was no paper back in those days so they just dug into their furniture instead. It all sanded out just fine, I thought it was amusing.

The white color is called Snowfall. This is my favorite shade of white, which is saying something because I don't care for whites. There are so many colors in the rainbow, I can't possibly like white. :) Some whites are very gray, some have hints of blue..this is a lovely, pure white. The drawers are Sultana by Martha Stewart. I stained the top with a Colonial Walnut by Minwax. I love the contrast of colors, it makes this desk so very interesting! My client requested crystal knobs---I just so happen to come across these fun & funky knobs a few days ago. I knew they were just what I was looking for. This desk does have a matching chair---once I get the seat cushion recovered, I will show you some pictures.
I hope you've got some great plans this weekend. You know I always do! I'm really hoping to hit the farmer's market, spend time with my family and get a ton of painting done. Mr. Vintage Paints and I are going on a double date tomorrow night for Valentine's Day. Yep, it's like we're 16 again. We're going out for Mexican food and to see The Vow with some of our best friends. Awwww.
I will be back later with an update and some information on the boutique that will be carrying my furniture! How exciting is that?!
Have fun, be good and I will check back tonight! :)

Summertime & The Living Is Easy.....

2012-02-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Hello!

It always hits me about this time of year, that summertime is right around the corner. It's always fairly warm in Florida but I noticed the heat of the sun today, the days are just a tad longer, the grass is a little greener....

I don't know about you but I am a summertime girl! I love almost everything about summer in Florida---I just don't like the humidity. Everything else is perfect! Close to beaches, parks, amusement parks..there is something to do, whenever you want to do it in Florida. <3 How can I have 4 more months until Kid Vintage is out for the summer? That's a longgggggg time. I'm ready for this, NOW!

It will be here soon enough, right? Do you take trips in the summer? Vacations? Hang out at home all day? Sit by the pool? Here are my top 5 summertime activities:

1. Beach -- Siesta Key, St. Pete Beach, Myrtle Beach, Jekyll Island, Daytona Beach (as you can tell, I'm not picky about the beach, as long as we're at the beach!) This beach bunny likes all beaches!
2. Road Trips --- Who doesn't love a road trip? I plan on taking quite a few this summer! For some bizarre reason I like to stop at truck stops along the way and browse around. What dignified girl admits to that? I do love truck stops and truck stop junk food. Yep, I said it!
3. Lounging at the pool ---If I can't get to a beach, lounging at the pool is the next best thing.
4. Sitting outside, soaking up the sun. I will do this any place, any time. I'm a sun worshipper--no worries, I apply SPF 100000 liberally. :)
5. Rays baseball at The Trop in St. Pete! Goooo Rays!

Oh, I can't possibly think about furniture when I'm daydreaming about summertime and beaches and vacations and road trips......sigh. 4 months seems so very long!

Kid Vintage rocked it out at the Spelling Bee. I am a proud Mama! He came in 3rd place for his grade level Spelling Bee on Tuesday and finished in 11th place today---out of 50+ participants. This is the first year he's made it and he did great! He was so nervous (he's really shy!) but he toughed it out and I'm so proud of him. Who would think *my* kid would be shy? He's got chatty cathy for a mother and he's shy? Just like Mr. VP! :)

I have been painting although I've got nothing to show for it tonight. Pfffttttt. I'm almost finished with the desk I showed you the other day. My client also purchased a chair, which is done. I'm just waiting on a fabric color so I can re-cover the seat cushion. I picked up these darling crystal knobs for the dresser---so sweet! Pictures to come tomorrow! I also need to take some pictures of the little red rocking chair--I also need to deliver that! I've been so busy with the school stuff, my mind is all over the place. The list is so long for custom orders at this point...20 orders and counting. Whooosh!

Well, I must go to bed...I've got much to accomplish tomorrow! I will leave you with another picture, to get you ready for summer. I can't be the only person counting down the days! :)

~Turquoise Vanity Set + Hard Knocks Weekend ~

2012-02-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Has Monday been good to you? We had such a great weekend, I really didn't want it to end. While I love what I do for a living, I love spending time with friends and my family more. Who doesn't, right?!

Kid Vintage's birthday bonanza was so much fun! I was a bit leary of a bunch of pre-teen boys at a place where this is on the birthday party invites:

Yikes! Mr. Vintage Paints assured me that it was a family friendly environment, which it was! These girls are the "referees" though---I'm sure I just made a bunch of 12 year old boys extremely happy. :) You're welcome, boys. The guys all had a blast! Here they are, ready to battle:

I highly recommend a birthday party here! It was well-coordinated, the referees kept everything organized and civilized and made it super fun for the kids. We all came back to our house for pizza, cake and ice cream. I know I'm probably biased but I must say, my kiddo has the best friends! These kids all get along so well. It was fun, they are sweet & polite and enjoyable to be around.

We spent Sunday just hanging around, waiting for some friends to come over and the Super Bowl to start. Super Bowl Sunday = Delicious Food! I didn't much care who won, I don't like either team. I s'pose the Giants were the lesser of two evils. It was nice to see Eli Manning up there, he's a class act but the entire Manning family is.

Have you every played Dance Central or any of the dance games for the K'nect? Mr. Vintage Paints and I have been playing it...more often than I'm sure he would like for me to admit here! Ha! He likes to shake his groove thang, you know. :) Well, our friends had never played so, we did that after the Super Bowl. I have not laughed that hard in ages, seriously. I laugh alot and often and I laughed until I started coughing and my stomach hurt. Good times!

Shall we move on to furniture? Here's the set I've been working on..yes, I know my picture is just the pits. Let's face it, it's probably not going to get any better around here. I took my picture in my workshop and forgot to take a picture of the bench. Sigh.

Yep, hideously ugly avocado green. Complete with an old lady smell and everything. Yum! My client sent me some inspiration pictures, to get an idea for color. I did my best and matched it to a color called "Aqueduct"..which is a soft greenish turquoise. It would be pretty difficult to make this Vanity Set ugly---it's sooo pretty! Here's the finished piece:

Didn't it turn out pretty? I was a little hesitant about the color because it just seemed very bright initially. I just had this horrible feeling that I had been way off on the color and that just makes this painter sick. After I calmed down and talked myself off the ledge...or rather Mr. Vintage Paints calmed me down, I decided to glaze it before I resumed my freak out. I love the glaze, it toned it right down and gave me the exact color I was looking for. Whew! I can't tell you what a relief that was. I kept the original hardware because I just really liked it. The curves, the legs, all of the details....what a gorgeous piece of furniture! That bench nearly drove me batty. I don't have a before (of course I don't!!!) but it was hideously ugly. Icky avocado with some tufting but the buttons were all askew, some missing..etc. Once I started removing the fabric, I saw the crushed blue velvet underneath. Seriously ugly! Complete with a million rusty staples. It might have taken me longer to remove the staples than it did to paint the entire vanity. I'm joking....well..I don't know, it just may have! I was so relieved to throw all of those ugly fabrics away and replace it with this lovely Hershery Suede by Cryton. Much better! This will be out for delivery tomorrow, I hope my client likes it! :)

I spent much of today in sanding hell. I'm working on this desk:

I knew the white paint wasn't in particularly good condition---bubbling and peeling in places. What I didn't know until today was that white was one of 3 different colors on this desk. 3 colors! A lavender, a tan and a sage green. 3 hours later, this desk is about 75% sanded. This is it's condition now:

Ugh! Sanding is NOT my favorite part of the furniture reinvention business. It's in dead last as far as my favorite thing to do. I wore double masks because I'm paranoid girl and don't want dust in my lungs and safety goggles because again, I'm paranoid girl and I need my eyeballs. Mr. Vintage Paints usually takes pity on me and does most of the sanding but not this week. He's crazy busy with work which means I need to man up and take care of the sanding. Blah!

This desk will be so pretty once it's done. It's going to be painted a creamy white, the drawers a lovely pear green color and the top will be stained. Isn't that a pretty color combo? This desk is for one of my clients, she has such a great eye and she's so creative! Oh and I forgot, it will have crystal knobs. Love!

The little girl's rocker is almost done, pictures to come on that tomorrow! On tap this week: a French Provincial Dresser, a Medicine Cabinet, a couple of Magazine Racks and I'd like to start working on one of my best friends' sets of furniture--a bedroom set for her little girl. :) Well, I need to hit the hay. I've got a lot to do tomorrow. Oh and Kid Vintage made it to the spelling bee for the 6th grade and that is tomorrow afternoon. I quizzed him off and on all night and I think he's ready. Wish him luck!

Byeeeee!

~ Beachy Fun Ice Cream Parlor Chairs + Klutzy Kim Is At It Again ~

2012-02-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Well, I've managed to get through my disastrous day with myself intact. Yay for the little things. Do you ever have one of those days where you just create chaos every where you go? Well, this is me today. I decided to paint some chairs inside today. I laid a sheet over my dining room table, about had a heart attack when I knocked my container of Sea Green paint but caught it just in time. Like a dipstick, I did the very same thing 5 minutes later but I wasn't quick enough to catch it. It fell, oh yes, it fell. It hit my dining room chair (and of course the sheet wasn't over the chair!!!) dumped out like a million miles an hour and proceeded to drip down the chair legs, to the floor. That clean up was fun. Many paper towels later, 2 sponges and 45 minutes of my time wasted and I was back at it. Finished the ice cream parlor chairs up, yay! Unfortunately, Klutzy Kim wasn't done destroying things today. Have you ever seen this super cute Pinterest idea?

Well, I have these going up my staircase. I was carrying laundry down the stairs, accidentally dropped something over the railing, it hit my picture and landed on the sideboard down below. No, it couldn't just land there because I have every table/shelf/empty space in my house filled with goodies. It hit a picture which went flying and the frame broke, the picture hit a candle, which went flying and shattered into bits and pieces. Clean up on that: 30 minutes. I'm sure my neighbor's ears are bleedig from the obscenities he has undoubtedly heard. Had to make sure and get every bit of glass which meant pulling out my 8 seater dining room table...etc. Fun stuff, no? Makes you want to run right over and hang out with me. I swear I won't injure you while you're over. :) Well, I will try not to but you could end up a casualty just like my picture frame and my candle.

On a good note, the Ice Cream Parlor Chairs are done and available for purchase. You know you need these! Only $100 gets you these fabulous chairs and free delivery! Great for the porch, a loft, a breakfast nook, in a play room. They are beachy fun colors, too! I guarantee looking at them daily will just make you happy. Here are the pictures:

So cute, right? The style is so good and these chairs are just neat! I love the style, the fact that they are solid wood with the original cane seats. Definitely one-of-a-kind items---you will not find another set like this one!

Well, I s'pose I should go and get some other things done today! All of my mishaps have put me in a funky mood and have me running behind. Pray that I make it through today all in one piece. Thanks! :)

~ Voyage Blue Desk ~

2012-01-31T07:22:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

It's chilly this morning in Orlando, which I'm sure is a joke to most of you out there. Chilly? In Orlando? Yeah, ok. I call 50s chilly weather. Don't hate me 'cuz I live in a tropical climate. :) Oh and a side note, I own one pair of closed-toe shoes. One pair!! The rest of my closet is filled with flip flops and sandals. If you didn't hate me before, you probably do now! :)

I finished up this desk yesterday. I haven't always loved blue but, I've been on a blue kick lately. This particular shade ALWAYS looks good---it goes on great, looks wonderful and brings a bit of color without being overwhelming. You've seen the before so, I won't bore you with that again. Here she is, all pretty!

This was a desk I picked up in a trade last summer. It just needed the right buyer to come along and see it's potential! It already had the crystal knobs, aren't they cute? It is solid wood, really well-made. This desk will last for years and years. I just did some light distressing and used a glaze I whipped up with a hint of metallic in a dark coffee color. I can't wait to deliver this to my client today, I hope she loves it!

What else is up around here? Hmmm...let me think. I'm still working on my ice cream parlor chairs, they are almost done. That "Hot Spice" color is hot & spicy all right. More like bright and cheery-----hopefully it isn't too perky! Next up, I've got a gorgeous (GORGEOUS!!) vanity set, a desk & chair, a rocking chair for a little girl, a foot stool, one of the boyscout cabinets.....fun! It's a lovely time of year to be outside working. Just cool enough to be comfortable and really pretty outside. Plus, I haven't killed my flowers yet so, I'm enjoying those, too. I know I've only had them a few weeks but, that's a minor miracle for me. It's the little things, my friends.

Well, I should get rollin'. This furniture isn't going to paint itself! :) Enjoy your day!

~ Ice Cream Parlor Chairs & a Voyage Blue Desk ~

2012-01-29T21:21:00.000-08:00

Good evening!

Today turned out to be quite productive for me. It started off slow, since I was tired and had a headache. Clearly too many late nights and behaving like I'm a carefree 20 year old. This old lady needs rest. :) A quick nap solved a few of my problems and put me in the right mood. Having my house in immaculate condition always cheers me up so, that helped. I headed out to work on this desk:

It is solid wood and has so much potential. It's really in great condition! A good sanding cleaned the top right up. My client chose this as her inspiration piece:

Yes, that is the coffee table I painted and kept for myself. This Voyage Blue color is amazing, right? It covers beautifully, it always looks good. I am in mad love with it. This desk is so close to being done, pics to come tomorrow and delivery on Tuesday!

Now, if you're new to this blog you just may not know that I have self-diagnosed adult ADD. I can't sit still for lengths at a time, I am constatly flitting from one place to another with thoughts running through my head at a million miles an hour. Mr. VP and I giggle about my ADD all of the time. Not to make fun of any type of conditon but more to make fun of ME. I saw this on Pinterest and laughed out loud:

Mr. Vintage Paints and I have a running joke---as soon as I say "You know, I've been thinking...." he winces and braces for what's to come next. Could be rearranging furniture, could be moving to another state, could be some hare-brained idea from out of left field. Who knows, I'm all over the place. So, since I'm all over the place, I can't possibly work on one piece of furniture from start to finish. That's enough to drive a person mad. I start one thing, work on another, come back to the first item and just kind of go back and forth between many pieces. It's just how I roll. Sooooo, while I was waiting on the Voyage Blue desk to dry, I started on these:

I've had them forever and a day. Why doesn't anyone like these? You know they are awesome, right? I decided to get funky with them, mix and match some colors and change it up a bit. I get so tired of painting/glazing/distressing. Don't get me wrong, I love that look and I think it is my signature but out of my comfort zone at times and change is good, too. It just makes things interesting. So, my idea out of left field was to paint each chair a different color. Mr. Vintage Paints said "Well, no one will buy them as a set that way." Why not? Nothing HAS to match. It's not the law, you won't be arrested for having chairs that don't match colorwise. So, here's to change! The colors I chose are:

Daffodil

Hot Spice

Sea Green

What do you think? I think they all compliment each other so, we shall see. :) I'm thinking how cute they would be with a round table in a sun room, on a covered porch, in a loft, in a breakfast nook. Solid wood chairs, original cane seats in good condition. I think they will be pretty!

Well, I think I should go to bed....I've got a busy day tomorrow! See ya' later!

~ Jamaica Bay Chest, Black Bedroom Set & Pixie Violet Garden Chair ~

2012-01-29T08:34:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

I've got lots of furniture to show you today! We've had a really fabulous weekend, as well. We went to The Social Friday night. Saw these guys:

If you don't know who Black Taxi is---well, you must rectify that ASAP! Check out Shoeshine, Friends, We Don't Know Better or Tightrope. You'll be hooked, just like me. Their show was so much fun---I am so impressed! The guy on vocals (2nd from the right, in the top hat), played the keys, trumpet (yes, TRUMPET!!), xylophone, drums..etc. He was so fantastic, so much energy. Can't wait to see them again!

Then.....you know, next up are my soulmates:

Rockin' show, as usual. I can't say enough good things about these guys. You want to dance and be inspired to be better at everything you do, check them out! Every show is filled with energy, fun and great music!

Now, we usually see them at Will's Pub - yes, we've seen them 3 times in 6 months. :) We would have driven to see them in Tampa last night but that would be weird, We ARE grown ups, we do have a kid and that's not going to get us any Parent of the Year Awards. We are grownups so the party scene in downtown Orlando was a new one for us. Fun bars, outdoor dining & dancing and the Social is more of an upscale dive bar. :) Will's Pub----serious dive! The Social? Less divey but still has a dive vibe.

Classy, eh? You've got to embrace your inner grunge chick and enjoy it. Vintage Paints was a slummin' it this Friday night. Music is good for the soul. So are a few drinks & dancing!

I've finished up some good stuff this week! I worked on this custom order:

You can't see the hideousness of this paint job. I think it was exterior paint---think runs, drips, globs, chunks....sigh. That was HARD to get off! My client told me to choose an aqua for her, so I did. :) I chose Jamaica Bay and went to town:

A little distressing, a little glaze and she's all done. I did spray the pulls---I really liked them but they were do dingy and ugly before. This is a cute little chest!

I also worked on a bedroom set for one of my favorite 12 year olds. He has been one of my son's best friends for years--love him! I made a trade with my friend for her old double pedestal table (and a Sirius Radio, don't ask) and she got my old headboard and footboard and then I painted a dresser she already had. I love trades! :)

Here's the chest of drawers and the bed before:

Both needed some updating--and they got it. The 12 year old asked that these items be painted black with red peeking through. Oh, how I love a client that knows what he wants. I think he might be my child! Here they are, all done up:

What a fun project to work on. I used a color called Tricorn Black, with the red showing through in random spots. The pulls on the chest, I sprayed a color called Aluminum and then did an overspray of black to make them look aged and worn. Aren't the planks so cool? This chest of drawers had so much character.

Last but not least...is an old chair that I picked up at a barn sale. I bought 2 chairs, one which was sturdy and great to sit in. Then, there was this one: rickety, falling apart, only-sit-in-it-if-you-dont-mind-ending-up-on-the-floor. Did I mention it had bright blue paint dripping down the back and the slats? Yes, it did. I've been avoiding it---especially after Mr. Vintage Paints told me it would never hold an adult's weight. Well, pfffttttt on that. I finally decided to paint it and put it on my porch with plants on it. Novel idea! Wish I could claim it as my own but I saw it on Pinterest, of course! I don't have a before picture but here are the afters:

I used a color I've used before, called Pixie Violet---which is a great lavender color! I added some distressing and decided not to seal it. I will just let the rain, sun & weather age it for me naturally. Now if I can just keep these plants alive, I will be on cloud nine. I don't have a green thumb. I kill things people tell me can't be killed, don't need water, are great for a tropical climate. Yeah, ok. This will be dead in 2 weeks is what I always think in the back of my mind. Pray for me. Or better yet, pray for these plants. I truly don't want to kill living things.

Well, that's all I've got. I've got a garage full of furniture calling my name...Must.Go.

Adios amigos!

~ Bayside Medicine Cabinet, Amalfi Magazine Rack, Yin Yang Shelf ~

2012-01-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

Whoosh...that's a whole lot of furniture, right? They are fairly small items which makes them pretty fast to finish up. Plus, as embarassing as this is, some of them have been in various stages of *done* for a few weeks now. So, that made them equally easy to finish up! How has your week been? Another week has just blown right on by. We're one week closer to summer and beach season! :) My favorite time of the year! I plan on spending many days/weekends at the beach this summer. So excited!

Other than that, I've just been a painting fool. I am so very thankful for all of the work---you guys keep me busy! You will never know how much I truly appreciate it. There is always something new & exciting going on at Vintage Paints. I met with the owner of a boutique this week, she was such a sweetie. She wants to showcase some of my furniture in her store. My furniture!! In someone's store!! In the front window!!!! Say what?! That just boggles the mind. There are so many places this business can go---it's onward and upward! :) I will let you know the deets on the boutique, you should check it out not just for my stuff but she's got great stuff, too!

We've got a crazy busy weekend---but it's all good 'cuz it's all fun! Tomorrow night, our favorite band The Bright Light Social Hour is in town. Go check 'em out if you can--they are playing at The Social with Black Taxi--another of my favorite bands. Doors don't open until 9 so, plan on a late night if you go. You know you want to dance all night, right?! Look me up, we'll be there! Saturday we've got 2 families coming over for some drinks, pizza, apps and I'm sure lots of laughing. Good friends are THE best! Sunday...I'm sure it will involve painting, a nap, time with Kid Vintage...etc.

So, let's get to the good stuff--the furniture! I finished this up and sold it in about 2 seconds. Sadly, I don't have a before picture. What is MY problem!? For the love of pete. This is an old wooden medicine cabinet, complete with a cute towel rack and shelves inside.

Can you see our cat Hermione in the picture? She is always up in our business. I didn't even see she was on the stairs until I pulled these pictures! Crazy cat!

I used one of my most popular colors, Bayside. I found this sweet oversized knob and knew it had to go on this piece. I've never seen a wood medicine cabinet. I loveeeeee! I did some light distressing and added a glaze to get that worn look. It's gone, went to it's new home the very morning I put it on Facebook. I had 3 different people ask me about it after it was gone. Apparently these old medicine cabinets are hot sellers. Good to know!

Mr. VP and I have had a running disagreement on this piece...what color is it? I saw lavender, he says blue. Tell me what you think. Here's the before:

I really liked the glass but nothing else about this piece. The knob is hideous and needs to be thrown away immediately. The brown has to go! Mr. VP picked this color out and I thought "I hate purple, why is he picking purple?" Little did I know he thought it was blue. Ha! The color is called Yin Yang by Ben Moore. Here's the finished piece:

Isn't the glass just cool? I really dig this piece--the great glass, the inside shelves, the corner style. So pretty! I used my favorite knob, stole it off of my coffee table I kept for myself. Oh darn, now I need to go shopping and pick up another one. Poor me! :) I'm dragging Mr. VP out with me tomorrow to a million stores. He isn't going to be a happy camper. I will bribe him with food, that usually works.

On to the magazine rack.....here's the before:

Snooze city! I found this pretty blue, which actually reminds me of the water off of Cozumel. It's called Amalfi---I added some glaze...and here she is, all prettied up.

So pretty, would look great in almost any room in your home. It's a great pop of color without being all wild-and-crazy-and-painting-an-entire-room-with-it.

Well my dear friends, that is all I've got. I have painted from morning 'til night and I'm beat. I did finish up a bedroom set for one of my favorite boys, also happens to be one of my son's best friends. I finished up an aqua chest and a little chair for my porch. Pics on those to come sometime this weekend. Next up---2 desks, a chair, a vanity set, a French Provincial Dresser + night stand.....and the list goes on and on. It's certainly a good problem to have! :)

I need my beauty sleep....see you tomorrow!