Sometimes More IS Better

Well, it's been almost 2 months since I started using Annie Sloan's chalk paint. Although I've only tackled small projects, I've come to really appreciate how well it covers, and its ease of distressing. I haven't mixed any custom colors yet, because I'm still enjoying the merit of Annie's original colors. 

As I peruse sites showing Old World European interiors and furnishings, I have discovered the great authenticity in Annie's color potions. Although each shade is fabulous on its own, the real magic, when morphing a run-of-the-mill piece into a time-worn treasure, comes when you layer the colors. I've used one, then two, and now 3 colors on one piece.....Magical......

Before, the finish of this wood shelf was a dark red-brown, so it made a great base color for the 3 paint color choices. 

I started with Arles, then Olive, and finally Provence.

The really time-consuming part was painting and distressing all the inner scrolled surfaces, but it was so worth the effort. I love the color combo so much that I only used clear wax, so as not to alter the shades. 

You can't conjure this magic with spray paint!

I can't wait to use these colors on a piece of furniture, though I may have trouble letting go of it, I'm quite sure......

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

Color Therapy

It is common knowledge that colors have a psychological effect on us, so no matter what shade you add to your home, you should be thinking about how it makes you feel, and not just if it's trendy or looks good. This is the advice I give to my painting clients when guiding them with their color choices. My personal preferences tend to lean towards warm tones, since I live in Oregon, where the overcast sky casts grey light on everything 60% of the year. So despite the fact that all shades of grey are so trendy right now, I run away from it most of the time. (I would however break that rule for stone walls in a European castle.) But I digress........


That entire rambling paragraph did have a point - my love for Annie Sloan's Duck Egg Blue. Yep. I really love this color. As a painter by trade, I've grown to appreciate most colors, but very few have psychologically affected me this way. I feel calm and content, with a sense of well-being, when I look at the objects I've painted with it. I must have been surrounded by Duck Egg Blue in a previous life, and it must have been a good one........


Remember this in a recent post?

Well look at her now in Duck Egg Blue.........

Mini bottles of alcohol and shakers of glitter have nothing to do with each other, unless you like to drink while you craft, but don't they look cute in there?

I painted the whole thing in a Cream base, to brighten the top coats of Versailles on the inside, 

and Duck Egg Blue on the outside. 

The bottom used to hold drawers, but I think it looks adorable anyway. Reminds me of a miniature china hutch.

Now all I need is a larger version for even more 

sense of well-being.....

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

In Remembrance

United We Stand

9/11

Labor Day Spoils

One of my favorite haunts for junking is the Goodwill Outlet store. I am fortunate enough to live only a few miles away from one. Although this is not as grungy as dumpster-diving, it is still not for the meek, germophobic, or faint of heart. Gloves are definitely on the menu here. Quite the diverse population frequents this place, making it an "interesting" melting pot of social etiquette and lack thereof, so you must approach your mission with thick skin. The first half of this year at the outlet yielded nothing interesting to sell, so I hadn't bothered to go the last couple of months, but Oh how that changed.....

I pirated all this booty and then some this weekend.........

Well, you know I have a radar for aqua, so this sewing basket and enamelware kettle/pail with lid were mine mine mine. The little white basket with bamboo handle is screaming for a tiny Toto. A charming vintage green hard side suitcase with the most divine, kitschy interior.

Metallic quilted vinyl interior, with vinyl ruffle edging and mirror intact!

Folk art corner shelf with cutouts, and a fabulous spice cabinet with mesh screen doors. The bottom compartments probably used to have drawers, 

but is still loaded with character. Striking and tall candlestick that really makes a statement at 15". The bowl is one of those lightweight molded wood salad bowls, 

but this one isn't woven like the ones I'm used to seeing, so I found it interesting. Everything but the bowl will be getting the chalk paint treatment.

More aqua goodness in this dish rack. Textured wood/gesso frame in fantastic condition. Charming rattan basket in a warm vintage yellow top-sprayed in old red. I actually bought 2 of these, and they're screaming to be Christmas decor.

And speaking of woven wooden salad bowls.....

This one is quite substantial, at 14" diameter, 4" deep, and much heavier than others, making this a fabulous 

Retro or Tiki display piece. I don't usually gravitate to wooden spoons, but these lacquer ones are just beautiful with folk art designs. They're either Mexican Olinala or European, but not Russian, and I'm leaning towards Mexican. 

Charming colorful details.

A super cute vibrant yellow flower basket with fiberboard bottom and a red Tonka trailer.

An antique bottle capper that truly brings back 

childhood memories of homemade rootbeer 

in the Summertime.

An oh so fabulous cast aluminum easel stand.

The accent table is all metal, with faux bamboo legs 

and screen top.

Check out this easel, with beautiful Rococo bones.

Great for displaying small artwork, a book, or a plate.

How perfect would this be for holding a 

Spell book on Halloween?

And this table, Oh My......

Mid Century fabulous. I adore the pattern in the screen, 

and the bamboo frame.

After I remove all the rust, I may or may not repaint it, 

even with all its chippiness..... 

It's such a statement piece.

I actually came home with more than I've shown. So much junk, so little space. Time to sell!

Unconventional Vases

This weekend's Saturday Night Special on 
Funky Junk Interiors is all about vases, or rather, 
what can be used as a vase. 
Since I have a tendency to collect containers 
or anything that resembles a vessel, 
this week seemed a no-brainer for me.

Here are a few of my contributions to the link party.

Antique coffee can.

Line it with a bowl, add a floral frog, 
and she's ready for flowers.

So how often do you use your silverplate condiment holders?

They have such beautiful pierced detailing, 

that it seems a shame for them to only 

grace the table for utilitarian purposes, No?

I lined this with a spice jar, but any small glass will do.

The wide base is especially suited for use as a vase,

as it keeps it from tipping when full.

Isn't this so much prettier than a bottle of A-1?

I got lucky lining this one, because I just happened to have 

a square honey sampler jar on hand. 

A perfect fit.

The back side of this one has the little hook for hanging

the condiment spoon.

Any small jar will work with this size,

but I used a chrome shot glass 

that looks fabulous.

When I acquired this cigar box eons ago,

the previous owner had nailed in wood dividers

to make the box more functional. 

Despite the nails, I really dig that this

cigar box is wood, and isn't the paper label trim gorgeous?

But I digress.

Aside from the obvious cigar box use as storage,

I really love the look of the lid, but when it's closed,

you can't really enjoy it. 

The paper "hinge" was wearing down,

so I detached the lid completely, then turned it around.

I wanted to attach it somehow to the box, 

in an upright position, but didn't want to add any 

obnoxious-looking hardware to it. 

So, after searching high and low,

I found some brass turn pins I use for making frames,

and attached them to both sides of the back of the box, 

right next to the top edge. I screwed them in tightly,

so they don't turn, and Voila! I inserted the lid

between the turn pins, and it sits perfectly on the box, 

and it's easily removable, if I wanted to switch it out

with a mirror or picture.

I've seen lots of wooden bottle crates used to display glass

vessels with flowers in them, but how about making 

a petite display with a cigar box?

I used votive candle molds as mini vases,

and added small bottles in between.

This display makes me think of a woodland walk,

and the collection of nature's specimens 

you find along the way.

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

Linking to:

Another Product of Chalk Paint Addiction

Wooden tray in a weary stained finish.

All dressed up and ready for some action.

I loved the barrel shape of this tray, but the finish was sad.

Now that she's coated in Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue, followed by clear and dark wax, and heavy distressing, 

she's ready for use.

I can picture so many displays with this.

White sea shells, candles, guest towels, or dried Hydrangeas.

Mini white or orange pumpkins, and even Halloween candy.

Christmas holly, pinecones, red berries, and Blue Spruce branches. 

As Amy so succinctly commented in my last post, 

I am a chalk paint junkie.

I'd better get some new colors 

before I get tired of my beloved aqua shades.

.........Never.

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

My first chalk-paint-on-wood makeover

from Frumpy Wallflower........

to Belle of the Ball......

I was happy with the wood's finish, so I decided to use that as the base color. I added 2 coats of Annie Sloan's Provence chalk paint, followed by clear wax and lots of distressing. Finished off with dark wax, 

to really give it the Old World patina. 

As much as I love Duck Egg Blue, the rich, luscious Provence continues to thrill me. I would love an entire wall to have 

the finish of this corner shelf, 

with the reddish-brown tone revealed in spots. 

Perhaps something fun to do on clay pots or a brick wall.

Okay, so maybe it appears like I have a one-track mind, with all the chalk paint projects in Provence and Duck Egg Blue. The reality is that these are the first chalk paint colors I've purchased, as samples no less, and I still have plenty of paint left. Now that I know I'm in love with the paint, 

and how fabulous it distresses, 

I'm sure a few new colors are in order, and stat!

Next painting project.....rustic wooden tray.