A Quick Before & After!

I took visual merchandising way back in my college days and my teachers used to piss me off all the time saying "don't forget to take pictures of EVERYTHING you do"...  they would harass us during every single project.  It was annoying up until I went to put together my portfolio after 2 years and realized I hadn't taken pictures of some of my best work... They were right.  Why didn't I listen to them? I don't know.  I was too busy thinking about getting out of class as fast as I could and grabbing a pint.  

But, 12 years later, I remember my embarrassing portfolio, and tend to take pictures of most of my work.  Perhaps another 2 years in college would have taught me to take quality pictures.  

Here's an example of some of my great work, but crappy photos!!! haha

I recently did this piece for a client of mine.  She loves burlap as much as I do :)

Before:

After:  

Bringing An Old Buffet Back to Life!

My absolute favourite past time in the whole world, is shopping in thrift stores, antique markets and second hand shops.  I love bringing home old, forgotten furniture, and bringing it back to life.  Only problem is that my house is beginning to look like a horders house.  I am seriously banned from bringing home any more furniture or knick knacks.  You should see me garage and basement.  Eesh.

To solve this obsession/problem, I like to shop for other people now!!!  Recently a new client/friend of mine asked me to find her a piece that looked like a piece she found at a shop, that had unfortunately sold.  A mission?!?!?  I'm on it.

After going back and forth on at least a dozen pieces, I came across this piece at a local antique shop.

I know, doesn't look like much, but luckily my new client/friend has VISION!!!  And immediately, we both knew this was "the one".  I picked it up the next day, and here it is today.

Here it is in her home! Perfect :)

Working with a new colour - ARLES!!

As most of you know, I only use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  It's my favourite paint to work with and comes in some of the most vibrant, beautiful colours.  I generally only work with neutrals, like white, black, and beige, but sometimes, I get to experiment with bold colours... like Emperor's Silk seen here on a hall tree and my office desk (excuse the mess)...

Recently, I purchased this beauty at my favourite store in Hamilton, The Painted Bench.  

They were kind enough to throw in a can of paint, so I thought I would be bold and choose a colour that I have always wanted to work with, but have never had a chance - Annie Sloan ARLES.

Source

Source

Dare I do a whole buffet in golden yellow?  Errrrrr, I thought I had the balls to do it, but now I am second guessing myself.  So, I did a little test piece to see if I liked it.  

Here is the 'before' pic...

And the 'after'

So what do you think?  Should I do the whole buffet in yellow??  eeeeee, I'm scared!!!

Candlestick in Country Grey

Finished this awesome candlestick in Annie Sloan Country Grey.  Distressed with a small coat of dark wax.

Candlestick 3' tall

$65

French Linen Desk

I just finished up this piece a couple of weeks ago for one of my favourite new clients!!

It was an old, beat up desk that she wanted her little girl to use.  I used AS French Linen.  Such a beautiful colour.

Before:

After:

Fabulous Birthday Present!

Last week was my 32nd birthday, and although I'm not really into big parties or big woopidie doos anymore, my family still always makes a little stink about it by bringing me some presents and cake.  Who can say no to presents and cake!!!

This year, I got a call from my brother a week before we were having a get together, claiming that he got me the BEST birthday gift of all time.  Seriously, you never know what to expect from my brother.  He has some seriously, creative gift giving skills.  

Taaaa Daaaaaah

Some sister's may use such expressions as "WTF" or "Seriously?".... but not me!!!  I screamed with JOY :)  Especially after multiple glasses of Pinot Grigio.  Eeeeeeeek.

Took me 4 days to make this baby look like this...

This is a custom blend of Graphite and Blue Violet.  It made a stunning slate blue that I plan of using through out my house.  The burlap knobs are from The Painted Bench in Hamilton.

MARLEYYYY!!!!

Thanks Mike... xo

White Side Tables

I picked up these side tables at my favorite furniture market a couple of months ago.  I loved the straight lines and simplicity of them.  Bonus was that there was 2 of them.

I went with white to keep with the simplicity.

~~SOLD~~

White Side Tables

29"l x 21"w x 18h"

$40ea

"BEFORE"

Antique Card Table

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a client, asking if I could fix up an antique card table from her Grandfather.  It was missing a leg, so I turned to my trustworthy, talented, always on-call carpenter (also know as Dad).  His response "I like to think we can fix anything".

And since I can paint anything, I took the challenge.

Here's how this beauty turned out after.  What a gorgeous piece.

2 Colour Tall Mirror

I love experimenting with different colours and techniques.  One technique I have grown to love is a two colour effect.  I recently completed this mirror and just love how it turned out.  It would look beautiful in a powder room, or an entry way, or even a bedroom on top of a dresser.

~~ SOLD ~~

Tall, 2 colour mirror

$60

48.5" x 22"

And this pic doesn't show much, but I thought it was funny that Marley just had to sneak in the pic...

Paris Gray Side Table

I found this stunning side table at an antique market a while ago and decided it needed a coat of my favourite Paris Gray.  This colour is gorgeous.  It's cool, chalky, beachy, and goes with everything.

Contact me here for purchasing info

~~ SOLD ~~

Side Table

$105

24" x 24" x 30"

 How cool is this hardware.  Usually, I would paint it to match, but I just couldn't paint these guys.  They are under the top, so you can't see them...  LOVE awesome hardware like this!