I don't know about you but I have a stack of 10-12 magazines I try to read through each month to see where we at Not Too Shabby stand on Collectibles, design, colors, etc. 

Long time no posting - no excuse just incredibly busy doing what I love!

Two weeks ago, Not Too Shabby was invited to a quick TV spot talking about turning one item into something else. It's is something we do everyday at Not Too Shabby, yet being on TV created a whole new stress level, and questions. I sent out an email to the team and asked for any ideas.

We came up with 6 fun & quick ideas, which was perfect because we needed variety - to create interest, timeliness - to keep the interest, and we needed to use everyday items - not everyone can see how to turn one thing into something else.

We took a vintage rap basket and added a light kit.

We turned an old framed window into a shelf; added 2 metal corner brackets, a piece of wood, and a little bit of Chalk Paints® and waxes.


We turned a vintage suitcase into a pet bed; recovered the inside of the suitcase, added 4 small legs, and a cushion.


Turned 2 vintage bistro chairs into cute patio plant chairs; removed the seat, screwed in a wire plant basket (that was close in size to the seat), dry brush the chair with Chalk Paints®, lay some burlap scraps inside the basket, placed the planter and plants into the seat.


We assembled all the parts, tested everything, prepared one 'finished' piece and then set up for the spot. 

Five minutes later, it was all done.  8 hours of prep, 6 helpers, and we're done in under 10 minutes.  We had a great time creating.  Afterwards we had a wonderful breakfast at Carol's Resturaunt (fantastic french toast!)

Already working on ideas for the next time.  Hope you enjoyed the behind the scene planning.

Lets start with CONGRATULATIONS Cierra!!! My friend Cierra has just realized her dream of owning her own salon.


Cierra's Salon is gorgeous!  The salon is stylishly painted black and white, accented with gold framed mirrors & a stunning crystal chandelier.  She also framed vintage prints with glossy black painted frames.


Cierra created this beautiful seating area with vintage chairs & a settee she painted and recovered herself.  The coffee table is painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Pure White.


Nice comfy chairs to sit in while you enjoy your pedicure.

I love all the amazing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®; I have been selling Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in my store, Not Too Shabby since July 2010, and I am completely addicted to how creative you can be with all of the colors, waxes, and techniques.  I have been painting furniture for over 25 years, and I've tried lots of different kinds of paint, finishes, and styles.  I have had the store since 2005, and have continued to refine my painting style and technique with various products, trying to get that amazing patina found on vintage pieces that have aged naturally. Since I have started painting with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. I am smitten!  I really think these are the best paint and waxes in the world for painting furniture!

Because so many of you first timers come into the store looking for this fantastic paint I thought we could start with some information about each of the colors, a little history, examples, and inspiration.  Lets start out with Antibes Green.

Antibes Green is a bright happy apple green.  You can't help but smile when you see this color.  According to Annie's blog "Antibes Green comes to our palette from two sources - the neo-classical palaces, such as the Fontainebleau Palace and in Schloss Charlottenburg in Potsdam, and from the villages around Provence where countless artists have been inspired by the colours of painted furniture, shutters and doors."  Picture from www.anniesloanunfolded.com


We have used Antibes Green as an accent with Napoleonic Blue, mixed with Paris Grey, and accent trim with Scandinavian Pink.  Here's a great piece painted by Forget Me Not Furnishings in Venice Fla.  (check them out at http://www.facebook.com/ForgetMeNotFurnishings)



Here's a great folk-made cabinet we painted Antibes Green:


Here's some variations on Antibes Green when added to Old White:

Don't be afraid of using this color as a statement on a focal piece. One of our Beginning Chalk Paint® workshop Graduates painted her entry piece in Antibes Green - and it is simply beautiful!



What have you painted Antibes Green?

Bobbi

This is a fantastic article about our fearless leader, Lisa Rickert, and how she started Annie Sloan Unfolded.


Check out http://junkbonanza.blogspot.com/2012/09/lisa-r-story-of-annie-sloan-unfolded.html

I love her kitchen cabinets painted Paris Grey, they really look amazing and should give all of you confidence since Lisa painted them with Chalk Paint® decorative paint while she was 7-1/2 months pregnant!

Enjoy the read, I hope it inspires you to paint more, experiment more, and above all have fun!

Bobbi

Today marked the end of a huge emotional project.  I finally finished my antique hutch.  Just a little history on this piece, I bought it from the estate of my friend who was an amazing wood worker.  He passed away from cancer over 5 years ago and his wife sold me his 'pet' project.

I bought the hutch knowing full well that it was beyond my repair capabilities, but I could see how fantastic it would be and I knew I had to 'save' it.  For those of you who buy furniture you share my disease! 

The hutch was missing pieces but had amazing bones and I knew if I didn't get it I would regret it for a long time.  So, I bought the hutch, got it home where my family thought I was crazy.  The way the pieces were joined, and the details made me think the hutch was over 300 years old.  So I got it home and tucked my treasure into a spot in the garage.

For this project to be successful I needed several things to come together - lots of expert old fashioned wood repair, locating replacement pieces (preferably old wood), and the right paint.

Here's what it looked like before: