Painted pieces...

I arrived at the shop early today to get a few pieces finished for the shop.  I love that when I pull up to my workshop I can see a field and an old farm house.  Sometimes I will grab breakfast on the way and sit in my car eating and just enjoying this view.

After breakfast was over, and I had to get out of the car so I didn't look like a house stalker, I got to work.

This piece has about four coats of chalk paint on it, then I waxed it with dark wax, then distressed, buffed....along with sanding and staining the top.  It's an old bar cart and I think it is chippy and sweet.

I used the aqua paint to do this coffee table and a matching end table.  Some slight distressing and clear wax finished it off.

I'm off to enjoy some family time and relax.  Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend!

Creativity...

I thrive on being creative.  Furniture comes into my workshop and it's like meeting a new friend.  I'm a bit stand back at first, but over time I get to know the piece and by the time we part we are the best of friends.

My last job was not focused on creativity, and as hard as I tried to make it be able to be about that- in the end it wasn't the career for me.  I was dying on the inside, compromising my creative soul and watching it take it's toll on my overall mental health.

Not anymore.

Today I walked into my workshop to find a pair of old doors off of an antique armoire.  The owner of the shop told me that the piece was in pretty bad shape, so he just pulled the doors off, "Because I knew you could do something creative with it."

So I did...

Embrace your creativity and nurture it!

The makings of a dresser/console...

I am the one in  our relationship that underestimates the amount of time a project would take.  Partly because I am optimistic about projects, but mostly because when it comes to most of our projects I'm not the one doing the building.   I am the design and paint girl ;)

Sara's dresser/console was no exception.  I thought three days tops, Travis had that whole "real job" thing to fit into the mix!

Our projects begin like this...

Me- "I was thinking..."

Travis- "What do you need me to build?"

I'm so glad our communication skills are up to par!  Two thumbs up from Dr.Phil :)

Since I am not very handy in the how to/building out of wood department, I'm going to show you in pictures how this project came together:

There are always sheets of plywood in our garage- I love the smell.  It reminds me of the tree house my dad built me as a kid ;)  Did you know that smells associated with memories are called Psychological anchors?  Fun fact & useless information all wrapped up in one!

This thing scares me...and the dogs.

Routing the wood...

Pieces...like a puzzle!

Drawer....pre-construction.

Door dividers....a must have on the must have list ;)

I'm still painting this piece....

Today is the day....last coat of paint goes on this morning, and by this afternoon she will reside in her new spot in the cottage.  Back tonight with the afters...

Sara is going to love it!

Tag sale...

Time to clear a few items out of the cottage...

This map:

This cabinet:

This cabinet too...

Just email me at tandtgoins@gmail.com if you are interested in the above items.  Local pick up for furniture pieces- the map should be pretty reasonable to ship :)

Home again...

I see lots of furniture in my line of work.  Pieces come and pieces go.  I am happy to let them leave my workshop and find a place in someone else's home.

Except for this one.

I painted her with MMS in Ironstone back in November and instantly fell in love with her curvy legs, castors, and dainty hardware.  She had me at 'lion's head pulls'...but I let her go, because I knew that in this business it's just what you gotta do.

So she went to the shop and sat.  And sat, and sat, and sat.  Not really sure why no one looked at her and saw what I did, but I'm kinda glad they didn't- because yesterday...

She came back home.

The ugly duckling...

Once upon a time I stopped by a small resale shop and spotted this gal...she looked a bit lonely, neglected, and well, just sad.

(I think I may have a tiny obsession with chairs.  For such a small home, I could seat at least 20.  

Maybe not all in one room together, but everyone would have a chair.  ;)

I brought her home and cleaned her up.  Then I gave her a once over with some ASCP in Country Grey.   She perked up a bit, she may have even smiled.

Then she got a generous wipe down with some clear wax.  A bit of sanding, buffing, and she looked as if she was ready to hit the runway.

"I'm too sexy for my spindles..."

And she lived happily ever after.

The end.

A rocker for two...

Actually, this rocker is for three.  One momma and two twin girls!   I am so excited to have painted something that was handed down in their family and will now be a part of their new nursery :)

Union Jack with different colours....

One of the things I get asked to paint most often is the Union Jack flag.  I love this classic flag- and it is stunning when painted on a piece.  Miss.Mustard Seed did a lovely version of it that took off like wild fire through the blog world.

I love the traditional colours on this one, especially the deep navy blue.

Here are a few of the ones I have done:

I actually eye-balled the tape on this one.  No measuring- so it's not perfect!

I have another Union Jack that I will be working on later next week for a customer.  She wants it in "Restoration Hardware" colours.  Lots of greiges, grays, beige on that one.  I have a cool idea for doing an American flag with a bit of chevron.  Just waiting for the right piece to come through my workshop.

Happy Painting!