Free Demonstration of CeCe Caldwell's Paints and Finishes Saturday the 19th!

If you are in the Denver Metro area and would like see how CeCe Caldwell's earth friendly paints can easily transform your furniture and decor items, come on by for a free demonstration (and chance to ask questions) from 10:30 to 11:30 am at:

Not 2 Shabby

3625 W Bowles Ave.

in Littleton

See you there!

Getting Organized...

Today is to be spent getting organized.  Where to start?  With paint of course!  (And then on to installing my new accounting software....ugh!)

I gave my old metal, utilitarian file cabinet away.  Aesthetics really impact me, and it was much too, well, ugly, to help my office and creative space.

I got this cabinet from a local thrift store for $7.50.  Perfectly functional... and though a definite step up from it's beige metal predecessor... still ugly.  Old oak veneer.  'Nough said.

CeCe Caldwell's Simply White Chalk & Clay Paint to the rescue!  It is so nice to just be able to wash a piece down and get started.  No priming.  No sanding.  Just getting down to the business of beautification!

So, here it is after two coats.  I haven't waxed it yet.  I am undecided as to how I want to wax it... clear, with dark wax... or to use the fantastic Satin Finish (a brush on finish that is more scrubable.... new word!).  I'll think on that.

In the mean time, off to a big box store for some rolling casters to put it on.... you never know when you might want to do your filing in the front room!  :)

I'll post the final pic when it's done!

Console Table in Sante Fe Turquoise

 Just finished this up for Ashley.  The color is just the thing to perk up this snowy Spring day!

I painted the brass hardware with the Turquoise and Charcoal, which gives a look of aged copper:)

CeCe Caldwell's

Reclaimed & Redesigned Ethan Allen Coffee Table

This gorgeous table is still sold by Ethan Allen, and can be seen at this link;
http://www.ethanallen.com/product?productId=1288&categoryId=8019

This one is has three times the character and is one third the price!  It has been done in chalk paint and waxed for a rich European style, aged finish.  It looks like it was rescued from an old Tuscan home.

Blue Boudoir Set... OK, it's really not that Racy

This set would make a great pick-me-up for a room for Spring!  I love the blue color and the sass of the lines on these.  The chair has a French poem in the fabric on the seat about good friends:)  You can find these pieces at Not 2 Shabby in Littleton.

Dresser and Lamp in Wheat

I literally just finished this dresser this morning, and took it over to my space at Not 2 Shabby this afternoon!.  My husband thinks it would make a great bar for a media room.  I can see it anywhere from bedroom, to nursery, to dining room!   a little tip... if you go buy it, bring some help... its heavy!

I did the lamp in the same color with a bit of white for detail, and a crisp new white linnen shade.

Today was one of those days in Colorado where it was winter, then spring, then winter... and so on.  I couldn't get very good light to show the subtlety of the color... which I really like.

Mod Podge and Chalk Paint: Now I'm Cracking Myself Up...

My experiment with trying to decoupage maps into the drawers of the rustic 'map'chest (I may have to rename it now!) failed with results that took me right back to my kid craft days in the 1970s. You know, if you are that old, wrinkles and bubbling.  Mmm Hmm. 

So, I got to spend some quantity, if not quality, time with a spray bottle and a scraper.  And a glass of wine.  The wine really turns it into a classy experience.

So back to the drawing board.  I decided to go ahead and use chalk paint in the inside bottom of the drawers.  I wanted to contrast somewhat with the exterior, while keeping with the country gentleman look.  So, I brushed on a first coat sparingly in cream.

Well, now what to do.  I wanted an accent wash.  And I don't especially like waxed interiors on drawers.  And there is that big old bottle of Mod Podge (Matte Finish of course... remember the wine... this is not a low budget operation!) sitting there mocking me. You see where I'm going.

Oh yeah.  Mixed myself up a little chalk paint, dab of water, and a healthy dose of Mod Podge and voila... I'm Mod Podging my chalk paint!

Now the surprising part of this story is that I am really happy with it.  It has a nice color washed look, and the wood on the bottom of the drawer is sealed.  Not sure if people who grew up in the city do this kind of thing, Mod Podging their chalk paint and all.  But I didn't grow up in the city.  That wine must be going to my head.  I'm off to give it another coat;)

Here is how those drawers turned out... and the Map Chest is officially done!

Addictive Chemicals:)

In the movie, So I Married an Axe Murdered, one of the characters espouses his belief that Col. Sanders "puts addictive chemicals in his chicken to make you crave it fortnightly."  (Along with his 'political' views about the 'Pentaverate' the members of which are The Queen, The Vatican, the Gettys, the Rothschilds and Col. Sanders... who pretty much run the world from their headquarters at 'The Meadows' right here in Colorado!)

I love Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint so much that it makes me think she must put 'just a little somethin extra' in each can!

In Serious Hopes That I Haven't Just Painted a Giant Easter Egg!

Like the majority of my cooking, it's an experiment.... just in a sort of scary stage!
Next step blending... cross your fingers!

Anybody Want to Tango?

Oooh la la!  It's a sassy little orange coffee or side table!  She's all dressed up and ready to dance...

Tango Table

Orange!!!

I am working on an end (or small coffee) table in ORANGE!!  It is fun just to paint it!  You take take a peek at the 'before' in the Queue.

So Much to Paint, So Little Time...

I have some great pieces in the queue, but it is going to be awhile before I can get to some of them.  I will try to post pictures of unfinished pieces when I can. (There are a few pics on the In the Queue page.)

Just for a teaser..

Very Rustic Wooden Trunk on Metal Stand

Two Level Dresser

Solid Wood Dining Set with a Two Pedestal Leg Table

Buffet/Sideboard that will be Gray

Set of French Provincial End Tables

French Provincial Wall Mirror

End Table and Accent Chair in Gorgeous Blue

Unique Coffee or End Table

Stay Tuned:)

The Medallion Coffee Table Really is Making it's Way to Texas... Finally!

Wow, this has been a process trying to figure out packing and shipping. 
But, persistence has paid off, and it is on it's way.  Bon Voyage!

Paint, Paint, Paint..

I have often said that I will paint almost anything!  I love paint:)  I have been contemplating movies with pain with paint.  This is one of my favorites.  Watch minutes 3-4.  If you have the time, watch the whole clip!  It's from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. 

I can think of a few others and I am going to see if I can find clips.  Any tips of other movies with paint?  In two of the three I am thinking of, the painting represents transformation... right up my alley:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBwNWvCPgyY

Up Next...

This End table has such great lines.  I am thinking of doing it in Old Ochre chalk paint and wax.  It will have the same coloring and finish as the Medallion coffee table and the Buffet.

Unless you want a custom color... let me know!

What is Dusted with Coco on the Outside with Cream on the Inside?

This adorable cabinet! 

I just finished it.  I used Annie Sloan's Coco chalk paint on the outside, and a mix of Pure White and Old White for a nice milky color on the inside.  Then some distressing and waxing. Now it's ready for a new home.  I love the coco-grayish color.  It's so neutral, yet interesting.  This would be a great accent piece in almost any room.

I love the open wire!

Waiting with open arms:)

The Writing Desk is Finally Done!

I have been waiting on the hardware for some time... and it came yesterday.  Of course, nothing is safe from a bit of paint and wax at my hands, so I touched up the hardware a bit and then had to drill out the holes... and voila!  I LOVE this desk! 

Now of course you don't have to purchase the desk and the lamp together... but you should!  They are really yummy together, and check out how the detailing on the harware and the lamp compliment each other!

Antique KinderGarten Chair in Process

 Not so as you can tell at the moment... but this little guy is going to be cute as a bug!  Now, I realize that I post things like that often... being exuberant about how something is going to, or does, turn out. 

Those of you who know me know that I am also prone to praising my own cooking!  It truly isn't that I am looking for any recognition.  It's just that I am more like a kid:  I get really, really excited when creative projects turn out well.  And I have deep enjoyment of good food and beautiful things:)  So, please bear with my exuberance.  I love sharing these processes with you!

I am doing the chair in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg blue and Versailles green. 

There is a sweet little # 13 stamped into the metal on the back of the chair!

La Grande Dame!

The French term, La Grande Dame, indicates a highly respected woman of a certain age:)  Grande also means large.  La Grande Dame is both!  Originally made by Fortune Lamp in 1971, La is 40.5" in overall height, and the base alone is 30.5". 

Fortune lamp made beautiful, artistic lamps, and La is no exception.  She has been redesigned (originally bright gold, silver, and black... see my previous post titled Big Mama:) in the following ways:  1st coat Annie Sloan chalk paint in a mixture of Cocoa, French Linen, and Old White.  2nd Coat Pure White chalk Paint.  3rd Coat clear wax.  4th Coat equal parts clear and dark wax.  This paint finish is delectable with the detailing on La, lending interest and subtlety to the colors, while remaining neutral in overall tone.  La is like a good piece of jewelry, substantial and interesting, yet understated.

The shade is original, and is in very good vintage shape, with just a few minor flaws... but no tears.  The only alteration done to the shade was to add a decorative trim that ties in the base colors... and hides the somewhat tacky looking 1971 trim with gold detailing.

La Grand Dame is now searching for her chateau!