I have finally received my shipment of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, that = to 440 pounds!!! I'll be Annie's new stock lister here in Switzerland. Needless to say that I will be painting and painting and painting some more during the next few weeks. Perfect timing because my daughters leave tomorrow on their 3 week vacation!!! I will take pics of my atelier that is jammed packed with some "oldies but goodies"!!
a demain, until tomorrow...
xo
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
This long french farm table has a checkerboard pattern created byusing three colors, Graphite, Paris Grey and Country Grey all painted on a base of Paris Grey. These colors are from the exclusive Annie Sloan Chalk Paints. Need to finish the edge and then wax! Then off to the shop to be displayed!More with Annie Sloan Paints!!
This curvy table has been given some well needed attention by using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Duck Egg Blue with Old Violet and Country Grey were used. For that finishing touch, always wax. Annie Sloan has the best paste wax!!Annie Sloan Paints again!
This cute country pine desk was saved from sadness by coating it with Annie Sloan's Paint in Provence. Followed by some of her great wax!Painting with Annie Sloan Paints!!!
This gorgeous small bookcase was created
using Annie Sloan Paints!! The interior is Antoinette mixed with some Hortensia.
The outer part was a distressing technique using various colors, Graphite, Old Violet, Louis Blue, Old Ochre,Cream, and a touch of Old Linen. Finished with her excellent clear wax!!
Best paint ever!!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Opening Day of Nid de Reves!!!!!
May 2, 2011
At long last, my Nid de Reves, inaugural was on Monday night. It was a huge success!! A fun filled and rewarding evening showing off my hard work..beautifully painted antique furniture. I decided that I would also sell antique objects like lamps, pottery, old window frames,etc.
Made my first sell from my shop and the customer was pleased with her new purchase! Still in the red, so let's stay optimistic: ))
Haven't worked out the store hours but I'm thinking afternoons only and rendez-vous..we'll play it by ear..anyhoo, I'm living right next door!!
Sitting in my shop blogging and smiling from ear to ear!!
a bientot
At long last, my Nid de Reves, inaugural was on Monday night. It was a huge success!! A fun filled and rewarding evening showing off my hard work..beautifully painted antique furniture. I decided that I would also sell antique objects like lamps, pottery, old window frames,etc.
Made my first sell from my shop and the customer was pleased with her new purchase! Still in the red, so let's stay optimistic: ))
Haven't worked out the store hours but I'm thinking afternoons only and rendez-vous..we'll play it by ear..anyhoo, I'm living right next door!!
Sitting in my shop blogging and smiling from ear to ear!!
a bientot
Friday, April 1, 2011
Last 3 weeks..
Day 8-29th
I stopped blogging every day because I have done the same thing day after day after day! I took most of the furniture in my atelier and prepared them. Whether it was sanding, chemical stripping (there was alot) removal of cheap veneers, replacing missing pieces (corners mostly) many visits to the hardware store for supplies, better tools, more sand paper, larger spatulas to scrap off paint, etc. This is the worst part of any furniture renovation project, the prep work!!
I.m taking this wkd off and going up to the mountains in the swiss-italian part and SLEEP!! Where I'll be going, at night all u can hear is the sound of your own heart beat!! Heaven on earth.
a bientot
I stopped blogging every day because I have done the same thing day after day after day! I took most of the furniture in my atelier and prepared them. Whether it was sanding, chemical stripping (there was alot) removal of cheap veneers, replacing missing pieces (corners mostly) many visits to the hardware store for supplies, better tools, more sand paper, larger spatulas to scrap off paint, etc. This is the worst part of any furniture renovation project, the prep work!!
I.m taking this wkd off and going up to the mountains in the swiss-italian part and SLEEP!! Where I'll be going, at night all u can hear is the sound of your own heart beat!! Heaven on earth.
a bientot
Friday, March 11, 2011
It's been a week...
Day 7
It's been a week seen I started my new adventure and I'm still smiling: )) It's been exhausting, long hours, aching all over but incredibly satisfying. I look forward to each morning with a whole different perspective... I dream of my atelier, my shop, I dream of furniture and try to imagine the pieces with their finished color.
I strongly recommend to all you dreamers out there in the furniture revamping world, to jump in with both feet..this is soooo much FUN!!!
a demain.
It's been a week seen I started my new adventure and I'm still smiling: )) It's been exhausting, long hours, aching all over but incredibly satisfying. I look forward to each morning with a whole different perspective... I dream of my atelier, my shop, I dream of furniture and try to imagine the pieces with their finished color.
I strongly recommend to all you dreamers out there in the furniture revamping world, to jump in with both feet..this is soooo much FUN!!!
a demain.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HAD to go treasure shopping..
Day 7
After painting final coat of paint on my pieces of furniture, the ONLY thing I could do was close up my atelier and go treasure shopping. My 3 favorite spots are literally minutes away by car. Today, I was incredibly lucky and found exactly that I was NOT looking for but NEEDED for my shop!!
Low on batteries, have to sign off
a demain.
After painting final coat of paint on my pieces of furniture, the ONLY thing I could do was close up my atelier and go treasure shopping. My 3 favorite spots are literally minutes away by car. Today, I was incredibly lucky and found exactly that I was NOT looking for but NEEDED for my shop!!
Low on batteries, have to sign off
a demain.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
2nd coat of paint..
Day 6
2nd coat of paint completed. I then started the very long process of apply a strong paint stripper to a beautiful armoire..it has detailing that is best revealed when using the above method and a brass brush.
Short morning, one of my daughters finished school at 11h15, so not much more gets done in my atelier.
No problem, tomorrow is Wednesday and my girls go off with their grandmaman for a sleep-over. Which means an uninterrupted afternoon to paint my new shop! Almost forget that the walls need painting too!
Off to bed..
a demain.
2nd coat of paint completed. I then started the very long process of apply a strong paint stripper to a beautiful armoire..it has detailing that is best revealed when using the above method and a brass brush.
Short morning, one of my daughters finished school at 11h15, so not much more gets done in my atelier.
No problem, tomorrow is Wednesday and my girls go off with their grandmaman for a sleep-over. Which means an uninterrupted afternoon to paint my new shop! Almost forget that the walls need painting too!
Off to bed..
a demain.
Monday, March 7, 2011
More sanding...
Day 5
More sanding awaits me..I prefer to wait 24hrs between coats of paint. You don't have to wait so long but I find that the paint here (sold in Switzerland) needs the extra time. So more sanding. I don't mind sanding anymore , now that I have the proper place (atelier) and lots of space! It's a rewarding process, watching the years of dark varnish old and cracked, get sanded off, exposing the mystery wood underneath. That's the easy part, deciding on what color to paint the piece is my least favorite part. After that hiccup, it's a labor of love applying the paint and transforming a bare wooden piece into a thing of beauty!
a demain.
More sanding awaits me..I prefer to wait 24hrs between coats of paint. You don't have to wait so long but I find that the paint here (sold in Switzerland) needs the extra time. So more sanding. I don't mind sanding anymore , now that I have the proper place (atelier) and lots of space! It's a rewarding process, watching the years of dark varnish old and cracked, get sanded off, exposing the mystery wood underneath. That's the easy part, deciding on what color to paint the piece is my least favorite part. After that hiccup, it's a labor of love applying the paint and transforming a bare wooden piece into a thing of beauty!
a demain.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
First day of painting
Day 4
First day of painting..after letting the dust settle, I began with mixing the colors for the first coat. I always apply at least three layers of paint to any project. I believe it gives the finish piece depth in color and adds dimension. I paint 3 pieces today and change slightly the color for each. This creates that uniqueness in my pieces!
My atelier is heated and it's nice and warm, making working conditions very pleasant!! Half a day today, 'cause it's Sunday.
a demain
First day of painting..after letting the dust settle, I began with mixing the colors for the first coat. I always apply at least three layers of paint to any project. I believe it gives the finish piece depth in color and adds dimension. I paint 3 pieces today and change slightly the color for each. This creates that uniqueness in my pieces!
My atelier is heated and it's nice and warm, making working conditions very pleasant!! Half a day today, 'cause it's Sunday.
a demain
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Good day..
Day 3
It was a good day today in my atelier. Implemented my idea of putting several pieces of furniture in a line and tackling them one at a time with the sander. And it was a good plan! Need a more powerful sander with a bag, to cut down on dusk..checked prices online, prices for a professional sander + accessories + vacuum, come up to 1'000 swiss francs for a decent model: OUCH!! I'll think it over in a well deserved bath!!
a demain...
au revoir
It was a good day today in my atelier. Implemented my idea of putting several pieces of furniture in a line and tackling them one at a time with the sander. And it was a good plan! Need a more powerful sander with a bag, to cut down on dusk..checked prices online, prices for a professional sander + accessories + vacuum, come up to 1'000 swiss francs for a decent model: OUCH!! I'll think it over in a well deserved bath!!
a demain...
au revoir
Friday, March 4, 2011
WOW!! there's alot of furniture...
Day 2
Here in Switzerland, we are on winter break-no school for a week! So my two beauties (daughters) were with me until Wednesday afternoon and then left with their swiss grandmaman (upside about a divorce, splitting school holidays). I have until Sunday night, uninterrupted in my atelier with alot of old, dusty, ugly brown antique furniture. I walked into my atelier, flipped switch and my workshop full of furniture staring at me..pretty overswhelming! Where do I start? Which piece gets sanded?? Ok, time for a plan of attack, my idea is as following: assembly line of pieces (depending on difficulty) and hit them with my old trusty sander! Sounds good, let me give it a try..
I miss my girls..gotta work hard, so upon their return they'll see a difference..what to see for myself as well : ))
au revoir
Here in Switzerland, we are on winter break-no school for a week! So my two beauties (daughters) were with me until Wednesday afternoon and then left with their swiss grandmaman (upside about a divorce, splitting school holidays). I have until Sunday night, uninterrupted in my atelier with alot of old, dusty, ugly brown antique furniture. I walked into my atelier, flipped switch and my workshop full of furniture staring at me..pretty overswhelming! Where do I start? Which piece gets sanded?? Ok, time for a plan of attack, my idea is as following: assembly line of pieces (depending on difficulty) and hit them with my old trusty sander! Sounds good, let me give it a try..
I miss my girls..gotta work hard, so upon their return they'll see a difference..what to see for myself as well : ))
au revoir
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Day 1
Day 1
Received the keys to my new shop ( a few days early then expected, AWESOME!) Ran back into the house and put on my H&M overalls (my youngest daughter, Elise 11 picked them out) and started moving ALL the stuff out of my living room, kitchen, corners and into my "atelier" (workshop). I did remember to take before pics of my shop empty (lasted for a second) and frantically tried to get the most of the furniture out of the house and into the shop before my daughters got back from school. It was going to be a BIG surprise for them, as I was able to keep it a secret! Everyday they would come back from school and low and behold, "You bought more stuff"?! I'd smile and they would just shake their heads and make their way through the maze of furniture. Back to the 'surprise', I saw them arrive and asked them to close their eyes and I walked them to the back of the farm (it's a barn built in 1857, we live where the hay for the cows was dryed and stored, it's like a loft) and they were very very surprised and super happy!! I cried, because I knew I was doing this all for them and I felt they were proud of ME..it's an amazing feeling!! We celebrated with some kid bubbly (Rimus) and cheered to our new adventure in the "nid de reves"!
Received the keys to my new shop ( a few days early then expected, AWESOME!) Ran back into the house and put on my H&M overalls (my youngest daughter, Elise 11 picked them out) and started moving ALL the stuff out of my living room, kitchen, corners and into my "atelier" (workshop). I did remember to take before pics of my shop empty (lasted for a second) and frantically tried to get the most of the furniture out of the house and into the shop before my daughters got back from school. It was going to be a BIG surprise for them, as I was able to keep it a secret! Everyday they would come back from school and low and behold, "You bought more stuff"?! I'd smile and they would just shake their heads and make their way through the maze of furniture. Back to the 'surprise', I saw them arrive and asked them to close their eyes and I walked them to the back of the farm (it's a barn built in 1857, we live where the hay for the cows was dryed and stored, it's like a loft) and they were very very surprised and super happy!! I cried, because I knew I was doing this all for them and I felt they were proud of ME..it's an amazing feeling!! We celebrated with some kid bubbly (Rimus) and cheered to our new adventure in the "nid de reves"!
I am officially a MOMpreneur! Day 1
I am officially a "MOMpreneur"!!!!! and a first time BLOGGER!! I don't think I'm breathing..I'm flooded with emotions; I have tears in my eyes, nervous laughs that are holding back tears, and seriously, I catch myself NOT breathing!! I'll explain why this is all happening...
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