Craft Show

The Shore Chicy Design crew started at 6:00AM on Saturday Morning ....a cup of coffee was poured and off to the work shop and cottage to pick up some pieces. The weather was beautiful...a bit of crispness to the air on the first day of autumn.

Allaire Historical State Park in Wall New Jersey Once the truck and car was packed the excitement of the day began...we really didn't know what to expect as it was our first show...we brought a few pieces leaving the larger ones behind.

We had ordered these great leather tags(from cocosheaven)for our pieces which I thought just added an additional individual look to each of the pieces... (etsy.com/shop/cocosheaven)

We put up our sign and we were in business....almost all of out chalk boards went....and some many people had so many different ideas on the uses of these boards...which was fun to hear.

I worked on a few pieces during the show...and this piece really was a hit...it left the show just as i finished sanding.. here it is just painted at the cottage...

This piece was the most fun....as far as the interaction...the wife liked it the husband just walked away, there were a few others that were very interested in it...but just were not sure, then someone took it as I finished the sanding...I hadn't even replaced the mirror...so I would have to say that it was the most talked about piece.. I would like to give a shout out to Nicole Romano who purchased one of my favorite versatile pieces

Nicole was so sweet, thank you for commenting on Shore Chicy's Blog page...

I will be in Island Heights this weekend with a few remaining pieces...They will be having a town wide garage sale...I will be located on 113 Central Avenue...so stop on by....

There is nothing wrong with garbage picking

Part of the fun of using chalk paint is finding new items to paint.....While on my way back from my studio....I came across this piece on the side of the road... I was so excited, as you can imagine....  I had actually just made a trip to Magnolia Lane Designs in Point Pleasant New Jersey to purchase some supplies....I love the color of Scandinavian Pink by Annie Sloan  which I was going to use on another piece...I think it will be perfect...Since the piece was in great condition I started painting immediately...  I mixed it with 2 parts Old White and one part Scandinavian Pink....

Here is the beginning of the painting process....I will blog on the process of the dressing table named Claudette....

Work Shop at Magnolia Lane Design

As some of you already know I began to dabble in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint early this spring....I'm about to embark on a kitchen cabinet job....I wanted to take a workshop prior to beginning this job to learn more about various texture and finishes.

Magnolia Lane Designs located on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey is a wonderful shop filled with eclectic mix of antiques, vintage and one of a kind painted items.  Stephanie Granit owner runs great work shop through out the year on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Techniques.   The classes are small, up to six (6) people only.....This allows her to answer all questions and work with each participant to achieve the techniques that they want to focus on.  

We were given to lengths of different molding, a flat board, and a picture frame.  Each of these items were used to practice various techniques.  Two Color Distressed, Chalk Board, Modern Finish, and Rustic Finish.  The group were of various backgrounds...Retirees, Young Moms, Interior Designer, and Home Stager.  We all had one thing in common...We were all "Dumpster Diva's" that loved chalk paint.....As you can see from the photo below, we were allowed to experiment with the paints of our choice along with using either the dark, or clear wax... All fun and no stress....

We all became deep in thought as we achieved amazing samples....and what we would be on our next piece of furniture that we found....I decided immediately that I would finish a dresser that I found at a garage sale in   a combination of Arles and Antibes as the base with a Provence wash along with a clear color wax.

As we worked on the project we had to allow drying time...but continued to finish each project from start to finish....Each sample was completed at the end of the four hour session....How wonderful  it is that you can start a project in the morning and enjoy the piece in your home by the end of the day.... Below are the finished sample boards.

Graphite base and old white top coat - clear wax


This one and the one below is what I was experimenting with for a finish for the kitchen cabinets 

This is Old White base with another coat of Old White on Top then hit with a blow dryer to achieve a crackle affect followed by clear wax and dark wax

The next sample is the "Rustic/Textured sample where we applied Barcelona Orange thickly and unevenly to create texture followed by the application of the dark wax.

The other half of the board was used to practice the Modern Finish - using various grades of sand paper you are able to create a smooth as silk finish...( which is a bit difficult to tell from the picture...but trust me, your fingers would know)

The last project was a picture frame - which we all did differently - I choose a Versailles base coat followed by the removal of the paint over the gilded areas - then the application of the dark wax was applied...the results were beautiful of each of the participants  in the class..

Stephanie's class, was fun, relaxed and filled with smiles and self satisfaction....we all felt like accomplished artists when we were completed.  Not only did we learn so much we did some net-working and exchanges of ideas....Fun time was had by all.... Please continue reading my blog....I will keep you updated on the dresser project along with the kitchen cabinets..

Project #1 old potting table

I am so excited about how this project came out - As some of you are aware, I will be launching a new division of Harmonizing Homes this fall called "Shore Chic" - I will be scouting the area for some great pieces that I will bring back to life through fabric, paint and love.  It will be a great way to express my love for color and textiles.

This piece was purchased at Brimfield antique and collector's show in Massachusetts  about 12 years ago -  I used it in four of my homes mostly as a serving piece/bar.  I loved the rustic green - however, It needed a change for the new location.  So I decided to give it a update with  Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint.  Luckily I was able to find the paint at a local shop in Point Pleasant Beach, at Magnolia lane designs.

I decided to paint the top, bottom and legs cream color and added french linen as the accent color.

This is the piece completed with the clear and dark waxed applied which tones down the paint color and adds some depth and contrast to the piece - 

Here is the completed project !  I am trilled, to have my treasured piece with a new face lift for a new location. - Here are some of their other color collections -  I hope you enjoy!!