Does Your Home Business Look Like This?

I started Shore Chicy Designs last year and it is taking off which is a good thing!!!  The bad thing is that I am running out of space .....I am working out of my home both indoors and outdoor depending on the current weather conditions.  I am fortunate at this point to also have a small cottage that has a garage for which I am storing furniture to be done.....

However, I haven't gotten to the "to be done" part in a while...


This is my current project that I am working on that is now taking over my living area....

A four piece bedroom set completed in Annie Sloan Paloma with a Old Violet Wash

Wasn't sure what to do with the pulls, but  silver looks great...

Almost done....and then on to next project.

Sandy - Lucy and Frank

Its been seven months since Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore.....I remember walking days after the storm looking at the devastation in our neighborhood.  I did not know all of our neighbors before the storm, but since the storm our community has come together.

Before 

Lucy and Frank both in their 70's were hauling oriental soaked carpets the day I first met them....90% of their home was destroyed by the storm.  Lucy and Frank managed to save some of their antiques furnishings which was very labor intensive and exhausting.

They finally moved back into their home about a month ago and they were desperately trying to get their lives back in order.   Lucy knew that I worked on furniture and contracted me to paint a piece that was near and dear to them.  Before the storm they used it for their television, after the storm it will sit proudly in their beautiful new bedroom for extra storage.

We decided to use Annie Sloan's Chalk paint in Old Violet with and Old White wash on top.  I used a combination clear and dark wax.  Some left over crown molding was added to the top of the piece as the finishing touches...

I was grateful for the opportunity of helping one neighbor get one step closer to closure on this storm.....and for the opportunity to work on a treasure that they have had for many years.

After sitting proudly in their bedroom

The colors complement each other so well.

Walking for inspiration on the boards

Lonely Seaside Heights Life guard on a grey morning

 This morning Tuesday May 28th I laid in bed thinking I have to get motivated to come up with some new ideas.. I have eight commissioned pieces that need to get completed and a garage filled of items that need to be painted for Septembers stretch of Shows.

I decided to put on the sneakers and walk the 5 mile walk from Seaside Park to the Heights and back.....There is no better way to  think and clear your head....

Today I am sharing some shots that I took along the way....

A shop that isn't ready to open yet...the pink doors torn from the storm

The sky ride wheel laying on the sandy beach

A beautiful Sand Rose on the dunes of Seaside Park

A talented beach attended remembering those that served for our country

I'll have to stop by someday to try the Screw Sandy Cocktail

The Tall Boy Comes Back To Life

Here he is a bit shy hiding among the others notice his colors

I am currently working with this client that has inherited lots of furniture all in various stages of life.

This pass week we brought this Tall Boy back from being painted as a zebra in black and white with some spread of garage mold to a handsome useful proud chest of drawers.  He was pretty banged up with lots of drip paint and chips galore.....but he hung in there...

Brought him outside for some clean up

He is gleaming with his fresh new look

He is waiting to come in doors after his final coating of wax

Here he stands proudly with his new colors

He looks great in his Annie Sloan Paloma Base and his Old Violet wash with a hint of Verailles and Anibes 

We are hoping he can head home this week.....He will need the rest after the week that he had....

New Enhancements that marry perfectly with Annie Sloan Paints

In the world of painting furniture we are all looking for something new.  Last weekend I spent the better part of the Saturday at Magnolia Lane Designs in Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey. Stehanie Granit, owner and artists presented some new products in her advance painting workshop that were amazing.  

It was called Artisan Enhancements by Aloha Coatings.  (Click on Link to view the line of products)


When ever you are in a small group the flow and sharing of ideas are endless.....Here are some pic's from last weekends workshop.....

Preparing our boards for a bit of magic

Using a jet printer for our application

After application of transfer gel

Here are our finished products Crackle Tex,
Transfer Gel, Pearl Plaster

Pearl Plaster on Top

A great Marriage between two products
 

Of course I headed out of the store with my arms filed with inspiration.  I have already worked with the pearl    Plaster as a wash on a piece that I am working on for a client.

 A little pearl wash as enhancement.

Happy Painting.... Shore Chicy Designs..............

Do You Barter?

Annual White Party Labor Day Weekend.

I just did a piece for my daughter; pictured (center) in this picture....  She is a mother of two and incredibly talented...and I'm not just saying this because I am her mother....although I do have some bragging rights..

Ever since I started my companies four years ago, she has always helped me with my websites. They were constantly changing and growing as I did.  She recently started her own company gearing to helping small and start up companies along with sporting and community organizations with their websites called Simple Business Solutions.....as you know you can't run a business or organization these days with out a website....

So for exchange of my new web presents......I found this table at a local thrift shop that was the typical Bombay Cherry Colored table, and turned it into a Shore Chicy Design Product.. I am hoping she will like it. It will be delivered today....

I used Annie Sloan Graphite underlay

Added Annie Sloan Old White as a top layer along with some clear wax

Added a hint of gold gilding wax to the shell

Until the next project......

Shabby Chic Guru

I attended the AD Home Show this past weekend in New York City - which features Dinning by Designs.

 I’m sure many of you know that since 1984 DIFFA has been one of the nation’s largest supporters of people with HIV/AIDS. And dining by design, now in its 16th year is not only one of the industry’s most anticipated events, but has raised over 16 million dollars for the cause. 

This year one designer that I am sure we are all familiar with had a design to dine table.  I thought you would enjoy..  To see some of the other participants click on the link below.

Dining by Designs 2013 at the AD Home Show