How to paint and distress furniture, CeCe Caldwell vs Annie Sloan chalk ...

Take sneak peek into the home of a local designer/artist

I recently was  commissioned by a local artist/designer  to turn the piece below into a salad prepping station for her kitchen.  Other than the drawers painted shut; this was a solid piece.

I purchased this piece at a garage (yard)  sale in Seaside Park NJ

This is the piece completed and installed - I used CeCe Caldwell paint for the exterior of this piece in Beckley Coal.
I added a protective top coat by CeCe Caldwell paints in a satin finish

Now onto the designer/artist herself....I think we have mutual admiration for one another...I find her talent just amazing.  Her name is Connie Baldino  owner of Queenb Jewelry  (click Queenb Jewelry on link for bio).

Connie is wearing a one of a kind (Stevie Nicks) Duster Jacket that she designed

Notice the different layers of this Jacket/duster

Stevie and her style

I was allowed the opportunity to do a full photo shoot of Connie's home; which she shares with her husband  Jim and their dog Ziggie.   Connie is very much into layering, which is reflected in her home decor, her jewelry and dress designs...Layering is not an easy art....

I was able to capture a close up of her layering techniques with the collection of her jewelry and clothing

Love her color choices which are rich warm and inviting

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A great piece by  Horchow displays Connie's prized pieces...beautiful necklaces and head pieces

A shot of her living room take note of all of the texture and dimensions of this room.

This one of a kind Jacket is for sale on Pinterest 

Unique hand bag and necklace designed by Connie Baldino

I hope that you enjoyed the tour of my clients home and art work.  I am so fortunate to meet all these wonderful people through my work..  

Website/Simple Business Solutions

Paint/CeCe Caldwell Sea&Green Point Pleasant Beach

Furniture Design/Shore Chicy Designs

Furniture by Horchow/Horchow

Designer- Connie Baldino/Queenb

Are Orange Pumpkins Passe??

I thought I share some great ideas for fall decorations.....

Painted in Provence by Annie Sloan/Shore chicy Designs

Unknown artist

Quick fall centerpiece: Corral gourds under glass cloches and on small cake stands.
Country Living Magazine/Country Living

media cache

Martha Stewart

HGTV Canada

media cache

Finding Home/Finding Home

Stone Gable/Stone Gable

Random Nooks And Grannies Of Our House

our fall/winter bedding

 It is getting harder and harder to get up in the morning.  The sunrise is later and the cold air keeps you under the covers!

But I have a lot of deliverable's on my agenda today..

Jump Start the morning with a cup of JOE tall dark and handsome

Flip through the new Mary McDonald Interiors Book

Oversize pillows in my office, they are inviting to snuggle with

I have managed to put a few fall decorations around

Stripes has sold yet, So I use him until he goes

Is this a concave or convex?

Strong rich colors in our bedroom

my granddaughters nook

Website Design/Simple Business Solutions

Bedding/Raymond Waites

Cup/Coastline Imports

Runner/Ralph Lauren

Book/Mary McDonald Interiors

Office Pillow/Pottery Barn

Strips painted in Annie Sloan Old Orchar and Old White/Shore Chicy Designs

Granddaughters nook pained in Annie Sloan Versailles on the wall/Pillows

Garage Sale Find

I never know where the next great piece is going to come from or who it will go to.  I found this piece at a town wide yard sale in Seaside Park New Jersey about 3 miles from my home. (click on link Seaside Park above and enjoy hearing the sound of the ocean ) 

It was a great day ...I brought my bike, parked the truck then proceeded on .....The trick was to  remember where I purchased each item, so that I could return with my truck to pick up.

The seller told me the drawers were false and did not open

found this great drawer liners inside

started to sand off some of the layers of paint

this is the stage that we are at now...we added a bottom shelf

This piece is sold and will become a kitchen island

I am really excited about this piece and where it is going....I will be doing a blog on its new location along with the Artist Home that it is going to...  Check out her work @ Qbeeds

Location/Sea Side Park, New Jersey

Artist/Connie Baldino

Website Design/Simple Business Solutions

Post by Shore Chicy Designs by Harmonizing Homes, LLC/Shore Chicy Designs

I have the greatest clients

 I am so fortunate to work with some great clients.  I have been working with Amy for a few months now..on various pieces of furniture pictured below.

Yesterday, I spent the late afternoon on Amy's bedroom floor distressing her dresser drawers.  Amy is a talented artist that does not have the time to work on furniture herself (hence she hired me).  However she got into it yesterday, I only wish I had my camera at hand.   Both of us armed with various gits of sand paper, we were able to achieve the look that Amy was looking for.  It was the first time I experienced working with a client hand and hand...So much fun!  Thanks Amy!

Web Design/Simple Business Solutions

Amy Nail Artist/Simply Skin Spa

Shore Chicy Designs/ Shore Chicy Designs

Do you like cake?

I am taking a day to get caught up on phone calls, and paperwork....but I wanted to take the time to talk about HIDDEN TALENTS!

I am always amazed of the hidden talents of people and how their talents emerge.   My daughter a mother of two has so many hidden talents that are recently being tapped because of her children and involvement in her community and church.

As many  of you know or maybe didn't know, she has developed my website and those of many others....I can't even figure out how to place pictures on my site....I know its is easy for some, but I just get too frustrated.  She started her company Simple Business Solutions  to help her area athletics, and small business get organized and spread news and needed information to area families.




Now, the hidden talents that emerged because of birthday parties....she started making cakes just for fun...check these out!!  I would love to hear about people you know and how their talents were unleashed because of situations.

A little girl age 8 birthday Cake

This one was for a boy age 8

If you are looking for a specialty cake, let me know and I will put you in contact with her.

Webdesign/simplebusinesssolutions