Shop Update & Preview

Let me start by apologizing for the following crappy photos. My favorite little camera decided it was tired of my incessant need to photograph furniture painting, food and my dogs, and has decided it would rather live in the world of dead cameras. May it RIP.

Besides my crappy iPhone camera, my only other option is our DSLR. I know I need to start using it more, but, it's kinda a pain. This sounds like something I shouldn't be complaining about, so I'll move on...

Things are moving along at the new store front. We spend last weekend painting the walls. We chose a light gray (although the pics make it look dark...it really isn't).

We bought the two dividers you see below from the previous owner. We'll be using them to section off our work space in the back from the rest of the store. I'm painting them with chalkboard paint, so I can keep them updated with upcoming classes, special offerings, love notes, etc.

 Today I started staining crates we'll be using to create a shelf/wall. Here's the inspiration:

Source / Source

AND, here's where I am. I've discovered that staining 14+ crates is a very tedious chore. But, they are going to look pretty cool when it's done. (Well, it's what I repeat to myself anyway).

 

In my spare time, I've been painting furniture and running around St. Louis and St. Charles counties looking for super awesome finds for the shop. There's already a few things that I'm going to have a hard time parting with. But, that's what it's all about!

I'm hoping to take some pics this weekend of more stuff...but, here's a peek of a few things.

30 Days Til Store Opening {And a Giveaway}

Me: "I've gotten us into quite a pickle." 
Hubbie: "Yes you have."

We picked up the keys to our shop on New Year's Eve. 30 days until we open. Our to-do list lists are pretty long. If I think about it too much, it's paralyzing. We have to just put it aside and plow through it all.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing updates as we get ready and previews of what we'll have to offer. We've got a ton of painting to do (I'm heading out to start on that today), lots of product to build, paint and get ready, and more picking and shopping to do. I'm really excited about what we've found so far!

In the meantime, we're kicking off the new year with a little giveaway. In addition to the one quart bags of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, we'll also have small sample sizes for sale. These are a great way to try out a color. A little goes a long way, and a sample will cover a small end table, stool, a couple of picture frames. Head on over to our Facebook page (or leave a comment below if you aren't on FB) and let me know what YOU would paint if you won. We'll pick a winner on Friday who will receive one sample of Ironstone (the color of the month), Mustard Seed Yellow (in honor of MMS) and Tricycle (had to giveaway a red!).

Righting a Wrong

When it came to our dining room table, I had a vision. I knew what I wanted it to look like. At the time, I didn't want to paint it and stripping it was out of the question (I try to avoid that at all costs. I'm very impatient). I sanded a little...but, it pretty much remained that same.

So, I just went ahead anyway and applied liming wax, and ended up with this:

I wasn't entirely happy with it. It remained in the garage until about a month ago when we moved. Now, I see it every day. I glare at it. Sometimes I call it names. I had to do something.

First, I added some dark wax to the top. It covered and cleaned up the liming wax quite nicely. It's not back to it's original state, but it looks much better. You can see the difference in the pic below.

Then, I painted it. I used the Mustard Seed Yellow again from MMSMP. I've painted one other piece this color and it was a nice way to introduce yellow in another area of hour house (it also goes well with the chairs we painted and recovered). I didn't get much chipping at all, but areas sanded off really easily with a sanding pad.

Mustard Seed Yellow | Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

Sooo much better! We'll be changing out the rug eventually, but it fits our home so much better now. Which is one of the things I love about painting furniture. It's ok if your original vision doesn't turn out as planned. Just pick up a brush and try again!