Introductions: A gray cabinet named "Bellanca"
This little miss, tested my patience more than any piece in the history of Knack. I am not even kidding you. I purchased it from one of my antique buddies based on a photograph {and a lot of trust!}....and don't get me wrong.... it is a great piece.... but it had hidden demons.
I knew the piece would have to be stripped down due to the lovely "smear job" that it wore in its current state.....and stripping with Citristrip is usually a piece of cake....but not today folks!I stripped this piece 4 times. Yes.....4. I learned much through this stripping job that I will take away with me. First of all, the top layer came off like frosting on a cake {normal} but then that bottom white layer was not to be messed with. I soon realized that I had to work with the stripper while it was really wet, because once it dried {even a little bit} it became one with the paint and hardened like glass. I was stumped because I have never come across this before.....but I then figured out I was dealing with a factory finish that was like resin. It was the only answer that I could come up with...and it fits the era of the piece. This finish was baked on baby!
Anyway....I did not give up......I persevered......not to say that I didn't moan and complain as I purchased multiple bottles of Citristrip, after wash, ruined brushes, and stepped in goo for about three days! I literally felt like a new woman when I rolled up all that mess and began painting! Whew! In the end the most beautiful blonde wood was revealed, and a painting surface that was as smooth as I'll get out. Painting this piece was a breeze...as the paint just slipped right on.And.......this is what she looks like now. Worth it for sure. In fact, she has already been scooped up and carted off to her new home before I could get her in the etsy shop.
My job is done for today.xo,Barb
Etcetera: Decorate Workshop Book Winner!
Hello friends.....I am a mucho grande tardy girl today! It was a busy one! Whew!BUT..... I wanted to announce the winner for the Decorate Workshop book.......and it is......MARTHA LEONE !!! Congrats Martha! Please send me your mailing address so that we can get it right out to you!Have a great weekend everyone!xo,Barb
Found Goodness: Find and Keep by Beci Orpin
I am a fan of Frankie Magazine, and I recently saw on their blog where one of their favorite Aussie designers Beci Orpin designed a line of bedding and home goods for Urban Outfitters.I then poked around further and saw that she has written a book.....and it looks like I will be adding it to my wish list!xo,Barb
Book Giveaway: Decorate Workshop by Holly Becker
I am so excited to be part of the official blog tour for my friend and mentor Holly Becker of Decor8 ! Holly is one of my very special people, and inspires the socks off of me! I am so honored and excited that the forward to my book was written by this fantastic lady.I ordered Decorate Workshop the very second it became available for pre-order and could not wait to get my hands on it! I also have Holly's first book Decor8 , and I have spent plenty of time reading through it, figuring out how to incorporate it into my home, and agreeing with everything Holly says.Decorate Workshop is such an amazing book. It is the complete guide to intentional living and includes every single tool you need to fine tune your home and make it work for you and the way that your family lives!I had major talks with my husband when I finished reading through this book. There are a few rooms in our home {ok, more than a few!} that have just become landing places for piles of papers and books, book bags, shoes, items that need to be returned to people.....and well, you get the picture:} I think one of the biggest things that I take away when reading Holly's books is the encouragement to use the pieces that I have, but also to make each room in the home comfortable, beautiful, functional, and filled with intention. I literally went out and bought three pads of graph paper so that I could draw out rooms, sketch, and make wish lists for the items that I would like to add to my home. It is that thought provoking folks.....and on top of being inspiring, it is empowering.I also love that all of the rooms and homes featured in Holly's books are very non intimidating and real. I really connect with many of the images and mood boards.....and think Holly's eye and taste are spot on and very approachable.I have met Holly in person and I can honestly say that her personality is the same.....warm, real, open, and honest. I can't say enough about how much I love this lady! {and her fantastic books}One of you has a chance to win Holly's latest book Decorate Workshop right now! Just leave me a comment and I will announce the winner on Friday! If you would like to keep up with the blog tour {and more chances to win} here is the schedule:
Tuesday, November 27 – Sacramento Street & A Creative MintWednesday, November 28 – Hooray & Design For MankindThursday, November 29 – Decorology & BloesemFriday, November 30 – The Curated House & Design MuseMonday, December 3 – Simply Grove & In Honor of DesignTuesday, December 4 – In My Own Style & This is Love ForeverThursday, December 6 – Justina Blakeney & MintFriday, December 7 – The TomKat Studio & Down and Out Chic
xo,Barb
FYI: New Pillows in the shop
I just got a brand new shipment of pillows in at Knack! I am so excited about the prints and designs on these fantastic pillows.....and they are handmade here in the USA by a mother and son design team! I really love that!Knack will be open this Friday night December 7th from 6-9 pm .....stop by if you would like to scoop up a couple pillows.....or revolver bottle openers.....or coasters, furniture, tea towels, ornaments, candles......you get the picture!If you are not local and can not visit the shop, please email me barb@knackstudios.com for shipping information!{Pillows are 15 x 15 burlap, zipper closure, removable poly insert and are 49.00 ea}xo,Barb
Introductions: A white chest of drawers named "Gwyn"
This little beauty is a piece that I recently finished for clients getting ready to welcome their first little bundle of goodness into this world! The piece belonged to one of the grandmothers, but had been sitting in a storage shed for a while.When I first got the email with the photographs, I had been told that it had been painted an olive green color. As you can see in the first photograph {before stripping} it actually looks like wood grain. I was a bit perplexed and so I questioned my client about it and she insisted that it was painted. Well, when the piece arrived at the studio it all made sense. The piece had been painted..... in a greenish wood grain pattern...and I have to say.....it was well done. I would have been fooled.Since the client did not want any of the original olive "ish" color coming through the white when distressed, I stripped the piece to remove the painted finish. I was really surprised {again!} by the wood pattern that lay underneath all of the paint! Granted....it is a wood veneer {you can see the four panels of veneer if you look really close }, and not a solid slab of wood but still....it was pretty. I did consult with my client to see if they would like for me to leave the top raw wood and just paint the base, but they wanted to go ahead and paint the entire piece...so I obliged.....happily.We left the original handles on this piece in order to keep a little piece of grandmom attached to the piece.....and I think they fit the look nicely. It is rare for me to champion keeping original hardware on a piece....but in this case, the decision to keep them is a good one. It warms my heart to see people make intentional and meaningful decisions.I am happy......clients are happy.That's what I'm talking about.xo,Barb
Etcetera: Cranny is the best
What can I say.....my sister is incredibly talented and I just love the beautiful things she makes...her blog...her photographs.....HER!I have a set of her yarn trees that stay out year round { yes, I love them that much!}.....I will be selling the "do small things with great love" calendars at Knack starting TODAY......{or you can get them from Cranny's Etsy shop} I am thinking that I need the yarn letter book ends as well.....{ and yes that piece of furniture is a Knack original that I painted and wallpapered in the middle of my sisters living room in Portland Oregon when I was there for a visit!}.Oh how I wish we were together today......the miles between us are too many. I love you sis.xo,Barb
Found Goodness: Indie Craft Parade
I could not be more excited about the Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair that will be happening this Saturday from 10 -5 ! The two gals responsible for these goodies above.....Annie and Mollie......are two reasons that I have someone coming in to help me with the shop {Knack will be open 10-5 as well!}. I plan on hitting up the Holiday Fair, and will be putting these items in my little shopping bag and bringing them home! Woot!It is going to be wonderful! I hope you all can make it out! xo,Barb