FYI: Good times with Furniture Makeovers

1. One of my "other favorites" from the book. Loved doing this reverse vinyl technique. 2. Bicycle table in the works. 3. Blue fingers, which is a common thing around here 4. Sweet encouragement from a friend to keep me going 5. Seriously my favorite knobs ever....I think the idea came to me in a dream :} 6. Always lots of dirty rollers and brushes to wash out 7. Process. Love my set of vintage screw drivers.I think I have to apologize for the blurriness of some of these photos due to the fact that they were all shot from my IPhone as I was scurrying around the studio from one thing to the next! It was so important to me to capture every moment that I could, so that I could cherish and remember all of the experiences of writing this book. I would be snapping away while Aaron was doing his thing, and then I would have to get back to styling or creating or whatever else it was that we were doing that day. I do not apologize for the messy real you get to see in these photos...because there were so many messes......so many messes I tell you..... behind the beauty that was captured for this book. Sometimes I would stand amazed at how the studio was an absolute disaster behind the scenes but the section where we shot the photos was pristine and ready to go.I included the photo of the chai tea because my crazy friend wrote "Hot Barb" on the cup....which made me laugh....and then "I love you" which made me cry. I had so many friends who knew that I was in the middle of something huge and instinctively, without being asked or told, showed up at my door offering help, love, and support. I found it so touching that people would give up their free time to sit on my floor and chat with me when I was weary, bring hot drinks to keep me going, put on their painting duds and paint when deadlines got tight, and just be there when I just needed someone to talk to while working day after day, hour after hour.It is very hard for me to ask for help, always has been , I think I can handle everything...I'm tough..... but through this book writing process I learned to accept help. I say accept help because even though I never had to ask my friends for help {because they weren't asking they just told me ...hah!}....I still had to actually accept the help, and once I did... I realized what a treasure help is and what I had been missing out on. I also learned how to be a  helper, and through their examples I learned how to offer help even when people don't know how to ask for it. It was a milestone for me, and now.....let me just tell you....I have no problems asking for help! Help from friends is love in action and I want to love others in this way.So to my friends....Carrie, Renee, Marian, Lily, Jen B, Cindy, Susan, Jennifer B, Angie, & Krystle.....Thank you for helping me, I will never forget your kindness.xo,Barb

Introductions: A Tall chest named "Ermintrude"

I have not painted with this slate blue color in a while....and so I thought it was about time I used it again! I absolutely love this color, and knew that this piece was going to love being coated in it from the first stroke.I love the turned leg detail on the bottom of this piece and the scroll trim across the top.....it adds a bit of softness, which I played down a bit by using a more masculine color along with the vintage wooden hardware. I don't use original hardware too often, but this vintage mixture of woods and shapes just really felt perfect for this piece. I also went with a power sanding technique on this one instead of hand sanding , so the distressing is a bit more intense....but again....all part of the design plan I saw for the completion of this piece.In the styling of this piece, I used a print that I purchased at my intern Ann's art show at the beginning of the year. It is called "Curiosity" and I love that word...then you add an elephant and a hot air balloon...and I am hooked completely! This print is from my personal collection.....BUT the wire baskets and the pillows are available for sale in the shop as well as the online shop! Wire baskets. Indigo Ikat pillow LG. Indigo Ikat pillow SM."Ermintrude" will be staying on the floor until after the book party....can't believe it is THIS FRIDAY!!!..... and then I will get all of the new furniture...including book pieces listed in the online shop!xo,Barb

Etcetera: Photography and Photo shoots

1. Aaron and Jon giving me their best straw smolder 2. Aaron doing his thing 3. Lily and Jon sketching on set 4. Lily providing some much needed entertainment 5. styling goodies all lined up 6. My metal organizational board for shoot lists and photos taken 7. Aaron is a blur 8.Aaron's face when I told him we needed to re shoot my styling! hah!

I told you all that I would have a post up today about my friend and book photographer J Aaron Greene....and I am late....but I am here....and I want to discuss a tiny bit about what went into the photography for the book....and how thankful I am that I had such a talented and organized photographer to work with! First of all.....I want to congratulate him on his recent award from the PDN Photo Annual! Woo Hoo!When I talk to people about the book and they ask what the hardest part was.....I think most people expect me to say the writing part, because writing has never been a strong point of mine, BUT actually the hardest part for me was the styling and photography! Can you believe it?!Let me clarify that. You know how during a cooking demonstration the chef prepares the dish ahead of time...and then when the tv show is being filmed they go through all the steps and then quickly pull out the steaming hot already prepared dish that is ready to go? Well......you can't do that with one of a kind pieces of furniture! I found that out really quickly as we tried to navigate through the waters of making sure that all the before shots were taken before the pieces of furniture were started, and then the shoots had to be super organized as only a certain amount of processes can be done at one time due to drying times and steps of progress. Neither I nor Aaron wanted to sit around and wait for things to dry so we had to be super intentional about what the shoots looked like and everything had to be lined up and ready to go.Even with the amazing organization {especially on Aaron's part} photo shoots were an all day affair and we had MANY long days! Some days I was "not feeling" the styling and I would arrange, and re arrange until I felt like it was right....and then there was the day that I requested a complete do over because I looked at the photos and did not like how I had styled them! Over 10,000 photographs were taken..{many were quick shots of my hands moving faster than lightening! but still LOTS}....and those had to be narrowed down to 450...which then got narrowed down a bit more for the final cut for the book. Let's just say that Aaron and I not only spent many hours shooting in my studio, but we also spent many hours in Aaron's studio looking at the computer screen picking out photos. I don't know what I would have done without the skills that Aaron possesses!I am also so very, very thankful for my friend Lily Wikoff....owner and designer at the fantastic Lily Pottery! Lily took many, many hours out of her busy schedule to be there for all of the photo shoots, sketch out vignettes, track down styling pieces, and be my second and third and fourth set of hands and eyes. Lily has enough energy for the entire universe and her styling eye is spot on. It was beyond helpful...like "I've got no words helpful"..... for me to have this friend on my team.I am so thankful for the many friends who helped out during the book process..I could not have made it through without my friends and family! I will talk more about all of them next week....as this whole process was an experience I will never forget, and one that stretched me and grew me in ways that I will forever be grateful.My heart if full of gratitude.xo,Barb Blair

Found Goodness: The light of day

As I was going through literally hundreds of photos that I shot from behind the scenes during book photo shoots....I pulled a few of my favorites.It is amazing to look back....I remember exactly how I felt as I shot these photos....which was super thankful, and excited to be gifted with this opportunity....and also in awe of the beauty of light and color.This is how the studio would look before a shoot....pieces of furniture and styling elements scattered here and there.....set up in partial vignettes of how I thought I wanted them......always subject to change......but  just waiting for their moment in the spotlight! My painting drop cloths even made the cut! Did you guys see those in the book?I am so very thankful for the wonderful friend and amazing photographer that I worked with on this book project....Aaron Greene......I will talk more about him tomorrow :} In the meantime you all should check out Aaron's website if you have not already.....it is breathtaking and you will find yourselves inspired!xo,Barb

Quotage: Pressure up in here

photo via pinterest

I have to say that I feel a bit of pressure these days....pressure to get everything ready for the party next week, pressure to get everyone's summer schedule worked out, pressure to remember everything on my to do list............and then I stop, and think.....everything is totally going to be ok. It will all work out. Enjoy this day...this moment. Don't pressure wash it away. {hardy har har!}Don't let the pressures of life overwhelm you. Take them one bite at a time and enjoy the beauty that pressure can and should bring!xo,Barb

FYI: Holly Becker is my Homegirl

Where do I even begin....when writing about someone who has been a mentor, encourager, and positive influence in my life? It is really hard to put into words how I feel about Holly Becker of Decor8.....but I am going to give it my best shot!I started communicating online with Holly back "in the day" because I admired both her positivity and the positivity of her readers. I thought it was so great that she had such a good relationship with her readers, and that the overall mood and feel of her online presence was bright, happy, colorful, and inspiring. Let me point out that everyone has to deal with negativity at times...unfortunately it is just part of our world.....but the positive far outweighs the negative here and I was drawn to that. I remember the first time Holly featured my shop back in 2009.....I was SO excited...but also nervous...because I was used to such negativity towards my work... {"painting over this gorgeous wood?! You are RETARDED!" ...and so on and so on}... from other large site features. I remember being awestruck by the fact that there were over 80 something comments on that first post {comments have since been lost due to a server crash} and not one single one of them was negative! It truly struck a chord in my soul...and from that day forward I wanted to be a part of whatever Holly was doing. Positive people attract positive people...and that is right where I want to be.Since that time, through communications online and then our first face to face meeting at her book signing in SOHO {yes, that is me and my blue hair that she talks about!}....it has truly been a pleasure to get to know Holly.  Miss Holly is one accomplished and smart woman, but none of that gets in the way of her being a friend....lovely, transparent, honest, and in my eyes....the best in her field.I am truly honored that she agreed to write the forward for my book Furniture Makeovers and when I was allowed to view it for the first time....I cried. It is so special to me, and her words were so very kind. I can't say enough how much I appreciate the presence of this friend in my life......and how honored I am to have her name attached to my book.xo,Barb

Introductions: A little gate leg table named: "Cortilde"

Hello everyone! I am so sorry that I have been completely MIA over the last week......it is just one of those times where I have more to do than hours in a day.....and I did not get my posts all written and scheduled like a good girl.....and because of that....the blog has suffered a bit over the past few days! I am back though.......and I have so much to share with you leading up to the book launch on May 3! I cannot even believe it is only 11 days away!! EEP!I have gone back through the archives and pulled and edited several pictures from the early days of working on the book and am excited to share about that....as well as a post tomorrow on the sweet and amazing lady that wrote the forward for Furniture Makeovers!!For now though.....Look at this sweet little beauty that we have up for your viewing pleasure today! I gave all of you Instagram followers a sneak peek at this piece a couple weeks back....but here she is in all of her finished glory! I really enjoyed this piece......it was fun to pull out the FrogTape and do a fun design on the top to create interest. I wanted to create a little bit of a different pattern vs. the normal chevron...and so we created a mirror image, and I absolutely love, love it! It is a goody!I named her "Cortilde".....because.....well, why not? She totally looks like a Cortilde! {wink!} I have her on the floor in the Knack shop for now {495.00} and will get her listed online after the book launch party. If however you are out of town and would like to purchase Cortilde before then, just shoot me an email {barb@knackstudios.com} and we'll make it happen!Measurements are: 47 inches long with sides up, 36 inches wide, 30 1/2 inches tall. Flowers used in this shoot are blue thistle, black and white print by Brooklyn artist from my personal collection, recycled vases sold at Knack, and metal and wooden chairs available for sale at Knack as well. Knitted power cord available on etsy. Enjoy the day!xo,Barb

FYI: Things are crazy around here....

I am covered up in crazy around here these past few days. I am pushing hard to get four projects out the door so that I can focus completely on the Book Launch party for the next two weeks!I will be back soon.....I promise....and I have so much fun stuff to share....Have a great week!xo,Barb