Are you inside or outside?
When I came across this quote, it made me pause. I stared at it for a long time deciding whether or not I understood it....and if I liked what it implied. The longer I stared, the more it sank in, and this is what it means to me:"walking inside your story and owning it" = humbleness, transparent honesty, admitting wrong, forgiveness......real life."standing outside and hustling for worthiness"= understanding who you really are, but not wanting to show that to anyone...rather the opposite......thus the constant game of appearances, scrambling, and defeat.....fake.Don't hustle for worthiness.....it is a hamster wheel. Instead, choose a life of intentional authenticity....no matter how soul baring that may be.xo,Barb
Spring colors and triangles for a coffee table named "Elusine"
It is definitely Spring, and I cannot even tell you how her colors have inspired this piece of furniture. The blooming trees, the green green grass, and the many flowers opening their faces to the sun have me very inspired.Remember when I lamented a bit about the Pantone color of the year being radiant orchid? I am not a huge fan of purple in any shade...but I was determined to find a way to use it my work...and at the same time stay true to the Knack aesthetic. In this coffee table design, I use radiant orchid not once...but TWICE! Once in its original state, and then I added a little somethin' somethin' {white paint} to create a little lighter shade. I absolutely love the color palette of pink, orange, lavender, gold, and orchid, and this palette was completely inspired by a bouquet of Ranunculus flowers I purchased a couple weeks back.I think it is fun, yet again, to combine the hard edges and points of the geometric triangles with the feminine and curvy lines of this sweet table. The perfect pairing if you will.I used FrogTape® to create the custom triangle designs on top of the table, and there is a full step by step "how to" up on the FrogTape blog here! If you decide that miss Elusine needs to come live with you, she IS available for purchase at Knack! {and if you freakin' love the dish towel hanging on the wall, {me! me!} you can get that at Knack too!} We are all about some goodness for the home around here!Hope you enjoy!xo,Barb
I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.
Decorate with Flowers || A Book Review
It comes as absolutely no surprise to those who know me well.... "I LOVE FRESH FLOWERS!" {yes, I am yelling that as I type it} To me, flowers make all the difference in the world. They add color, freshness, beauty, green..... life to every photo, room, or nook and cranny they are placed in. There is simply nothing better....So, when my friend Holly Becker and stylist Leslie Shewring teamed up to produce their new book "Decorate with Flowers"...published by Chronicle Books.....I knew I would be first in line to add it to my collection. I also happen to love having beautiful books in my home, that not only make my book shelves and coffee tables look fantastic, but that I can go to over and over for inspiration and relaxation.As I initially flipped through the book {because I was too excited to sit down and read it} I was drawn to all of the beautiful color, perfectly styled environments, and bright photos. Then, when I got home and actually sat down to spend time pouring over the book....I was absolutely thrilled that Decorate with Flowers is not only pretty styled photographs and beautiful color.....it is also FULL of tutorials and sweet DIY projects! Double goodness indeed.I was so inspired by all of the projects in this book, that I went out and bought a bunch of succulents and flowers to plant at the shop. Gracie and I spent a whole afternoon planting and creating with flowers....and now the shop is brimming with beautiful Spring arrangements.Thank you, Holly and Leslie....for a book that is beautiful and inspiring!Well done!xo,Barb
A fantastic desk named "Constantia"
This my friends....is the girl I have been telling you about. I knew she had it in her, but it took me a few tries to get her ......perfect.After tearing through layers of warped veneer, {to reveal gorgeous planked wood}, two coats of primer, four coats of milk paint, three coats of poly, and two coats of Danish oil on the top.......she is ready to rock and roll!I think back on the hours and hours that this piece took to complete.....and they seem to just fade away, as the lens tells a whole new story of transformation and redemption.I love my job, and this truly brings me joy! Speaking of joy....Matt Ayers and Sam Windell of Traveling Storytellers shot a makers video on me last week. If you would like to check it out, click here! These guys creatively directed this film, and I love that they honed in on the important things: Family, passion, joy and hard work!xo,Barb
Sweet As Honey
When Bonnie Christine.. of the lovely blog Going Home to Roost ... contacted me about participating in a blog tour promoting her new Sweet as Honey fabric line, I took one look at the fabric and said...YES !I had two chairs that were just beggin' for fresh paint and new fabric seats, and so this was the perfect opportunity for a new beginning....and a makeover!Here is what the chairs looked like before: {not horrible, but not hallelujah invoking either}
Here is how many layers of fabric were on one of the seats: { three, and lots of straw and moss stuffing}
I created custom {and very special} milk paint colors specifically for this project. I love how the tones blend with the fabric!
Now, Isn't that somethin'?! It's amazing what a little paint and fabric can do!If you would like to follow along on the tour, and see all 25 projects, click here. Yesterday, Heidi from Hands Occupied created sweet little needle pouches, and tomorrow Caitlin will have a brand new project up on her blog, Salty Oat.Enjoy!xo,Barb
Sometimes, Love Hurts
I was really hoping, hoping, hoping.....that I would have a beautiful new finished piece for you today. Unfortunately, that was not in the plans. {Boo!} I have been working on this desk for three weeks now. Not three weeks solid....but a few days a week....for three weeks. Typically this type of piece would be completed in one week, but there have been so many hidden issues with this piece. It has been complete crazy town....and honestly... if I had known the hours of work it was going to take, I would have left it with my supplier.However, I am all about redemption, and seeing the lovely in the unlovely. Sometimes you get a piece, and its hidden secrets are crazy scandalous.....but no matter how far gone it seems....it can always be fixed....there is always hope. It totally depends on if you are willing to put in the time and do hard things. I am in it to win it, baby!The entire top of this piece and all of the veneered drawer fronts had to be torn off. I tried using glue and clamps before tearing off...but it was too far gone. What I found underneath the existing two layers of veneer, was this amazing solid pine wood that is absolutely gorgeous. I stripped the wood on the top to remove all of the glue and gunk left over from the veneer. I sanded, primed {two coats due to redwood tannins}, and painted two coats. I wasn't quite happy with the finish, but wanted to get her done, so I went ahead and applied one coat of poly. Well......When I get into the studio tomorrow morning.....I will be sanding this desk down again and repainting it a brand new color. I know it may sound crazy....but it is what it is, and it has to be this way in order to be right! The new plan will leave me 100 percent satisfied, and I can't wait to share this desk with you next Monday. Warning you though....the name will be a DOOZY! How could it not be with all that has been put into it?Sometimes things take more time, but it is always worth it in the end. This lovely desk will make someone's room very happy one day soon, and that is why I do what I do here at Knack!I have a sweet chair makeover coming up on Thursday as well! We used two fabrics from the new Sweet as Honey fabric line and are excited to be a part of the blog tour!I also have the first day of shooting for Knack book #2 this week as well! {Woot! Woot!} I am bursting with pride over the amazing team that has come together for this book, and am so stoked about the content that will be produced! I will introduce you to everyone very soon......and I want you to know that I fully intend to write and produce another #1 best seller! Off we go!Exciting times. Busy times. Good times.Thank you for being here with me.xo,Barb