Tips for spray painting metal

We're often asked at the shop how to paint different surfaces.

This week Heather decided to share some tips for painting metal, and tried out a new product in the meantime.

Here is a silver plated tray and teapot in a pre-makeover BEFORE photo.  They were tarnished and had some rust; polish couldn't cure what ailed these two.

What's new in the shop and online this week...

We have lots of new items in the shop & online this week. 

In the shop, we've fallen in love with some antique pine pieces with their original finishes.  Some dealers have started to take spring seriously, and their paint colors have started to reflect the sunshine and warm(er) weather.

Online, we've added two favorite signs, industrial metal pieces and new lighting.

It ain't easy bein' green and a Chocolate Soda Cake recipe

It ain't easy bein' green.......Happy {early} St. Patrick's Day!

I was trying to think of a fun & easy dessert for St Patrick's day and yes, this will work.

Here is my recipe for Chocolate Soda Cake.  I adapted this recipe from the cookbook "Baked NYC."

A step above

A few weeks ago, we had a delivery of ladders. 

We all started scratching our heads wondering how Suzanne & Amy would incorporate them in to their spaces.

Here are a few ways we used ladders in last month's Design House and a few other inspiring images from other talented designers.

Tips for making and mixing your own chalkboard paint

Yes, you can make your own chalkboard paint.  But why should you?  Why shouldn't you?  HOW do you do it if you want to?

We asked one of our veteran furniture painters, Heather, a few questions about how she was able to turn a tired side table in to a funky & cheerful nightstand.  

Here is a recipe and her thoughts and suggestions if you want to mix your own paint for your next project.

Giveaway Monday Winner...

Congratulations to Heidi who won last week's Monday giveaway.

Her comment was chosen by the random number generator and we will be sending her a Petite Fleurs Vase set.

Heidi is going to use the vase set this spring on her kitchen window and as a centerpiece for Mother's Day dinner.  How pretty!

What new in the shop and online this week...

Thankfully, it should be a nice warm{er} weekend and we are looking forward to getting out and searching for new finds. 

We have a bunch of new items that arrived in the shop this week.   We've also had some items for the online store that we've been waiting literally months for arrive this week.

Spring, the color yellow and coffee

Thoughts on spring and some brew tips from our favorite food truck owner - Chef Cher & The Cowbell Kitchen!

Ok really……snow? All I can think of is spring! I don’t want to wish days away but I am obsessed with the thoughts of spring. Monday morning I was snooping around the gardens looking for tiny buds,

The big counter move & a giveaway

We have an update on one of our most noticeable shop change today --- the lobby has been rearranged!

If you stick through this post about the lobby update, we also are doing our Giveaway Monday feature.  We've picked a few happy spring items from our online store and we're ready to give one away. 

Entering is easy-peasy...

Gentleman's Chest Makeover

We have a new before and after for you this week....our gentleman's chest makeover. 

No we are not talking about manscaping, we're talking paint today! 

Today we are using La Craie paint in Franciscan Grey.   

What's new this week....

We just wanted to quickly let you know what new items we have around here.

We've been blessed with warmer weather (not warm enough though!) for the weekend so we are all getting in to the mood for spring.

Design House Weekend!

All new colors, furniture & art at The Design House, this weekend only (Fri., Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm; same property as The Old Lucketts Store).  The Lucketts Store is stocked too; new things come in weekly!   Our resident food truck has a truckload of locally sourced goodies, so stop by this weekend!