French Style Trio Transformed with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Pieces bought at Scott's Antique Market - BEFORE refurbishing.

I continue to enjoy the wonderful transformations possible with heirloom quality furniture - sometimes just new fabric is needed but at other times the wood needs attention as well.  Recently, I wrote about the culmination (to date) of lessons learned using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) link to posting and highlighted some of my 2014 projects.

This posting is about a very special trio of French style pieces bought from a Florida vendor at the June Atlanta Scott's Antique Market link to website. I recently listed the three pieces (and have already sold one through One King's Lane link to one of the listings on OKL.

The basic construction on these pieces (estimated to be 60-70's vintage) was solid. Each has hand-tied eight-way steel coil springs which ensure a stable seat platform foundation (and their presence is a GREAT way to determine the quality of a piece of upholstered furniture - only the best have these coils). The woodwork was fully intact but had old finishes which had become dirty and discolored over time. The fabric, of course, desperately needed replacing - it may have been original. The set was perfect for me and the seller said she did not want to truck these back to Florida so she gave me a very good price on them.

First two steps illustrated. I always use Goof Off to thoroughly clean the woodwork of oils, dirt, grease, tobacco staining and anything else that would interfere with good adhesion or create stubbles in the painted surface.

This is the one that has already sold on One King's Lane ($999). I choose a "French linen" cream fabric to offset the neutral wood finish. My upholsterers (the fabulous Lee's of Sun's Upholstery in Norcross, WI) do a wonderful job with the double welting and extensive back tufting. 

This bergere was upholstered in a paler cream fabric which beautifully offsets the chalk paint finish. The first paint coat was ASCP Old White with a diluted Duck Egg Blue light brush (almost dry) overcoat. The double-welted fabric is a duck egg color and highlights the wood finish. I love how this turned out!

The finish and fabric on this slightly oversized - almost a settee - chair is the same as the first item above. It does create a nice clean look!

I will be keeping my eye out for more French style pieces - my overall favorite style - and need to get to work on the pieces in my garage. This is, after all, just procrastination but I am getting inspired to get out there to start the new projects!

Shopping in Historic Franklin, TN

Two weeks ago, my husband and I handled a furniture delivery to two clients near Nashville, TN. We spent the night in nearby Brentwood (Nashville itself was inundated with country music fans there for a huge set of outdoor concerts in the downtown area). While visiting (and avoiding those same crowds), we traveled to the town of Franklin, TN - south of the city.

Fourteen miles and 100 years from Nashville, Downtown Franklin, Tennessee is an oasis of Southern hospitality housed in a 16-block National Register district of antique shops, gift and book stores, art galleries, boutiques, lovingly restored homes and more. It boasts an award-winning Main Street, brick sidewalks, a stunning collection of Victorian buildings and a host of “Best of“ accolades–including Garden & Gun magazine’s 2014 “Best Southern Town.” link to website

We were charmed by the city! Its historic area and main street were vibrant with pedestrian traffic and quite a few shoppers for a downtown area. We were impressed and plan to go back when we have a little more energy and time.

Sharing - French Country Styling - Trumeau Mirrors

One of my faithful blog followers made a comment on a recent posting about French country style decorating link indicating that she has friends who are expert creators/painters of trumeau mirrors and asked if I'd like an "on-line" introduction. I have one such mirror/painting at home and had not known that this was what it was called:

tru•meau (or trumeaux)

Pronunciation: (trOO-mō'; Fr. try-mō'), [key]
—n., 
—pl. -meauxPronunciation: (-mōz'; Fr. -mō'). [key] 
1. a mirror having a painted or carved panel above or below the glass in the same frame. 
2. Archit.a column supporting a tympanum of a doorway at its center.

Read more: trumeau: meaning and definitions | Infoplease.com http://dictionary.infoplease.com/trumeau#ixzz2c3CvWRBU

She shared some of their great work with me as well as their "bios" and contact information. I, in turn, am happy to share this information with you! I understand that the artists are sisters and think their work is exceptional! ENJOY!

Brandi McKenna    bran1973@gmail.com

Brandi McKenna paints classical landscapes in oils. Working closely with her sister, Dustin Harlan, they design and create together one of a kind custom pieces, reminiscent of centuries past. They are available for commissioned works, classes, restoration, and repair.  Brandi, influenced by French and Dutch masters, paints the "picture" part of the trumeaux.

Dusti Harland   dmh6663@gmail.com

Being an artist and a maker of things comes naturally to Dusti who grew up in North Carolina surrounded by her mother's beautiful antiques, white damask linens, blue willow china, Francis The First flatware, and also in her father's basement workshop, playing with his tools. She would stare at the silver fretwork casserole stands atop the Duncan Phyfe buffet and long to take them into the workshop and cut them up and make them into her own creations.

Captivated by the  world where tools were skillfully wielded by her father, playing with scraps of wood and metal, she developed a love for creating, making things, and altering things into her own designs.

Her father's Shopsmith now sits in her workshop, a three thousand square foot historic brick building, where she and her sister, Brandi, put it to use collaborating on unique pieces like their own version of French Country trumeaux. That's also where she cuts up vintage silver to make jewelry and sculpture, carves beautiful bas reliefs in wood and cobbles bones, lighting and other reclaimed materials into richly textured functional sculpture for the home and body.

Bending things to her will by hook or by crook, or rather by saw and chisel, elbow grease, and countless dremel accessories, the world is her blank canvas.

Decorating Styles - French Country

Lovely Country French Setting link to Better Homes and Gardens.

French country styles and patterns have emerged from southern France where they originated in small villages, and now these scenic designs are popular worldwide. The key parts of this design include easy accessories, rustic furniture, and patterns that are quintessentially of the Provence region. source.

I have often said that I would love to "do" (buy, refurbish, sell, live-in) only French Country if I had a choice. It is by far my favorite style of decorating and most of the things I really love in a home work well within its broad parameters. If I could have a second home on a lake or in the mountains or anywhere but in the Palm Spring Desert of Southern California where I would do art deco/mid-century style), it would definitely be a Country French home.

What is Country French or French Country? Much has been written and illustrated about this style - not all of it consistent.

Here are a few definitions and/or examples:

A well-designed French country home inspires comfort and relaxation. Upholstered chairs and couches in different colors and patterns invite people to make themselves at home. The style is a natural for entertaining, with its emphasis on connecting the indoors to the outdoors and interesting conversation pieces. source.

I like this one because it evokes a sense of belonging and furnishing a home for others to enjoy. The next one even brings in a glass of wine - what's not to like about Country French!

 French Country style evokes rolling hills planted with vineyards, abundant flowers and distinctive stone homes with narrow windows and thick walls. The style is oriented toward comfort, tradition and simplicity. If it's fancy, it probably isn't French Country. A house decorated in this style should welcome visitors, inviting them to put their feet up and enjoy a glass of wine. source.

 The Country French style has elements of soft upholstered pieces, muted as well as vibrant color palettes, handsome wooden pieces - many in "faux" finishes/paints, and fresh country details. I do think pictures do the best job of illustrating the style.

Lovely muted colors - source - Better Homes and Gardens

Antique furniture and toiles - source - Better Homes and Gardens 

I set up a pinterest board (link to my French Country board) with images I found readily on the internet as well as "repinned" from other boards - very easy to find.  

Just some of the pieces in my current inventory that work well with French Country style .

Using chalk paint on almost any piece of furniture makes it a good candidate for a French Country look! 

The toile covered bench may be the most quintessential Country French piece possible!

What do you think of this style - are you incorporating it into your home and in what ways - let me know!

Scott's Antiques Market Chair and Ottoman - ASCP Project!

I have now been using world-famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (ASCP) - link to website - for over a year and am the proud owner of the following colors and have used all but the sample size:

Old White

Old Ochre

Cream (new)

CoCo

Graphite

Duck Egg Blue

Chateau Grey

Paris Grey

Napoleon Blue (sample size)

My most recent project was a country French style chair and ottoman which I purchased in October at the Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta (every second weekend of the month).   As with every project, I learn something new and am delighted with the outcome!

This is the set as purchased from Scott's - a nice size and shape but with a finish that is a little odd!

My friend, Ouida, was trying out ASCP for the first time with a sweet table that she had purchased on one of our estate sale outings.  I did a first coat of Old Ochre.  

I achieved the distressed look by using a first coat of clear wax and then going over it with dark wax.  I find that using an old stiff-bristled toothbrush works particularly well to get into the crevices.  Next stop - Upholstery Shop!

I selected a heavy linen striped fabric which coordinated beautifully with the finish color. 

Nice neutral look!

Detail on arms and closeup of fabric.

TA DA -  Finished and enough fabric left over to do a small bolster pillow!  This set is available on Etsy and eBay and will soon be listed on my website - link to website.

On to the next project!!  This project was linked to this Annie Sloan Chalk Paint link party - Shades of Amber

A Couple of ASCP French Chairs - Simple and Elegant

As readers of my blog know, I have fallen madly in love with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (ASCP) - link to site.  I just listed several chairs that were a "simple application" of the great paints - nothing fancy - just a couple of coats of "old white" paint with a clear wax finish.  It is elegant and cannot be beaten for a clean, fresh look that will enhance any fabric.  Sometimes more is less!

Before - basic French chair with nice wood accents and oval back

Applying ASCP - Old White.  I have found that starting with the chair facing down is a good way to make sure that all the surfaces are well covered and there will be no surprises later on when the chair is upholstered and there is little room for error in correcting a patchy paint job.

Completed paint job - before sending to my go-to upholsterers - the Lees at Songs Upholstery in Norcross, Georgia 

WOW - the finished product upholstered in a great cream fabric with embroidered-like seafoam green fabric.  The Lee's do such a great job of pattern placement and double-cording the piping. 

Another View 

Other Chair - Seafoam green/blue silk  

Look how great these fabrics  go together - these two chairs would make quite a statement

 It is so gratifying when something just turns out well!  This blog is linked to the following - Savvy Southern Style

It's Scott's Antiques Market Weekend!

The second weekend of the month is Scott's Antiques Market weekend here in Atlanta - link to website and now that I'm back from our European vacation, my friend Bette and I are back on track for the sales.  

TIP - there is a printable coupon for $1.00 off on their website - the regular entry fee is $5.00 per person - every dollar counts!

Neither of us had anything specific we were looking for so we decided to visit the South Building since our last visit was exclusively to the North Building - both have their interests although our favorite ice cream place is at the North Building.   The crowds seemed a little subdued from normal, which we attributed to the summer season.   There was a lot to look at and admire!

Vendor at entrance to South Building that we loved immediately.  I am looking for a slanting mirror for my basement renovation project and certainly would consider this style.  The wooden chandeliers and floor lamps were beautifully crafted. 

Almost immediately, I saw these reasonably priced chairs that were well constructed and would look great refurbished. I resisted but perhaps should not have! 

Just a sample of all the chairs I saw that spoke to me - chairs almost always to.  I did get a price quote on the blue pair ($300) but not the others.  Loved the painted wingback chair with curved front arms! 

I am not sure what I would do with these little guys but they were just wonderful! 

Several months ago, I bought two wall mirrored stars for my front foyer from this shop - he has such a great eye and a lively display! 

I thought the curves on this buffet piece were very unusual - no storage but wonderful wooden carvings. 

Great fabrics but a little pricey for me - average of $20 per yard.  The owner's dog liked them too! 

A great day although one without a single purchase - but the visit was inspirational and there's always next month!