A Visit to Georgia's Governor's Mansion

Walking toward the Governor's Mansion on West Paces Road in Buckhead.

Yesterday was a cool but beautiful day in the Atlanta area of Georgia. We have had so much rain and dreary weather, it was glorious just to get out of the house. A group of neighborhood friends and I traveled to the Governor's Mansion in the tony Buckhead area of the city and took in a delightful tour of the public spaces and holiday decorations.

The Governor's Mansion is the official home of Georgia's 82nd Governor, Nathan Deal, and his wife, Sandra. The Mansion, a three floor, 30-room, Greek Revival style home built in 1967, stands on approximately 18 acres in northeast Atlanta. It was designed by Georgia architect Thomas Bradbury and officially opened on January 1, 1968. link to website

We joined a group of people at the front door waiting to get in and enjoyed looking over the grounds.

The pace of the tour was very leisurely which worked out fine on such a great day!

We were VERY impressed meeting the Governor's wife and she welcomed everyone entering the home - what a nice touch!

One of two trees in the formal dining room.

Mantle in the formal dining room - we loved the huge cones in the fireplace well.

The trees were decorated with many natural items such as these cones and the dried hydrangeas. All the trees were natural resulting in a wonderful woodland smell throughout the house.  

Gingerbread house in the rear of the foyer. 

Colorful formal living room.  I, of course, loved the chairs! 

Extra tall and broad breakfront - one of the nicest pieces in the house. 

More great chairs!

A collection of antique baby carriages were shown throughout the house. All the trees also had these large artificially-lit candles which looked very real. 

Tree in the lower reception area.

As we were leaving, we saw the area for demonstrations of woodworking and other traditional crafts.

This was a very pleasant visit I will want to repeat and only my second trip to tour this lovely home in over 25 years in the Atlanta area. We as a group were very impressed!

Newest Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Projects

It has been over two years since I started using the great Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) - link to company website. I have refinished dozens and dozens of pieces by now - some for my own use and most as part of my Wydeven Design refurbishing projects. Other than the Emperor's Silk that I purchased several months ago and used extensively immediately thereafter - see link, I have been using the colors I pretty well started with including:

 Old White (now on fourth can), 

Old Ochre

Graphite

Chateau Grey

Coco

Cream

Paris Grey

Here are my most recent projects. I continue to be very satisfied with the ease of application and results. I do my work in our garage (poor husband does NOT appreciate cars being forced to stay outdoors during these spurts of activities). It has been cold and damp lately here in Atlanta and I have found that these are not ideal conditions for optimum results. Therefore, I have slowed down somewhat but hope to get back into full gear in the early spring (late January?).

This sweet chair is actually a pretty good size and very versatile piece with beautifully carved legs. The finish is a a simple ASCP Cream with a clear wax finish. It was chosen to complement the fabric which is a cream and off-white fern pattern - the cream highlights the darker of the colors.

This is my most recent project. The chair and ottoman were painted and distressed originally (Calico Corners) but the finish had not been well applied and was flaking off. I covered the darkish white with the ASCP cream which has a hint of pale yellow/vanilla. In lightly distressing the pieces using a medium sand-block, I uncovered some spots to the wood base but others only to the original white. The result was an interesting textured look mixing the white, cream and wood views.   

This elegant channel-back had woodwork that looked very tired but is clearly interesting in scale and design. After applying my go-to ASCP Old White, I had intended to do a clear wax followed by a dark wax to highlight the crevices. I changed my mind and decided to retain this more "clean" look and love how it turned out with this pale gold/taupe linen. 

This chair's original finish was a nice deep color but not in great overall shape so I decided to use it to experiment with gilding. ASCP does sell a gilding wax but I choose to stop by Hobby Lobby and get a cheapie (less than $6) product which worked very well. The ASCP finish is Graphite with a dark wax seal to make it as black as possible. I did find that it takes some practice to get the hang of using the gilding. Only a tiny amount is necessary and once applied, it is hard to reduce or move too much. I like the result and plan to use it again.  

I had a very hard time trying to decide which color to use on this chair and had initially selected another fabric. This is ASCP Paris Grey with clear and then dark wax. I also distressed the finish. I choose a neutral linen fabric and like the feel of this piece. 

These are my latest and I like how each turned out. I am working on a small set of Henredon chairs (mid-century) and have three more chairs in my van to check out. If the woodwork on any of these is not up to my standards, they will be amongst my next projects.

Giving Tuesday - Goodwill Industries

I had not heard of "Giving Tuesday" until I saw it promoted by our local Goodwill Industries of North Georgia - a very worthwhile charity/cause. Since this is in fact Tuesday and this is the day of the week that the stores offer a serious 25% discount on all purchases to seniors aged 55 and older, I thought a visit to several stores would be appropriate.

I just returned and am posting to report on my experience and promote this day which seems like a very nice follow-up to the frantic consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I thought I would research this day's designation but found no history or origin information. I did find that all charities/causes seem to be promoting the day to support their particular interests so it is clearly not just a "Goodwill" thing.

My first stop this morning was at the Buckhead (Roswell Road) store which is probably my favorite. As readers of my blog know, my purchases at Goodwill stores generally fall into the following categories:

Heirloom quality (good bones) upholstered furniture ready to be refurbished and sold

Down/feather pillow inserts in good condition 

Paperback books 

Brand name purses 

The premium bag display (behind counter - you have to ask to see them) was not well stocked - I am guessing that there have been a lot of sales there lately. The store was a little quiet this early in the day but you can see how well maintained and organized it is.

A sign which always makes me smile is their goal sign - to put people to work and give them workplace skills - simple but powerful!

The Sandy Springs store (Mt. Vernon Road near Roswell) was a little busier and had several interesting pieces of furniture. Probably the nicest was the camelback sofa but too big for me - I don't do anything over the size of a moderate chaise or loveseat. I did see several people buying holiday trees.

The Dunwoody store (Abernathy Rd) had some great accessories and gift type items. The jewelry box on the bottom was in great condition and I loved the tall glass pieces - I would definitely have bought the latter if it was a pair. A friend is looking for a set of family room tables (and loves chickens) so I do plan to share those ideas with her.

I was getting ready to leave (sort of congratulating myself on not buying anything), when I spotted one of the stock people walking around with this tall (22-24") metal holiday centerpiece which looked new.  It was marked $14.77 (25% off!) and I loved it but have NO SPACE in my already decorated house for this piece. The employee put the piece down and I immediately photographed it and sent it to my daughter who is off today. I asked if she was interested.

I stood my ground near the piece and several potentially interested buyers walked over to admire it as well. That did it! I picked it up and carried it to the cash register rehearsing what I would say to my husband and reviewing what I would need to get rid of to make a space for it. I did discover that there are three places for tea candles to illuminate the windows. WOW!

As I carefully walked out with my treasure, my daughter responded to my text and said "sure" she wanted it. So I just drove over and dropped it off. She lit the candles and we stood around admiring it. She also started walking around looking for a good place and has even less space than I do to work with. BUT, a good buy for a good cause!

If anyone knows the origin/history of this Giving Tuesday tradition, please let me know!

I Love Craigslist!

I have previously reported on my experiences with Craigslist and how I approach buying (and selling) on this free site. As I review my current inventory, I am surprised by the high percentage of items (35% or more) that came from a Craigslist ad.  As a matter of fact, over the past week, I have added the following items - some photographed below in their "before" state:

• Pair of North Hickory (of Hickory, NC) French style leather wingback chairs with extensive woodwork - I plan to have reupholstered in a cream matelasse fabric just bought through eBay
• Pair of compact Drexel Armchairs with wood that will be refurbished using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) on woodwork and a cream linen-like fabric (probably) on the frame - this great set and the next item were bought from a woman who looks almost exactly like famed English actor, Judi Dench - she hears it ALL the time
• Calico Corners leather wingback chair and ottoman (from same seller as above) she hadn't even listed the set but I offered to buy it while picking up the other chairs and she agreed
• Calico Corners French Country chair and ottoman - wood with rust bottoms and cushions on top and back - the woodwork is already partially redone in ASCP cream and the cushions are at the shop to be recovered in a beautiful blue and white damask chintz-like fabric
• Sam Moore chair and ottoman in a vaguely French Country style but a little more rugged in details - to be redone in a "masculine" large-scale navy and cream plaid with some wool content
• Pair of Lee Industries wing back chairs - to be redone in a retro-looking cream twill fabric

SO, I have again overbought!  Sales this time of year are a bit slow and I had told myself to slow down in making additional acquisitions. Who can stop themselves, however, when these types of options present themselves!  Not me!

Here are some pieces in my current inventory that were originally Craigslist purchases. As I've said cautioned numerous times - be careful when selecting used furniture to refurbish to make sure the high cost (and time commitment) is worth while. Clearly, however, there are wonderful pieces out there to be discovered!

The Power of Red

Love these chairs - the best red color - see my pinterest board referenced below.

I don't know if the fact that I have started wrapping holiday gifts and thinking about holiday decorations has me fixated on the color "red" or whether it was my recent burst of activity with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint's (ASCP) Emperor Silk link to recent posting. It may also be the reds (and oranges and yellows) that I am seeing everywhere in our Atlanta area fall. Nevertheless, I am seeing "red" all over and loving it!

I have been saving images of red used as a primary or just a "pop" color on my pinterest board - link to board. Red is bold and passionate and I love it! I have reds in my living and dining rooms (a LOT) and as a pop of color in several other rooms. Over the holidays, of course, it will be a major focus of attention!

Here are some of my favorite images - all from my pinterest board.

This is an amazing sofa - see pinterest board referenced above.

I wish this chair were mine - see pinterest board above. 

This sofa just pops - see pinterest board above. 

Definitely a statement chair and statement color - see pinterest board above.

I reviewed my current Wydeven Design listings (eBay, Etsy, Chairish) and found I only had two pieces that were squarely in the red family - beside the wood finishes of the pieces just completed in ASCP Emperor's Silk.

Here is a set of oval French style chairs not included in recent posting - love how these turned out.

Well, clearly, I need to go out and find more red fabrics and add to this collection - particularly in advance of the holiday season!  I enjoy the power of red!

The Fine Art of Collecting - Eclectic Style

Example of Eclectic Design - link to my pinterest board for source - "eclectic design"

I look forward each month to the arrival of my decorating magazines - I think I get all of them. I lovingly study each decor (mostly but not totally skipping the advertisements of which there are many) and find that the images enrich my understanding of decorating and decorating trends. The November issue of Veranda (link to website) arrived yesterday. One of the articles discussed the philosophy of a homeowner/designer: "The Paris born, New York based designer is from the old school of connoisseurship, where the goal isn't to create an instant room but to take great pleasure in discerningly selecting each and every object ..."

This is exactly my own approach to decorating (although my means are not as great as his - by a long shot). I think the type of decorating called "Eclectic Style" works that way. It mixes and matches pieces and periods to achieve a personal and far more interesting living environment - one that does reflect your personality and taste far more than any "assembled" room ever could. Collecting over time also allows for changing taste and interests - whether in use of wood tone or painted woods, colors and fabrics, art collections, or just "finds" - those pieces and objects you find that you WILL make room for because you love them!

For me, evidence of eclectic design include some or maybe most of the following:

• Mixture of styles of furnishings and periods (antiques with modern, French country with Pottery Barn)
• Mixture of wood tones including some painted furniture 
• Mixture of art and decorative pieces - traditional and modern 
• Mixture of high-end and low-brow - some great pieces that will last a lifetime with gifts from kids/grandkids, home-made and personal 

I perused my pinterest boards for good examples of eclectic decorating style and, of course, looked at my own refurnished furniture collection which I think works beautifully to support this style. Enjoy!

I love this setting with its various eclectic elements - painted and wood-tones, leggy and skirted furniture, mismatched lamps, and different furniture styles - see source above.

Here is a great example of mis-matched wood-tones and styles - the bamboo legged chair with the squat-footed sofa and turned-leg ottoman - nice combinations all! See source above.

This bright green chair adds an eclectic (and electric) look to this contemporary space - see source above.

AI think all spaces need a French style piece like this great cream bergere - note the different leg styles in this setting. I also am loving metal tables like the end-table here - a nice contrast to all that heavy wood - see source above.

This is a good example of the contemporary (check out that mirrored coffee table) with antiques and a traditional style sofa - see source above. 

Here are some pieces from my 2011 collection that would work in the same space and have very different styles and fabrics. 

Pinterest Dreaming - My Beautiful Pieces in Well Designed Settings

Every now and then, I "combine" some of the photos of well designed settings that i have saved on my pinterest boards with my fine refurbished furniture to visually depict how well the pieces complement the space. It helps me picture the various combinations possible and confirms the fine fabrics selected for the pieces. For this session, I only pulled photos from my "Decorating with Yellow" pinterest board link to my board and source of all setting photos below.

Yellow is one of my favorite colors - it is always cheerful and surprisingly versatile as demonstrated in these settings. Most of my house is yellow - all major walls (except bedrooms) are yellow and I have not grown tired of this color.

Here are some of the nice combinations - all my items are available on Ebay or Etsy - my website is, unfortunately broken and I need to just take it down - it is totally out-of-date. Some of my pieces are available through the premium, curated site "Charish" (but more expensive on that site).

I love the combination of black and white and this nice antique settee is fully brought up-to-date in this color combination. The woodwork was redone in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint graphite. I can easily see this with all the bright colors of the rainbow or in a more subdued grey/black/neutral setting- link to Etsy listing

This sophisticated setting highlighted a bright Palm Springs, CA, home. The blue is the most eye-catching feature in the room and my chair and ottoman would complement it beautifully - link to eBay listing.

I love this yellow with a slight hint of green color. The tailored slipper chair and ottoman would work well in the setting. 

Ahhh, what a soothing combination! I love the green and yellow look! These great chairs are upholstered in the best ultrasuede money can buy (retailed at over $100 per yard at Calico Corners) - the chair itself is a Woormark - very fine USA-made furniture link to Charish listing.

I love this tall and graceful chairs with their Annie Sloan Chalk Paint finish (graphite) and grey linen outlined in cream. They would work so well in this and other settings.

These stylish chairs would work well with yellow walls and also would coordinate nicely with wood-tone pieces. It is hard to see but there is a dark taupe/brown in the pattern as well as black and cream.

One of my favorite pieces - it has a wingback chair that matches. It may not be ideal for a bedroom setting but if there is space for it (it is tall but not deep), it might be a delightful surprise in a room like this!

I love houndstooth fabric and particularly in this popular color. With a footstool, this becomes a very comfortable reading and snoozing chair!

Finally, yellow with yellow - bright sunshine all around!

I love all of these combinations and bet I could go to one of my other color boards on Pinterest and find another set of images that would work as well!