Blue and White's Alright!

I heart blue and white Chinoiserie vases. I'm not sure where my obsession  collection has really come from, but I scour garage sales and trade me for new pieces to add to my little collection. I think my mother in law loves it too as she turns up quite often with new pieces to add to my collection that she had found in the local charity shops!

Because everything I have is reclaimed and pre loved it is a unique collection. and it goes with everything, the perfect styling medium

Here are a few photos of how I use it around my home..

Valentines Day - use the vases as...Vases!

Photo Day - use blue & white to stage a furniture piece

Two beautiful miniature pieces given to me

And my other collection.....religious icons, jumps in and photos bombs too

Photo shoot props from inside the Villa

How the original collection started, only a few pieces

Blue & Whites alright for styling anytime!

Two giant vases flanking the summer fireplace

(part of) Chinoiserie collection in it's normal home 

Carla, pp villa design

Chalk Paint dry brush technique

I tried a new technique with my chalk paint today. I had an old wooden ladder which I painted in a charcoal colour, with the intention of distressing.

But I had heard of the dry brush technique and thought I would give it a go. I choose a much lighter colour, Annie Sloan Paris Grey, and literally with a small dry paintbrush I put only very little paint on my brush and started brushing in a haphazard way all over the piece. It starting transforming straight away, all of the knocks and imperfections on the old ladder starting showing up, giving it a really old vintage look. I brushed it all over and that's it! It was so quick and easy.

I think the trick was using a very contrasting colour as this really bought it to life, as when it was painted all one dark colour I was not really feeling it. Great technique I will definitely be using again,
I would love to know how you have achieved great looks with this technique too.
Here are some pics....

Close up of brush marks

Before  - all one colour and no life

Carla, pp villa design