Wooden Printing Blocks

One of my more unique Friday Finds that I thought was worth sharing. I found these old hand carved wooden printing blocks. I will be doing some research into them as they are most unusual. Obviously once well used and made, aren't they amazing?

Aquamint - Current Favourite Colour

Don't you love it when you try a new colour and then seem to have a roll of wanting to do everything in it?
So true for vintage paint colour Aquamint, it is a soft neutral with just a hint of mint. I started off doing an old homemade rimu piece in it as a display cabinet for paint in the gallery. 

The starting place

All loaded up as our paint display

Aquamint Swatch

Then I came across another Hutch, this time pine and very battered and unloved at the Sallies. This also got the Aquamint treatment. Different woods and starting colours will always change the look of a piece. One was on raw wood and the other I painted over a horrible dark stain. Both now have their own unique hint of mint look.

Antique Market - a new favourite stencil too!

Check out that dark "before" stain

Church Pew - Favourite Custom Job

I love any church pew, they have so much character and such a beautiful history coming from such a peaceful place as a church.

Here is the pew that my lucky customer had come across abandoned in a storage shed.

My client had a clear idea of colour for her pew and went with Annie Sloan Country Grey. A beautiful deep dirty cream once painted. We then added a moulding to the top, distressed it to show wear over time, clear and dark wax. The dark wax really highlighted the original marks, dents and details that you didn't notice beforehand. 

This was a massive piece, just over 3metres long and to date my biggest custom job. I loved working on this vintage piece and my client loved the finished result, so a great outcome.

2016 Workshop Dates

Dates set for New Year workshops are:

23rd January 2016

Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm

13th February 2016

Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm

Come and have some fun and learn something too!

Link HERE for more info.

Rattan Back Dining Chairs - Before & After

I was lucky to come across a set of amazing rattan back dining chairs. Once home I found 3 were perfect and 3 needed cane replacements.  Here is the before, worn, faded and grubby, but gorgeous backs and shapes.

I decided to do two for the Villa dining room, to use as charger chairs at the head of the table. Here are two I have refurbed so far. As I only have one good one left until I find someone who will replace the backs, I have to decide what way to do the last one. Thoughts?

White and Floral

Grey and Stencilled

Happy Painting!