"Late Night on the Ave": March 1st

On the first Thursday of each month, merchants along 112th Avenue in the Highlands area work together to create a fabulous night of special deals, meals and entertainment.  This month we are celebrating St. Paddy's Day early by offering "Top 'O the Evening to Ya" on Thursday, March 1st from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

At Apple Box Boutique, we are offering 10% off all home decor items and will have an experienced Annie Sloan Chalk Paint specialist on hand to answer any questions you have about the paint that is causing North Americans to call themselves "Chalkoholics".

Sugar Blossoms Floral Design shares our boutique and is offering 15% off arrangements, lovely mixed cut bouquets starting at just $25.00 plus gorgeous green florals to add to your decor in celebration of the month of the Irish.

May the road rise up to meet you as you make your way to this great event!

Reimagined Monday: Maple & Magnolia

 

We are very excited at Apple Box Boutique as we share our first Reimagined Monday project.

Reimagined Monday is a weekly event dedicated to the celebration of creativity. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is sweeping the continent and we wanted to highlight some of the fantastic projects out there, and as often as possible the how-tos, so that you can use these great examples and ideas as well.

Our first feature is a beautiful sideboard that has been reimagined by the lovely Susan of Maple & Magnolia.  Her blog focuses on the transformation of her farmhouse and guest cottage in Illinois and is overflowing with fabulous decorating and furniture refinishing tips including plenty of images to help inspire the reader.

Susan's makeover is the perfect example of faith!  If you like subtlety, Annie Sloan's Aubusson Blue is a colour that can strike fear into your heart at first painting.  But with vision and a some elbow grease, this sideboard went from a nice antique to a stunningly beautiful piece that works in any decor, including a Parisian chateau.

Without further ado...

Sideboard Makeover

- Susan/Maple & Magnolia

I found this pretty sideboard for a song at an antiques store a few weeks ago. We didn’t have a need for a sideboard for its traditional purpose since our formal dining room is now a billiards room. That’s okay because I like to use furniture pieces in unexpected and unconventional ways. I think it adds interest to a room.

I had plans for this one to go in our master bedroom and I knew just what color I wanted to paint it. Aubusson Blue.

So here it was before. In good shape except the top. It had some water damage and cracking veneer.

If any of you have used Annie Sloan’s chalk paint in Aubusson Blue, the color can be a little scary before the wax.

Smurf blue was not the color I was going for here. And you know how I feel about Smurfs. But I had faith that the dark wax would tone it down.

And it totally did. Just the shade I wanted. I am really happy with the way this one turned out.

A HUGE thanks to Susan for sharing this fantastic makeover.  Be sure to visit her blogsite at MapleandMagnolia.com for more transformations and other great decorating projects!

Here is how to share your reimagined paint project at On the Apple Box:

Send us a description of how you used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to get from your vision to the reimagined piece, before and after pictures, pictures of your project in progress or a couple of it in its finished state, and you may be highlighted on our blog!

Until next time...

Highlands Secrets

Highlands is a lovely, friendly place and a big part of what makes it special are the little gems you find here. Case in point: Sabrina Butterfly Designs.

Local fashion designer Sabrina O'Donnell was featured this week on Breakfast Television and it was especially exciting for those of us who happen to be "in the hood". Her boutique is just a few doors down and is such a unique, unassuming space that we like to think of it as one of our 'Highlands secrets'.

This week brought to the forefront that Sabrina and her fantastic line of clothing are in fact not a secret at all. Hers is a bustling, cozy, friendly shop that beckons a wide range of personalities looking for something special that will not only be beautiful but easy to care for.

Most of Sabrina's designs are wash and wear; she has managed to make dressing well very, very easy and the comfort level gets two big thumbs up. Plus she carries jewelery and other fun items. But don't just take my word for it. Stop in and see for yourself!

Sabrina Butterfly Designs is located in Highlands at #102, 6421-112 Avenue. And don't forget to swing by Apple Box Boutique to say hello!