Reimagined Monday: TV Console Goes Green & Natural

Just over a year ago, Abi Roberts inspired many of our customers with her first ever paint project when she reimagined a french provincial cabinet she'd found on Kijiji (check it out here).  She chose to use Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Emperor's Silk, and explained that even she was surprised by the results of her first DIY project!

Having experienced how fun and easy Chalk Paint™ is, when Abi found a TV Console on Cherished Bliss that she loved it was an obvious choice to use it again for her new project.

Abi shared her latest DIY success with us and we're happy to be able to share it here with you!

 TV Console by Abi Roberts
("ASCP" is Abi's reference to Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan.)

"Although I'm not handy I was pretty confident that I could do this console. I knew the painting part was going to be pretty because I was going to use ASCP. I bought the chest of drawers on Kijiji. 

 I painted the whole thing in Olive green and was pretty satisfied with the results. Painting with ASCP meant I was finished in no time at all.

Then I thought I'm going to do something a little fancy. I was going to put a stain on the top. This is where the hard work came sanding, striping, and staining the top took a few days. It was also very messy.

For the final finishing touches I changed the drawer handles. I then took out the top two drawers and I asked my handyman to build a sliding top shelf to hold my electronics. He also drilled a small hole in the back to pass cords through. 

 All in all, I love my new console. It has the character and the pop of colour that I needed for my living room. If it wasn't for ASCP I would not of attempted such a project. I'm happy that I didn't have to spend hundreds of dollars for a new piece of furniture and I have a piece that I personally created." 

We love it, Abi... it's definitely a one-of-a-kind piece (and a big savings).

Thanks for sharing!

Don't forget to enter our monthly contest for your chance to win!  
Here's the info:

Reimagined Monday Draw

We would like to highlight more customer projects!  Send us your before/during/after pictures and tell us about your creative process using Chalk Paint™ or Milk Paint and you'll be entered into our monthly Reimagined Monday draw.

Each month we will give away a different item like paint, brushes, books, supplies, gift certificates and more. You don't have to be featured to be eligible... the month you enter is the month you will be included in the draw. 

Send your name, pictures and story to:

info@appleboxboutique.com and win!

♥, 
Apple Box Boutique

_______________________________________

We'd LOVE it if you shared our blog:

Reimagined Monday: Mak and Jill's "Coastal Living" Piano

Welcome to On The Apple Box. If you haven't visited before Mondays are a special day on our blog.  It's when we get to share contributor's projects using ASCP, a paint that manages to live up to its hype -- and more.

One of the (many) things that people find surprising about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) is the ability to mix colours without getting that murky or "muddy" look that can happen with some other paints.  ASCP has very little black pigment (with the exception of the colour Graphite) and can be combined to create pure, clean shades.

Old White (OW) is a staple that is gorgeous alone but is also often used to lighten or change other offerings in the wheel of Annie Sloan colours. The most recent Project Personality article shared colour cards for Provence and Emperor's Silk, where the latter was mixed with OW to take it from its original 'front door red' to a candy-coloured pink:

Imagine the possibilities!  With 29 colours to mix together in any combination or measure, the custom options are nearly endless... and oh how we love one-of-a-kind anything!

Today's Reimagined Monday is a great example of just how unique your furniture can become, thanks to two longtime friends with a love for interior design.

Mak and Jill are lovely ladies that refinish furniture and teach paint classes in sunny California, as well as provide decor and staging services.  They recently turned their talents to helping another good friend, Patti Palucha transform an average household instrument into a unique, one-of-a-kind show-stopper.

This is Patti's family piano:

Whether a Grand or an upright, there can sometimes be limited options for a piano's location.  In Patti's case, the only place it worked was near the front foyer and in her "coastal living" style home it just wasn't fitting in.  The answer?  Make it a signature piece!

Jill mixed together ASCP Provence with Old White to create a custom colour and voila...

Patti's family piano after the magic:

 

Isn't she a stunner?  It is so reminiscent of the beautiful pallet of the Georgian-Regency period (think Jane Austen)... when a piano was still a pianoforte and colour was everywhere.

This is a Grand Piano by Louis Bas of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France, 1781:

It is the earliest French grand piano known to exist.... A little Antibes Green mixed with a touch of OW and you've stepped back in time!

 

ASCP makes painting fun!  And now... I am off to the studio to enjoy myself some more.

Happy Playing!

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!

Reimagined Monday: Abi Roberts' "From Boring to Bold"

Early in February, a very lovely young woman named Abi stopped in at the boutique to see what we had to offer, and to enquire about this red sideboard we had displayed in the window:

We had a wonderful chat about interior design and decor, and it turned out that Abi had hired some decorators to transform her new home, but she felt they had not quite gotten it right.  After living for awhile in her very modern, very neutral decor, Abi wanted something different... something unique.  We agreed that the best way to go may be 'back in time' and find a nice character piece to refurbish and to bring in some colour and interest in the easiest and most economical way possible... Annie Sloan chalk paint.  Though tentative at first, Abi decided to go for it and hasn't looked back.

Knowing a lot of people have the same concerns about taking on a big paint project or going with a new, bolder look, we invited Abi to share her story.

Hi, my name is Abi. Leanne has asked me to be a guest on her blog this week. She wanted me to share my experience using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ( ASCP ).  Not only was this my first time using ASCP; it was also the first time I have painted any piece of furniture.

 

Upon arriving at the Apple Box Boutique for the first time, I fell in love with all the beautifully painted furniture. When Leanne explained to me that she painted all the pieces herself, I was so surprised. She then showed me all the colours of the ASCP that she carried. I was struck with how pretty they were. Leanne then suggested that I should paint something. I immediately said “Yeah, right!” in disbelief. First of all, it would never turn out as nice as her furniture, and, secondly, I wouldn’t have enough spare time to take on a project like this.

Later that evening I did some research on-line about ASCP. Practically all the reviews I read said how wonderful the product is and how easy it was to use.  Between these reviews and the encouragement that Leanne had given me, I felt I should give furniture restoration a try.

Now the search was on to find a piece of furniture.  I recently moved and basically had to start refurnishing it from scratch. I hired a design group but their idea of design was to buy brand new pieces of furniture and place it in the space. After they were finished, I felt I had a very boring place with no personality.

One of the first pieces of furniture that I wanted my designers to buy was a china cabinet or a buffet table. I desperately needed something where I can put my china and silverware away in as they have been in boxes in my basement since I got married 9 years ago. The designers said that you had to spend major money in order to get a good quality cabinet, which unfortunately, could not be budgeted for at that time.

I wanted a buffet that was older. I needed a piece with good bones so to give my dining room more character. The best source for this was Kijiji.  If you have not heard about this website, let me explain it to you briefly. It is a basically a virtual classified ad website where you can buy and sell whatever your heart’s desire.  When using Kijiji to look for furniture I have found that you must be patient, as people place new ads on the site every other minute. So if you look long and hard enough you can find the piece you are looking for at the price you want.

Finally, after a few days I found a beautiful French provincial buffet hutch made from solid wood for 50 dollars. I was so excited with my find that I emailed Leanne immediately to tell her know that I found something that I would like to paint. I wanted a pop of colour to add into my boring beige dining room and knew that I was going to change the colour.  In my email to her I said that after I sand it I will come into the store to choose my paint colour. I checked my inbox and got an immediate reply from Leanne. She wrote in all caps – “DON’T SAND IT!!!

When I called back to confirm, she told me that no prep was required. Cool, I thought, I’ll be by this afternoon to get some ASCP and some supplies. Remember I said that I needed a POP of colour, well I chose Emperor's Silk which is a vibrant red colour. I basically decided to go for it! My space was already boring and beige. I wanted to do something bold and fun.

When I got home later, I was too excited to wait, so I got started on a Thursday evening. I applied the paint straight away seeing that I did not have to sand or prime. The paint dried so quickly that I was done painting in 2 hours. I let the piece dry overnight. The next day, I moved the buffet into the garage (I didn’t want to get red dust everywhere inside my house). I took an hour to distress it a little bit by sanding the corners and the edges.  After wiping the dust down, I wanted the paint to set so I applied clear wax and buffed it out.  I then got a dark brown paint pen and highlighted certain areas to add dimension. I took the handles off and spray painted them black. Literally in 6 hours spread out over the course of a weekend I had transformed my hutch. I think it turned out great.

I was so inspired by this transformation that it led me to continue with transforming my dining room. So I hired a contractor to paint, wallpaper and add wainscoting to the walls. I also hired a designer (a different one) to decorate it with pictures and accessories. Who knew that what started as a simple little project, has actually helped me finish decorating my first room in my house.

(Much appreciation and credit to contractor Mark Leithoff, and Nicole Nyenhuis, my 'new' interior decorator.)

To conclude, I guess I caught the refurbishing bug as I currently have 3 more pieces of furniture in my garage to refinish. I am planning on taking an Annie Sloan Chalk paint tutorial from Leanne so I can learn some really cool techniques. I already know that the next colour that I'm going to be using is Antibes Green. 

Antibes Green + mixed in various parts Old White

A BIG thank you to Abi for sharing her experience and enthusiasm!  We hope this inspires others as much as it has inspired us.

And if you need a little more encouragement, a class is a great way to learn painting techniques and gain confidence.  We've partnered with Tara Jamieson of Lauren Lane Decor (and Home Show fame) to offer monthly classes in Edmonton!

Happy Painting!

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!

The Colour of Spring

After a short hiatus, the blog is back, and our focus is COLOUR!

It's been such a lovely, mild winter it feels almost strange to say we are looking forward to spring, but  it's true! With spring comes the feeling that we are refreshed and renewed, and it also comes with brand new colours to play with.  Pantone continues to be the go-to resource for colour trends and although we don't strictly follow them (yup, we're decor rebels) it is interesting to see what designers are envisioning for the upcoming seasons.

Here is what Pantone has to say about the hot colours for spring 2012:

"For spring 2012 designers are inspired by diverse influences, showcasing a range of  styles and lifestyles, from free and playful and light and breezy, to contemporary classics. Colors likewise reflect these differing moods, encapsulating vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.

"Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "They have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations."

"Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone's outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.

Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.

Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette. 

Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.

Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. 

Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.

Natural versatile neutrals add practicality to this season's brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season's top 10.

For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.

For over 18 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2012."

One of the things we love about this season's hot picks is that so many of them play into (and play well with) the colours of a peacock... one of our favourite combinations, they transcend decor.  From exotic and luxurious to beachy and casual, these hues can complement any design scheme.

Of course, our first love is vintagey, shabby chic, but thanks to these versatile colours our decor options will only be enhanced.