New Counter Top & Cute Plant stand gets some pizzazz!

BEFORE Counter tops

AFTER Counter tops

This plant stand was purchased as a rusty wrought iron old thing with no top. I made a top out of some wood and then did an Aurastone application over the wood to mimic Natural Granite. I think it turned out pretty darn good!

I have been over at my neighbors today working on their backsplash (I did their kitchen countertops about 2 months ago). I ran into a snaffu......man! I hate that! After 2 scratch coats and 1 trowel coat I discovered that the scratch coats did not bond to the tile! AARRRRGGGGG! I have to call Tech Support tomorrow morning to figure out my next move. Because as I have said before in a previous post, if your first layers don't bond, nothing will! If you learn anything from me - that is the biggest thing to take away from my trials and tribulations.

Above are the "before" and "after" pictures of the kitchen I'm working on. I will post the final pictures when I get the back splash all done. The neighbor has painted her kitchen cabinets a beautiful dark brown color to enhance the countertops - the green just wasn't working'

Lots to do this week...

Well, I've been following thru with my New Year's Resolution! Woo Hoo! I have 2 canvas art projects going right now to donate to a fundraiser for Peace Harbor Hospital in Florence, OR (where I used to work). I'm flexing my creativity muscles on those - so far so good. I will post some pictures when they are totally done.
I also have a end table makeover going on. The top is going to be done in Aurastone and legs will be painted and distressed. I am working on 2 sets of nesting tables (3 tables in each set) - they will also be Aurastone tops. The legs are painted metal.
I had a huge custom wood tray made for another client and am doing a customized wine label design in the center of it. It's going to look very tuscanny.
I also have a very cool old hutch that I bought for $25 from a fellow decorative painter that was liquidating inventory. I have been scraping paint of the glass forEVER! Once I get all that done I'll finally be able to paint it - I'm thinking a pale green or blue vintage look with some crackle and glazing. The shelves will be faux Carrera Marble. I can't wait to do it - in my head it looks great!
My shop looks like a bomb went off though. I can hardly turn around. Oh well, I'm having fun and that's all that matters right?
Until next time ~ Go and paint something!

Paris Flea Market Starts Tomorrow!

In case you are out and about on the Oregon Coast this weekend my family is hosting the

Mon Ami's Paris Flea Market

2530 Kingwood Street

Florence, OR 97439

Hours:

Thurs Jan 6 ~ 4-6 pm (special evening hours)

Fri & Sat Jan 7 & 8 ~ 9 am - 4 pm

Sun Jan 9 ~ 10 am - 2 pm

They have restocked the warehouse with a Gazilion treasures and several "new" estate pieces for your flea-market pickin' pleasure.

While you're there, check out Jim Archer's Furniture Finishing Shop right next door.

Click here for the craigslist posting: http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/gms/2131211353.html

Delivery Service is available

VISA/Cash/Check accepted

Coffee & Doughnuts for the early birds.

Stop in and see them Diane Archer ~ aka The Duchess of Decorating & Cindy Wobbe ~ aka The Queen of Quite a Lot

Mark your calendars for next months sale ~ February 3-6, 2011