Milk Paint meets Chalk Paint

 For the past three months we've been using and loving "Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint".

 Our workshops having been filling. I enjoy teaching everyone just how much

 fun and rewarding it is to "Do it Yourself".

 

We are pleased to announce that we will be Minnesota's first distributor of 

"Webster's Chalk Paint Powder".

 Now we'll have the best of both worlds at the shop.

The most exciting part of this new addition is the color options it allows. Webster's Chalk Paint Powder allows you to take any type or brand of latex paint and turn it into Chalk Paint.

What does that mean? It means all 3000+ colors of paint available at Home Depot, Menards or ACE Hardware can now be used for all your DIY painting needs.

I know it sounds crazy, but I can't wait to mix up a soft lilac and paint a small chest of drawers for a little girls room... or maybe a big "little" girl like myself.

We will be offering several workshops each month. We have "Basic Workshops" and will also have some specialty classes.  Be sure to sign up to receive our emails. We will send out our workshop schedule so you can register and learn to DIY.

("Like" us on Facebook and you can see our pieces as we transform them. Our Page is Next Act Inc)

My new display

For some time now,  we've been trying to decide where to display our MMS paint and samples. The back of the shop seemed the best spot. I could hang samples on the slat wall and it was perfect for the workshops, the class tables fit nicely across the back. But it really didn't look that great.

Today, we were really busy at the shop. With all the pieces we sold, it left us some empty spaces. That's when we decided to move the display to the front of the shop and move the furniture to the empty spots. That worked for me.

I love the way it looks. Nice and roomy, I can always paint a little sample at the table and I love the way everything goes with the quilt. Just a note on the quilt, it was a birthday gift from all the ladies that worked at Fabric Town. Each one did a different part and there's a wonderful label on the back. It's not for sale, I just love it and enjoy sharing it with others. Funny, the chairs that I painted for my samples really pull out the colors of the quilt. You don't notice the blues until you set the French Enamel chair by it and then they pop.

The hutch is not for sale, it's the best sample of how wonderful the Tricycle Red paint is. Funny, but we hardly have a day that someone doesn't ask to purchase it.  I guess I'll just have to paint my next hutch in Tricycle.

I guess that's it for tonight. It's really freezing and windy out there, so if you're traveling - be safe.

Take Care,
Patti

Coffee Bean Chair

I am writing this in response to several messages about this chair. First I want to say thank you for the wonderful comments about the makeover. It was fun and I am working on several additional.

The message I received about taking my chairs and selling them at a Coffee House was nice. Since I seldom go to any Coffee shops other than Valley Girl,  I am not really familiar with any that would be interested. I tend to stay away from chains, I'm more of a Mom & Pop shopper.

The chairs will be available in the shop. I am doing them in several different colors and patterns of bag. If you know anyone who would be interested in one of them, just give me a call. I will also do a custom color on the chair.

Thanks for the suggestion and as always the support of the shop. 

Stop in and say hi when your in our neighborhood.

Patti

What's New....

Since we opened in October, the shop has changed so much. Our focus is still on furniture and home decor but we have added much more.  We are always being asked if we have things on consignment. Up until recently, we had only a few vendors, the majority of the furniture was done by Nancy and I.

We are pleased to add several new vendors to our shop. The photos above are done by Becqi Sherman of  "Where's Q" photography. "Q" as she is known to her friends and family, travels all over the world snapping the most wonderful scenic photos as well as amazing wildlife.

Each of her photos is framed and ready to hang in your home. Along with the wall art she also has a nice selection of greeting cards.

 Steve and Sandy of "Time Warp Collectibles" has been with us since the start. They have some really choice antiques and vintage items in their section. The great thing about their items - we can all remember having them in our homes growing up. Fun how a bowl or toy can evoke memories from your childhood.

 Nancy and I continue to paint and refurbish on a daily basis. It's surprising how many pieces we have sold since our opening. One thing for sure, we truly enjoy it. I don't think I have ever loved doing anything as much as I enjoy this.

 These photos are of all the sections of the shop, some are done by color, others by different rooms in your home.

 This is the new hutch that Nan just finished. Gotta love the reminiscent feel. We had one very similar when we were growing up. (It's been painted tricycle red for my Miss Mustard Seed Paint display)

 Next Act welcomed Angela this week as a vendor. She brings a wonderful fresh look to the shop. Her unique pieces are sure to please. We say that we refinish, refurbish and repurpose... that's Angela's forte.

 This 1950's hutch is done beautifully. I love the way she added the fabric to the back for added dimension.

 Here is another of her repurposed pieces. Take a vintage vanity that has no mirror and add a cushion as a back rest... instantly it turns into a seat. Her creativity is amazing.

We sell drop leaf tables on a weekly basis. Here are two with different purposes. One is a really nice dining room or kitchen table and the other a coffee table.

Are you familiar with Irish Belleek? We have a nice selection of cups and saucers, ornaments, bowls and more. Additional pieces will be added soon.

This Vintage stove belongs to Becky Leysen. If you were a Fabric Town customer, you probably remember seeing it in the shop.

 How sweet is this vanity? Nancy chose the fabric for the chair. The green knobs and lamp work so well with the lime in the print. What little girl wouldn't like to sit in front of the mirror and play dress up. Come to think of it, I would like to have it to put my makeup on each morning.

Nice choice Nan... the fabric adds a lot of flare to this chair.

 New desk and matching chair set. Great for adults or children. Nice size and the soft color is sure to work into many decors.

 Another of Angela's creations. The vanity is so cute but the little chair totally finishes the look.

 OK Quilter's... here's the perfect cabinet for your stash. Funny that it's the first thing I thought of when we got it. OR I see it as a great cabinet in your bedroom to store sweaters and linens.

 Nice deep shelves and the cabinet is probably 6 feet tall. 

Vintage dresser with glass knobs. The funny thing about dressers that are chipped and distressed, I love them. However, I can remember a time when I wanted only modern up to date furniture. I guess with age comes wisdom. I want the vintage look, the warmth and aged feeling.

 Clean, Crisp and wonderful. Angela strikes again....

I can't tell you how many ladies have come in and drooled all over this lovely  hutch. They have brought in Mother in Laws, Husbands, Daughters and Fathers. They all want it but nobody has the intestinal fortitude  to change their dining room to Duck Egg and Old Ochre. I think it would be absolutely wonderful done in a soft setting like we have it displayed. Poor Jeff, I told him I was thinking of redoing our apartment and may do a soft color pallet this time. He said the same thing he always says when I decide to change things up..... "OK".

Patti Hokanson makes the wonderful Embroidered Pillows. She is even taking orders for custom Monogram pieces. In the next little while she will have selection of handmade pincushions, key fobs and much more in the works. Many of the quits hanging on the walls of the shop are also done by Patti.

I like the detail in this little end table / night stand. 

 This is a custom order. We deliver it this weekend to its new home.

 This is just too cute. Again, I picture a little girl sitting at it, maybe coloring or doing her homework.

A desk wouldn't be complete without a matching chair. This fabric coordinates with the drawers perfectly.

Last but far from least is my "Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint" display. This is just a picture of the hutch, the display is in the process of  being moved to it's own section. This hutch was my Grandmothers, when my parents got married she gave it to my Mother in 1952. It has seen better days - but now will see many more dressed in tricycle red.

I hope you enjoyed the new tour. New pieces are added on a daily basis, the shop is ever changing.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and "Like" us on Facebook to see the new things as I post them each day.
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Patti.

My Coffee Bean Chair

I apologize for so many of my blogs being about chairs... but I told you I was addicted. My favorite being the ones you can upholster. Thankfully Nancy keeps getting them in. I have 3 of these chairs and was not sure what I wanted to cover then in. Awhile ago, I saw something that I decided if I found the right chair, I would do it.

All I needed to do it was a box of Milk Paint in Tricycle, a solo cup, brush, spoon, bonding agent and water.

I ordered in the coffee bean bags awhile ago so I'd be ready when I found the chair. My plan was to cover the seat with the bean bag. For that you need a staple gun and scissors

I removed the seat, cut the bean bag to size and stapled it on. I left the old upholstery on since it was in really good condition and gave a little stability to the burlap.

I painted the chair frame in the Tricycle. As a finish I used a thin coat of Varithane. I wanted it a bit shiny so I used a satin finish. It just makes the milk paint really rich in color. It's hard to see in this photo, the red doesn't look bright enough.

Well here you have it... before and after. The Coffee Bag is double sided. On the back is a lot of writing. I think I may do the other chair using that left over side.  I do think Juan Valdez would be proud of me. What do you think???