The times, they are a changin’

 

When I first opened the shop my counter and till point was a late 1930s pitch pine kitchen cabinet. It has all its original features including a pull-out enamel work surface, hooks for cups above the top inside shelf and air vents on the top doors. I initially painted this cupboard in Annie Sloan duck egg blue adding some time later old violet and Scandinavian pink to give it a newer life.

Many customers have commented on this piece of furniture reminiscent of their childhood memories at their granny’s or remembering their mum preparing some food on the narrow counter. I have been asked many times if I would sell this retro piece of furniture but I have become attached to it and it is now back in my house. The shop counter is now a large chalk-painted Edwardian sideboard with beautiful carved details and a large top beveled mirror.

Colour me Easter

 

Tulips and daffodils are in full bloom; woods are covered in a soft purple carpet of blue bells; birds are gathering twigs and feathers to built their nests: Spring is well and truly here and there is a great sense of the world coming colourfully back to life. English Yellow and Antibes Green by Annie Sloan are cheerful Spring colours that will, without doubt, bring life back into any tired-looking piece of furniture.

An Indian Summer

as_giverny_01September feels good so far with mild weather, great sunshine and blue skies. A few wet days but we won’t talk about them !

A new colour has been added to the chalk paint palette: Giverny. Annie Sloan named this cool bright blue after the village in Normandy that was home to the impressionist painter Claude Monet. Giverny has a very contemporary look especially combined with Pure or Barcelona Orange. Associate with Paloma or Emile and you will achieve a more vintage style. Get your brushes out and start painting. Colour is everything!daiva-linen-scarves

Textile artist Daiva knows about art, colours and brush strokes too! She handpaints her silk and linen scarves in her Limerick studio. Each scarf is unique in its design, making it quite special to wear or to offer as a gift to a loved one.

 

Summertime

Summer is well and truly here in all its colourful, perfumed and warm glory. Whether you plan to brighten your own or someone else’s garden or home we have items to make your summer even more summery!

IMAG0595-1For dining al fesco you could use a serving or cheese board from Caulfield Country Boards, or a small ‘food for love’ bowl or platter from Sarah McKenna for your olives and dips. The ‘Irish field’ candle from Bog Standard gives a lovely fresh cut grass scent, and one of the  stripy ‘Biarritz’ cushions by Claire Delabre will brighten up your patio or balcony. If your are going to the races or attending a wedding or a posh garden party this summer, one of Bernice Rafferty’s fascinators will no doubt make heads turn!

Brighten things up even further by painting your flower pots or garden furniture in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. How about Florence, Emperor’s Silk, Barcelona Orange or Greek Blue?

Spring is in the air!

In spite of some recent wintry weather there are some signs of Spring out there and nature is slowly waking up from its hibernating months. Daffodils and crocuses are in bloom and their bright and strong  colourful petals are a great source of inspiration for my coming up painting and textile projects.

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Springtime is when we usually get a burst of energy to give a new lease of life to our home by doing a therapeutic spring cleaning throughout the house. Why not refresh/freshen up a piece of furniture or walls by giving them a lick of Annie Sloan chalk paint? This paint is so easy to work with that painting won’t feel like a chore but will be great fun! With no need for priming or sanding to remove old paint or varnish, using chalk paint is a totally satisfying experience if not positively addictive! By the time you finish painting your furniture or your walls, you will be thinking: hmm, what could I paint now?