Old Victorian Chair+BJC Paint Collection=AMAZING

This post is a little late but I guess better late than never.

A few months ago I scored this amazing Victorian style upholstered chair that was in pretty good shape. The fabric color left a little to be desired so I thought what better way to update it than to PAINT IT! Ya Im not just talking about painting the wood frame but actually PAINTING the fabric!
Mind Blown! Ya just wait!

So I decided I wanted it to stay yellow but thought it deserved to be a more Mustard color than a pale yellow. Be Junk Chic Paint Collection has this to die for Mustard that was perfect for what I was doing. I had read and read about painting fabric and had done some painting on canvas before but not on something you would actually sit on. If you know anything about me I am literally an impulsive person so I just brought the chair out grabbed my paint, a spray bottle of water, and some clear wax.

First, I took a damp rag and wiped down the chair pretty good as it was dirty just from sitting in the garage etc. Than I sprayed the chair down with a light mist of water. I grabbed my paint and my favorite chalk pro brush and put on a light coat of paint. Fabric sucks up paint pretty easily so you want to make sure your not putting on too much paint but rather layer it. After I got a good first coat and it dried I wiped some clear paste wax on it to keep the fabric softer. As you layer paint the fabric pores get harder. You can't completely soften it but you can help it not crack and soften the fabric itself.

I was doing this project in the heat of August so it dried rather quickly. The one pointer I would give you is to make sure that you aren't being impatient and painting over a wet surface. Let it all dry before you do your next layers. So I had every intention of getting this project done for the September market at Vintage Whites but I just didn't finish with all the other things I had going so I set this project aside.

I just recently came back to it. Finished my last layer and I have to say she looks awesome! It took this chair 3 layers of paint to get my desired finish. I finished the wood frame in Moon by Be Junk Chic Paint Collection. I think that she turned out amazing!

Some common questions I get are: Does the paint come off? NOPE! Once it binds to the fabric its not coming off. Does the fabric crack? If you paint to thick of layers you run a risk of cracking. The key is to paint in thin layers and be patient in the drying process. What does it feel like when finished? This chair feels like leather now that its done. It depends on the fabric your painting. If you have velvet fabric your process will be different and you need to make sure you research it before you try it.

This chair has been so popular that I am teaching workshops on fabric painting! I will be teaching a workshop in Plains Montana November 12th at 11am for all my Montana followers who want to try your hand at this. Bring your piece and I will teach you how fun this is!

My pictures are below of the process!

Style Me- Industrial/Retro Home Bar

Today we are featuring our style board of a Industrial/Retro Home Bar.  I think its easy to get locked into a design that is safe and be disappointed later because your personality didn't push through. Its your house after all, why wouldn't you show who you are in every room. 

I choose a playful industrial approach to a home bar that features pops of color, texture and playful art that speaks big in a space.

Below is the board...

Let's talk about the selections. First let's just talk about the amazing idea of the chalkboard cabinetry! 

When I say let yourself speak in a space this is the perfect example. When I saw this design concept my heart just leaped. Its the perfect mix of playful sophistication.  Do you see the pop up counter thats easy to put a chair in front of and have a glass of wine. This is perfect for apartment/loft living. You can have bold even in a small space. Check out the whole concept in this link to see how it fits in small spaces.

http://www.homedit.com/45-square-meter-apartment-with-a-crossword-puzzle-wall/

Traditional bars have connected cabinetry that when it has to be remodel because it becomes dated, it costs the owners a small fortune. 

Why not set up a space with easy changing concepts to keep that hard working money in your pocket and the ability to switch one concept without a huge renovation. This is why I choose the freestanding industrial reclaimed table. The combination of black steel and organic wood texture makes the space sing. Not to mention this table converts to a shelving unit! What! Double purpose! Sold!

You can find this amazing table at the below link.

http://www.dotandbo.com/collections/define-your-style-industrial-modern/convertible-shelf-table

Lets talk about bar stools.

While I love me some industrial bar stools, the actual comfort of the stool leaves my tosh lacking.

So I choose to go a little retro with some Mid-Century Upholstered Bar Stools. 

The fact that they are teal is just another playful pop in a space.

You can find these fun stools over at Chairish. 

https://www.chairish.com/product/45144/mid-century-upholstered-bar-stools-in-teal-s4

In any space the rugs are what really define and center a space. 

 I choose this Handwoven Black & Cream Wool rug.

It's texture alone makes the space warm up but add just a little bit of design and it's art on the floor.

You can find this rug over at Chairish.

https://www.chairish.com/product/48163/hand-woven-black-cream-design-wool-rug

Lighting is very important in a space. I choose two different ways to add lighting to a space. 

First lets look at the Caged Edison Bulb lighting on a pulley system. 

This is a perfect combination of vintage and industrial blended together. 

Makes a statement without having to spend a fortune. 

You can find those lights on Etsy. Lots of makers and easy to custom with a local shop in your area.

Instead of choosing Art for this space, I choose a lighted typography sign.

This adds a dim lighted feel and art all in one feel. 

This two is a custom piece and can be made locally.

I found the inspiration on

http://london-bride.com/gemma-pete-a-london-bride-mc-motors-wedding/

Finally there is the Atelier Chesterfield Sofa in a yummy mustard color.

This sofa is a beautiful and bold way to freshen up a space.

The traditional nailhead trim is a nice balance to the pop of Mustard color. 

You can find this couch on

http://www.houzz.com/photos/266130/Atelier-Chesterfield-contemporary-sofas

I hope you found some inspiration today and that your mind is working on how to redefine a space in your home. 

So Whats The Big Deal!

We get asked all the time what the big deal is with Chalk Based paints and what makes them so special. We thought we would write a quick blog to help you understand how Chalk Based paints work.

Ok, so whats the big deal with Chalk Based/Mineral Based paints. Are they really that different than regular household paint?

Chalk based/Mineral based paints are specialty paints designed to allow you the luxury of taking something beat up or needing a fresh coat of paint and being able to do it with a limited process.
If you have painted furniture in the past you would know that stripping the old finish off was a requirement and a must to do in order to get paints to stick to the surface.

 With Chalk/Mineral based paints you don't have to do as much prep work as you would have before. How many of you know that stripping a piece of furniture is hours of labor and sometimes in vain when a piece doesn't hold up to being stripped. If you choose to paint in a chalk/mineral based paint you can cut that time way down and still get a beautiful finish.

Heres how:

Chalk/Mineral based paints can be directly painted down onto any surface. Some surfaces require more prep than others but still no where near the amount of prep you would of had to do outside of these specialty paints. Most surfaces require a wipe down. Some people just wipe down with water. Depending on the age of the piece I like to wipe down with mineral spirits. That cuts the grime of years past off the piece and gives you a fresh pallet to work off of. Than I paint in thin even layers with a chalk/mineral based paint line. Lets say that you have a super glossy piece or fake wood surface, these require a for sure wipe down with mineral spirits and and rough quick sand.

After you paint your final layer and you like the outcome, I take a 220 sand block and buff the piece. Buffing is a process where it smooths down the grit of the chalk/mineral base paint and cures the paint to the piece. If you want to distress than these types of paints are perfect because if you press harder or take a palm sander to your piece it distresses like it would if it were aged. Rather than peel away it dusts off leaving a cleaner distress and one that lasts the test of wear and tear.

After your piece is completely done and looking the way you want than we like to add wax to the piece to add a protective smooth layer. The more your gonna wear and tear the piece the more wax layers you should apply. For example a kitchen table should have at least two layers of wax but even three to be safe (especially if you have kiddos).

So that is the basics of Chalk/Mineral Based paints. The big deal is it provides a way to refinish furniture without a huge investment in time for prep work and affordable prices in materials. Next time you want to refresh something, you should try a chalk/mineral based paint! Thats our opinion.

Most of our readers know that we just launched a new Paint Line called the Be Junk Chic Paint Collection. In this collection you have access to a high end, low VOC, mineral and water based paint. Our paint line consists of 30 amazing colors and the option to have us custom any color you fancy. Our product has been launched for 6 months and tested amongst some of the biggest named paint companies out there. It has stood against the big name peeps and we strive to keep it at an affordable price. We know just how frustrating it is to want to paint with quality paint and yet you have to drop a pretty penny to do so. Now you don't! Check out our Facebook page for colors and ordering of product. Stay tuned as we are launching an online store early October!

Our paint swatches are below...

Be Inspired! Go paint something!

Funky Junk 2014

Have you heard about the Funky Junk Antique Show? This is one of my favorite shows, it happens over Labor Day weekend every year and every year it is amazing!

This year we got to participate and be a vendor alongside many amazing vendors. There is such a variety of junk and chic, I literally walked the show 3 times to take it all in. The show takes place on a beautiful ranch with rolling fields, tall grass, cows, red barns, trees and mountains surrounding as far as the eye can see. Seriously! I'm not kidding that is where we get to spend our Labor day weekend selling beautiful handmade, procured items alongside amazing artsy people.

It truly is a piece a heaven. Some of my favorite things this year was the flower truck called Fresh Sunshine  she has fresh flowers that make your heart happy and a perfect smile that welcomes you right in. Beam Design who had headboards are to die for! Red Barn Junkista had some beautiful vintage procured pieces that were painted in delicious tones! Give these artists some love on there page and start following there adventures. You won't be disappointed.

Heres some pics of our booth and we can't wait till Vintage Whites Market next weekend! Are you coming?  See you in Montana!

Branding- Bliss and Tell Branding

Today were talking about how important Branding your brand is. I remember thinking that my DIY tendencies could handle doing my own branding and how very wrong I was! LOL. Now I am sure some of you could do your own Branding and it looks beautiful, but I quickly realized after several rounds of trying myself that I would have to find a brander.

When I made the leap to make in an investment in my dream I searched and searched for a company that would represent me and my dream well! That they would be able to pick up on my scattered vision and help me tailor it down to make a perfect representation of this beautiful dream.

Thats when I met Reni from Bliss and Tell Branding Company. I called her and company and guess what she actually called me back! Let me tell you that is hard to find in business arenas these days. She not only called me back but she spent an hour listening to my dreams, my scattered vision and helped me develop that beautiful mess into a tangible brand that is simply beautiful. I recently just saw some of the images below and I was so overwhelmed with how she heard me in my crazy descriptions that I was brought to tears seeing her translation.

If you are questioning whether Branding is important DON'T. It is vital for your dreams to be perceived just as you want them to be and to have a company that listens and gets you to your beautiful representation. It's worth the investment, the thought processes, the constructive critics to make your Brand marketable and truly a representation of you.

Below is some images of her beautiful translation of our dream and vision and we are so excited to be on this journey with a fantastic dreamer who has a talent that is quite extraordinary.

Pssst Did you Hear????

                                                     We are opening a store!!!!
We have been blessed to be able to open a store Downtown Sandpoint. We have been so busy working on inspiring, vintage just plain rad pieces that we haven't been able to blog lately. Don't worry we will be back next week with all the reveals and tips for the restorations we have been doing over the last few months. If your a local come on by Saturday April 26th 10am-6pm.
317 N First St Sandpoint ID 83864. We will be live demoing Junk Chic Paint a chalk based paint, kids crafts, and giveaways.

Our paint displays are fully stocked and ready for you to take home a pint of your favorite color. Our online site will be up in the next few weeks for all our friends who are afar.

Get your spring on and hope to see you there!!!

Elephant Yellow & Grey Nursery

I'm gonna be an Aunt again!!!! Baby Jax or Cruz or ??? will be joining the family sometime end of June 2014. The cousins are stoked to have a another baby boy in the family.

This of course gave me every reason to help my sister design her nursery for the little one. She wanted Elephants with some trendy yellow and Grey.

What I love about this Nursery is that it has some of the funnest trends of fabric while still maintaining a sweet baby feel.

I picked up a Crib not to long ago and will be revamping it with Junk Chic Paint low VOC of course and distressing for a little chic action.

Excited my nephew will have a Be Junk Chic nursery:)  Stay tuned for Crib Makeover.

Get Inspired!!!

Sources: 
Dresser-Babies R Us
Bedding-Walmart
Art-Etsy
Pillows-Etsy
Crib-Be Junk Chic

             

Chic Black & Teal

Happy Thursday! It has been a while since I have been able to post with all the crazy school closures and heavy snow falls. I found a little bit of time to sneak a way and make a Chic Black & Teal Living Room Inspiration Board. When I think about putting rooms together I love using different textures and materials because I think that is what makes a room unique. Sometimes its intimidating to pick different patterns to go with others but what I have found is that if you just jump in and commit to your crazy idea often times it pans out. What I have also learned is to not be afraid when something isn't working in a design to just say its not working. I choose to put a really fun patchwork ornate sitting chair on the board today to prove that crazy ideas can work if you commit.

I hope you feel inspired!

Now go and play!

Tranquil Linen

Happy Friday!!!

Today we are sharing a tranquil inspiration board that gives a little of the old country with chic upscaled pieces. When you think of color palettes staying within the same color scheme in every selection creates a soothing balanced design. Designs like the board below tend to carry a timeless feel that leaves you breathless every time.

Enjoy!

Vintage Chair + Annie Sloan + Patchwork

This week I have been working on a vintage set of chairs and table. I absolutely love all things vintage and combine that with some Annie Sloan paint and we get magical results. Some of you know that I wasn't sure about all this hype of Annie Sloan paint. I was a fan of not spending a ton of money to paint a piece but oh my how my heart has changed. What most people don't get is that you really don't spend more to use FANTASTIC paint! It costs less because the coverage is AMAZING!

I choose to use Graphite Annie Sloan Chalk paint over this set of two green chairs. I had picked this set up at the Melrose Flea Market in Los Angeles and so it had already been painted once. I had a different vision for the chair though. I started off with a thin coat of graphite and worked the paint thicker in areas that were not covering as well. I couldn't believe how little paint I actually had to use. Since this already had a layer of paint below the the coat I was painting, I was excited to try the two tone look. I tend to be pretty big on the heavy distressing and knew this chair was gonna just pop.

After I let the paint dry, I went and took my sander to it. As you can see below I allowed the wood to bleed through in areas and left a less distressed look in others. Than I wiped off the dust to reveal my outcome. I went back and forth a couple of times with the sander in different areas till it gave the look I wanted. The beautiful thing about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is it melts away like butter so you don't need to press that hard during sanding. Since this was a dark color palette I choose to use Annie Sloan Clear Wax. I applied just enough to give it a vibrant sheen but not too much where it was over the top and too shiny.

For the seat I decided I wanted to try a mixture of fabrics I had picked up this summer and make a happy little patchwork seat. My sewing skills are not as great as my painting skills so a patchwork that didn't have to be perfect was right up my ally. As you can see below I think this new Vintage
chair has a lot of junk and chic. Perfect in my world.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Mint Mint Mint

It's 2014 and my resolution is to blog more and not get caught up in just my daily work! So here we go!!! Mint is an obsession I think that I have and it might be bleeding into my creativity. So to satisfy my urge to design with Mint in my house, I designed a bedroom that anyone of my readers could easily translate to your home. I find a balanced room doesn't come with a bunch of matchy match pieces but rather a well blend of styles, color and materials. Todays board features a blend of elegance and junk chic that makes a beautifully styled room. Too much of one thing can be one dimensional and boring but when you blend a combination of decor and styles together you get something unique and magazine worthy in your own home. Many of the pieces on todays board could be flea market finds and turned into a beautiful junk chic piece with a little of elbow grease. Don't be afraid of what seems out of date because every piece can always find a new life! If your afraid of doing it yourself you can find plenty of people like me to help you along the process:) Welcome 2014!

Shades of Grey

Grey is a really popular color these days. I find myself wanting to change my main living spaces to shades of grey. In todays board it carries a really clean streamlined feel with shades of grey off set with reflective pieces. You could either have a clean design or you could add accessories that make the room feel fuller and more layered if you should want. The great thing about a well designed base the foundation can easily be added to and make the room come alive in a different way. Great design doesn't pigeon hole you to one way but gives a foundation for many options.

Enjoy!

Timeless Nursery Design

Today we are posting a lovely design board that we did to inspire a timeless nursery for a sweet baby girl. I love designing nurseries that can transition into a toddler room without too much re-design. Keeping a timeless nursery can be challenging with all the fun themes out there but we believe in making your dollar go a long way and by designing a room that can play into many stages of a child's life we believe we are doing just that.

When you think baby girl most people think pink, pink, pink and more pink. I wanted to stay with a classic light pink but offer a palette that gave more than just pink everywhere but had a beautiful layered palette that could be swapped with just one piece or two to make a new design.

If you look at the board below you could easily change out the crib for a bed when the child is older and maybe change out some art and viola you have a new design with core pieces you already put your hard dollar too.

We choose a dresser that could easily be DIY if you choose. Finding those timeless pieces at estate sells or thrift stores can be a fun adventure along with some elbow grease and creativity that makes something that was cast off as junk to something simply chic.

For all those future mommies out there, don't be afraid of re-purposing in your design to make your dollar go further and you will still get a beautiful end result.

Feel Inspired!!

Four DIY Furniture Projects

Today we are featuring 4 projects that might help get your inner crafter to come out and play.
Each of these projects give a volume of helpful tips and step by step instructions on how to make these fabulous pieces. We have given each link for you to read up and become equipped to take on your next DIY project. We hope you enjoy!

1. http://www.diyncrafts.com/1035/home/great-step-by-step-furniture-diy-how-to-build-your-own-coffee-table

2. http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/07/diy-furniture-dresser.html

3. http://www.thriftyinspirations.net/2012/02/21/how-to-spray-paint-furniture/

4. http://www.recapturedcharm.com/2011/04/jade-dresser.html

Farmhouse Industrial Design

Today's board features Farmhouse Industrial design. I remember when I first heard about Farmhouse I thought of chickens all over my kitchen. Chicken dishes, chicken art etc etc...

As I have learned more and more about Farmhouse and how organic and raw it is, I have just grown to love it. In the board below you can see it has a fresh open clean feel too it but uses materials like rustic beams, metal and knotted floors. Some Farmhouse designs are incorporating color into it and the result is just fantastic. 

I have a dream of someday owning a Bed and Breakfast and would love it to be Farmhouse with a touch of mixed colors and modern design. Until than I shall dream on boards and inspire you to love this style as much as I do.

Enjoy!

Before & After Furniture Transformations

Happy Saturday!!!!

Today's board is featuring what Be Junk Chic loves best. Furniture restoration!!! As you can see from the board, old furniture that use to sit in your older generation relatives homes doesn't have to be cast to the side and not used in todays trends.  In fact its really quite popular to use vintage pieces in a modern design, especially if they have been restored.

Be Junk Chic loves to hunt for timeless pieces that need a new life to them. Sometimes the hunt is long and exhausting and others the piece just shows up right before our eyes. We love to take those pieces back to the studio and begin stripping the old and creating the new. A lot of timeless pieces can have damage and will need a little TLC to restore them back to excellent condition but that is half the fun we think. I look at pieces and imagine them in designed rooms and I get gitty with excitement and restoring them just becomes a work of art.

So next time your out and about and find a piece that needs some love, roll up those shelves and get creating. (Don't forget we would be happy to help you along the way)

Do you have any before and after shots of your works of art? Share them:)

Enjoy!

Black & White Modern Mid Century Living Room

I have a fascination with black and white. No matter how many times I try to move away from it in design it comes back with another layer I just can't resist. A new fascination has been Mid Century furniture. I am in the process of a spring collection that will consist of only Mid Century restored pieces that will be like candy to the beholder. Until I am finished I just can't stop thinking of ways to use the pieces in design. So I thought I would blend the two obsessions.

Todays board is a fresh, clean, fun yet sophisticated design. Having 3 kiddos I will likely not be able to pull this design off in my own home but a girl can dream can't she? Mid-Century design tends to have a little bit of curve which is what draws me to it but also retains a very simple clean line.
As you can see I played in the texture area and gave you tufted, chevron and stripe. Its bold but what would life be like without a little bit of bold living.

Don't be afraid to venture into bold design because it can be very fun and I can guarantee your living room won't look the same as your friends. My post would not be complete without pointing out that you don't have to buy brand new Mid Century pieces. You can find these at flea markets, estate sales and yes likely thrift stores. If your a die hard restorer and like to put your hand to the plow and create, I dare you to scout a piece and get to work restoring it to a focal piece in your house.

Enjoy!

Yellow and Grey Nursery

Yellow and Grey seems to be a really hot palette right now especially for nursery and bedrooms.
Designing a nursery can be overwhelming and a little bit predictable if not careful. The big box stores tend to sell the same types of bedding, colors, textures and variety is pretty far between let alone original. More and more mom's to be are venturing into the pops of color and are pleasantly surprised to find that a nursery design can be just as beautiful as a main room in the home.

In todays board you will see an old style dresser that once was the dull honey color that felt like a dated ugly piece that was handed down and sentimental value kept it around. As you can see in the board below, if you put a little elbow grease into it (or hire people like us) revamping that dated piece becomes the focal point of a main design. So many times we buy pressboard furniture from big box stores because of convenience and makes designing a room the same as everyone else. Taking a classic piece like this and recycling it to work into todays trends with a pop of color and change of hardware can make you have a piece that lasts another decade of time.

Look around for those pieces moms to be. You will find them at garage sells, flea markets or even the side of the road. Those are treasures that you don't want to pass up. You could a get fabulous room like the one below.

Be Inspired!! (and if your afraid of the restoring process, find someone like us who can help you in the process)

Vintage Modern

Today we are featuring a board that has a vintage modern spin to it. We love everything vintage but what we love the most is when it has a modern spin with fresh color palettes, mixture of fabrics and textures and mostly the classic piece being recycled into todays trends. 

Take a look at todays inspiration board and see what inspires you. Maybe you have a piece that grandma gave you and now see a way to transform it so that you can have a fresh look with classic piece. 

Enjoy!

Coral & Grey Bedroom Inspiration

Happy Labor Day!!!!

I hope you all are enjoying this fabulous Monday!

Today we are featuring a design we put together that has a french flare with a pop of color. We are showing how easy it is to pull a cohesive design together with old style furniture that has been revamped to exist in todays trends. There is a happy blend between color and a subtle base in the grey tones. You don't have to be a millionaire to have  style! We hope todays inspiration board inspires you to change something old into something new.

Enjoy!