…THIS Is Why Caromal Colours Rocks…

A homeowner from Washington State ordered several wood sample colors from me last month.    You know, the ones that look like this?

Ten days ago I received this email -

Hi Patty,

I recently ordered the distressing kit in parchment to attack my oak kitchen cabinets (I previously ordered some samples from you).  I am “testing” on a small part of my cabinets and have these little ridges when the parchment dried.  Hopefully the pictures will show you what I mean.  I tried to sand it down to see if they would go away….but they wont.  I must be doing something wrong.  I was looking for the more smooth look like the close up of the cabinet doors you have on your website on the sample page.  I was just going to sand/distress the edges a bit before I put toner on…..but now I have these ridges….what am I doing wrong???

I would REALLY appreciate your advise, suggestions, help.

She sent along this photo -

I promptly got ahold of her (emailed her back and asked for her phone number).  How had she applied it?    How many coats?    I think what happened was she applied the first coat, but it didn’t completely, evenly cover.  She did apply a  little more, then let it dry and started to sand.  All the higher areas sanded and the ‘ridges’ were left.  I told her that sometimes my first coat won’t seem to go on as even, but that my second coat fixes that .  I explained how I like to touch down with my brush onto the surface, and then almost in a scrubbing motion I move my chip brush all around.  What this does is ‘push’ that textured basecoat into those ‘ridge’ or groove areas -  the spots that didn’t cover as well from the first coat.  As you lightly ’scrub’ and cover your surface, you’ll find that your brush will glide OVER the higher areas, and barely leaves any product on those areas.  This  second layer goes quicker than the first -  when I’ve got the surface covered, I then pull my brush lightly in a downward motion – I always do this – it leaves a cleaner look.  If you still see a spot that bugs you?  Brush that area  -  you don’t have to do the whole surface again.

That was it,  I wished her luck and told her to give me a shout if she had any other questions.  And,  I gave her two thumbs up for working on a SAMPLE first.

Yesterday,  I got another email from her -

Hi Patty,

Hope all is going well for you and yours.  We spoke about a week or so ago over the phone. You helped me tremendously with a “pit-looking” issue I was having on my cabinets.  Thanks to you I figured it out and am having so much fun with this!  I am an artist/illustrator but being used to working on paper I never really gave re-finishing etc. much thought, although I have tiled my bathroom floor and tiled my backsplash too.  But let me tell you I LOVE doing this!

During our conversation you mentioned you had some information you could send me regarding Independent Representatives vs. Certified Independent Reps.  I’d really like to have some information if you have it.  The more I work, the more motivated I am becoming.  My girlfriend, who is an amazing decorator and has a wonderful eye for color, and I were thinking maybe we could get involved over here in the northwest!

I hope she doesn’t get mad at me for sharing some of our conversations,  but offering you guys REAL LIFE examples is invaluable.  This is why I love the Caromal Colour products.  They DO work.  They offer great finish options.   It can be done without hiring a professional.  And the best part is,  it becomes FUN!  It’s a great feeling we get when our own hands create something lovely. That ROCKS!

Spaces That Make You Look Twice…

I can’t recall how I came across a photo of this room, deliciously finished by Nena’s Creative Finishes in Houston, Texas .    I  wish that room was in my house.  I LOVE  the palette – some might think its drab, but I could live in a house with browns and taupes and creams. Accented with lovely bronzed metallic and crystal fixtures -

I like this next one because even though its one of these grand two-story rooms, it feels romantic, and warm, and grounded.  I hate our two-story great room.  I didn’t like the one in our last house either (so why did I do it again?).  I’d like my room so much more if  the ceiling dropped about four feet, or if it had a ceiling like this -

House Beautiful

Brick in the bedroom is so romantic, don’t you think?

Country Living

I have no clue where I grabbed this next photo from.  Anyone recognize the work?  Please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due.  The camera shot feels distorted a bit, but look closely…. a lot of stone-  floor, walls leading in, and in the powder bath… the counter, sink….    but the decorative paint/plaster finishes on the walls softens all that cold stone.  Try to envision those walls with just paint – I don’t think you’d get the same effect-

This next one isn’t a full room shot – only have a closer up – but had to share it.   Artist Finisher Audra Lynch Nanay, owner of Three Trees Design Studio in Schererville, IN (219-865-1073)- created this finish by hand!  She troweled an Italian lime plaster on the walls and then randomly sculpted the flowers too – they are a porcelain type.   Was installed in a master bedroom and bath vanity area-

I like a lot of things about this room.  I like how they finished the walls in a subtle stripe, the ceiling remaining the lighter color. What I like most is the trim that draws a distinct line between the two.  The chandelier is perfect…. I love wood floors in bedrooms, though all ours carpeted.  And I like the color palette  – soft pinks, celadon, cream and white (my hubby wouldn’t like this) -

Veranda

Ahhhhh…. look at that view.  Could you imagine?   There’s that wood beamed ceiling I love…. Nice soft neutral plaster on the walls – perfect backdrop for the rest – the dark woodwork,  lovely window treatments, and so fine are those chairs.  Described as  ’soft green gilded wood chairs from Portugal’ -

Florida Design

Does this grab your attention?  It did mine.  All of it works perfectly together.  I’m surprised I’m okey with the pairing of so many items – but I think it was with purpose here. Like that  painting , and LOVE those chairs!

Florida Design

Check this unique fireplace out, its made out of coral -

Florida Design

Very interesting looking.  I think I’d pass on the drapes, though -

Florida Design

What’d you think?  Did they grab your attention,  or just eh?

You Know, It’s Sunday – Are We Wimpy?

Today I got out of bed late.   I  knew I needed to get ready for church -  found myself dragging,  really tempted to blow it off…. it would have made my morning so much easier, logistically.   As I sat in mass, I quietly thanked God that I was present.

A friend shared this email with me this morning.  I like when I can be reminded of God’s goodness in simple terms -

We complain about the cross we bear but don’t  realize

it is preparing us for the dip in  the road that God can see and we  can’t.

Whatever your cross, whatever your  pain,

there will always be sunshine, after  the rain….

Perhaps you may stumble,  perhaps even fall;

But God’s always ready, to  answer your call…..

He knows every  heartache, sees every tear,

a word from His  lips, can calm every fear…

Your sorrows  may linger, throughout the night,

But  suddenly vanish, dawn’s early  light…

The Savior is waiting, somewhere  above,

to give you His grace, and send you  His love…

God  promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

The Power Of A Painted Door…

I have a Caromal Colour’s customer- he took a workshop (he is a painter) with his brother (he is a builder).  After that, they refinished the cabinets in the builder-brother’s kitchen red, and the island black using the Caromal Colours Textured Basecoats Paprika and Peppercorn.    Last week he came back to purchase more Paprika to refinish some interior doors.

It got me thinking about painting interior doors -

Horchow

Canadian House and Home

HighStreetMarket

Remodelista

HighStreetMarket

Craftmaster

Tony Vi

Tony Vi

Cote De Texas

Apartment Therapy

Domino

Just Beachy

I think I’d like my interior doors better if they were painted dark…  I’d leave the white moldings – the white around the colored doors seems to pop the color even more!

Unique Tulle Bathroom Ceiling – Update.

I posted about this Jack and Jill bathroom ceiling treatment last November (Unique Bathroom Ceiling, Dressed Up Pretty)

Someone inquired as to HOW it was installed.  I didn’t pay attention, and couldn’t tell from the photos.   A couple weeks ago I was back at this client’s so I asked her if I could take a few additional photos so I could share with inquiring minds -

just how this tulle treatment was installed -

Tacks.  White tacks -

See it now?

I think the floating embellishments make it -

Michaels has these-

In case you’re wondering how durable it might be,  everything was securely in place.  I think as long as you don’t push those tacks in and wiggle them (where it stretches the hole) they will hold this light weight tulle up until you decide to take it down.

And a quick google search on other ways to use TULLE-

HGTV

Cute high chair skirt – (my babes would have trashed!)

1stwishes.com

How romantic, these lovely handmade tulle hangers-

Andrea Singarella and One Hundred Wishes

Of course, tulle weddings -

Fun lampshades-

Wanda Shorton

Decorating girls rooms -

Chatting At The Sky

I like to use it on my front stairway when I decorate for the holidays. It lays next to the woodwork (the white lights on white cord are tucked inside) and provides a cushion so the pine bows don’t leave scratches -

Any other ideas?