If It Doesn't Move....

...Paint It! 

Oh how I wish I was young again and had the stamina, and agility to pick up a paintbrush and paint some of the old pieces of furniture I have collected  with the intention of doing just that...I am a fan of shabby chic, flea market decorating and all things vintage and funky. I just love old things brought to life with chalk paint, transfers and decoupage..Why did I not discover that in my youth when I could have actually done it? 

I tried last year. I bought the Annie Sloan paint, wax and brushes to paint and distress a cabinet for the cottage..I contributed lots of enthusiasm but it was my daughter who rescued the project..I was not much help.. 

Our Annie Sloan shop ( main) has moved and expanded so the showroom is bigger, as is the area for workshops - which of course are not being offered in this pandemic. But I hadn't been in yet to check it out and I had this idea that perhaps the owner would paint a client's piece of furniture  as part of the services offered in the shop?...but alas, not. She paints pieces, yes,  but she paints them the way she likes and then offers them for sale..which might be the best option for me? Anyway, I had fun checking out her offerings today, and was so keen I bought the 5 issues of the new Annie Sloan magazine for inspiration...

I am good at inspiration...not so good at following through. A few years back on a trip to the UK, a friend took me to visit the Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex and I was blown away by the Bloomsbury decorating style ! It was one of those "joyful " experiences I will always remember - it was like being a kid in a candy store - everything that didn't move had been painted - walls, tables, doors, even the bath tub! Wow...it was amazing... I was SO inspired...I had visions of creating a whole new living space for myself...I came back home, still inspired, but did nothing.. did not even touch a paintbrush! 

So... I still have these old vintage furniture pieces that were, and still are, greatly in need of a makeover...I am just not sure if this old body can take the bending and leaning and the ups and downs of painting any of them! I am not sure that inspiration will be enough.... but I can dream...it IS a new year and miracles might happen...