Let me take you back a year. It’s one of the hottest days of summer, but I have a “project.”
I’m set up in my driveway, fair-skinned and un-sunscreened in the midday sun — with a paintbrush and a new can of Paris Gray chalk paint, ready to tackle a $5 yard sale table.
We had been in our new house just a few months, and I was on a decorating tear. Inspired by the furniture facelifts I’d seen on blogs, I was ready to tackle some of my own with this “magic” chalk paint I’d been hearing so much about, not only online but at local decor stores, as well.
I bit — and I was bitten — by the painting bug.
They say paint is transformative, and I’ve learned just how true that is this past year. It has transformed not only my home, but my professional life. (More on that just a little bit later.)
Let’s get back to that first little table, a $5 nightstand with a drawer full of straight pins and pretty Frenchy lines.
I bet I put three or four coats on it, not knowing quite what to expect from chalk paint. And when it was dry, I slopped on way too much wax and wondered why it wasn’t drying in the full sun and 95-degree heat. (Rookie mistake.) I wiped and buffed, then slopped on way too much dark wax, only to remove it again with even more clear wax. But in the end, despite my rookie missteps, I had transformed the castoff table into something pretty and that I was immensely proud of.
Here it is in my bedroom:
The table that started it all
That little table also awakened in me a passion I didn’t know was there. Turns out I like to paint, even though it means that every piece of clothing I own is splattered. It may be my legacy, in my genes, because my mom has been refinishing furniture for as long as I can remember.
And so I started painting more furniture for my home, like this antique buffet in Duck Egg Blue and Old White.
This buffet sets the tone for the entire house.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was my gateway paint. But I’ve tried them all: chalk paints, latex, DIY chalk paint, milk paint, craft acrylics and wood stains.
As I painted, I became something of a pusher. Pitching in to help friends with their painting projects.Encouraging others to try their hands at painting, saying if I could do it, anyone could. Recruiting my mom to help me paint and to share her expertise with me.
Pink writing desk my mom painted and I "stole" for my living room
Pretty soon, I was buying pieces just to have something to paint. Accepting free cast offs from friends’ attics and garages. Rearranging my home, trying to squeeze in more and more painted pieces, then finally relenting and selling some of my makeovers through in-home open houses, flea markets, craft fairs, Craigslist and finally my own retail space at Golden Antiques.
One of my early painted pieces, a sweet table in my bedroom sitting room.
Vanity in the Color of Old Money; drawers have since been waxed to match!
One half of a pair of tables I swiped from the store for my living room.
Bear with me through this gallery. There’s an announcement at the end of this post you don’t want to miss.
Trio of pastel tables
Heavily Distressed Striped Beachy Side Table
Betsy Ross Flag Chair
Coca-Cola Logo Chair
Old window turned mirror with paint and mercury glass spray paint
Just a few more pretties to go before the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Signs made from cabinet doors
Milk Paint Dinosaur Stool
Earlier, I alluded that paint has transformed not only my home, but me.
It’s true. Painting awakened creativity that had long been dormant, pushed aside for work and other obligations. It caused me to rethink my life, to set some goals, to write a manifesto, to start this blog, to realize a long-held desire to open a retail space.
And now for the next brushstroke. The next chapter in this exciting creative ride I’ve been on this last year. That announcement I teased you about in my headline.
Atta Girl Says is proud, giddy, excited to announce that we will be carrying Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint online and in our retail space at Golden Antiques.
I expect to receive the first shipment of paint later this month or in early September, but I am taking preorders now through our online store. Or you can alway send us an email at info(at)attagirlsays(dot)com if you’re interested in ordering some of this fabulous paint.
I will likely be offering workshops, too, but that schedule isn’t finalized. If you’re local to Greensboro, N.C., check out our Classes page for updates.
It’s such an honor to partner with Marian on this, not only because I think she’s a painting and blogging goddess, but because she’s been so encouraging to me on this creative journey. We’ve only met in real life briefly at Lucketts, but we’ve traded many emails, and she’s encouraged me there to pursue my passion. In a way, she gave me permission to dream for myself, something I think lots of mommies don’t feel they’re entitled to do. But we are.
To celebrate this continuing creative journey of mine and to showcase the talents of others who are as paint-obsessed as I am, Atta Girl Says is starting its very own linky party where I’ll be featuring your Milk Paint Masterpieces.
I know you’ll need time to get some milk paint — preferably Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint – so we’ll wait a bit to have the first linky party.
Stay tuned for an announcement with the exact date. In the meantime, though, feel free to share the linky party button.
I really love all the furniture pieces you shared today and congrats with teaming up with Miss Mustard Seed and her paint line! How exciting!
Thank you so much, Diane. I’m pretty excited.
Hey there! I am so excited for you! And I’m excited to get my hands on some of that milk paint, too. I’ll be first in line to link up with this linky party! Can’t wait. By the way, you may want to add in to this post, “We will likely be offering workshops, too, but that schedule isn’t finalized. If you’re local, [ TO WHERE??] check out our Classes page for updates. . .
Most folks, myself included – don’t know where you are.
Thanks,
Breida
Thanks, Breida. I can’t wait to see your milk paint projects. I should be getting my starter kit from Miss Mustard Seed soon, and I’m hoping it arrives by Friday so I can spend the weekend painting!
And I will update the post to include our location — Greensboro, NC. I usually try to do that, but I must have been on autopilot when I was writing that post.
Speaking of not knowing where someone is from, I don’t know where you are either. But if you’re anywhere near the south, I hope you will consider coming to the Southern Bloggers Conference in October in Raleigh. I would love to meet you in person, and I think you and Laura would love chatting about sewing projects. You can get cheap flights to Raleigh via Southwest, BTW. I know how much you love traveling, conferences and junkets! (Been reading about your adventures to Haven, Lucketts, etc.)
– Amy
Twitter: sophiasdecor
says:
Congrats Amy! Your furniture is beautiful. Yes, I can honestly say that paint has changed my life too and with the new waves of products like chalk paint and milk paint, it’s brought it to another level. I wish chalk paint had been in existence years ago! I’m hoping I can carry Marian’s milk paint here in Raleigh soon as well.
Congratulations, Amy! How excited you and Laura must be. You are one talented paintbrush wielding lady! All of the pieces that you showcased are beautiful! I hope to make it over to your retail space soon!
That is so exciting!!! Congrats! Your pieces are gorgeous, and you definitely have a knack and the talent for transforming them! Look forward to more great projects you share, and to try the Milk Paint!
Amy, you will probably really enjoy browsing around Lou’s, where I have one of my booths! She has some great home and garden stuff! It is Lou’s Flower World, 5128 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC. I took some pics while I was there Monday setting up, and will post them sometime this week, I hope! The name of my booth is: Bello Market, and is in the middle, against the green wall! The booths in the back are fairly new, but some great vendors have moved in! Let me know if you were able to swing by for a visit!
Have fun!
I just came across your blog yesterday and couldn’t believe that you are here in Greensboro too! I have shopped in Golden Antiques many times before. You definitely have a talent for painting furniture! I just picked up a couple of great wood chairs that are going to be one of my next projects. Congratulation on being one of the first to carry Miss Mustard Seed’s new paint!!!
Thanks so much, Lisa. I just visited your blog, and I’m in love with many of your projects, too.
Isn’t Golden Antiques a great place; every time I go there, I find something else I “need!”
So nice to meet another Greensboro blogger, and I’m excited that you’ll be going to the Southern Bloggers Conference. It will be nice to meet some other bloggers in person.
I’d love to see how you transform your chairs. I have quite a few chairs in my garage that need painting, and I’m always looking for inspiration.
Twitter: chasedastar
says:
You totally inspire me! I love your transformations and I’m so excited for your new endeavor! Congrats!!! I’m SO happy you linked up at the Creative Headquarters Blog Hop (thanks so much!), cause now I get to explore more of your awesome blog! Please come back and link up again!
Your pictures are awesome!! I may be here a while…
Barbara @ Chase the Star
Barbara, you are so very, very sweet. I really appreciate your comment about my photography. I’m so self-conscious about it and have it on my list to get a better camera and some photography courses, maybe even this fall through our local community college.
I’m happy to have found your party and will definitely link up again.
Amy