Thank You
The Open House was a success! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. Special thanks to my family; Mikey, my Mom & Dad. And thanks to Paula, the Summerhills, and all our friends, clients, and peers. If you weren't able to make it hopefully we will see you soon. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
A repeat client of mine who originally met me through the Ellicott City Decorator Showhouses, asked me for my recommendation for a designer to help redecorate her family room. Of course I recommended Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors, the designer with whom I've painted countless Decorator Showhouses. Paula transformed her family room into a jaw dropping gorgeous pink and purple Hollywood Regency-esque retreat! Before: (I had recently glazed the fireplace about 3 months ago...)
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And after...POW!
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A close up of the fireplace I redid and the wall with the custom cut stencils I made that reflect the fabric on the chairs:
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A railing was replaced with a custom-built bookcase by Summerhill Cabinets. I woodgrained the top in a marquetry design with a black inlay. The client reads extensively and Paula thought it would be a great idea to have a place for her books.
Here's the before:
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And After:
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And...
A tiny little update on a very tedious project that I'm doing at my studio, getting ready for my Open House-Grand Opening-Partay!
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(Nevermind the paint on my hands.)
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So last weekend my awesome Dad helped me (I mean I sorta helped him) build a false wall for large scale mural work and four 4'x8' rolling work tables with storage underneath. It was so hot and humid I think we sweated out more than we drank. A big thanks to my Mom for packing a cooler full of ice cold drinks, lunch, and beer for the end of the day. I have to say its a little too convenient to be within walking distance of Main Street Ellicott City because I found myself down at the Judge's Bench and the Phoenix a few times after working. Oops! Materials being delivered.
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Mikey and my Dad putting up studs...or being studs...?
Things are progressing and I have moved all of my paints in. (a feat unto itself...I could open a paint store!) My mom and I went shopping at Costco for new shelves. I was on the fence about bringing my old shelving, it was pieced together...ikea, home depot, dumpster finds...but my heart won out and I got five beeutiful chrome rolling shelves. (They're gorgeous!!!!!) I looove organizing and so I have a place for everything now and everything will eventually make it into its place.
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Taping away.
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Tables-Done!
I am still hemming and hawing about what to do with the "office". I know I want to turn it into a show space/lounge/client meeting area/paperwork space...I just can't figure out what to do with the walls!! Its so easy when its someone else's space but when its mine I cant make a freaking decision! I just bought four stencils from Royal Design Studio so hopefully they will "speak" to me.
My neighbors are great. If you are in the area, Jack of Arts (who airbrushes cars, trucks, and anything else made of metal,) is two doors down and Bill Knapp, a sculptor, is in the next warehouse up the street. Bill stopped in when I was taping my wall to see who was moving in. And everyone I've talked with says I couldn't have picked better landlords. The Klein's are the owners of West End Service and have been more than accommodating. I really lucked out!!
Now if the weather would turn and I could stop sweating!
Stay tuned for when we will be having our grand opening. It may be a whole weekend I'm that excited. WooHoo!!!!!
...and a big congratulations for my cousin Lauren and her beau Adam for making a commitment to getting hitched!!! So happy! Lauren started her first year as a high school science teacher in Detroit and Adam is a very talented glass artist.
...........I HAVE AN OFFICIAL STUDIO!!!!!!!
It has 12' ceilings for large mural work! It has an office which I plan to use it as a reception/show room area for clients and guests. It has a bathroom, a utility sink, and an area for a spray booth. You can even drive inside it!
I am so excited I had a hard time sleeping last night. Some of you may know that I've been splitting my time between my basement and my parents basement when working on things like murals, furniture, and samples. Now Ill be able to do everything under one roof. I am so thankful and can't wait to get in there and start making it my own.
I know it doesn't look like much, but it has soooo much potential. Its on Frederick Road in Ellicott City within a 5 minute walk to the shops. If you follow Main Street west out of the historic district its just past Ellicott Mills Drive in the West End Service area. I can even ride my bike!
See the map location here: 8602 Frederick Rd Ellicott City MD 21043
Stay tuned for an upcoming open house. Geez, I can't believe I can even write that! EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend! Just finished this cool sign! I saw something somewhere I think on Pinterest that used flattened spoons as coat hooks. I thought I could use some of my random spoons that have mysteriously appeared in my kitchen drawer. I used some scrap wood, ropes, paint, and old letterpress type I had lying around. Dolled it up with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Voila! I think its purdy neat. Of course Mikey's first comment was "Will it hold a coat?" Always the left brain of the operation. I guess I could use some heftier nails and anchored it to the wall better if I were to use it. I think it looks neat!
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This sign was a present for my Mother in Law who has a place at the beach. I drew up the design and again used some leftover boards from another project. I also used ASCP but this time waxed it for durability. It could hang outdoors (under a porch).
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And of course, you can always request one for yourself! The Coat Rack is $75 and the Beach Sign is $150.
Happy Summer!