Our Inspiration Wall: Chalk Art and Gilded Frames

Our shop in Reading has a lot of painted and embellished

sample boards that we have made over time using different

products.  Many are Chalk Paint sample boards, and then

there are those that we have used more decorative techniques

by adding combinations of pearlescent,

 gilded, crackled and transfer mediums.

I noticed it was hard for shoppers to figure out what they were looking

at, so I came up with the idea of grouping samples together

inside of vintage gilded frames.  I had been purchasing old gilded

frames at auction. Most had ugly artwork or broken bits so I was 

able to get a good deal on them.  Colin cut out backing boards out of 

luann board and painted them with traditional chalkboard black paint.

He mounted the boards inside the frames and they looked stunning!

I could have just put them in the shop and sold them like that,

and maybe I will now that we have our inspiration wall finished,

After the boards were put in the frames I laid out groupings of samples

and Justin got to work creating his magical Chalk Art fonts.

He does it all freehand, and will look at various fonts online for ideas.

You can see how he starts off by spacing the letters with simple stick lettering.

Then he starts getting creative, which is when the magic happens!

He is working in the back room where we hold our workshops.

During the week we usually have various projects in different states

of progression on the table.  You can see the other boards in the back, as well

as a simple sample board I am doing using an 

Efex molding for an upcoming class.

More on that at the end of the post.

AFter he got his lettering all finished, Justin glued down our samples.

This board is meant to show what finishes you will learn when you 

take our popular Chalk Paint® Introductory Workshop.

I love this frame, by the way! Look at the moldings on this baby!

We had a few boards made up showing off the Artisan Enhancement line that we carry.

There are many different decorative things you can do with this line, including

various crackling techniques, image transfers, foiling, stone finish and pearlized finishes.

Now when you come in to get inspiration we hope our boards inspire

in a more obvious way!

How wonderful were those incredible antique frames?

You can easily add embellishing appliques to any frame to get

a similar look to a vintage plaster over wood or carved frame

by using a combination of Efex moldings onto a simple frame.

I am working on different boards using our new Efex latex molding line

we carry in house and online.  This one is a very fine detailed ribbon

applique. You can see a pencil tracing mark around it. When you apply

the applique, you just roughly trace around your piece, then apply the contact cement

to the board and the back of the piece, wait 20 minutes, then stick together and press

down to make good contact.  The tracing line just helps you see where

to put the cement, and where to stick your applique.

Then after about a half hour you can paint right over it.

I am using French Linen Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan.

Push the paint into all the crevices of the molding and then 

brush them out so there is no globbing.

I finished it off with a wash to get this lovely Gustavian look.

You can see all kinds of moldings from the Efex line in our shop

as well as online.  Imagine taking a flat panel door on a cabinet or a closet

and creating an antique French looking vibe! 

Or make fancy frames for your own fabulous chalk board to hang

in your kitchen or dining room!

You can join us at a new Applique and Molding Workshop,

coming up next month! We will be making a wall plaque using the Efex

moldings and decorative paint finishes.  You will see how easy it is to 

plan a project with Efex latex moldings. You will lay it out, cut, glue and paint 

and up with stunning results!

Rounding out the week finds me wearing my designer hat.

Today I will be styling a clients home. 

Did you know I am also a HomeGoods Designer?

 I am part of a hand full of national designers in the HomeGoods 

Happy by Design Pinterest program!

Four carriages and two rolling flat bed carts were filled 

for this exciting home styling project.

I will be sharing the finished results soon.