To sand & wax or...Not to sand & wax

That is a question that I get asked a lot!  And truthfully, it's a question I ask myself often after I have painted a piece of furniture.  For me, the decision is based on the piece itself and the overall look I want to achieve. And for me the question is not wax or no wax?...the question is clear wax or dark wax?

I was working on some old doors today and had a perfect opportunity to show you the huge difference that sanding followed by dark wax can make.  The paint color used is Florence by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I will note that dark wax over this color creates a pretty drastic color change - not the case for all colors.  I should also note that if you want to avoid a drastic color change you can first wax with clear wax and then come back over with dark wax.

Not only does the color change but the door with dark wax looks aged, shows the wood grain and imperfections more, and just overall has a bit more character.  I realize this is not the look that everyone is after.

Here are my completed doors.  Pretty neat to find two doors that match!

Sorry to be MIA!

Hi friends!  Gosh it's been too long!  The kids are back in school already and the days are beginning to get a little shorter, signaling the onset of Fall.  I've been crazy busy, but we are sure loving our time at the shop! If you are new here or haven't visited in a while, I opened a little shop in April and run it with the constant help of my mom.  We have some amazing customers that come to see us often and our business has grown each month.  We feel very blessed to be doing what we love!

I have painted many pieces of furniture and completed many projects that have gone un-photographed.  I do a pretty good job of keeping friends updated on Instagram - you can follow me at sacullum.

Here are a few recent photos of the shop:

A new adventure in decorating - a chicken coop!

I love all things decorating...love helping friends decorate a new space or re-do an old one, love looking at magazines and watching shows about decorating, love looking through bolts of fabrics (whether I need any or not) love shopping for home things for me or for others...I love all things decorating.  

The shop has allowed me to help some wonderful clients decorate even if it's simply through selling them a new lamp or frame.  But the shop has also led me to a first...helping to decorate a chicken coop!  Yep, chickens and fancy coops are all the rage.  Have you noticed the growing trend?  There was even a Coop Tour in Dallas this May!

Take a look at these great coop photos from our new clients and friends!

This "The Egg Plant" fence wood sign was our Coop-Warming gift to them!

Farm Fresh sign purchased from our shop.

Vintage ladder purchased from our shop.

Small rooster plaque & rustic lantern purchased from our shop.

Dusting Pan purchased from our shop.

Idea to use chicken feeder to hang curtains from our shop.

I never knew my decorating opportunities would lead me here, but it sure has been fun!

A bed, a bed turned bench and a cow

So, all of my recent posts seem to be this way - random and quick tidbits. Perhaps it's because I've been using Instagram a lot and I'm getting used to quick, on-the-fly photo posting - follow me at sacullum.

I mentioned recently that I planned to add more hydrangeas to our backyard. We actually added an entire landscape bed along a portion of the back of the house.

There are two Japanese Maples, six Azaelas and five hydrangeas (two varieties). I can't wait to watch the hydrangeas grow and see what color they will be! The color you purchase is not necessarily the color you end up with once planted.

Next, I just finished this headboard/footboard bench.  I found it already assembled so I just finished it off with paint and dressing.  I think it's pretty darn cute!

And last, I traveled to visit my best friend north of Austin.  I made a few shopping stops along the way - in search of treasures for my clients of course - but alas, found something that I just had to keep.  The cow picture and the corbel are both new additions to the large space above our kitchen cabinets.  LOVE!

A few new things around the house and travels

Hi friends!  Hope your summer is off to a great start - I love summer and longer days so I'm in my zone!  I wanted to share a few new (small) things around the house.

We had this transom-style window installed in our kitchen leading to the laundry room.  It's a very high space and it just begged for something to be added.  I had some metal corner brackets there and then more recently some old wooden corbels.  I found this great antique window that was the perfect size and had it installed.  Love it!

Then I got some new pillow shams for the guest bedroom.  These are from the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic collection at Target.  I love the ruffle look and also love how just adding new shams can make you fall in love with your bedding all over again.

And I recently got this darling milk window/sign and hung it in my laundry room. My sweet mom got to an Estate Sale early and waited to be one of the first 20 allowed in because I had spotted this window/sign in the preview photos and loved it.  Yep, she's awesome like that!

And then I'll leave you with this amazing photo that I took in Waxahachie, TX on Sunday:

Ramblings

Hi friends.  I don't have anything super great to share, but I wanted to catch up so here goes my rambling post...

First, I have to share my new favorite song - Boys From The South by Pistol Annies.

Next, I'm still giddy over my hydrangeas.  They bring me so much joy that I've decided to plant more!

Just love the hint of pink!

And last but certainly not least, I'm completely loving my shop!  Mom and I enjoy changing things up and bringing in new pieces.  This week we brought in this awesome hutch - I just love that it is almost the same in width & height - also love the beach/cottage vibe!  We already have some "regulars" and we love our customers!

A gorgeous dresser and more hydrangeas!

Hi friends.  Hope y'all had a great weekend!  We woke up to much lower humidity and it was so nice!  I had some time to paint today and finished this great 6-drawer dresser.  I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco and Antoinette.

I also just have to share new photos of my hydrangeas.  I planted these last summer and I don't have much of a green thumb so I'm thrilled that they are doing well!