Hello and welcome to Kansas! I’m Karen Gideon and I am a native Kansan, raised in Wichita and moved to Topeka in the early 1980’s. In my youth I spent lots of time in rural Kingman County visiting my great uncle and aunt on their farm. I have lots of fond memories of their large {Read More…}
American Paint Company – A Feature in a Decorating Career
January 27, 2014 by 7 Comments
If you know me or have been following my progress, you are aware that I started my decorating career solely making custom window treatments. There was no style that I ever refused to fabricate. I always felt confident that I could execute whatever was asked of me. I am self-taught. But, I must tell you, {Read More…}
Facebook Friday #4
January 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Another wonderful week of painting continues! Look what the paintriots have transformed now. This beautiful sideboard was painted by Pieces with Rushmore. This drop down desk was painted by The Local Mercantile with Fireworks Red over Cannonball Perennial Design painted this buffet in Shoreline and finished with Brown Glaze. Vintage Market and Paint Studio painted this dresser with Tea Cup {Read More…}
This n’ That Thursday – A French Provincial Dresser
January 23, 2014 by 2 Comments
This beautiful solid wood Dixie French Provincial Dresser has had a gorgeous makeover… Sometimes my pieces have to sit a while. And this one finally spoke to me. All the details what would I do? American Paint Company truly makes a wonderful paint. I have been so impressed with the coverage and the consistency. I {Read More…}
American Paint Company Retailer Spotlight in Kennebunk, Maine
January 22, 2014 by 2 Comments
American Paint Company Retailer I’m Darlene Mitchell, an American Paint Company retailer located at 180 Port Road, Lower Village, Kennebunk, Maine and loving it! After going to auctions and loving the vintage furniture, I knew I had to think of doing something to re-invent those pieces. I heard about chalk/clay paints from a friend of mine {Read More…}
Stenciling with Plaster – A Little Table
January 20, 2014 by 1 Comment
This past week I finished this little side table, here it is shown before, in my version of this year’s Pantone color – Radiant Orchid. I mixed these 2 American Paint Company colors; BORDELLO SHINING SEAS to get to my purple #1 (deli container on right) and these 2 American Paint Company colors; FIREWORKS RED {Read More…}
Facebook Friday #3
January 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
It’s a wonderful time to rethink your interiors and the paintriots can show you just how easy and beautiful using our chalk/clay/mineral paint can be! Get inspired: Junque in My Trunk painted this china cabinet with Peacock over Voyage, Coral Reef and Beach Glass. The inside was painted using Voyage, Top Coat and then Dark Wax. {Read More…}
This n’ That Thursday – What To Do When it Bleeds
January 16, 2014 by 7 Comments
So you find a piece of furniture with good “bones” and great detail, the perfect piece for painting. You choose a color and begin painting, but as the paint dries, you notice these awful spots bleeding through your paint!! What do you do? Do you try another coat of paint, and another, and another, hoping {Read More…}
American Paint Company Retailer Spotlight in Newburyport, Massachusetts
January 15, 2014 by 1 Comment
American Paint Company Retailer Meet Jennifer of Ivy Lane is a home decor boutique with retail space in the beautiful downtown and waterfront area of historical Newburyport, Massachusetts. Ivy Lane features industrial, primitive and European antiques, vintage finds, along with new eclectic home décor furnishings and accessories, tasty gourmets, designer textiles, garden treasures, jewelry and {Read More…}
Painted Furniture – A Long Search for the Right Buffet
January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’ve wanted a vintage buffet for my dining room for two years, but I’m like Goldilocks. Every buffet I found was either too big or too small, too modern or too plain. It took me two years to find one that was just right! “I think this is it, but I’m not sure,” I said {Read More…}
Facebook Friday #2
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
It’s been a cold week for most of the country, but the paintriots continue to safely paint indoors using our eco-friendly, all natural paint and finishes. Since most of us are dreaming of warmer temperatures, let’s start with the pieces that look like they are ready for spring and summer! Restyled Vintage Designs painted this slatted {Read More…}
Who, What, Where Wednesday – Pretty in Paint
January 8, 2014 by 9 Comments
We had a booth in an antique mall for several years prior to opening a furniture store of our own. I started painting furniture after my first visit to an Anthropologie store. I knew I could paint something and make it look good for much less money and then friends would buy it from me, so I thought {Read More…}
Painted Furniture – A Table Transformed
January 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I found this table at an auction. I didn’t care for the blonde color of the wood, but I loved the features of the legs and the size of it in particular. I knew that with a little ‘Up-Do’ it could look fabulous once more! I was seeing beautiful pieces done using APC’s Amber Waves {Read More…}
Facebook Friday #1 – 2014
January 3, 2014 by 2 Comments
The holiday festivities are behind us and the paintriots are busy as ever. Look what beautiful items have been transformed this week using American Paint Company’s chalk, clay and mineral based paint! The Old Store painted this curio cabinet with Momma’s Lipstick. Distressed Nest painted this carved desk using Wild Horses over Tumbleweed. Upcycled Vintage Charm painted {Read More…}
Painting and Distressing Furniture – A Funky Chunky Highboy
December 30, 2013 by 3 Comments
I love painting with rich, saturated colors so I was absolutely in my glory when I found out my friend’s daughter wanted them for her new dresser. I tend to hold back when I paint furniture to sell in the store, but I have way more fun doing pieces in bright whimsical colors. This piece {Read More…}
Facebook Friday #27
December 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s been a busy holiday season for everyone, but the paintriots have still been creating beautiful finishes with our chalk and clay paint. Check out this amazing mantle, faux finished by Fabulous Finishes using Rushmore, Smoke Signal and Home Plate. Fabulous Rehabs in Arizona finished this table using Beach Glass, Home Plate and Clear Wax. Little {Read More…}
12 Days of Christmas – 1 more day!
December 24, 2013 by 1 Comment
Holidays are a wonderful time to gather around a big table and share a meal, laugh and talk about old times. This farm table is the perfect choice! Painted by Ivy Lane and finished in Surfboard with a Freedom Road glaze finish. The chairs were painted in Rushmore.
Facebook Friday #26
December 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Tis the season for the paintriots to stay busy painting! Look what they did this week! Simply Beautiful Spaces is ready for the holidays and painted this lantern in Fireworks Red. The Pink Chandelier – A Vintage Market painted this darling vanity in Nana’s Cupboard. A Piece of the Pie Frames painted this dresser in Smoke Signal {Read More…}
Paint Techniques Using Chalk and Clay Paint
December 11, 2013 by 5 Comments
Our favorite technique to share and teach is one that looks very difficult, and in the past, has been an advanced process for paint artists requiring many different products. But now, can be achieved with just one product line, American Paint Company chalk/clay/mineral paints! It’s what we call a “Textured Clay Finish”. This look requires {Read More…}
Painted Furniture – A Table and Chair
December 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I am LOVING the American Paint Company colors! I have been working on a few pieces and wanted to share two of them with you. First up, Dollar Bill with Dark Vintage Antiquing Wax. This little piece was pretty rough and this picture was taken AFTER a few clean up steps. The top was veneer and had {Read More…}
