Day 20: secretary

It was a fun day at fivethirty this morning. The ladies in the cottage nest craft class had a great time making their journals. And, it was nice to have some company on what I consider my Monday morning! It must have been contagious though because we have had lots of visitors on this cold, cold morning.

 

I'm pleased to share with you one of my favorite pieces we've redone. Here's a glimpse of the before (my husband likes to point out the flaws in furniture and he took this picture)...

 

 

 

 

And here she is now...

 

This was a project where I had a very specific vision and this is not it! We started with a creamy white and the nicotine bled through. Her previous owner played bridge and smoked (as evidenced by all the ashtrays and playing cards we found in the top drawer).

 

So, back to the drawing board. It was black for a while and I finally settled on the gray. I had this gray mixed up years ago as a custom color from porter paints and decided to use it on this piece. We used Miss Mustard Seed's antiquing wax and left some of the wood exposed (after cleaning and using hemp oil).

 

A couple of close ups...

 

 

 

 

 

I like her alot even though I'm a little disappointed I didn't end up with the original look. I'll save that for the next one!

 

 

Bye for now,

Erica

 

 

 

 



Day 19: milk paint as a stain

I can feel Spring in the air...can't you? Well, almost.

When I think of Spring, I start thinking about projects and I have a great idea for a couple chairs I've been saving for a rainy (Spring) day.

 

For a while, I have wanted to use Milk Paint as a stain on raw wood. So, on Tuesday, I grabbed one of our leftover paints and added a cup of water to it.

 

 

I purchased a raw wood bread board at Michael's ages ago, got out my cheapo foam brush and voila...

It soaked in beautifully and showed the wood grain quite nicely.

 

 

Now I want to get out all of my raw wood pieces and stain them! I think I'll do those chairs in ironstone or grain sack?

 

Bye for now,

 

Erica

 



Day 18: Hello, Susan (part II)

Hello! It was a very snowy and beautiful in Zionsville, Indiana today!

 

I got so carried away talking about Susan's painting classes, I ran out of room to tell about her and what she does at fivethirty...

Susan grew up on the north side of Indianapolis, attended IU and worked in public relations. She and her husband, Bill, still live on the north side of Indy. They travel to visit their three lovely daughters who have families of their own now.

Susan opened her furniture painting studio almost 14 years ago. She and her students have painted it all: glassware, clothing, furniture of all kinds, wall murals. You name it, Susan has painted it (or helped someone paint it).

 

 

 

We are so thrilled to have her painted pieces at fivethirty. She is also bringing in found accessory and art pieces. She travels to Michigan in the summer and brings truly unique pieces when she returns.

 

 

 

Stop in the store and see her on Friday in Zionsville or head to one of her paint classes in Broad Ripple.


Bye for Now,
Erica



 

 



Day 17: Hello, Susan (part I)

In 2004, I placed a bid at a silent auction fundraiser and as a result, met one of my all-time favorite people. The bid was for a free 2-hour furniture painting class and I won! The rest, as they say, is history. Well, it's my history...mine and Susan's, I guess.

 

I went in for my first class at the Susan Van Huss Design Studio armed with an old table I wanted to use for my kids' art table in the basement. I met Susan and the ladies and started painting.

 

I went back every Tuesday for the next 8 years.

 

I went back for the creative outlet, the friendship, the therapy...but Susan is at the heart of it. She teaches you how to paint furniture, sure, but has also created a haven for people to make something, to lend an ear or give a hug when someone needs it and to take time out of your life to do this thing you love. She has created a community and I am so lucky to be (a somewhat absentee) part of it.

 

I got a little carried away here, so I'll be back with more on Susan at fivethirty soon!

Bye for now,

Erica



Day 16: so thankful

When we started the store, I didn't really know what to expect. My parents ran their own business for 32 years so you would think I would have some concept. I was a kid, though, so I don't think I really appreciated all the time and hard work they put into it.


Yes, it's a lot of work. It especially seems like a lot of work for someone who has been at home with the kids for the last 10 years. Lucky for me, I don't mind hard work. When dedicated to something, I will work until myself and everyone I know are exhausted.

And the rewards are many...sure, there is the monetary (we hope). That's part of it. However, I feel rewarded when someone finds something that is perfect for them. I love it when someone does a project that turns out just the way they wanted it almost as much as when that happens with my own projects!

I wish I could bottle the feeling I'm talking about. It's like on Saturday when I talked to Leisel and then later, to Kate. I would never know them if it weren't for the store and I feel so lucky to be able to talk to them when they stop in. And, like today, I got to talk to Amy and her daughter again. This time we talked about a bedroom project and New England vs. Midwestern antiques. Another reward!

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am to be doing what I love to do and for all the people and experiences along the way!

Bye for now,

Erica



Day 15: sticky swatch

Hello! I often say I don't want us to be just another "antique" store. I want this store to be a DIY destination. Need a side table? We are the place. Need some cool paint? Come on in. Want a pretty for your mantle just because? You bet. Can't decide what color to paint your walls? Hmmmm, we have just the thing for you!

 

We are so pleased to carry evrEwares' Giant Sticky swatches!

 

 

I can't decide if I should share it's intended use first or show you all the cool ways we use it at fivethirty???

 

Ok, picture it...you can't decide which of the pale greens you want to paint your living room because one looks more yellow in the morning and the other looks too gray all the time. Get out your sample quarts and our Giant Sticky swatches. Paint one of each color and stick them up on the wall. You can move them around as much as you want with no damage to your walls and no sticky loss. And, you avoid the crazy stripes of a million different colors on your walls!!

 

Now, how do we use them? Stick one up and use a sharpie for a giant list...

 

 ...as our place mats for Milk Paint class...

...spray with chalkboard paint and stick it on a piece of wood...

...the possibilities are endless!

 

Here's a link to evREwares' other cool products: www.evrewares.com

 

Bye for now,

 

 



Day 14: To paint or not to paint?

To paint, or not to paint, that is the question:

Whether 'tis Nobler in the home to suffer

The harsh and manly wood tones

Or to take paint brush against raw material...

 

 

Ok, that's enough. My apologies to Shakespeare.

 

 

Anyway, I have this cabinet. This one is mine all mine. It's already in my bedroom and I love it!

 

 

It is the perfect height. I love the style and it is just so darn pretty.

 

 

Close up of the wood grain on the doors. Look at how it meets up on the seam.

 

 

This is the bottom of the cabinet in the front. It is really interesting. Not sure how long it would take someone to do that, but I'm guessing a long time!

 

 

These are the doors. This is where I get a little torn. I can appreciate the craftsmanship of this but it reminds me of a tree trunk??

 

And there is a tiny bit on the exposed side where the veneer has chipped....what's a girl to do? I told my husband I would leave it for now, but it is haunting me...what do you think?

 

Bye for now,

Erica