Apr 12, 2016
Swag’s – New and larger than before
Swag’s are one of my favorite lines in the Efex collection but this new one will be special.
This trip to New Zealand is full of surprises. Like this new molding for Efex. Yep, we found two on this trip. How lucky can a girl get?
I am always on the hunt for new designs and this one is very very special because it came from my friend New Zealand artist Margret Wooley.
Margret is the person who introduced me to Efex two years ago. Recently she found this awesome antique swag. Her lovely home her in Auckland is filled with her great art
and great projects using Efex.
The latest swag is full of detail, and will need a little remastering to make it slightly more perfect. What I love about this mold is that it is thicker than many of our other swags. This swag is an old plaster piece from the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.
It is composed of a centered rose followed by flowers and closed rose buds. This swag measures around 12 inches long and three inches tall. It is over and inches thick.
Which one of the two new moldings do you like best?
Apr 7, 2016
Scandinavian Love – For Furniture
Sweden and Auckland are about as far apart as you can get. In fact, they are at opposite ends of the polls – North and South.
Our friend John Stephens Antiques theme right now is Scandinavian. Can you imagine how many things I want to take home… and how many ideas I have found.
This bookcase has such wonderful patina – Love, Love, Love – the blue undertones.
Then he has the most yummy Swedish style sofas, these are actually made from old Swedish Day Beds. The headboards are the sides and then a new back and all new upholstery is added.
Or these lovely Scandinavian chairs. Somewhere in the back of my mind these chairs are getting ready to get on a ship and come to America… but…. I don’t seem to be getting great buy-in from my husband.
Or this pair of demilune tables. The tops have been painted with a faux marble and are matched to make a single table or work as two halves.
There is even this wonderful stool/chair that I think is just so cute.
Many of these pieces have been restored with paint and a lovely grey glaze to give them a great patina all on their own.
My takeaway for this year is simple decorations, with more white, and I think I have to start working with more glazes.
Which one is your favorite from this lovely tour?
And Yes, this is where we found Madam X… but hopefully today the picture will be rightside Up.
Mar 16, 2016
Mirror Revamp Before and After
This mirror revamp says it all. We all love a great before and after. This one is so cute and so simple it just rocks. Alison Gregory of The Little French Provincial Shop has hit this latest mirror makeover right out the of park.
Last year she found this little round table and took it from drab to fab.
Now see what she had done with this plain Jane mirror.
Oohh…that orange wood! Doesn’t it just make your skin crawl? The top was just calling out for a bit of embellishment.
The addition of scroll SC44, rosette R78, and a little bit of paint it turned into a beautiful elegant mirror that would look lovely in anyone’s entry hall or living room.
For those of you in New South Wales, Australia stop into Alison store. This wife and mother of two is addicted to all things French. Her great eye for detail lets her find good projects that are ready to be reloved.
From her blog her motto is “You only live once… so live beautifully!” And boy does she do that with style!
Mar 10, 2016
Janet Creates – It could be a weekly TV show…. and if you’re anything like me, you would be waiting for every chapter.
Our friend Janet Metzger from The Empty Nest is not only a great furniture painter, she is an amazing talent using many art mediums including Chalk Paint®.
Today we are sharing some stunning Easter projects.
Janet’s “Treat du Jour” are these lovely jewelry boxes, decoupaged and
decorated with roses from Efex.
Jane’s creativity doesn’t stop and start with furniture and Efex.
Meet Hortensia
Hortensia is one of my favorite primitives. For more of Janet’s art hop on over to her website, or
if your near Warrenton, VA stop and see this lovely almost finished painting.
Happy Easter
Feb 26, 2016
Stylish rosettes are everywhere at Efex
Rosette is French for rose, and can refer to either a small flower design or a small circular design like a badge. At Efex we have a rosette style that can fit most any project. (more…)
