Logging off for the holidays. Wishing you and yours happy times and a great 2013.

Well it really is time for the holiday spirit to come out in the Debell household.

Shame I can't get the darn top off!!

Seriously though, it has been a busy few days at Chateau Debell.  The tree has finally gone up and I had to put the Bah Humbugness away for a week or two.  I get itchy teeth when it comes to Christmas decorations and cards - our Cottage is very cute, but also not large and when the tree is rather round it dominates the room.  Still, the kids had a wonderful time decorating it with Grandma & Grandad, then when Santa sent them each a video email and the elf seeds grew into candy canes it was fair to say the holidays had absolutely arrived!

Here are a few pictures to show what I've been up to...

The Dressing table.  I'm very happy.

I started the week with my dressingtable
makeover - pink over black. Lovely.

Pink!

It's Christmas!!!

And to end a lovely day - it's got to be Prosecco.

Ahhhhh.  Wonderful.

First Coat of Paris Grey

First Coat still wet.  Paris grey ASCP.

Paris Grey One Coat

And finally, the before on the wardrobes.

 Have a wonderful holiday and I shall update you on all my paint exploits in the very near future.

Happy Holidays.

Marie xx

Paint Pattern Roller. Oo lala!!

A couple of weeks ago I went along to the Newark Antiques Fair.  One of the items I bought was a very old and very well used wallpaper roller from Poland.  These little beauties are a traditional form of decorating in Eastern Europe.  They usually have a roller & 'paint-well' with them.  They are designed to be used vertically - which is why I have never bought them before.  Quite simply, most of the surfaces I would want to use them with are horizontal, so the paint-well would spill paint all over the place.

Anyway - since I spotted a box of old, used and pretty knackered looking rollers I thought why not? I actually bought 2, (for some reason I didn't buy a mini one - but I really should have).

I have been itching to give them a test run - not for wallpaper but as an embellishment for my painted furniture, so today I thought I would have a teeny weeny little play, just before I started to re-paint my dressing table.  I wondered how it would work.  The answer is beautifully!

Pine Dressing Table Top - my experimental surface!

Roller with paintbrush for size

Roller close up.

Roller with paint

Paint Pattern Roller Results

 Well I love it!! Cant wait to try it out on a 'proper' piece of furniture!

Enchanté,

Marie xx

Photo Shoot versus English Weather. Who won?

Over the weekend I have been weather watching to see if I can get a decent bit of sunshine to take some better photographs of the pieces I have been working on recently.

To date I have been relying on the (extremely good) iPhone to capture my shots, but it is lacking in some things.  So I decided it was time to get out the big guns.

So after scrabbling around for far longer than it really should have taken, we found the charger for the 'proper' camera.  By then the light was fading.  Great.  But we still took some shots.  Some good, some not so good.  The darker ones will have to be re-shot, but its quite a mission as I have to rely on Nic to help with furniture removals - I'm strong, but not an octopus.


 This table is one that I painted a few weeks ago, so is now fully cured and ready to go.  On sale now for £249, it comfortably seats 6 and is a real head turner.  Get in touch if you would like to view.

We also took some pictures that didn't have the benefit of lovely sunshine.  You can see how badly the light faded in just a few minutes, but even though I am going to have to re-take the photos, the items are still beautiful - if I do say so myself!!

 

 These two bedside chest of drawers are lovely.  painted in the georgous Emperors Silk with dark wax and a custom mix of the red and of black they are a wonderful focal point in a bedroom or a study.  Only £85 each and solid hand built pine!

This lovely little thing has so many uses.  Table, Shoe rack, Towel holder. Porch bench.

It would make a fantastic narrow coffee table or you could use it as a hall seat with shoe storage underneath.  It is really unusual with the fabric effect paint of black over gold and finished in clear wax.  Coming in at £75 this is one to buy.  They don't come up very often!  Its very sturdy and a wonderful size!

Finally pulling up the rear this gorgeous Oak Blanket Box on legs - in Old White with Louis Blue touches.  I love it.  £185 and its yours!



Until next time.

M x

Decisions, Decisions!

Since the weather is too cold for me to paint outdoors at the moment, I have decided to give myself a Christmas present.

We have lived in our English Country Cottage for over 5 years, and with two rug rats we have never had to opportunity to decorate our bedroom.  So this is the time.

We have t lovely built in wardrobes that are currently finished in stained pine and a nice solid cherry lowboy plus my antique pine dressing table.

The lovely parents are very kindly buying us a new bed for Christmas so obviously that deserves a nice home.

Close up of Paris Grey with Old Ochre
dry brushed on top

I have been playing over in my mind the colour combinations I want for the furniture.  An email from Maison Decor this morning sealed it.  I had already decided on creams and greys for the walls, but I think the Low Boy and the wardrobes will look amazing painted up like this example from Maison Decor.

I'm going to paint the Dressing Table in Annie Sloan Antoinette with Autentico Nearly Black underneath, just peeping through on the edges.  It will be undeniably girly!

So, just need to choose the Wallpaper, Curtains and bedding now.  Not that I havent started - I bought a fantastic Goose & Duck Down 13.5 tog duvet yesterday in anticipation.

Merry Christmas to me!!

M x

Make do and mend.

Marie Debell & Antoinette

Today I have been on a buying trip to Newark.  It was a really interesting one.  First I went to see a chap who had a table and chairs he thought I may be interested in, but sadly they were the wrong shape for my taste, however I then pootled off to the auction.

Well I am very glad I did, since I got my hands on 2 lovely items that I know my husband will be delighted to see in his Christmas stocking, (sorry, no clues since I know he reads this blog), and a fantastic little bureau that will be beautiful once given the Marie Debell touch!

I am also going to Newark Business Club in the morning.  It is a club I used to attend regularly, in my guise as an Email Marketing Specialist, but tomorrow I'm going as 'Painter Extraordinaire .  Since I have not get got any business cards I made myself these little cards.  They have a touch of Antoinette.  Anyone get the feeling I have not put my paint pot away this week?

Until next time.

M x

Paint me beautiful!

Painting furniture for a living does have its up-sides.  I always have new pieces 'stored' at home ready to go on sale.

Here is the latest stash ready to go on sale.

Dining Suite in Old White with Paris Grey

Country Cottage Dresser

Did I mention I love my job?

M x

It's a Pink Door!!

One thing I love about Chalk Paint is that it seems there is no surface on which it cannot be used.  Fabric, leather, wood, glass, marble, plaster, plastic - you name it.  So when the storms we had a couple of weeks ago took out the cat flap I had a feeling Annie Sloan was going to be tested.

Look what happened!

Now we don't have a cat, and the cat flap was in situ when we moved in 5 years ago.  Getting rid if it is one of those jobs that has been 'on the list' since day one.

Since it's freezing here, and I have no wood with which to board the hole I took a logical step.  I stuck the thing down with double sided tape, then gaffer taped it shut.  Draft gone.  Big ugly mess.  Hmmm.

This being a very busy household, I figure it is unlikely the cat-flap will be mended in the near future... obviously I have never tried ASCP of gaffer tape before...but there is always room for experiments in this house!

ASCP - Great on Gaffer Tape!

I just happened to have a pot of Antoinette to hand.  So the panels got a coat and now I need to paint the rest.  I feel Old White would be a nice touch.  Very Seaside.

M x

P.S. Please excuse the 'yet to be painted' white!  This was, an accidental door painting exercise!

And breathe...! Phew! Wow!

Well that was a blast.  The Vintage Fayre was wonderful.  I had such a lovely time and the variety of stalls was great.

There was plenty of opportunity for me to show off the different finishes and colours I create on furniture, but there was also lots of interest.  In fact - beyond my wildest dreams - 3 decent sales.  Whoop Whoop!

Couple of picture below, but there was such a selection of goodies on offer (good job I left my purse at home).  Cakes, vintage clothes & jewellery, 'Sweet Trees' and wonderful bunting from my friend Louise.

Lou with her gorgeous creations.

Snooze Time!

Pretty, pretty, pretty!

Yummy treats for chirstmas

Christmas Cake

 I had trouble with my flash, so the pictures were not anything like as nice as I hoped - I'm hoping my best photoshop boy (husband) will sort them out for me later.

For now it is far, far too cold to work in the stable.  The paint is water based and when it's minus 6 on the thermometer its not really all that easy to paint with!

I have finished off a few projects (my chicken wire frames are really looking good), and I 'accidentally' painted the inside of the back door in Annie Sloan 'Antionette' yesterday, but that's another story.  In fact a picture is worth presenting on that one...to follow.

M x

Real live customers!

Well tonight is the night of the Vintage Fayre and the first time I will be displaying a selection of the furniture I have painted in public, (I don't count the web, because if they laugh, I can't hear them!).  Here goes nothing!!

Please be nice to me!

M x

Brrrrrrr. Furniture Painting in sub-zero temperatures.

The UK is more than a little chilly this week.  Indeed the thermometer says -4 right now.  No snow yet, but later perhaps we will see some of the white stuff.

Yesterday I was a little, shall we say, delicate.  The Newark Business Awards were amazing, but it was a late night.  So, best cure for one feeling a little delicate of constitution?  Go outside, (-3), open up the stable, (no heating), pull out a lovely oval extending dining table that has been mocking me for weeks.

Trussed up like a Christmas Turkey (it's not a good look), I pull on my finger-less gloves and pray the paint wont freeze before it hits the table!  First a cup of coffee.  And then back to it.  Quick check of the thermometer - its 0 Degrees!  Now that's more like it.  Positively warm and ready to paint.

Here's how it went...

I've yet to venture out this morning to see how she looks today but i'm hopeful!  The second picture shows the paint still wet, but I was lucky ans the sun put in an appearance and dried her off in no time.

Today I'm going to leave her to cure a little before I get a wax attack.


I'm toying with adding some decor or french script to the extension leaf.

The colour is French Linen, though it looks very light in the picture.  I'll keep you updated on what I decide to do.

Tomorrow I'm off on a buying trip to the Largest Antiques Fair in Europe at Newark Showground.

Be still my beating heart!  I find it very exciting seeing items that are rough, broken or just plain ugly, and knowing I can give them a new lease of life and turn them into something someone will love.

For now I'm looking forward to tonights roaring fire and a snuggle under a nice blanket!

Until next time.

Marie x

Newark Business Awards. Winner...

Massive congratulations to Abi Cutts and David Tizard, owners of The Funfair Brewing Company in Elston.

Nominated for Newark New Business of the year, Newark Business of the year and WINNER of Newark Business Person of the year Abi Cutts!!

For those who don't know Abi and David run the wonderful Chequers Pub in Elston (a Shabby Chic Pub and real ale hub) and the Funfair Brewing Company.  David and Abi built the brewery from scratch - there were tears and laughter and much hard work, but they did it!

Abi - before the announcement looking pensive!

And afterwards with David

If you get a chance you should come and visit.  They are open Thursday - Sunday.  Not forgetting the Vintage Night on 10th December 2012 @ 7pm.  You can even see me there with a selection of my furniture for sale.

Marie  xx

Country Grey Sideboard. It's the 'Almost Black' wot dun it!

Today I have been mostly working on a lovely 3 drawer 3 door sideboard.  She is a lovely size and has already been reserved subject to measurements.

Here she is...

Country Grey & Almost Black Sideboard

Sideboards are so useful!

Another one I would love to keep.  She has been painted in Autentico's Almost black and waxed, then topped with ASCP Country Grey.  I lightly distressed the edges and finished in buffed clear wax.

Marie x

Pink or Blue. I'll paint it for you!

So a Royal baby is on the way.  How lovely.  A wonderful stage in the lives of Kate & William.  But being me, my mind immediately turned to the nursery decor.

I know the world is in a frensy trying to predict the baby names.  I know that whatever name is chosen will be copied the world over for a generation.  What will it be?  I have no idea.  But hands off Laurence & Jemima.  They are my babies names and I want them to stay that way.

So important things.  The Royal Nursery.  The Royal Crib.  The Royal Nursing Chair.  Ooolala!  Super exciting.

I'm happy to offer my services.  I will paint the Nursery for them.  Sort out that old fashioned furniture and crib to transform it into something lovely.   All they need to do is ask!

A quick scoot round Pinterest offers some great inspiration.  If Kate is feeling a need for inspiration she could not go far wrong starting here.

A four poster crib - what else?

Perfect for a Royal Princess

So lovely in a very Royal way!

 Pink or Blue?  Time will tell, but it is a lovely end to The Queens Jubilee Year.

Marie xx

I told you I was ill...

A very lovely friend of mine sent this excellent card to me last week.  She knows me well.