Fontaine

I pride myself in staying in the know when it comes to stores here in Madison. So, when I stopped into this interior design shop (that I had driven by zillions of times) I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

As soon as you step thru Fontaine's lime green front door you are bombarded by design bliss. Each corner, wall and table are merchandised into little vignettes straight out of a magazine and seriously something for every style.

citrus topiary garden

trendy South Beach

hip Uptown loft

ethnic and textural Ikat

updated French country with the coolest menagerie of roosters.

And how is this for a seafood bar?

jars and jars of delicate shells, urchins & starfish.

I was mesmerized how beautiful they looked massed in these apothecary jars. Makes me want to redo my entire sun porch in a beach theme.

Fontaine is also a full service design studio. The owner, Barry, & his staff are not only wildly talented, but have stocked this little Eastside shop with things straight out of a big city neighborhood boutique. You just have to check it out for yourself...you will not leave empty handed. Oh, and make a pit stop after at Sophia's (a few doors down) for a chocolate croissant. All that shopping might make you hungry.

what lies beneath

One of my cardinal thrifting rules- if something is turned around, upside down or buried under something unsightly.....investigate.

While pursuing one of my favorite spots, I see this, propped up against the back wall.

Just the frame alone was worth a second look. It was huge, and when I turned it over....

This! A vibrant farm landscape surrounded in blooming blossoms.

Now you know how I have a penchant for taking tacky painting and giving them a little love, well this one was just too cool to pass up. Almost 3 ft long and some really great 'bones'. OH- and it was $1.50. See what you can find when you do a little digging.

Now the frame will need some color and I am sure a few 3-D will find their way into the mix. I am hoping it turns out like it does in my head.

Found frames

I just cannot pass up an ornate frame. Whether big or small, glass or mirror, empty and filled. It can always be updated.

This 'before' was found with my pal Kim in a local thrift store. No mirror, but in great condition and an awesome shape.

and here is the after....

I used the attached cardboard backing, gave it a few coats of chalkboard paint and covered the gold frame in a this rich turquoise paint. The whole makeover took just a few hours and the transformation is huge.

Flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores or even your own attic are all wonderful spots to find these frames. Just takes a little imagination and paint and you can have one of your very own.

Other options to do with a found frame....

-get a mirror custom cut to fit

-use metal roofing sheets (from the hardware store) to make a magnetic memo board

- paint and hang empty. A grouping of empty painted frames on a white wall make for an instant art piece.

- frame photos or unique print images

happy recycling!

now that takes the cake

This weekend's calendar makes it official, Spring is here!

On Saturday, I was honored to be a featured speaker at May's Floral Spring Extranagaza and wanted to bring a little twist to a familiar crafty idea.

Taking these thrift store plates & hum drum candlesticks,

and turning them into these. Wonderfully fun cake & cupcake plates.

It really couldn't be easier.

Take an old candlestick, give it a new coat of paint in a bright fun color & glue it onto a white thrift store plate.

I found a silicone type glue works best and dries clear.

That is it.

An array of heights and sizes makes it really appealing.

I did dinner, salad and even little saucer plates. A vintage feel with a modern color palette.

How great would your Easter buffet look with this presentation? Easy, unique and of course green...what could be better?

Perhaps, filled with some delightful treats. Now that really takes the cake.

May's Spring Extravaganza 2011

This Saturday, I am thrilled to be one of the featured speakers at May's Floral & Garden Spring Extravaganza. There will be demos, deals and loads of ideas. Including tips from yours truly on transforming your flea market find or thrift store castoff into a one of kind accessory for your home.

Spring is in the air and we are all itching to start seeing things bloom. Come get inspired in this beautiful greenhouse setting. Learn how to make your own terrarium, fairy garden or ideas for kids gardens.

May's is located at 3424 Jeffers Eau Claire, WI with seminars running from 1-4. I can't wait to share all the scoop. In the meantime, here is a little TV teaser. I got the biggest kick out of seeing my name in a television ad.

Treasures & Transformations

As promised, images from last weeks gallery show.

Besides some vintage tennis racket mirrors

the "surplus lamp"

and a comic book chair....

Here are the other pieces and their recycled components.

"January in Wisconsin"

-old picture

-moss

-glitter

-paint

"Tranquility"

-old painting

-sand

-batting

-paint

"Full Bloom"

-found picture

-thrift store silk flowers

-paint

"Maxine"

-found picture

-black glitter

-beads

-fake eyelashes

-silk flower

"the recital"

-old picture

-antique sheets of music

-red flocking powder

-paint

"the Deep"

-salvaged drawer

-found rubber shark

-Barbie parts

-costume jewelry

-gravel, shells, sand

"High Dive"

-salvaged kitchen drawer

-antique Irwin doll

-old calendar pages

-floral stems

-Fisher Price slide made into a diving board

"Spot in the City"

-salvaged drawer

-decorative plastic hydrant

-stuffed toy

-Chicago Tribune newspaper pages

-moss

"Fitting room confessional"

-found mirrored shelf

-vintage 'I Wish I Were' game pieces

-google eyes

It was a lot of work, but I loved the entire process. It was a whole new genre for me and I can definitely see me doing it again.

rejuvenation

Spring is in the air. Although, officially it is not quite here yet, I have abandoned my mittens for the season and am not looking back. Spring is why I love living in the Midwest. There is an awaking, a rebirth, a new found energy in every living thing...and that is rejuvenating. Where else would you see people wearing short sleeve shirts when it breaks 40 degrees. I love it and it inspires me in a zillion ways.

For many who know me, it's no surprise that I am a project oriented person. I like a start, a middle and an end. Done, bye bye, on to something else. For as long as I can remember, that is just how I work and finally I am embracing it. So during the days before a show, it's quite common for my mind to start scheming about what I am doing next. The concept, the colors, the objective. Starting a new project is like a shot of espresso. Addictive and invigorating.

I am switching gears after my recent opening and getting ready for an exciting speaking event coming up in Eau Claire. (I'll be talking more about that soon). So it was perfect timing that I was able to hit two great sales this weekend and ride that creative wave.

Besides the darling treasure box above, I also found this awesome bay of kelly green lockers-

an incredibly industrial light blue desk

this jumbo roll of 60's wallpaper

& a bunch of other cool housewares too many to mention. Just to give you an idea...this was the kitchen at Saturdays estate sale.

Ridiculously awesome- even down to the wallpaper. I wish I could have bought it all.

What did your weekend have in store? Any exciting Spring things you are looking forward to?

Opening night

I can hardly believe it is here. 3 months ago, I eagerly accepted an invite to be March's featured Artist at a local gallery Absolutely Art. Not only am a stunned March 4th came so quick, but that I finished 10 new pieces. Some late nights and early mornings, but I am really happy with the way the collection turned out. (especially since it is my first)

I'll have all the pics up next week, but in the meantime here are some previews.

The reception starts at 5 pm tonight at Absolutely Art (2322 Atwood) and goes till 9 . Food from Bunkys, live music, fun people and art compliments of me. Stop by, I would love to see you.

If not, the show will be on display for the rest of the month so you can check it out on your own. Possibly while enjoying a tasty latte at Cafe Zoma next door.