Dipping my Toe in the Water

It began with a simple google search:  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, (hereafter known as ASCP), and my world was rocked.  I found fountains of information on the most incredible blogs, on how to achieve the best results with this elixir.  I discovered ASCP in a lovely shop called High Falootin' Junk in Mt. Dora, FL.  We were on our way to Orlando from our home in Naples, and planned a stop in Mt. Dora to visit the Sid Dicken's retailer there - Noni's Olive Branch, as there are no SD retailers in Naples.  Preposterous!

We made it to Mt. Dora, a lovely little town, around 4:30 PM and snapped up the tiles I'd pre-ordered; along with another I had picked up to gift a friend.  We'd been in the car for hours, and it being close to dinnertime, we had a decision to make:  continue to Orlando to find food at any number of familiar chain restaurants, or see what the locals recommended in Mt. Dora.  We decided on the latter.

Virtually every shop keeper we talked to recommended The Goblin Market (it was fabulous), and it was on our way to find this market, tucked into an alley, that we passed a shop window that bid me enter.  I felt immediately at home with High Falootin' Junk, and the shopkeeper, Denna.  I have always loved painted furniture; even had a small business painting and selling furniture at an antique mall years ago.  I know how time consuming the prep work can be, and when I found out the prep work was virtually eliminated with ASCP, I just had to try some.  Denna had many completed pieces for sale and display so that you could see and feel how a finished piece would look.  I loved the soft hand of the waxed finish; preferring a little dark "heirlooming", but appreciating both.  Such a bevy of beautiful colors!  How to choose?  The choice was easy for me - Duck Egg, so reminiscent of my beloved favorite color - robin's egg.  I picked up a quart of paint and the clear and dark waxes, and was on my way.

Here's a linky to Denna's shop:   highfalootinjunk.com

Several weeks and several painted pieces later, and I am an ASCP groupie.  Having been so moved and impressed by the many blogs I have found in my desire for all things Annie Sloan, I've decided to start one myself.  This blog is not wholly devoted to ASCP.  My appreciation for the products is boundless to be sure, it was the inspiration that got me started,  but ASCP is just a small ripple in the large pond that will irrigate this blog.  Stay tuned for pictures of ASCP pieces I'm working on or have completed, for updates on the eternal bungalow remodel/addition, decorating tips and trends I'm vibing, recipes and insights for farm to table cooking, and bits of yogic wisdom on which to meditate.

Happy Home - Happy Life
Lisa