This has been such a full week so far and a lot of things have been going on in the studio. It’s been so exciting seeing my vision take shape and it’s still hitting me afresh every day how much I needed a space outside of my home. While I have been spending a lot of time on the studio and things for the Chapel Market, another big focus has been preparing for my trip to Toronto next week. I don’t think I’ve shared much about it, but I am making my “Canadian debut” at the Toronto Home Show for Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint.
Crazy, right? I’ve been having phone interviews and the publicist is lining me up for TV appearances and meet & greets when I’m there.
(Yeah, that’s me and Tommy…they guy who works with Sarah Richardson. I’m sure a lot of people who know who he is and then they’ll see my face and think, Miss Mustard What?)
Anyway, I’ll be live on the main stage each day of the event (Sept 18-21, 2014) andI’ll be at the MMSMP booth and we’re squeezing in some retailer training. I’m going there for this specific purpose, so I’m ready to throw myself into it, but I think it’s going to be nuts! I’m mostly ready, but I’m still polishing up my “Furniture Flipping” presentation, putting together samples for my Canada AM appearance and I have lots of other little things to get together. Plus, I’ve been feeling a little run down, so I need to work on getting to bed early and get rested up. My mom and I are driving up on Wednesday…ready or not.
If you can make it to the show, I would love to see you!
So, back in the studio… I was out shopping with my mom today, so one of the maintenance guys took the opportunity of a quiet space, not filled with the Adele station on iTunes Radio, to install boxes for my antique crystal chandeliers. We stopped by the studio to drop off all of our purchases (today was a no-joke shopping trip that required us to call my dad to bring his truck) and I was so pleased to see they were done. I immediately lassoed my dad into coming to the studio tomorrow to hang the chandeliers. I have no patience. There will be one over each workshop table and one over the t-shirt counter. I also ordered a tattoo bamboo mat (the famous one in my dining room) to go under each table to catch paint splatters that are bound to happen during workshops.
And on Wednesday, Jeff finished and delivered the two tables we’ll be using for workshops…
We used Anna White’s Farmhouse Table plans and just made a few adjustments and put casters on. I looked around at antique farmhouse tables, but I really wanted two that matched and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on tables I needed to be work horses. We were able to build these for about $100/each.
I started painting one of the table bases white and I’m still pondering on how I want to finish the tops…
Between the chairs, floor, t-shirt cabinet and hutch, there is a lot of wood in the space, so I’m thinking I might just paint the entire table white, but I also like the idea of a stained top. Decisions, decisions… I’ll probably paint them white, since I already have a lot of things with wood tops to use for photo shoots.
The center of each table will get a tote filled with supplies that will be used during the painting workshops.
I enjoy finishing touches like these (you can tell I couldn’t even wait to finish painting the table before putting it in place) and I hope workshop attendees will appreciate them.
We need to get through this upcoming trip and there are some more projects to finish, but then we’ll be ready to get some workshops on the schedule!
My mom and I found some amazing pieces while out shopping today, so I’ll be sure to snap some pictures tomorrow.
I’ve also been quietly gathering paint and fabric to finish the living room, dining room and add some finishing touches to the family room back at the house. I’ve had to focus on other things, but the home projects are still on my radar…
It is so amazing to watch your business grow from day to day – AMAZING. Happy for you, and everything looks, well….amazing.
You’re going to have so much fun! Congrats on your debut!! I love Tommy!
Debbie
That’s so exciting! I’m sure you’ll have a great trip! I love Tommy! A couple of years ago, Sarah Richardson gave a speech at a drapery convention that I was attending, and the first thing she said was that everyone was asking her if Tommy was there!
I live in Ottawa, about 4 1/2 hours from Toronto and have a daughter who lives there. I have to be there for family stuff and a wedding the weekend before and after you are going to be there. I am so sad I will miss you I would love to have met you. Your blog is the only blog I follow regularly, because of your work but also your sense of humour. You turned me into a chalk paint fiend and now an even worse milk paint one. I have converted many a friend and stranger to your milk paint. Good luck in Toronto.
Really looking forward to seeing you in Toronto! We rearranged our whole weekend just so we could go. 🙂
Do a galvanized top on the tables! Or sheet metal to look galvanized. It would really stand up to your workshop use! We just constructed an 8’X2′ workbench for my potting shed and I just delivered the top to a sheet metal company to be wrapped in metal. I’m so exicted about it!
just do a light wash on the table,that way it will show all the work that will be done on the tables.no,maybe,i’m sure you will make the right choice. i want you to know that you have inspired me to move forward with my art.your a true leader and such an inspiration.God is shining right through you.have a wonderful trip..
I love the light wood color contrasted with all the darker, antique chairs, and the white base. I’d throw a couple layers of poly on the bare wood. The lighter wood gives a little modern, industrial touch…a.k.a. fixer- upper style. So exciting to see the studio coming together! Have a great time in Canada!
I LOVE Tommy. Super talented and hilarious. Your shop is an absolute dream! I just ordered my first batch of milk paints and should get here tomorrow. I can hardly contain myself.
Just a thought why not paint the top a beautiful color? Maybe “kitchen scale”? Just a thought 😉 I am sure whatever you do will be utterly perfect 🙂
I’m from outside of Toronto and I know who you are! It’ll be a great success in Canada.
I use MMSMP Curio to finish most table tops because it makes such a natural presentation. I then hit them with the dark wax. A coat of poly and you have a beautiful finish that is very durable. Love the tables! I think you should sell these!! Your next career…furniture line that we can paint.
Every post I am in awe of cool things- that counter is bananas! The thing that always gets me the most? You and your mom! What a gift that you get to have so much fun together:)
Yes we do. I am so thankful to be nearby. I feel so blessed. MMS’s Mom
I can’t believe I am going to miss you in Toronto. I am heading down this weekend – one week too early. I would have loved to have met you and your Mom. You have been such an inspiration to me!
WOW! I am super excited that you will be coming to Canada!!! I think you are underestimating your Canadian popularity! I hope you have a wonderful experience here, I wish I lived closer so I could attend :0) You will do well.
Can’t wait to watch the news that morning!
Smiles!
Terry
Oh so lovely….such fun to follow along!
Hoping to see you at the show next Sunday! It’s a huge semi-annual show and I’m sure many of your fans will make sure to visit you at the retailer’s booth.
Sooo exciting Marian! OK..I love Tommy too. Loved the one season of her show I caught but with life I don’t spend the time to watch. (I guess I could switch blog reading to an episode a day? NO…) Oh, so many things! As I see your space come together I can’t believe how perfect this is for you. Also, love the idea from Jenn about a colored top. Could be a place to have fun in the space–it is a worktable, not a dedicated piece for shoots–have fun! Rest please! So awesome, going with your mom on this adventure. Have a great time in Canada! Oh, and you need to start a wall with “famous” people. Start with you and Tommy on the photo wall. Maybe back in your workspace… 🙂
I really love the idea of using Eulalie’s Sky for the tops of your farmhouse tables after they would be stained. I think it would bring in a beautiful pop of color. Eulalie’s Sky is my favorite color from your line! LOVE.
For the tabletops, I’d stain the tabletop and then do a stencil of your logo in the center with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint then poly the top. Anyway, that’s the design as I see it, lol. It’s up to you how to figure out how to get there.
Love reading about the new studio. It’s so exciting. Can’t wait to see the new chandeliers installed. I am ready to burst with excitement and I am not even there!
I like the tables with the natural top. 3 coats of what you use on floors should seal them good.
I’d love to see you take on painting the common things that are for sale on craigslist. Affordable antiques are pretty hard to find in my city. For instance, there are a lot of sleigh beds, some with panels and some without. Then there is what IKEA sells. I think your paint line would explode if you could do this.
Also I want to thank you for helping me figure out what to do in my bedroom that has a dark walnut victorian dresser with leaf pulls. In your example of redoing the guest bedroom I saw that by having a white bed the dark dresser would still work as long as there was something else out of dark wood in the room! You used the french chair with the gold upholstery for this. I don’t know if you realize what a difficult problem it can be to make a small bedroom look spacious with a piece of dark wood furniture in it. I didn’t want to add more. And I knew wood of another color would not look right because it would be too close to the dark wood. You could do another post on that room from the problem solving point of view! {I LOVED the bed you had in there before, that you painted, btw.}
You have many gifts, Marian. I enjoy your blog!
Have fun in Toronto!!! The more I see of your studio the more excited I get for you! It looks amazing! Squeal!
if those tables are going to get the splashing that mine does, I’d get some oil cloth for covers!
Good luck, I’m loving reading about your doings ♥
Not sure why I attach my blog address I haven’t written in many months. lol Marian, my plan is to come to Toronto and get to shake your hand and tell you how much I admire your work. I hope to be able to capture a picture of you and I and buy your new book. My question is will all of this be possible on the Saturday? Looking soooo forward to it. Thanks Angela
Ahhh……I just really kinda want to live in that studio space =) =) Congrats for Toronto!!! xoxo ~Ashley
That’s awesome that you are coming to Canada…..maybe one day you will come to Calgary too.
Sarah and Tommy are a great design duo! I have been spreading the news about you. You are a great inspiration to me.
may i suggest not white, but a driftwood wash of MMSMP?
Toronto! I’ve got to get a day off! Would love to see you!
Wonderful news of all the good things happening! Unfortunately I well be down east when you come to Toronto.. I am sure you will be warmly received while in Canada.
You deserve all the blessings you are receiving 😉
14407
It’s looking great!! Lucky you get to see Tommy… Wish Sarah’s Show was still on TV.. or if it is, where can I see it. Like you, Marian, I think Sarah is very talented.
May I suggest you don’t paint or stain the farmhouse table tops. Instead, just put a sealer on them and let the paint splashes add the aged appearance. My Dad made the workbench in his garage probably over 50 years ago and without painting or staining it, it’s gotten so much wonderful character in that time. In my future studio space, I plan on making a rolling workbench similar to your tables with casters and I can’t wait until it gets all ‘used’ looking.
just lovely, Marian! …but I am exhausted just reading about all the stuff you get done and still have on your list!
I got a ticket to the Toronto Home Show yesterday at BlogPodium. I will see you there!ou there.
I’m short so those chairs look too low for my elbows to be on the table! You might want to have a supply of thick cushions for us shorties. Looks great otherwise!