and I did get snow/iced in yesterday! Sigh…but I was prepared! I painted almost all day – a little snow wasn’t going to keep me down!
Snow/Ice Storm…
So previously I had painted two coats of Paint Couture on my signs…then I stenciled a background design on some of them and distressed it so it was faint. I used Paint Couture’s Embossing medium over top and stenciled on different Paris configurations.
Paris signs at The Whistling Elk before glazing
Later after blowdrying the Embossing Medium with my hairdryer I used Glaze Couture!™ or Brilliant White to glaze over the entire sign. I am not finished with these yet though…I may apply a second glaze to some of them (like verde over the blue sign) and I know I am going to use the Paint Couture Gilding Wax to enhance them…when I do I will post the finished product!
Here are my Paint Sticks showcasing Paint Couture!™ Madagascar Mocha with various Glaze Couture!™ finishes on top!
Paint Couture!™ Madagascar Mocha with various Glaze Couture!™ finishes
The glazes used (left to right): Little Black Dress (Metallic) with the left edge glazed again with Micki’s Magic, Baltic Black over Madagascar with Black Walnut Glaze, Black Walnut Glaze, Micki’s Magic (Accessory Paint), Lite Brown Sugar, Red Mahogany, Verde Glaze, Copperhead Glaze, Champagne Glaze, Zinc, Brilliant White (Metallic Paint).
I used the same design for these sticks as my other posts…that is the end of the stick is the Mocha with just glaze over it, then the next area is mocha-lacquer matte-glaze, the next area is just mocha-lacquer matte and the top of the stick is the mocha alone.
Little Black Dress – Black Walnut over Baltic Black/Madagascar Mocha – Black Walnut Glaze over Mocha
I prepared an extra paint stick this time showing Madagascar Mocha with Baltic Black…wet and dry distressed on top – then the Lacquer Couture Matte and Black Walnut Glaze…I like this combo a lot! I like the aged woody warmth the Black Walnut gives to the sample (its the middle stick above).
On the topmost stick above with the Little Black Dress (metallic black paint) over the Madagascar Mocha I coated the outside edge with Micki’s Magic just to see what it would do over the Madagascar Mocha/Little Black Dress. This was just an experiment that shows how many different directions you can go with this paint by layering glazes.
Below is shown a grouping I am calling my “red/brown tone” collection of glazes over Madagascar Mocha….left to right Micki’s Magic – Red Mahogany – Lite Brown Sugar – Copperhead. They almost give the appearance of wood stains.
Paint Couture Madagascar Mocha with various glazes
These paint sticks are really invaluable when you are looking at a color and wondering what it could look like or when you are trying to relate a paint color to something else that is going to live near it… Sometimes it is even surprising when a glaze color that you don’t think will look good does…these sticks are such a invaluable visual tool!
Paint Couture Madagascar Mocha with Glazes
This last grouping shows Verde, Champagne, Brilliant White (metallic paint) and Zinc. Although the metallic don’t always translate well in the photos the Champagne and Brilliant White are beautiful over the Mocha.
But that is not surprising because I have loved everything I have put the Champagne or Brilliant White over…
At The Whistling Elk we offer Paint Workshops…learn how to use this amazing paint to paint your furniture and accessories and create works of art!
Ok, I admit right upfront that I am prejudiced because as a painter this is my paint of choice but for all the reasons I list…you just gotta love this Paint! Here’s why:
Top 10 reasons why Paint Couture!™ is the best Furniture/Cabinet Paint Available
1. Paint Couture!™ is a low VOC, self-priming acrylic paint available in 50 colors (and counting)
2. Paint Couture!™ has great adhesion capabilities over existing painted or varnished surfaces (which means usually no sanding or priming is necessary) and paints on smooth and flat with little or no brushmarks.
3. A quart of Paint Couture!™ is $29.50 (wow) and it is available in gallons!
4. Using Glaze Couture!™ over the paint colors gives you the opportunity to increase the color possibilities to around 450 (and counting!) and creates either an antiqued or metallic finish – you get a beautiful protected finish with no waxing!!
Paint Couture!™
Paint and Glaze Couture are both available in half pints (giving you the opportunity to sample without spending a lot of money)
Paint Couture Accessory products like the metallics – Pale Gold, Rich Gold, Silver Star, Antique Silver and Brilliant White, Micki’s Magic and Little Black Dress offer even more possibilities for creativity!
Paint Couture Brilliant White Paint
Paint Couture Gilding Waxes give you the opportunity to accent your finishes! Really? Oh yes with 10 colors! – Black Velvet, Pink Cashmere, Gold Lame, Gunmetal Tulle, White Silk, Blue Organza, Green Moire, Copper Charm, Silver Taffeta and Bronze Brocade (oh my!)
Paint Couture Gilding Waxes
Lacquer Couture!™ is a clear and very durable topcoat which enables you to protect surfaces…with little or no odor – available in 4 sheens! It dries fast too!
First it snowed, now its really cold…grrr…but it is perfect weather to stay indoors and PAINT!
I used my snow/cold downtime to paint up some samples…with Paint Couture!™ thereby creating 10 Ways to Make Peace!
Paint Couture!™ Peace with 7 glazes and 3 paints on top!
step one…paint two coats of peace on paint sticks (24 hours between all coats)
step two…taped off and painted a section with Paint Couture Lacquer Matte.
step three…chose 7 Glaze Couture colors: Lite Brown Sugar, Champagne, Red Mahogany, Black Walnut, Copperhead, Zinc, Verde – and three accessory metallic paints: silver star, micki’s magic and brilliant white
step four…applied the glazes over a portion of the lacquered stick and a portion of the “Peace” only section
VOILA Beautiful Paint Sticks showing Peace (alone) – Peace with Lacquer Matte – Peace with a Glaze over the Lacquer Matte and Peace with a Glaze
This way you get to see how the glaze looks over lacquer (not to mention how nicely it slides on) and how it looks over the un-lacquered paint!
I have been working madly to plan for the next four days….so much fun!
I leave tomorrow morning – so the shop will be closed for 4 days while I am gone…
Having just completed a major floor move in the shop — I am ready to fill in with new exciting merchandise.
The shopping words for this season are OPULENT and GLAMOROUS!
Oh so exciting!!!
Schnadig Sofa
The shop is set up with a completely different floorplan for 2014. This pretty Schnadig Sofa is taking center stage in the shop….Its so pretty and versatile. You can go in so many color directions with it…in fact you can change the colors for the seasons of the year by using pillows and throws in colors you choose. It’s so reasonable in price also!
The Whistling Elk – Wall art
Space is at a premium in the shop so every inch of wall space must be used to display the art work … here’s one of the collage walls (with a floor lamp shade showing in the foreground). The artwork at The Whistling Elk is always 20% off so its a good investment and as you know we all have lots of walls!
Paint Couture! embellished mantel
You may remember my post regarding the painting of this mantel…I used Paint Couture™! paints and glaze to make it so beautiful…but I think I am going to re paint it for the spring. That’s right! Another mantel facelift is on the way…I just have to settle on color. I am thinking of doing something with the Pantone Color of the Year 2014 – Radiant Orchid….that would be something with Brilliant White over top! WOW…just sayin.
Soon we will begin our Paint Workshops again – so keep posted and plan to attend to learn how to paint furniture!
Pine Cone Hill at The Whistling Elk
Our Paris Boudoir is still the room in the shop that everyone wants to move right into! The bed is layered with Pine Cone Hill products – why? because it is such a well priced bedding line…love it! Lots of soft soothing color combinations for the bedroom. I’ll be visiting Pine Cone Hill in Atlanta to see what is new for 2014. Meanwhile still loving this soft palette of color including Madeline Café au Lait, Louisa, and Candlewick designs.
Home Accessories at the Whistling Elk
Sometimes the things that really make a room are the little things…like a sweet arrangement of glasses on a tray, a cocktail table book strategically placed to accent some colorful flowers! The tray is actually my favorite thing right now…its antique silver with a mirrored base…which has been antiqued to look so old…just love it!
Well my head is swirling with all the things that I am going to be looking for at market…all the plans, colors, objects and vignettes to come. Can’t wait to translate it all to the shop floor so that you can share in the excitement for 2014.
I was in love with a sample that I painted while I was in North Carolina at the Paint Couture!™ workshop last month. I guess I still am…cause its been sitting on my desk ever since.
Meanwhile we have been decorating like mad at The Whistling Elk…getting ready for the Christmas season…and I kept looking at our mantel and thinking hmmmm i’m gonna paint that and then decorate it for the holidays! So…I just finished it….here’s a tease!
The Whistling Elk and Paint Couture!™
It would have been beautiful in Little Paris but it now sits in the Paris Boudoir bedroom with all the Pine Cone Hill bedding and Kennebunk Weavers throw blankets. The colors in this room are soft and inviting. You feel relaxed just standing in the room!
I didn’t go with the sample colors from the workshop…just deviated a little using Paint Couture!™ Abundance and then dry brushing on Brilliant White (gotta love that stuff). When it was dry I glazed it with Glaze Couture! Verde Green! It looks marvelous and I can’t wait to bling it up (as if it needed it)!!!
One of the Door Prizes at our 6th Annual Charity Event on Dec. 5th is a Gift Basket of Paint Couture!™ products. Some lucky person is going to be painting!
Our Charity Event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society again and we are looking forward to a wonderful day/evening of discounted shopping on December 5th….so mark your calendar.
Ceiling Medallion makes a great centerpiece for a table
I just finished stenciling and distressing this table top…its painted with Paint Couture!™ Baltic Black and stenciled with Paint Couture Pale Gold – one of their fabulous accessory metallic paints. After I took this photo I glazed the whole table with Glaze Couture!™ Black Walnut (my favorite!). I plan on putting the Lacquer Couture!™ over the table on Monday. Wow, there are sure a lot of “coutures” in here…but what do you expect when you are painting pieces that are fashionable and elegant!
Paint Couture!™ Paints Glazes and Topcoats make furniture painting easy and fun and results in elegance
I used a ceiling medallion to create my design and then used parts of the medallion to fill in the center and bring the design out on to the leaves of this drop leaf table. I always sand thru my stencils to rough them up and make them look a little uneven because I want an aged effect. Wait till you see how it looks glazed…ooh la la!
When I finish I will post the elegant finished product…
We carry all the Paint Couture! products at The Whistling Elk and offer Paint Workshops so you can DO IT YOURSELF…if you imagine it you can paint it!
I just got back from Charlotte where I attended a fabulous Paint Workshop at Great Walls Supply…
Thank you so much Mike and Micki for making the Paint Couture! ™ line available to all of us who love to paint furniture and cabinets!
Paint Couture!™ Paint, Glaze, Topcoat & Stencils
The Paint Couture! is wonderful but it doesn’t stop there. The Glaze Couture! is amazing and offers us sooooo many possibilities for creativity and reinventing color! Nope that’s not it either…the Finish Couture! and Lacquer Couture! are just the best for protecting your painted furniture and cabinets. Did I say CABINETS? Why yes, I did!
Paint Couture!™ on Cabinets – Ohh la la!
There’s still more…Accessories! Loving the Brilliant White and the Gold Accent Paints, the Embossing Medium and the brushes and all of the brand new products that will be available shortly. Oh I am just in heaven! Ohhh la la I forgot the stencils!
Now that I am home I can’t wait for my next shipment. I have three Paint Workshops scheduled for next week and the phone has been ringing off the hook for that past two days – its as if they were just waiting for me to get back and schedule some new classes…surely no one will be disappointed either as I have planned four more classes for November!
All the Paint Couture!™ products are available in my shop The Whistling Elk – or check them out on line at Paint-Couture.com – you will not be disappointed. You WILL be painting everything you can get your hands on!!!!
It sure was a lot of fun to hang around with a bunch of very creative painters and play with some dazzling new products. Looking forward to the next one!
I am working in a dining room in which we are effecting a transition from very contemporary to a more traditional room. We decided to paint the contemporary console to make it feel more traditional….
It is finished but there is a piece of glass that lays across the top and rests on the two higher ends of the piece. We’re going to let this piece cure for a couple of days before we put the glass and accessories back on top!
Contemporary console custom painted to change the “look”
The console was an extremely high gloss black/cherry finish much like that you would find on a piano. First we cleaned it really well with TSP, then painted a first coat of Paint Couture Baltic Black. A couple of days later it got its 2nd coat of the black and then a couple of days after that the piece was stenciled then distressed by sanding off all the edges and flat surface so some of the cherry color came thru in places.
You will note that every time I work on this piece I let it sit a couple of days. This isn’t necessary as you need only wait 24 hours between coats of product….however as I am painting this piece in the client’s home (its very heavy) I had to schedule myself for this time away from my shop. I also figured since the original finish was soooo high gloss that a little extra cure time would only be an asset.
After the 2nd coat of black the piece was stenciled and distressed.
It was glazed with Paint Couture Black Walnut and then finished with a Paint Couture Satin Topcoat.
Top of hand painted console
I plan to go visit it in a couple of days to see how it is doing and then we will finish up the details in the room!
At The Whistling Elk we offer classes so that you too can paint your furniture….we use Paint Couture products which are wonderful. There are so many paint and glaze colors to choose from and the topcoats are fabulous. I also used Paint Couture pale and rich gold to give my stencil dimension. Call for class schedules and details and to register!
Sadly I must paint out this beautiful handpainted artwork…
handpainted floral artwork
this little drop leaf table was painted by my mom for a customer about 15 years ago (i think)…
Custom Furniture Painting
this piece is going to be re-done in basic black with pearls….just kidding! It’s going to be Paint Couture Baltic black with gold accents/stenciling on top…then we are going to distress and glaze it to deepen the finish…its going to be amazingi….
here is a little personal preview for you Gerri – this is the first coat of black with all the edges knocked off and sanded to smooth!
Custom Furniture Painting
Getting ready for 2nd coat of Paint Couture and then gold design work….can’t wait!
Last night we had Part One of our Furniture Paint Workshop with Paint Couture paints, glazes and finishes. It’s always such fun to see what will be created during the evening!!
Paint Couture Paints and glazes
These pretty little samples were created with lots of product…the top sample is Barbados Blue under Italian Ivory – distressed – then glazed with brilliant white. Then a tiny bit of verde glaze was added into the crevices – very subtle.
The bottom sample is Australian Amber under Italian Ivory and distressed. Then it was glazed with copperhead..after some dry time we highlighted certain areas with French gilding wax. This sample was finished with Satin Topcoat for a nice sheen.
Tonight we are having Part Two of the Workshop…stay tuned! We will be doing some washes, gilding and stenciling. Oooh la la.
If you are considering attending a workshop the next set of two classes will be Sept 11 & 12…don’t forget to call and register!
We are having 2 paint workshops at The Whistliing Elk in August…can’t wait to see what the participants paint up this time!
We will be painting with Paint Couture and glazing…and stenciling and gold leafing!
First Workshop – Wednesday, August 14 – 6 pm to 8 pm – covers the basics of working with Paint Couture – learn to paint one and two color finishes, glazing and finishing. $75
Second Workshop – Thursday, August 15 – 6 pm to 8 pm – covers distressing techniques, glazing, finishing, stenciling and gold leafing. $75
If you attend both workshops you will receive $25 off your workshop fee.
The workshop fees cover the instruction, materials, studio time and a free paint sample (your choice of color).
So get out your apron and get ready for some FUN!!!! And bring a friend!
Space is limited so call and make your reservation today.
Its been a little busy around here! Its been very hot and now it feels like fall….crazy but nice! (either way). I guess I am off track…this is the first post I’ve ever done without pictures. Now I don’t know about you but I love beautiful pictures much more than words – so this is a real departure for me. Must be due to all the midnight oil I have been burning lately.
We had a Paint Couture Workshop last night and it was really fun. We experimented with some paint / glaze combinations. I think my favorite was Italian Ivory with Verde glaze (mostly wiped off) and then zinc glaze on top. We took off most of the zinc and left it in the crevices and on the edges. It really looked amazing. I should have taken a picture but sadly didn’t think of it. I am going to replicate it and will show pictures then…have a little patience. We also stenciled and played with gold leaf. A very good night.
We also did a coat of Baltic black over gold (modern masters)…I waited a wee bit too long to wipe with the baby wipe so it didn’t turn out as planned BUT it turned out great anyway and demonstrated to the class how things can evolve… After wet distressing it we put a thin layer of another shade of gold over top and then took some of that off. In the end it was very rich!!
The class was really great because allowing for “shit happens” to happen made my students even more aware of how painting furniture is an exercise in total creativity and it is sometimes good to deviate from plan and that it is not the end of the world when things go wrong because maybe it turns out better…or you learn something new.
Actually in my shop I have found over the years that little unplanned events often evolve into great design ideas or new uses for items. My best example of this is when the phone rings and you drop what you have in your hand and run for the phone – more often than not the place you put down the item just happens to be amazing and then everyone buys the item to do what you did with it.
One of my class attendees did a fabulous job gently sanding a sample which already had two coats of Italian Ivory on it – the intent was to make it smooth like glass but not necessarily distressed. She did a fabulous job – when she was done the piece felt amazing and had a great shine to it. She found out that sanding is an art too.
I also started a blog for Chester NJ…with the help of Dana B. (don’t know what I would do without her). It is still in process but we went ahead and published a couple of postings to get it up and running…I think its going to be pretty great. The goal is to blog about Chester shops and businesses, our Farms and Parks and the events that make this area unique and charming. The name of the blog is Chesterstreettalk – check it out!!
Paint Couture Sample Size Jars of paint are the best…you can fit your brush in the Jar! How exciting! What a great way to experiment for the do it yourself crowd…you can experiment with the colors and the glazes to make a unique creation before commiting to a quart!
The Whistling Elk Paint Couture! pyramid of paint samples!
The colors are amazing and these sample size jars are such a great way to showcase all the colors!
Here is a “before” picture of a table I have been working on in a customer’s home for the last week. It seems I almost always forget to take the before picture until I am almost done painting the first coat…
Furniture Painting at The Whistling Elk
It was just easier to paint on her foyer table there than to transport it back and forth to the shop. It’s a beautiful old square table with nice architecture that was originally painted white and then antiqued. After a move across country the color didn’t work in the new home so I suggested painting it with Paint Couture Baltic Black and then adding gold accents and a Paint Couture Satin Finish.
It was perfect…I went and painted the first coat of paint on Monday – then returned on Wednesday to paint the second coat. This gave the paint ample time to dry and set up in this really humid weather. Then on Friday I went and put the gold accents on the table and applied the Satin finish coat. Today I went and applied a 2nd coat of satin finish to the top and voila I am finis!
I think you will agree that it is amazing. The black made it more formal which is in keeping with the foyer that is its new home. And the lovely puppy in the picture did not get one hair into the paint!!!!
Foyer Table Painted with Paint Couture Baltic BlackPaint Couture Baltic Black with Gold Accents painted at The Whistling Elk
The gold just dazzles. I applied the gold a little unevenly and used two different golds to contribute to the worn look of the edge…and I love the Satin finish as it gives a slightly transitional feeling to the piece. What a great sheen it produced!
This is a great example of how reinvent a piece of furniture when you move and have to redo your home design with the furniture you already own! Paint Couture is the star here!
For many years the 1st floor of my home was bathed in jewel tones…very rich. In January I had the 1st floor painted Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray which I am loving. But it is a whole new ballgame now! Fortunately for me all the furniture works (and that’s good because I love every piece I have and would not give any of it up!!!). The drapes in my Breakfast Room had to go though. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on replacing them right now…so I confess I made them. Now I am a girl with a workroom and a taste for very beautiful expensive fabric and trim so this is a real departure for me to admit that I did this…Oh my! and worse yet I can sew beautifully! Oh oh my!
I bought some very inexpensive fabric in a soft gray slubby solid that drapes beautifully. I measured then cut four panels from the fabric, got out my trusty iron and used glue tape to hem all around…then turned over the top to form a pocket and glued that down with the tape…Oh my! It took me about 3 hours to make all four and cost me about $100. Oh my!
They are simple rod pocket drapes, unlined and will not last like the ones that I could have had my workroom make for me…but that’s ok cause if I get tired of them I can throw them away without guilt. Oh my! They are quite elegant draping nicely with a couple inches of break on the floor. I am loving them!
This is a Do It Yourself success. I am thinking of having a workshop on this…no kidding! Oh my!
Paint Couture lines the shelves of an antique hutchPaint Couture is now stocked on our shelves at The Whistling Elk!
We introduced our new Paint Workshops for furniture and accessories about a month ago…and now we will be teaching those classes with Paint Couture. Its a great line of Paint, Glazes and Finish Coats. We love it!
Paint Couture at The Whistling ElkPaint Couture
The glazes are amazing – I am especially loving the metallics!
Glaze Couture Metallics
Next time you are looking to change your decor or room design – think Paint Couture!
Paint Couture! at The Whistling ElkThe Whistling Elk is a distributor of Paint Couture! a fabulous new line of paints, glazes and finishes. Woohoo!
I just picked up my new sign last night…it’s very elegant! It’s all very exciting! This is a great paint – its a low VOC, water-based paint, available in 32 colors. Paint Couture! is a self priming, décor, furniture and cabinet paint. It has a great adhesion capability to existing painted or varnished surfaces. With Paint Couture! there is usually no sanding and no priming (though there are exceptions). It lays on very flat with little to no brush marks. The dry finish look is a matt finish. A Glaze, Finish Topcoat, or Wax is recommended after the paint has cured – and the glazes in this line are spectacular!! Not kidding here i am in love with the Champagne and the new Verdi.
We will be painting with some of the Paint Couture! paints and glazes tonight at the DIY Paint Workshop at The Whistling Elk. If you like painted furniture you will love this paint for your home decor projects!!
painting architectural details to stand out
I am working on a table right now with nice architectural details…cant wait to see it finished!
Tomorrow is the spring Chester Craft Show…We are going to showcase some of our painted furniture during the show. You can also sign up for our Paint Workshops…the next one is June 13th at 5:30 pm. Call for more information 908-879-2425. Space is limited so you must register and leave a $50 deposit.
These are fun informal workshops! The June 13th class will cover chalk paint paint finishes and introduce Paint Couture! our new acrylic paints…in total you will learn 5 different finishes and leave thinking about all the great things you are going to do with furniture you have in the garage or basement. You will be creating masterpieces…
The top of this piece is actually going to be black…and i have a lot more gold to apply. Its going to be stunning! And to think it was stashed in the basement…
The Whistling Elk 
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