Voilà!

The chairs are done! Because these chairs were so dark to start out I fine sanded them first and then did two coats of primer and two coats of Linen White by Benjamin Moore. I love how they turned out! Next thing we will do is install the two light fixtures that we are getting from Ballard Designs (see link below) and make a window seat cushion and pillows with some chevron or striped fabric!

Chairs Before

Chairs After

Ballard Pendant Lights

We will have two of these over the kitchen table and we still need to find something for above the sink. We also are in search for some wall art. Here are some ideas so far!

Michelle Armas

elise allen

I saw these two nautical signs while shopping in Annapolis and thought they would work if we threw in some bold blue in the pillows and window seat cushion. I also like the idea of doing a wall mural, with a bunch of fun pieces. One Kings Lane had an inspiring "Off the Wall" sale this morning with a bunch of eclectic and fun wall art pieces.

 I really like the idea of doing a fun art deco mirror like this one in between the two nautical prints above.  I think this would best utilize the large wall space in the kitchen!

Explore the Bay

Ever since we were kids my parents would take us on boat trips across the bay to explore all the different towns and islands along the bay such as Oxford, Smith Island, St. Michael's, Wye River, Cambridge, and Solomon's Island to name a few. This year we went to St. Michael's  on the Eastern Shore again which I had not been back to since I was a kid. If you are looking for something fun to do over Labor Day you should plan a trip there! It is like going back in time to a more simple way of life.  If you can't tell from my photos I really love all of the old looking wooden boats, they have so much character. We went to the Crab Claw for lunch and then walked around town and went to the famous Justine's ice cream parlor. 

 Inn at Perry Cabin

 Justine's Menu!

The Patriot is one of the St.Michael's tour boats!

Patriot Cruises 

My new boat! (In a different life)

The little boat below was the motor for this large sailboat cruise!

This is the boat Selena II which can be chartered for a private wine tasting cruise!

Sail Selena Sunset Cruise

Thanks for the awesome wedding present Caitlin!!

Lil Paint Lesson

People tend to be pretty timid when it comes to paint but my advice is to just dive right in! You can always paint over it if you don't like the results.  Below are some basic paint facts that can help you get started and not feel as overwhelmed as you stand in front of thousands of paint samples at the Sherwin-Williams store!

 My newest client wants to paint her dining room gray and have white plantation shutters and bamboo shades. I cannot wait to see the progress!  The painting company she is using only uses Sherwin-Williams, so here are some of my favorites from their store! 

Repose Gray

Gray Clouds

Silverplate

Classic French Gray

Light French Gray

Magnetic Gray

Flat Finish

Also called 'matte' finish, this paint finish will give a room an elegant chalky look. Flat paint hides imperfections, is easy to touch up, but difficult to clean. Flat or matte finish paints are best reserved for rooms that are seldom used, like a formal living or dining room. The finish is perfect for ceilings too.

Eggshell Finish

This is the most popular paint finishes because it of it's versatility. Eggshell finish has a slight sheen, hides imperfections and creates a surface that is easy to touch up and easy to clean.

Satin Finish

Aptly named for the smooth, satiny surface it creates, satin finish paint works well in high traffic areas like kitchens, children's rooms, family rooms and bathrooms. The satin finish is durable, has a slight sheen and easy to clean. The only drawback with satin finish paint is any touch-ups will be very noticeable.

Semi-Gloss Paint

Slightly glossy, this is the paint finish applied to trim work and moldings around the room. Semi-gloss finish is easy to clean and very forgiving when a baseboard or door molding gets bumped or scuffed. Semi-gloss is like satin, touch-ups are very visible because of the paint sheen.

High Gloss Paint

Glossy, glassy paint finish that provides a lacquer-like look to whatever t is applied too. Kitchen or bathroom cabinetry, room moldings and furniture are the pieces which normally get treated to a high gloss paint finish. High gloss paint provides the most durable, easy-to-clean finish of all paints, but it also highlights every imperfection.

Primer

Painting is such a daunting task that we tend to skip the most important step for a beautiful finish and just get right to rolling on the paint. That oft-skipped step is priming the surface before painting. Applying a coat or two of primer will smooth out surface imperfections and make paint adhere better, leaving behind the smoothest and most durable finished surface possible.