Special Christmas Gift for our Followers.

We have a special gift just for all of our Followers!!!! We are offering a special Christmas Gift Certificate to use for yourself or to give as a special last minute gift!!! You get a $75.00 gift certificate for just $50.00!! This offer is valid until Dec. 24th at noon. The certificate may be used in store or online - on any merchandise!!! This is a great deal. Once your certificate is purchased, you will be sent an email with the certificate to print out to give and a special code to use online....just that simple.

WE have a great selection of stencils with lots more designs to come.

Just click HERE to get yours today!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

I love me some Stencils!!

I love me some stencils!! I love the look of typography and wonderful artistic additions to furniture. I would love to be able to say that I can do it all by hand....I can do some of the artsy stuff myself but a good stencil makes it so much better and easier.

The problem that I have here in the town that I live in is that there is really no place to buy great stencils. The typical Hobby Lobby, Michaels and blah, blah, blah.....nothing really great. 

Then I found a great company that makes great stencils and I decided that I would carry them in my shop and offer them online.

Last week we were giddy with anticipation waiting for them to arrive. When they did I quickly opened one and started working with it right away.

This little lady was very pretty in her Vintage White and Clear and Dark wax but her top was a little funky because she had some old wallpaper on the top that I could not get completely off....so I added this French Post Card Stencil and added some dark wax. I think it looks like an old letter and I love this. I actually want to take this little baby home.

Next up was another pretty table that I did in Vintage White and Clear Wax... pretty curves and a nice big table top that was just ...well...blah...It needed something special. I love the french script that is so popular and I opened up the nice big French Script Stencil. I positioned it so it looked like the script was running through the table...if that makes sense....even if it doesn't, it looks great. I used Seattle Mist Gray and lightly distressed it.....again, I love this look.

So soft, I think it looks like it has been there for a long time....just what I wanted.

My friend also used this stencil on a sofa table that she did in Seattle Mist and stenciling in Vermont Slate. It looks like someone took a pen and wrote out a beautiful love letter.

Oh, those were not the only stencils that we got or played with....but these are the couple that we got all done. I can't wait to try these on some fabric and pillows. There are lots and lots of gorgeous stencils on my website now and more coming.

If you are interested in ordering some you can order HERE!
ALL STENCILS SHIP FREE!!!!
There are several other designs coming soon.

Putting on the Glitz - Glamour Vanity

This is one of those pieces that people kept telling me not to paint. It was one that even I thought - "I can't paint this.

It has great variations in the wood and was just so pretty.

Alas, she had some problems with the veneer and some pretty deep scratches that just couldn't be rubbed out.

So I decided that she would have to be painted. I wanted to do something really special for this girl though. She looked like a movie star to me - so....I decided to put on the glitz.

I started with a couple of coats of  Young Kansas Wheat. I love this color because it is a neutral without being white. I also love that I can paint indoors without any VOC's or nasty smells - cuz, baby it's cold outside.

I loved this color but knew she needed a little bit more somethun, somethun. I added some metallic paint in a soft silver to the bottom drawer and jewelry box. This is a great paint by Modern Masters that I just painted on right over the CeCe Caldwell Paint. It gives a great sheen. I wanted to give her the glamorous old movie star look...so I added some mild distressing. 

After she dried a bit, I added a couple of classy stencils to the doors and some clear then dark wax - again, I used dry pigments to tint my clear wax. 

I love the CeCe Wax....again, no harsh odor and it spreads on like soft butter. 

The dark wax looks great in all of the great carved details of this pretty girl.

I love the inset mirror and am crazy about the huge mirror - which is full length. She also has a great little bench that goes along with her.

Now just to add some blingy hardware and she is all ready for her closeup.

We are official retailers for CeCe Caldwells Clay and Chalk paints. You can purchase paints, waxes, pigments and the buffing tool HERE.  We are happy to ship nationwide.

Want us to custom paint your piece? Contact us @ orphaneddecor@yahoo.com

This piece is available in store now.

We also offer classes so that you can finish your piece yourself. Class schedule HERE.

The right Toys - umm tools for the right job - CeCe makes it easier

One of the good things about having my own shop is that I get to try new things and I get to buy new toys....or tools and fun products.

I  love painting with CeCe Caldwell Paints. I love painting with a brush but my hubby likes to "get things done." So he bought himself a Graco Sprayer. I don't mind using a manual stapler but the hubby got a new compressor and staple gun. 

I don't mind sanding by hand.....ok...so that was a lie... I hate sanding by hand. My hubby bought me a Craftsman Cordless Multi tool.  I guess what I am trying to get to is that I am finally understanding what my hubby meant when he says "the right tool for the right job."

So today I decided to work on a little table that the hubby bought while out picking. It had great lines but some cosmetic problems.

She has rings and some scratches that look like they may have been inflicted by a cats claws.

So I took my little Craftsman Multi Tool Sander and made quick work of sanding the top smooth and removing the old finish. The legs took a little longer but again with the right tool it goes quick and easy.

After sanding down the top I used two coats of dark walnut stain to cover. I love how easy it i to just wipe it on and then wipe off.

The bottom legs got just one coat of Mississippi Mud - again the right tool. This paint goes on so richly and covers so nicely, it makes painting so easy.

 I love this color...kind of a neutral without being white.

Once the paint dried, which took about 25 minutes...it is cold here. I waxed with clear wax...including the stained top ( I waited overnight for the stain to dry first.)

I wanted to add some more dimension to the table so I tried something that I had not tried before but heard lots of the gals talking about. Natural powder pigments....a new toy.

We do have a wonderful dark wax but I liked the idea of being able to mix any color wax in any amount that I needed.

You only need a very small amount of pigment to do 4 oz of wax - which is plenty for several projects....a little dab will do ya.

So you take just a tiny bit - about 1/8 teaspoon and equal parts of denatured alcohol - vodka works well too. Mix this together into a paste and take this tiny amount and mix it very well into about 3 or 4 oz of wax.

Ok...do as I say and not as I do...mix it well...more well than this.

I painted it on and wiped it back and I loved the look. Really that easy...just wipe on with a chip brush and then wipe it back with a cloth.

After about an hour I got to use my last new toy....my buffing brush. If you have not tried one of these you do not know what you are missing out on. I love the look and feel of a buffed piece - it also adds to the durability of piece.

Take a look at this sweet toy.

And then you do this.

Yup, I got your attention now don't I? It whips right through buffing, removing extra wax and what a shine.

I tell ya - you gotta get one of these little babies.

So the finished product.

The top.

Sexy long and curvy legs.

All ready for a new home.

We are official retailers for CeCe Caldwells Clay and Chalk paints. You can purchase paints, waxes, pigments and the buffing tool HERE.  We are happy to ship nationwide.

Want us to custom paint your piece? Contact us @ orphaneddecor@yahoo.com

This piece is available in store now.

We also offer classes so that you can finish your piece yourself. Class schedule HERE.

We are sharing here.  

Getting my ArtSeY FaRtSEy (AF) Back

So, this past June I celebrated my 3rd Anniversary of my store.  When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them, that "I am living my dream". I really mean that....everyday I get to go to my shop and create, paint, meet great people and decorate. All of the things that I love to do and I make a pretty good living doing it. I get to try out my ideas and most of the time someone wants to buy them. A win- win for all of us.

So what is the problem with this you might ask? Well, when I first started out, I feel like I was more creative. Or perhaps, I should say,  felt like I could be more creative. Of course, I had more time then - I didn't have the customer traffic. I was talking to my husband the other day and asked him if he remembered when the store was first open....how everything was always so cute....all of the displays were perfect.... the floors always clean.....windows always washed? We would sit around in this gorgeous little store and wait for customers...but it looked great.

I spent a lot of time crafting, decoupaging dressers and tables, doing hand painting, hand lettering and sewing  and such.

Now, I have customers waiting at the door when we get to the store to open. Gone are the days, that our gorgeous displays last more than a day or two. 

Now, I am not complaining...I feel blessed for every single customer and for how busy our shop has become. 

Again, you might ask, "so what is the problem?"  Well, as our business has grown, it has become a matter of volume...the more you sell the more you have to paint to replace the inventory. When trying to increase our volume it is sometimes necessary to cut out the Artsey Fartsey stuff.  What I mean is that sometimes the plain  white or black or just blue is what sells.

Lately, I have been feeling not as satisfied with just painting something white. I want to make something different. Sometimes something blingy or unexpected....something one of kind.

Do you know the feeling? I don't just want to pump out the furniture. I want to be able to take time to make something really special. Not to say that I don't sometimes want to paint something white....I love that....but not just because I have to pump out something to fill my store.

So, I have decided that I have to find a happy medium. I need to be able to do some Artsey Fartsey (AF)stuff...and still fill the store with gorgeous things that are more mainstream.

Today, I was feeling AF.

Of course, I forgot a before picture.

I got this little solid wood desk that has a lift up top. I think it may have been a sewing machine or type writer cabinet in its previous life.

It had beautiful wood that was in bad shape in some places. I didn't want to paint all of this gorgeous wood but had to do something. I decided to leave the inserts and drawers without paint and did the top in a reverse stencil so that the wood grain would show through.

I happen to love it. I am curious to see what you think.

This color is CeCe Caldwells Vermont Slate and is a gorgeous charcoal, slate color.

You can order Ce Ce Colors online from us. Just click here.   Please know that I didn't end up doing this desk without some resistance. My Junk Hunk thinks it would be better with the top painted solid and the drawers painted two tone....what do you think? I know I am feeling better now.

Fall Classes for CeCe Caldwell Paint Workshops

I just finished putting together the class schedule for all of painting classes as well as our crafting classes through the end of the year. 

These classes are so darned much fun and make it so easy to be able to use our paints to transform your already owned pieces into amazing treasures.....a whole lot less than having to buy new furnishings!!!

Go and check out our schedule and if you like let us know which one you would like to participate in... We would love to have you.

Our monthly craft classes are great for a girls night out. Relax, laugh and craft away.
Each class includes dinner, drinks and all the supplies that you need to make some gorgeous decor for you home.

Sept. 27th - 6 - 9

We are putting together some spooky decor for your home. 

We will be doing embellished Halloween Bottles. We will teach you a couple of techniques - including bottle silvering and bottle darkening.
We will add vintage lace, custom graphics, folded papers, bit and bobs, stickers, tea dyed ribbons and lace and more to get a great look.
Here is a simple example but we will have more to see.

We will teach to you to make the ever popular sweater pumpkins - We supply the sweaters and embellishments. You can add sparkles or scary decor.

We will also make a cute Spooky Banner.

This is just one example of the banner that you can make....we will have more examples as well.

Choose 2 of these crafts for just $25.00 or Choose all three for $30.00.

We will be serving a Baked Potato Bar including all of the goodies. Chili, cheese, onions, olives, bacon. Green Salad and your choice of desert and drinks.

Please email or call asap to register. Bring your friends - this is going to be so much fun!!!!

A kick in the pants by a new CeCe Caldwell Color - Myrtle Beach Sand

 I love what I do. Everyday single day I feel thankful and blessed about the fact that I get to do exactly what I love for a living. But even with that - sometimes - I am ashamed to say - sometimes I don't feel it. I am not inspired - I DON'T WANT TO PAINT!!! There I said it.

Sometimes a piece that is great doesn't speak to me - I wait and nothing but crickets....

So when the new CeCe Caldwell Colors arrived last week. I was so excited. I was ripping every box open as quickly as I could to see the little smudge on the top of each precious can . What gorgeous colors. Each color better than the last. Now my only problem is which to use first!!!

This little dresser is solid wood and had a lot of potential...I could see this but I couldn't figure out what to do with it.

Believe it or not - customers actually came in and said that they loved what I had done with it...lol. I think maybe I have done a few too many very distressed pieces as of late.

Anyway...

I had to sand the top of the dresser because of the awful paint job. It started coming off pretty easy so I decided to try to take it all off and stain the top. So that is just what I did. Took it all off and then stained it a Jacobean and then clear waxed the top...with a little buffing it shines.

Now to decide what to paint the bottom. I had just seen a wonderful armoire  painted in our New Michigan Pine. I started to paint this piece in Michigan Pine but it just didn't seem to do the trick...so next?

I painted a nice coat of  Myrtle Beach Sand over the Pine. I originally was not going to distress this piece but when I started to lightly sand I could see the Pine just peeking out...so..I distressed. Some places to the wood and some just to show the Pine peeking through.

After a clear wax, I added some light aging wax and buffed. I love this look.

A new color is sometimes all of the kick in the pants that I need. This piece is ready for adoption.

Check out all of our new colors....might just give you the kick in the pants that you are looking for.

Orphaned Decor and CeCe Caldwell are being featured at Redoux

I was lucky enough to be interviewed and featured at Redoux Blog this morning. This is a such a fun and creative place. Go over and visit Karen and all of her great ideas and projects.

You can find her here.

CeCe Caldwell Benefit Paint Workshop featuring CeCe Caldwell

I love the city that I live in and the people that live here. I was raised in Spokane. I have moved away a couple of times but always came back home....to Spokane. Of course, all of my family are here so that is one of the big reasons. One of the other reasons are because of the other wonderful people and organizations that are based in Spokane. 

One of the those wonderful organizations is Project H.O.P.E Spokane. 

 Our Mission: “Project H.O.P.E provides the means for disadvantaged youth in Spokane’s West Central and Emerson Garfield neighborhoods to escape poverty and gang affiliation through entrepreneurial initiatives.” 

 In response to gang fatalities, neighbors of West Central created Project H.O.P.E. (a 501c3, Not for Profit). First, there was a safe place, an open gym in a church. Then, it began to teach life skills. Four years ago, they’d grown to include five community gardens called Riverfront Farms, and a lawn care business called Jobs Not Jails, both run by at-risk-youth from the neighborhood along with a variety of volunteers.

During recent years Riverfront Farms has grown to include nine garden lots, and a Farmers’ Market. Riverfront also sells produce at stores that had not previously offered more “food” than a common gas station. 

 This year, they are re-landscaping several garden plots to be more productive and sustainable. One lot is oriented mostly for education purposes. They are all volunteers. 

This program is open to kids 8 - 18 and the amount that can participate is only limited by funding.

With this in mind -  Western Regions CeCe Caldwells Paint and Products, Debi Weber Design from Paradise Valley, AZ and Orphaned Decor Present

Project H.O.P.E Benefit Workshop

September 8^th, 2012

This class will be taught by Anne Skougard -  House of Anne– Western Region Distributer for CeCe Caldwells Paint. Anne has over 40 years of experience as a decorator and knows all of the tricks of the trade.

Using CeCe Caldwell’s All Green, NO VOC’s Paints and Waxes – you will learn how to use this amazing Clay and Chalk Based paint – water distressing, sand paper distressing, layering colors, crackle finishes, proper waxing techniques and use of Satin Finish and more.

 The Ce Ce Caldwell   CeCe Caldwells Paints will also be in the house to answer all of your questions and show us some of her tricks as well.

In the afternoon, you will spend time completing a take home project provided by the Western Region.

This class is limited to 35 people per class so that we can provide everyone with one on one help as needed.

Western Region Retailers will be on hand to help you with techniques and project questions and suggestions.

Debi Weber from Debi Weber Designs  will also be in attendance and happy to answer any decorating questions that you may have.

So much talent under one roof….you don’t want to miss this event.

Refreshments, Sweets, Coffee and Tea Bar,  and a Box Lunch will be provided.

You will also be entered into a drawing to win some great prizes.

*Everything is included – just wear your painting clothes and be ready to have fun.

Book you place today by calling 509-216-7689 - emailing Orphaneddecor@yahoo.com or come into the shop.

You can also register online at http://www.orphaneddecor.blogspot.com  under classes.

A large portion of each registration will be donated to Project H.O.P.E Spokane.

This is your chance to meet CeCe in person. You can also get all of those answers to the questions that you have been wondering about....

Can you paint linoleum? Can you use the paint outdoors?  Can you mix colors? Can you wax and then use Satin finish? What other goodies are coming down the road from CeCe?

You can ask the experts.

Cost is $195.00 for a full day of fun and painting.  $100.00 Deposit upon registration and $95.00 before the class.

Farm Chicks - The Show, The Party

Farm Chicks was amazing. Amazing for a lot of reasons. Not only is there every kind of great junk but there are so many incredible displays not to mention creative ideas.

There are also the people. Lots and lots of happy people. On Saturday the early shoppers came in and quickly made their way around the loop. They were giddy with excitement. Then came the throngs. I do mean throngs.

We were in Bay 1, which is off of the main hallway and when the doors opened it sounded like a herd of stampeding elephants. You also heard hoops and hollers of excited gals. It made me big laugh right out loud.

They were dressed in vintage crinolines, tiaras, party hats, tea hats, cowboy boots, lots of bling and fancy aprons. They all came with great smiles and appreciation for all of the work that we put into our little part of the world for that weekend. They came to see and imagine and to buy - over 6000 of them.

My junk hunk came to help - thank you babe - and he said he has never seen so many happy women in his life. They were singing and laughing and pointing. It was a party atmosphere. We were so glad that we were invited.

I have a few pictures of some of  what I could see - it was hard to get away from the booth for even a few minutes - but you will get the idea.

I loved this display. It was so gorgeous.

June Bug

The Mad Cow

Lipstick Gypsies

Funky Junk Sisters

Lipstick Gypsies

Past Blessings Farm

Our Booth - Orphaned Decor

Funky Junk Jennifer

Garden Party

This is just a few of the wonderful vendors that were at the show. Just a few of the pics that we took on the few times that we could get away.

If you didn't get to come to she show this year make sure you come and party with us next year.

Farm Chicks

That's right!! We are vendors of the show that we all love. We are going to Farm Chicks!! If you have never been to Farm Chicks then you have no idea what you are missing out on. It is the most Junk Eye Candy that you have ever seen if your life. The displays are over the top incredible and the amazing ideas will get your creative juices flowing like crazy.  The show is June 2nd & 3rd at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Admission is only $7.00. You can find anything that you can imagine at this show.

We are going to be in Bay 1 and we are bringing lots of rusty, crusty, junky and beautiful finds. Lots of amazing handmade goodies too.

Here are just a few.

Come out and see our goodies and the other amazing goods.

Just a little change makes a big difference

This may come as a surprise but not every orphaned piece of furniture that we find are necessarily pretty.

Some are covered in cobwebs, some are two spider jobs, some are covered in ugly paint and some are covered in uuuuuummmmmm......other "STUFF".

It may also come as surprise that my dear junk hunk sometimes does not see the potential that I see....I know, hard to believe...I know.

I can always tell when he doesn't agree with my purchases. There is a always a big, toothy smile - you know the one - the smile that says "Really? I can't let you go anywhere by yourself." Followed by the always anticipated "Sweeeeettyyyy." Said in that shame on you tone.

I knew that I would see and hear that all too familiar "What were you thinking?" attitude...when I brought this sweet little find home.  

Now, I personally thought this piece had lots of potential, in spite of the wonderful rope handles. My junk hunk personally thought...and was willing to share those thoughts.....that I should have thrown this piece away and certainly should not waste my time painting it.

It is solid wood. It has great carved details. All of the drawers open and close great and are like new inside. What is not to love?

After I cleaned it up a bit, I filled the old hardware holes. They were really close together making it almost Then, I broke out the CeCe Caldwell Vintage White... while the junk hunk was gone.....No sanding or priming, just brush is on.

Did a little distressing to bring out some of those great carvings and then gave it a hand waxed finish...super easy. Finally, I drilled some new holes and added a few pretty as can be porcelain rose handles.

A few little changes added up to this sweet piece.

This sweetheart has already found a new home.

Not saying "I told you so...but..."

Make sure you enter my CeCe Caldwell "Green" Paint Giveaway - Sponsored by the Western Region.