Category Archives: Tutorials

Will feature step-by-step instructions on how to do various decorative painting and decorating projects

A Blog Reader’s Wrought Iron Staircase Dream Come True

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Linda
closeup of wrought iron flower with gold paint

I just love it when readers of my blog call or email me to help them create a dream they have in their head for their home.  One reader (actually a husband and wife) emailed me a few months ago … Continue reading →

2 Comments | Posted in Decorative Finishes, interior design, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials

Napoleonic Blue and Old White Chalk Painted Demilune with Stencil

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Linda
closeup of Chez Sheil stencil on half moon table painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints

Here’s a great little $5 demilune table that I found on Craigslist. The owner said to me “It’s only half a table and that’s why it’s $5.”I said “No problem – I’ll be right over!” I guess she didn’t know … Continue reading →

3 Comments | Posted in Annie Sloan's chalk paint, Decorative Finishes, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials

Creating Some New Finishes and Designs for Cafe Havana in Smithtown NY: Part 1, The Grasscloth Finish

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Linda
green and brown color scheme in Cafe Havana in Smithtown NY

Back in 2008, I had the pleasure of meeting Eddie Rivera, who was taking over an Italian eatery – and turning it into a Cuban restaurant. We got along very well at our first meeting and soon I was helping … Continue reading →

Leave a comment | Posted in Benjamin Moore, Decorative Finishes, interior design, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials

A Hand Painted Miniature Swedish Mora Clock

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Linda

Last summer, a friend of mine – Anthony {who is related by marriage} suggested to me that my reproduction Mora clock in the entry would look great if it was painted red.  I would have never considered that color in … Continue reading →

26 Comments | Posted in Annie Sloan's chalk paint, interior design, Paint, Tutorials

A Rustic Plaster Wall, an Antiqued Bookcase and a Great Client and Friend

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Linda

I love it when one of my clients becomes a friend. She was a great client to work for (a little picky, but  she knows what she wants and she’ll wait to find the right furniture piece, the right wall … Continue reading →

2 Comments | Posted in Tutorials

An Easy Christmas Craft

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Linda

Have you ever bought a greeting card that you just had to buy because you wanted to make something like it?  Well – this happens to me all the time {which is why I have a ton of cards – … Continue reading →

Leave a comment | Posted in Tutorials

Easy Ways to Gild and Use Metallics on Moldings and Furniture

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Linda

I may be impetuous most of the time but there’s one thing that I do that involves some level of organizing and planning – I make samples before going all out on a color or technique for a wall, molding … Continue reading →

5 Comments | Posted in interior design, Tutorials

Using Metallic Foils: For Artwork and Embellishing Other Surfaces

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Linda

I was in Marshall’s the other day shopping for a client in NYC.  I was staging his huge apartment that needed a lot of work.  I was buying some soaps and other toiletry items for his barren bathrooms (he has … Continue reading →

7 Comments | Posted in Tutorials

Revamping an Old Chair for a New Purpose

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Linda
a rocking chair finished with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

This week I was asked to stage a vacant home in Malverne NY.  It’s a lovely Dutch Colonial that has a great, homey feel to it.  When I looked at the home for the first time, I jotted down my … Continue reading →

15 Comments | Posted in Annie Sloan's chalk paint, Decorative Finishes, Home Staging, interior design, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials

Gold Leafing and Antiquing a Fireplace Mantle

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Linda

When I finally convinced my husband that we needed a kitchen renovation, I figured that if I got him that far…let me see if I can also get another room added on – a great room, off the kitchen.  Amazingly … Continue reading →

13 Comments | Posted in interior design, Tutorials