Finally Back!!

Happy Monday!

I am so excited to start blogging again! We have quite a lot of changes going on the past six months with starting Amy Howard At Home and releasing the new product line this past January. The Amy Howard At Home line is a variety of DIY products including One Step Paint (No prep and No Sealer! In 34 colors), an Antique Mirror Kit, Zinc Solution, Powder Paints, High Performance Lacquer Spray paints, and more! 

http://shop.amyhowardathome.com/Antique-Mirror/

I have decided to release this product line after being in the furniture industry for the past 22 years. With the way the market is these days, people are no longer selling as much of the high-end pieces so I wanted to be able to share my finishes in a different way.  After researching, I found that over ten million pieces of American made furniture are thrown away each year. I have trademarked the phrase “Rescue. Restore. Redecorate.” The idea behind being that you can easily rescue a piece, restore the piece using the At Home products, and redecorate using the piece you have saved.

I cannot believe it but already this year we have signed up over 150 retailers worldwide that are selling the products. Each retailer is required to come and attend a 3-day workshop with me to learn how to use all of the products in the line. We just returned last week from NY NOW market and are updating the website with all of the current retailers who are offering the products. They are also available at www.amyhowardathome.com.

I have reorganized and decided to have more of a regular blogging schedule focusing each week on a specific topic with emphasis on “Rescue. Restore. Redecorate.” This week I will be talking about Antique Mirror.

Today, mirrors are located everywhere…being functional or purely for decoration. Throughout history, mirrors have been valued as precious items especially with their ornate decorative qualities. Both King Henry VIII and Francis I were mirror collectors. The mirror was once worth its weight in gold. For example in 1683, a mirror 3” x 4” in size was sold for three times the amount of a Rubens painting! Many French noblemen were known to sell off their estates to buy a single mirror! What we find so common today was so very precious.

In the ancient beginnings, the ancient Mexicans were the first people to value mirrors around 4000 B.C. By 3000 B.C., the Greeks and Romans were using gold, silver, and bronze to create small handheld mirrors with beautiful embellished details.

A Roman Bronze Mirror with Hercules club-shaped handle from the 1st-2nd century AD

http://www.archaeological-center.com/en/auctions/49-346

The Romans first introduced mirrors made of glass with a metal backing in the First Century. Not everyone favored mirrors though- the early Church saw the mirror as a symbol of sin and vanity. It was forbidden for anyone in the priesthood to own a mirror up until the 14^th century. Throughout the early Middle Ages, glass mirrors really disappeared.

In the 14^th century, the excitement about mirrors returned with the invention of glass blowing techniques. During this time, many paintings include mirrors as a sign of status. Glassblowing really had a huge impact with advancements in the making of mirrors. Venice was the center of glass making and by the 16^th century, Venetians had become more focused on mirror making with inventing the way to make flat glass mirrors with a reflective backing made of bronze and gold. The Venetians were very secretive with their mirror making methods. A council was even developed to protect their ways. The most talented craftsmen were sent to the island of Murano to be isolated from the world. It was a dangerous craft with the materials and amount of heat they were working with at the time. The backings were later replaced with a mixture of mercury and tin, which ended up killing many workers in Venetian factories. This dangerous backing method was continued for about four hundred years across Europe. The monarchs began spying and espionage to unveil the Venetian’s secrets. The Spanish and French used mirrors to code and decode messages. The system had been developed da Vinci who wrote in code. Mirrors were even used in the 30 Years War to blind the enemy as well as to spy. Up until 1687, the Venetian craftsmen were able to keep their secret methods but they were bribed and taken to France where they revealed the methods. The French were then able to better the methods and created a way to cast glass in large sheets. Soon after, work began on the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.

http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/weblog.php?/weblog/the_hall_of_mirrors/

The mirror method spread throughout Europe yet France remained the key place for mirror making. Well-known designers and cabinetmakers like Thomas Chippendale and John Linnell bought large quantities of French glass to use for their English clients. The process of mirror making was so dangerous and delicate that the mirrors were very valuable.

Late 18th century Russian Mirror from The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

http://www.wilsonartcontract.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/5.3.jpg

When looking at actual antique mirrors, an antique mirror glass should not be perfect. The silvering of the mirror is most commonly worn and chips may be present. I like that antique mirrors give a sense of mystery when looking into one. Antique mirrors take away that perfection that modern mirrors have.

As an insight, mirrors will instantly make a small room feel much larger.

http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2011/07/dream-home-vanessa-and-valentine.html

With the way mirrors are now mass-produced, it is so easy to forget how precious mirrors used to be. Today, I feel that antique mirrors offer a sense of beauty and allure to a room!

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=84719

*Excited to add that the Antique Mirror Kit was featured in House Beautiful's September 2013 issue!

https://www.echodesign.com/blog/2013/08/12/echos-map-of-mexico-wall-art-is-featured-in-house-beautiful-magazine-september-2013-issue/

http://www.housebeautiful.com

Sources:

http://www.rauantiques.com/about-us/press/french-quarterly--mirrors--a-history-through-the-looking-glass-1150.html

http://www.customantiquemirrors.com/history.php

http://inventors.about.com/od/gstartinventions/a/glass_2.htm

LA Bloggers Conference

I just returned from the LA Bloggers Design Conference. It was a huge success! We met a lot of great bloggers and I also realized that I needed to blog about what I love....... FINISHES!  So, you will see my format totally change from here on out. My passion is finishes and texture and showing others how to get the "look" on their furniture and interiors. I will be going more hands on and teaching you how to! All those in favor...... say aye.

At the end of the bloggers conference, we went to see our sweet friends Brooke and Steve Gianetti. Brooke has a great blog, Velvet and Linen. They were getting their home ready to put on the market. Please don't be sad... they are starting a new journey of building Patina Farm! I was so smitten with their home. I wanted you to see some photos that were not in the book Patina Style. Here is a precious photo of their daughters room. I adored the positioning of the bed here. Also, the colors are just divine with a touch of princess whimsy.

How fab is this! Taking her original art and using the repetition of the size of the images as impact for the wall. Brooke was clear to point out how precious it is that the skunk and the cat are the same size and scale. Love it!

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The Gianetti's never used their back porch, so they decided to close it in and have it as an office and a family eating area. It was truly divine. The textures all complemented each other so harmoniously. The brick floor, original outdoor boards and the parchment books jumped out to me.

When I went upstairs, their master bedroom was at the end of the hall. There was an amazing tree that is in the back yard and was visible outside these windows. I felt like I was in this magical tree house. The planked walls, floors and patina on the furniture and fabrics were just all perfection!

Sadly, we had to leave their home and buzz over to the shop. I was totally smitten by this chest in the window at their shop. The store also is the front of Steve's very successful architectural business. He has designed homes for wonderful people such as Barbara Streisand  and Hally Berry.  The Patina to this piece is phenomenal. This finish is why I created the Toscana paint. So worn and just barely there. The accessories in the store were the crowning glory to the great antiques. All picked out by the lovely Brooke! Thank you for staying with me as I learn how to blog. I love the idea of changing my format and look forward to staying true to my passion.... finishes and teaching.

A day in my life..... running a studio/factory

I enjoy posting beautiful photos of things that inspire me. However, my  every day life of designing and making furniture is far from glamorous. I thought I would share with  you some things that we have been working on the past couple of weeks. A lot of people still are not aware that we make everything in our studio/factory. I am proud to put an American Flag on our pieces and let people know that our furniture is proudly made by American Artisans! Here is an image of my precious husband Gene and our awesome leadman Ryan. They are going over a custom cabinet that we are making for a customer.  Since 70% of what we make is custom. All of our pieces start with a CAD drawing of what we are going to make. The client signs approves it and we start the building of their piece.

On pieces that are very custom we start with drawing out the piece on plywood and seeing exactly where things will go. It also allows me to see proportion and scale of things. This is the mock up of the trim that was custom made as well as the column detail that will be on the cabinet.

It is difficult to see the scale of this fabulous china cabinet. Our ceiling height in the mill is 24 feet. Ryan had to work off a rolling ladder to work on the trim detail on the cabinet. Impressive!

The cabinet took several weeks to construct and finish. We created custom art and colors and finishing. The glass and the wire in the doors are an outstanding combination. The art work on their side of the doors are actually sliding doors that hold glasses and china.The red that is in the artwork is repeated on the inside of the cabinet and is in a toscana finish.  The inside of this piece  is set up recessed  halogen lighting to allow the clients china to be seen.

We love the designer that the client uses.. His name is Peter Ferwerda. He is based out of Florida. Many designers are afraid to work outside of the box. Peter allows his imagination to lead him in his design. We are so blessed to dream with him and make his dreams come to life! Now we have to pray that this incredible piece of furniture is shipped with care by our LTL carriers. We will be making a custom crate for all the pieces to be shipped in.

Ok... here is a sneak peek at some of my spring designs. These are some fabulous acrylic chairs that we are introducing next week. I am so excited about them. Since the chairs are simple, I had fun using a really strong fabric. The flame stitch fabric is from F. Schumacher.  I am heading out to the LA bloggers convention Friday and having dinner with our friends Brooke and Steve Gianetti. I will be sure and take photos and share what happened.

Visually simplifying our decor with built ins

I am not crazy about  large plasma screens being  the focal point of a room. When we built our home in Normandy Park we created a 4 panel screen that covered the TV above our beautiful stone mantle. I also love hinging framed prints of the same style and size. You can put them on piano hinges and they fold back beautifully. I especially liked this tv cabinet. Made from reclaimed woods with  just a waxed finish.

A room can feel more calm when everything has a place and there are not too many things sitting around. I love using built ins with hand blown glass and reclaimed woods like this piece here.

This color gray is divine with this reclaimed floor. I can never have enough storage space, especially for linens.

I especially adore this built in bookcase. Using a window as the doors makes this a major  focal point of this European kitchen. . The hardware is especially fabulous. I love being able to have a special place in the kitchen for cookbooks.

Keeping open storage spaces with no doors is also a great look.

Another fabulous example of reclaimed woods. Most reclaimed woods can cost 5 times what regular wood will. Also, they are very difficult to find. I would suggest getting #1 common oak to work with. It has a beautiful grain to open up and the number one common will have more knots and things in it.  Here's a little secret! We  open up the grain of woods by sandblasting them! Just be sure and wear great eye and head gear. Then you can wax the piece and give it an aged look. If you want to have great looking counter tops with reclaimed woods. I suggest antiqued zinc. You can go to www.amyhowardathome.com and order our antique zinc kit. It is a fabulous look on a budget.

For many more ideas and uses of reclaimed woods in interiors from this post, check out Beta-Plus series on 100 Projects using Reclaimed Woods. We are getting ready for our Rescue Restore and Redecorate tm workshop this Saturday. We have 2 spaces left. We are having the workshop at the studio. It is a big class size and you get to finish your own piece by the end of the day. We are introducing our new Parisian Furniture Paint. Sure to be a big hit! You can contact the store at 901 682 2558 if you are interested.

Decorating with reclaimed woods

I have noticed over the years that I am drawn more and more to simple lines  and great textures. I have given most of my majolica collections away and don't love plates hanging everywhere anymore. I find clean lines comforting. Order! Everything has a place and is  where it belongs. Notice in this photo, there is no large molding, no trim around the windows and the monochromatic quality everything makes it so calming. The floor is reclaimed large plank oak that has been sandblasted and waxed. It is to die for! The linen shades, windows and door are all the same color! The entire photo has great oval eye track. You go to the door first, then your eye goes to the painting and down to the bench and then to the shades. That is great design. When I was in Paris I purchased a ton of new books. This is a series of design books that are from Beta Plus. This particular post are from the book, 100 best projects with reclaimed materials.

I thought these reclaimed timbers as stairs were quite a creative way of using reclaimed beams. The floors neutral palette allows the plum velvet to become a beautiful focal point. Notice that when you want the furniture to be the most dominant it is best to have your floors and your walls the same light reflective color. Notice simple lines and no trim again!

PERFECTION!  Mid century modern influences on the sofas and a great 18th Century console with an abstract painting above it. This is interesting and comfortable at the same time. A young family can easily enjoy this room day in and day out. Notice the reclaimed large planked floor again. I have been shopping for paintings for several design clients lately. I am officially saying that I will be working on canvas again ....within the next few weeks. I have the need to experiment with en caustic as well as fresco on canvas!  I will share some photos of them when they are completed.

Can't you just hear the fire crackling .  I wanted you to notice all the reclaimed materials in this photo. The plank top is out of this world fab. As are the old bricks and beams. I only wish there were a big bouquet of flowers in the center of the table. The breakfast area below has a great painted brick fireplace surround. I love the texture of the vertical boards for the storage cabinet next to it. The simplicity and well placed pieces are so calming. Notice the storage area below the actual fireplace! Love it!

Decorating with Blue and White

I have always been captivated by all things blue and white. The combination  is such a timeless,classic look. I enjoy using dead gray and white gesso furniture with very committed patterns of blue and white. Here are several amazing examples of blue and white with cream and gilt. I especially love the French gray color on the trumeau and  bed. In Carolyne Roehm's book, A Passion for Interiors. I find a great deal of inspiration from her rooms for my painted furniture designs. I hope you will be inspired by her as well. 

Seeing that I perused all through Paris looking for barometers. I thought you would enjoy seeing what a great impact they can have in an interior. I do believe that ticking is backing a come back. I enjoy using the most classic of ticking fabrics and upholstery on a cream and gilded chair.  Since the accessories are gilded. The dead gray on this settee was the best choice.

I have collected all things delft for as long as I can remember. I especially love how she uses this cream and gray/blue detailed table with a touch of gilt with the delft container. Stunning!

A display of delft vases make a great statement here. Notice how the headboard and the foot board are completely upholstered in the same fabric. Matouk linens have some wonderful white and blue bed linens. They have several chain and scalloped designs that would allow you to recreate this look. There are some wonderful blue and white toile' that can give you a similar look.

You can easily see why painted furniture has been a past time  of mine. These dead gray finishes with just the right wear and patina.... bright blue and white fabrics just pop on these finishes. One should  be really careful to allow one to become dominant over the other. 

Decorating with Antiques

I am headed out today to do an install in one of my favorite clients homes. Installs are a lot of fun when it gets to the point that we are hanging paintings, putting in lamps and antique accessories. Everything starts coming together.   The pieces I select have a story and a patina and are out of the ordinary. Frankly, the idea of a lot of chotskies everywhere is down right scary to me. This particular  antiques dealer in Marche Paul Bert caught my eye with these fabulous angel wings. They are early 18th Century hand carved wings. We promised to give them a good home in Memphis if he let us buy them. 

I love paper mache and want to try my hand at this idea. The artist took paper mache and laid paper pulp  over an antique fragment to  create this relief statue. Then she hand painted it with just the right colors. It is hanging on this iron rod. I can see doing acanthus leaf fragments, column fragments... the list goes on.

I adore barometers!!!!!!!!!  Anytime you see a barometer  with blue and it has the original glass tubing and mercury still in it. BUY IT. This one was in pristine condition. The wooden back was still on it as well. There were no visible repairs and the gilt was 23kt water gilt. Barometers such as this one can cost quite a bit. This one was 3800 euros. I did find some at the flea market for less. However, they were not nearly as nice.

These sweet mirrors are harder and harder to find. The detail and water gilding was just divine on this one. This particular one was 8500 euros. The dollar right now to Euros was $1.30 to 1 Euro. I hope I don't bore you with costs etc.. I just know that the more I am aware of what things cost the more appreciation I have for them.

Fabulous 16th Century Italian mirror. Imagine this behind a backless sofa!

This trumeau wins the prize for my favorite! We are happy to say she is coming home with us. The detail on the little girl and the classical design was all me. The dead French gray was divine too. I love using trumeaus such as this one, in a powder room . The trumeau will be the focal point. I plan on using 2 small Italian iron and crystal sconces on either side of it.

These great 18th Century French urns were the most unusual  pink color. I just had to get them. I love working with dark graphite colors right now and these will be just the right touch. I have to have live flowers in our home all the time. I prefer to use white orchids. They last for weeks and are relatively inexpensive considering how long they last. I see these filled with white orchids.

Last but not least. I love it when these 18th Century French trumeaus that were once bright shiny water gilded mirrors have had all their gold leaf worn off. All we have left is the first application of gesso under the red bole. This dead flat gesso finish is so in right now. Especially with reclaimed woods and graphite and chocolate rooms. I encourage you to try our Parisian paint and redo one of your rescued pieces of furniture. This would be a great look on an old piece that you are redoing.