Color Palette Inspiration for the Lacquer

I was on Pinterest looking through images and this caught my eye as inspiration for a color palette. I love the warm hues with the bright light coming into the room. It feels very organic to me. The following are similar color palettes for inspiration to use the Amy Howard colors in the Lacquer!

Create a luxury life the DIY Way using the Amy Howard At Home products!

www.amyhowardathome.com

Doors

As a part of architecture and interior design, doors are a huge part of design. They are the entryway, the welcoming, the departure, the passageway, the opening, the closing. Depending on what type of door it is, the possibilities are endless.

"Where one door shuts, another opens."

Before and After: Jody Hammett from Apres

Our third place winner for the Before and After Contest is Jody Hammett from Apres in Louisiana. He actually owns 3 locations that carry the Amy Howard At Home line.

The project that he submitted was this fabulous screen that he so cleverly used the Citron Lacquer to finish the frame and then Antique Mirror Kit to antique the mirror that he attached to the screen framework.

Before:

After:

Amy: What made you decide on the color and techniques that you used? 
Jody: When I found the screen, I immediately wanted to lacquer it and replace the fabric panels with mercury mirror. I  thought it had the potential to become a more contemporary piece, so  I chose that combination to make the greatest change.

Amy: What were your thoughts when you deciding how to restore your piece?
Jody: I thought from the beginning that it would be a cool piece.  I kept wondering if I chose the right color.  I couldn't decide if I should go with a neutral color that would appeal to more buyers or something eye catching  that would take the right buyer. Ultimately, I decided to go with a bright color, and I thought citron would be best.

Amy: What do you like the most about your finished piece?
Jody: I like the mirrored panels.  They really made it become a different piece.

Amy: Did you sell your piece or keep it for yourself? ​
Jody: My intention was to sell the piece.  However, my wife really liked  it so it found a home at our house.  

Amy: What is your favorite product to work with and why? 
Jody: I enjoy working with all of them because they are easy to use.  Its hard to narrow it down to one because different projects require different techniques. However, I do tend to use the lacquer, antique mirror kit, and gold leaf the most.

Après inside The Shops at 2011 Magazine
2011 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 407-0499
jody@experienceapres.com

Après inside Pink Pelican Art
7809 Jefferson Hwy, Suite B-2
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 330-3902
jody@experienceapres.com

Après inside The Foyer
3655 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 343-3655
jody@experienceapres.com

Before and After: Michele Hiley from Stiltskin Studios

As I previously mentioned on the last blog post, we had a Before and After Contest for the Retailers. I am thrilled to announce the 2nd place winner, Michele Hiley from Stiltskin Studios in Florida.

Before:

After:

Amy: What made you decide on the color and techniques that you used? Michele: This sweet little table has great lines...it just begged for a bright, vibrant "look at me" color. Orchid is gorgeous, and a touch of silver on the "feet" seemed like a playful touch.  We used only clear wax because we wanted a more modern vibe.

Amy: What were your thoughts when you deciding how to restore your piece?Michele: We look at the lines, the condition of the piece, etc and  try to determine what colors and techniques will best suit it.  We try to honor a bit of it's origins when we can.  Usually, though, I just decide on a whim and go for it. It's easy to over-think color when there are so many wonderful options!  Amy: What do you like the most about your finished piece?Michele: I adore how the bold color makes the curvy lines of this simple table go from ho-hum to ROCK STAR. 

Amy: Did you sell your piece or keep it for yourself? Michele: Sadly, we rarely keep anything for our own home.  This piece is presently for sale.​

Amy: What is your favorite product to work with and why? Michele: One Step is our most used product.  I love it's versatility and durability. The paint mixes well to create new shades, takes wax beautifully, and the finish is virtually damage-proof!  So many options for finishes- clear wax, dark wax, Dust of Ages, Cracked Patina... what's not to love? 

Stiltskin Studios

26 Hibiscus Street

Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727) 320-2145

stiltskinstudios@gmail.com

Stiltskin's Website

Stiltskin's Facebook page

Before and After: Erin Hughes

We decided to have a Before and After Contest for our Retailers to submit pieces of furniture or projects that they had completed. We had so many awesome submissions and I am excited to share with you our first place winner today- Erin Hughes Designs.  Erin is a mother of three little girls, a photographer, and now "thanks to Amy Howard's wonderful line of products, I'm one that loves to rescue, restore and redecorate!!"

Before

After

The Buffet is One Step Credenza, Cracked Patina, Wax and Dust, and Zinc Top.

I asked Erin the following questions about her refinished buffet.

Amy: What made you decide on the color and techniques that you used? What were your thoughts when you deciding how to restore your piece?
Erin: My vision for this console was a potting shed style piece that felt clean but also showed age as if it had been used for that purpose for years.  I chose the One Step color Credenza because I thought that it would pair with the zinc top beautifully (I also just adore that color!).  I used the zinc finish to give a modern and clean work surface (the original top was just a plain brown painted top).  I then applied the cracked patina to add age to the piece.  Of course, I finished everything up with light wax, dark wax and dust of ages!

Amy: What do you like the most about your finished piece?

Erin: I love the color tone combination of the cool green/blue Credenza and the gray/green of the zinc top.  It feels calm and peaceful to me.

Amy: Did you sell your piece or keep it for yourself? ​
Erin: I actually just finished this piece on Sunday, right before the deadline!  So I have yet to bring it to the shop for sale, but that is my plan.

Amy: What is your favorite product to work with and why? 

Erin: Right now, I am really enjoying the Cracked Patina.  It's allows me to get in to the paint with my hands and add texture...it truly makes each piece unique and I love that you can use it to a small degree or really go for it to create a multi-layered product.

Erin Hughes Designs
inside Remnants Antiques
300 South Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624
(864) 226-1002
echughes@mac.com
Erin's Blog
Erin Hughes Designs' Facebook page

Featured Retailer: The Royal Room

Their front window display

Our Featured Retailer this week is The Royal Room located in Houma, Louisiana. Stacie Theriot is the store owner who has been working on many DIY projects using the Amy Howard line.

The Amy Howard At Home Display

Inside the retail location

Chest painted with the Amy Howard At Home paint inside the store as display

Projects:

Before: Cabinet

After: Beautifully refinished with the One Step Paint in Luxe Gray

Before: Side Table

After: Painted in the Rugo and Charm School One Step paint colors

Before: Iron Table

After: Fun pop of color with the Easton Green Lacquer

The Royal Room Finishes & Interiors

309 Goode Street, Suite 1C

Houma, LA 70360

(985) 637-8146

theriot_ms@me.com

The Royal Room's Facebook page

Hours:

Tuesday through Friday 10am until 2pm

Saturday 10am until 3pm

Zinc Table Tops

Zinc dates back to the ancient times where impure forms were used. Judean brass from the 14th century contains about 23% which is the first known finding of the element. It was not distinctly recognized until 1374. 

Major uses of zinc include galvanizing, alloys, brass and bronze, and other miscellaneous ways in the United States. The metal is most commonly used as an anti-corrosion agent. Galvanization is the most common form of using zinc in this way. 

It is often today found in more industrial and modern furniture. I especially love to mix it with the new and old.

Inspiration to make your own Zinc Table Top!

Fun use of color for the bottom of the table top

Or how about outside

Create a luxury life, the DIY way!

The Antiquing Zinc Supplies are all available here!