Months ago, I went to my friend JoAnn, the owner of Camas Antiques with an idea for a window display. I wanted to pull together a look that would be reminiscent of a Jane Austen novel. I imagined a cottage, furnished with romantic pieces made over with Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in soft feminine colors. JoAnn agreed to give me complete creative control of the large front window during the month of May. Right away I went to work compiling ideas and inspiration, collecting furniture and mapping out a plan. I started a
Jane Austen Board on Pinterest...a great place to pull ideas together! I consulted Annie Sloan about paint color ideas and I watched a whole lot Pride and Prejudice! I brush painted and hand waxed everything from the furniture to the chandelier with Annie Sloan products. I am so pleased with how it all came together. I am ready to move into this display... Don't be surprised if you walk by and see me sitting at the table, sipping tea!
The quote above the buffet is from Pride and Prejudice:
"If your feelings are still what they were last April, then tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed… I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." -Mr. Darcy
The book pages are from a newer college text book compiled of Jane Austen novels. I stained each page to make them look like they came from a very old book. Don't worry, I would never tear up a truly old copy of a Jane Austen novel. If you're curious about aging paper, you can read about the method I used
here.
And now, because I know how much you all love a makeover story, here are some before and afters of the individual pieces used to put together this display! Some I have previously blogged about and others I plan to feature in upcoming posts. I have provided a link below the pictures that have corresponding posts. You can also click directly on the picture for a larger view.
Read more about this frame transformation
here.
Follow
this link to see more photos of the set of 4 painted chairs.
Link to the pedestal table makeover story
here.
Here you'll find the story behind this charming cupboard.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey! Over the next week or so I want to share more about the window details...the wall coverings, the accessories, the fun little projects and the bigger pieces that I haven't had a chance to tell you about previously!
I must say a very special thank you to my wonderful mom who let me bounce ideas off of her for months, who offered much appreciated thoughts and suggestions, who designed and potted up all of the beautiful flowers and plants for the display, and who worked hard right along side of me until after midnight to pull the whole look together! I also want to thank my sweet husband for putting up with all of the paint and extra furniture throughout the house for the past few months and for offering the use of his big, strong muscles to move everything from here to there and back again! I never could have pulled this off without their support! Thank you Annie Sloan, for your enthusiasm as you offered such helpful ideas in regards to paint colors that would best reflect my inspiration!
And thank you to JoAnn for this wonderful opportunity!
Okay, I am beginning to sound a little like an actress accepting a Golden Globe...
ha ha!
And now, it's time to put my house back together and get caught up on the laundry that has piled up this week! I am looking forward to finally having some time to visit all of my blog friends as well, old and new! Thank you for sticking with me, even though I haven't been a consistent blogger lately and haven't had a chance to respond to all of your lovely comments!
I appreciate your kind words so much...more than you know!
Until next time,
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
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