Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Hello old friends and a big welcome to all my new readers ...happy to have you back at the nest once again.
So today I want to talk about stepping outside your comfort zone. 
Whether it is trying a new craft, art form or even a new job, the idea is the same.
Don't worry about messing it up or failing, because if you never try....I'm here to tell you that you have already failed.
This week I stepped out of my comfort zone of paint colors and went bold
REALLY 
BOLD!

Have you seen this fabulous website?

These girls are so brave with their color choices and I love that!
Kind of a "Go Big Or Go Home' attitude.

 I bought this three shelf accent table of a guys front lawn.
I think he felt guilty asking $10.00 for it. I know I felt guilty giving him just $10.00.
OK...not really
Sweet little table with brass feet and an unusual trio of wide shelves.
A nice solid table....but a little boring and the top was messed up a bit.
This quiet table is about to get the shock of it's life...

 Let the 'shock and awe' begin!


Well here she is in all her Antibes Green and Paris Grey glory.
I was very nervous with those first couple of green brush strokes...I have to be honest, but I really like the end result.

I love the green and grey pairing....really love it.
After some clear and dark wax, I loved it even more.

Look how smooth the distressing is...like a true age worn piece.

I cleaned up the lion's head just enough to let some shine come through while still leaving some of the age intact.
He looks proud to be anchoring this new bold table.
My Antibes table is headed to my Fox Den space to hopefully find a good home.

Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone?
Tell me about it!

Until next time....be kind and stay creative.

Sharing my bold move with these fun blogs:
Hope Studios (see side Bar Button)

30 comments:

Kelly Ann said...

WOW..you really did step outside the box...
xoxo
KA

Gretel said...

Ooh Janet, if I lived nearer and not several thousand miles away - and if I had more room - and money - and all that - I'd snap that little table up for my studio! It is lovely and the lions head is wonderful.

Nelly said...

I love it!!! Serioulsy I have to start not being scared of distressing my painted things.

Anonymous said...

Now that's what I'm talking about! What a perfect piece for a sunroom!

Tami AKA My Kid's Mom said...

Love the green (but then I love anything green)!

Annette said...

Wow, it's gorgeous! The color combination makes it irresistible. You're getting really good at the distressing thing!! I was looking at fabric the other day and came oh so close to choosing something that wasn't my 'normal' color and design. I've been thinking about it ever since and I might just go back and get it. I have no idea what to do with it, but that's ok!

Unknown said...

Turned out beautiful !

Lydia Armstrong said...

Cute! I love the lion knockers.

Claire said...

Wow, Janet, you more than stepped outside your comfort zone and look at the result, stunning.

Love, love, love the colours and what a bargain, can't believe you paid only $10.00.........actually, yes I can believe it.

Love the little details, the brass feet and the Lion's head, gorgeous. It's really going to stand out at The Fox Den.

Talking about stepping out of your comfort zone........A couple of friends and myself have decided to run the local art show. It was it's tenth anniversary last year and the organisers were going to take a break, but we love it so much we have put our hands up to keep it going..........Not sure what I have let myself in for , but I am out of my comfort zone big time, woo hoo.......

Claire X

Kathleen Grace said...

Adorable! But I've alwyas loved bold bright color. For me "out of my comfort zone" would mean beige! lol

The LadyBugs Garden said...

I think it is very pretty! You are right, be brave if we don't like it just paint it another color!
xo
Stef

Trish Naylor said...

HI Janet... Thanks for the shout out!!! We are so happy that you love the color as much as we do...YUM!!!
Trish & MJ at www.hueologycompany.com

Atelier Conti said...

That Antibes table is a real sweetheart. I especially love the lion detail and how you made them shine. The green is fun and I can imagine that it would be just perfect in certain spaces. I tend to like the pastels better for my own space but there's definitely room for every color of the rainbow somewhere or other. I don't know how you find all these very cute pieces of furniture. You are becoming such an expert refinisher. It's a marvel to behold.

Kellie Collis said...

What a beautiful color! So fabulous! Have a lovely day, Kellie xx

Lisa said...

Hi! It's cute. How did you go about sanding it? Machine or by hand and what grit? Also, did you sand before or after wax?

I'm not into distressing normally, but I like what you did with this. Smooth.

Jennifer Juniper said...

I love nice bold colors! This is a great green and will really catch customer's eyes when they pass your shop. It was a risk worth taking :)

Leslie said...

Nice job. I love the bright hue of antibes. Reminds me of furniture that my grandparents had in their weekend cabin. I'm planning to revamp much of the furniture in my house, some with old finishes, some unfinished. Hopefully soon I can start on some of it. As for stepping out of my comfort zone, my entire life is outside my comfort zone these days. I just hope soon to have the resources to dive into some of the projects that have been waiting (and waiting) for me to get to. And yes, to go bold, with some of it. :-)

Rustown Mom said...

I'm trying to work up the courage to paint my kitchen chairs some funky colors - a different one for each of four chairs to match some colors in an ikea apron. crazy, right? Just waiting on the weather to cool a bit...

Prettypinkcherub said...

Beautiful and Bold!! Fabulous job sweetie!!

Aprons and More said...

Very Fun!! Will make a great accent table for someone lucky enough to buy it!

Katy :)

6th Grade said...

love it! you did an amazing job! i've got my can of the same color and you've inspired me to dive right into it today!!

amy

Unknown said...

I took a sneak peek as you put it here and loved what I saw. Your title Go Bold or Go Home caught me attention. lol I just posted on Miss Mustard Seed asking for advice on my kitchen redo project. I am hoping you circle back and see it. I would love your opinion. :) Thanks. I would put the direct link here, but don't want this comment to look like spam. :)

Little Blue Mouse said...

Bold is beautiful! It looks fab.

Funnily enough I've just stepped outside my comfort zone by doing some refashioning without a pattern. Woohoo!

Kahli said...

Oh it is just gorgeous. I love bold colors! So I'm not afraid to go bold. But I love a good gray as well. Great job and I know it will sell!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I'm right there outside of the box with you. I love it!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love your table makeover. I may have to try that color. That was one heck of a buy! Thanks for sharing at Wow.

Anonymous said...

Hi janet..I try to always stay outside the box ..its what makes the piece unique..I make sculptures from bottles..I tend to stay afro-centric except for my clowns..and like you I do small funiture items ..the next time I am in Hyde Park I most definetly will stop in..mucho congrats on your success..Roxanne Cave

Marigene said...

I love bold colors and your little table fits the bill...gorgeous!

oily rag can said...

The color combination makes it irresistible. You're getting really good at the distressing thing. I make sculptures from colourful bottles, you can get its idea from my personal blog.

Anonymous said...

Your style is so unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've
got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark
this page.
my webpage > act tests registration