Fall Decor

Autumn is here, but that doesn't just mean Halloween for us at C'est Moi.  For our store it means beautiful, vibrant colors and warm, rich textures. This display says it all. The dresser shows off a quirky combination of Annie Sloan CHALK PAINT™.  We layered Emperor's Silk and Provence over Arles and Chateau Grey, which peek through the outer layers and dark wax ever so slightly.

Our new Dash and Albert Gypsy Rose 100 % Cotton Hooked Rug adds an off-beat elegance to the vignette. The eye-catching accessory also comes in 100% wool, for those who need just a little more warmth under their toes this winter. 

Kelly Rae Roberts is an inspiring artist based out of Portland, Oregon. Her artwork, like that of Nashville's own Emily Little, is licensed and can be seen on more than just a canvas. These tin caddies, for instance, can be used for everything from organizing a craft drawer to holding silverware.

Her artwork says it all, doesn't it? This quotation by Norman Vincent Peale is the essence of Kelly's experience and work as an artist. Like Emily, she calls herself an "accidental artist," since she discovered her talent late in life. This little accessory imbues a wonderful sense of hope and inspiration; it reminds us that we should see the possibilities all around us!

Those are just a few of our new items this fall. We'd love to see you come to C'est Moi to discover even more!

Little E Studio

Create. Explore. Dream.

Those three words summarize what C'est Moi is truly about, and no one epitomizes that better than Emily Little, owner and creative talent behind Little E Studio.  Emily walked into the store a year ago and we immediately agreed to sell her artwork. We saw the spark, but we couldn't have imagined how big this little studio would become!

Through many twists and turns, Emily became an artist who specializes in using what she calls "oops paint," among other materials. She explains on her blog that a display of her art we had behind our register, combined with God's perfect timing, led her to receive a licensing deal from Creative Co-Op!!!  That means Emily's designs are being manufactured on numerous products! This is our Little E Studio display, near the front of the store. Can you tell we're just a little proud?

Why carry a boring black cup, for instance, when you can show off your artsy side? These colorful stoneware travel mugs are both practical and stylish!

Her birdcage silhouette is one of our favorites. These metal wall pocket hooks would add a cute, quirky touch to an otherwise neutral wall or room.

Perhaps, though, you're interested in something more meaningful. This tin prayer box makes a lovely gift for anyone who needs a little boost. Her heart and soul has gone into the design, making it a special creation for those whose hopes and dreams are as big as Emily's.

You can see more of Emily's heart(s) on this beautiful stoneware plate. We're having a hard time not buying all of these for ourselves! 

Emily's artwork has also been produced on comfy decorative pillows. The bright colors (it also comes in yellow, just like the painting in the first photo!) and bold design definitely make a statement. 

We hope you find time in your week to come by and see the culmination of Emily's hard work. We are so excited that C'est Moi has been a part of inspiring others and changing lives (we hope always for the better!) And don't forget to dream; you never know where it'll take you!

Trick or Treat...

Halloween is more than a month away, but everyone knows decorating for the holidays starts in July September.  At least it does at C'est Moi.  This year we have plenty of decor to fill out your mantel, entryway, or any other area that calls out for some festive fun!  This shimmery white treat bowl puts a sophisticated spin on Halloween that everyone in the neighborhood will be sure to admire.

Some of our customers, however, prefer a more laid-back approach to Halloween. These cute little pumpkins are sure to put a smile on your face!

Our favorites, though, might be these classic figurines. Their adorable expressions and costumes bring back precious memories of Halloweens gone by. (Who didn't dress up as some sort of vampire?)  They're also the perfect size for a slim mantel or end table!

If you're looking for more permanent, enduring style this time of year, you'll find it in our latest collection of hardware. Rest assured this is not the same product you'll find at Lowes or Home Depot!  These run the gamut from fanciful and colorful to vintage-inspired neutrals.

These floral knobs, for instance, can be used to brighten up a number of various pieces around the house.  Whether they appear on a vanity, desk, table, or cabinet, they are sure to catch the eye of anyone who walks by!

Ready for a Close Up

Sometimes photographs just don't do a painted piece justice, especially when the beauty is in the details. This chandelier-in-progress, for instance, has a lot of design work that would be difficult to see if you're not in close range. Let's take a better look...

Using a chip brush to dry brush CHALK PAINT™ highlights the chandelier's embellishment. It's not always a good idea to fill in every crevice; it's usually much more interesting to not paint a piece perfectly. At least that's the way we think around here.  :)

If you just can't help but strive for perfection, though, then we have a new product for you.  We love Gilders Paste by Baroque Art.  These little beauties come in several shades that each add a beautiful metallic finish to anything they touch.

We used it with a stencil to layer over some impasto CHALK PAINT™ on a canvas.  You can use your finger, a sponge, a toothbrush(!), or a cloth to apply it straight out of the can. Or you can thin it out to use with a brush, just like a normal paint.  It's a versatile product we know you'll love!

Our last features are for those of us whose best friends are of the four-legged variety.  Wendy Day always manages to produce fun, whimsical watercolors, but these simply make our hearts melt! 

This one is our favorite.  He looks like he's having fun, and the bright blues and greens in the background lift our spirits, too!  We can always count on Wendy to radiate happiness, even when she's not in the shop!

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If you happen to be close to Hartsville this weekend, come stop by the Strawberry Patch Barn Sale!  The fun begins to day at 10am and goes until 6pm; tomorrow we'll be there from 10am to 4pm.  We look forward to seeing you!

It's All About Florence

Have a project lying around, just waiting on you to decide what color to use?  Then we are pleased to announce we have the perfect solution for you! New 4 ounce sample pots of CHALK PAINT™ are on our shelves!  You can now compare several colors at home without the commitment of buying a whole quart. Perfect for those of us who change our minds more than a few times. :)

There's one lady that we never change our minds about, though. She's Florence, of course!  Remember this bookcase we painted in Florence and Antibes Green?

How about this French piece with beautiful gilding on the front? (One of our favorites!)

Not too long ago we also shared this extraordinary frame makeover. Florence, of course, was the star of this show.  Are you noticing a trend yet?  Just keep going...we promise it'll be worth it. :)

This side table is one of our most recent designs. We painted most of the piece in Florence, while the lower shelf and drawer inset is Graphite. All it needed was a little clear wax to top it off.  We love the contrast on this piece!

We liked it so much, in fact, that we used the same colors on this bookshelf!  Florence covers most of the piece, while Graphite accents the back.

And just in case you thought CHALK PAINT™ is for furniture only, we also painted a floor covering. A bright, punchy floor mat can add much-needed color in unexpected places.

Now for the best part of this post; the quart of Florence in the picture above is the only can of paint we used to paint all of the pieces in this post!  So if you're worried about how far a quart will go...don't be. Yet another reason we love CHALK PAINT™!

We're not the only ones in love, though. The students at our advanced workshop centered around Florence learned to mix it with other colors to shade their layered stencils. One of our favorite colors is made when Florence is combined with Provence; it turns out a beautiful Tiffany Blue.  Why don't you pick up a couple of sample pots and see for yourself?  :)

The Paint and the Person

Every customer at C'est Moi knows at least a little bit about CHALK PAINT™ by Annie Sloan, but do you know Annie herself?

This video provides an intimate portrait of her inspiring work at her home in France. She turns a dark staircase into a whimsical piece of art, transforms a French armoire, and puts her design experience on full display.

After understanding the person behind the product, you'll see why CHALK PAINT™ is, in the words of Barb Skivington, "very simple but very special." 

Did you catch a glimpse of the yellow paint she mixes in the first half of the video? That beautiful color is called English Yellow, and we hope to have it available in the United States soon!

We hope Annie is as inspiring to you as she is to us; come by and pick up your own copy of her Creating the French Look to add some whimsy to your own home!

Behind the Scenes

Anyone who's come in the shop has probably noticed our nice little workstation in the back corner. If you've ever seen one of us toiling away at the table, you'll know that this is where we complete almost all of our smaller painting projects.  These craft boxes, for instance, are a great painting project for those who don't want to leap into a big commitment.

You could paint them each in solid, coordinating colors or you can use our approach.  We'll reveal the final result when their complete, but there's no need to be traditional with such a quick and inexpensive project. Try using three (or even more) colors on one box to really brighten things up! 

These 1" chip brushes are the perfect tool to try it with!  Having several of these on hand makes changing paint colors easy. They're also fantastic for painting in small crevices or cutting in edges and corners.

We'll definitely be using these brushes when we spruce up these drawers. They've been waiting for a makeover, and we can't wait to give them a little more life!

You can see from this picture just how much of a difference a little paint can make.  We painted both the frame and the mat, and they now highlight a beautiful Midori paper pattern. A quick, easy project that's easy to replicate at home! 

If you do decide to start a project, this might be your new best friend. No fancy or expensive products here; baby wipes (yes, baby wipes!) will clean CHALK PAINT™ right off your hands. Sometimes simple is best!