I just wanted to say a super brief thank you to all of you, in your hundreds who have taken the time to email me your support and kind wishes following my decision to step back from the Painted Love Academy for the time being to focus on my family. I have loved...
Once again I am proud to be involved with this initiative, (previously called White Monday). It's the Monday before Black Friday when we encourage Circular Alternatives. I launched my Painted Love Academy in 2018 in the hope of reducing my footprint by flying less...
In a world that's gone mad with consumption and buying 'things' I'm proud to get behind #whitemonday on 25th November 2019. Although it's the campaign's 3rd year, it's the first time I've heard about it. It began in Malmö in Sweden, a country I visited in my first...
It's hard to believe it's almost the end of 2019 - where has this year gone? For me it's been the usual whirlwind of travel, live teaching, filming tutorials, styling articles, doing Grand Designs Live twice and achieving the next step of our dream home by moving...
Create your own lead planter with decorative ironwork embellishment! How would you like to make this charming rustic planter? It’s a design, build and paint DIY project that has taken me so long to launch because I have had such a ridiculously busy year! Firstly I...
This is me at the heart of the most lovely family business, designed and created by the Iron Orchid Design sisters. Here I am sitting on the sofa, with the beautiful Josie Celio and Sally Griswold, two gorgeous women who love all things vintage and DIY and,...
I've found that on this crazy furniture painting journey of mine that amazing opportunities just come my way without me really looking for them! One such opportunity was the chance to demonstrate my unique painting techniques at Grand Designs Live at London's Excel...
One of the things I love most about being a well known furniture artist is that I get to work with some seriously lovely people, like Carol & Jaime, the co-creators and founders of Saltwash. Around this time last year I become Global Creative Ambassador for...
I have a thing for texture and antiqued patinas as those of you who've followed me for a while will know. In the search for ever more creative backdrops for my painted furniture, I think I might have found something that suits my style. What do you guys think? I...
First coat on my demonstration piece - by popular request it was all about Faded Grandeur! On Monday I had a wonderful time visiting the Netherlands for the very first time by invitation of Annie Sloan Europe HQ where I taught about 20 Annie Sloan paint stockists...
I've always loved Chinoiserie style furniture and been in awe at the wonderful hand-painting techniques that make them stand out. Although I can hand-paint, (totally self-taught) I recently found a way of using Iron Orchid Designs to 'cheat' a little on the...
This has to be one of my favourite festive projects - transforming a charity shop find into a beautiful centrepoint for my Christmas mantlepiece. I love the curvaceous beauty of musical instruments and a violin was just the right size to create a focal point in our...
If you find a sleigh or sledge in the shed why not give it a quick make-over for the festive season with some of my favourite Christmas colours? I used Burgundy and Olive but you could use Primer Red and Chateau Grey by Annie Sloan and a light neutral like Old...
If you want to add a bit of sparkle to a windowsill, welcoming porch or mantlepiece but without the worry of candles or tealights then you might like to try making my glittery Christmas lantern. It's super quick and easy and one that children might enjoy too. I...
Handpainted Vintage Angel Bureau Desk Storage by Jonathon Marc Mendes - £295 A beautiful vintage bureau from around 1930s with shapely legs and ball and claw feet. Offers lots of useful storage with 3 drawers and pull down desktop lid with painted faux leather...