testing 123....hello?
15 projects, full page bleeds, real people's homes, lots and lots of gorgeous photographs by Paige French, and writings about home and what shaped and influenced my design ideas.I am so very excited about my new book "Furniture Makes the Room" which comes out this Spring!Are you ready?xo,Barb
creativebug :: free pass
If you all have not checked out my classes on the creativebug site .....now is the time! Part 1 and Part 2 are available now...and in a few weeks Part 3 will release.. and it is all about wallpapering on furniture!There is a free pass promotion going on now, so click here and enter promo code SUMMER2015 to take advantage of the goodness! There are so many things to see and learn on the creativebug site! Fill your summer with creativity and make beautiful things!
a magical day :: creating with the best
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of collaborating with some really amazing people! Rachel Faucett of Handmade Charlotte contacted me about a new paint line making its debut and wanted to know if I would paint and create with her! Would I EVER! Rachel is one of the most creative, energetic, hilarious, and generous people that I am privileged to know....and any chance I can get to spend time with her is A ok with me!You can read all about our day together here, and if you want the full scoop on the new paint line visit here for the tutorial and the deets!Head to your local Walmart to pick up some paint, and know that I painted this entire dresser with ONE bottle....which will cost you all of eight bucks! The clear wax is amazing too.....probably on of my favorite new products. It pours out and applies very much like a polyurethane! How cool is that!?Thank you Waverly, Plaid, Walmart, and Rachel Faucett for a super fun time.....and thank you Paige French for the amazing photography! (as always!)Have a great weekend!xo,Barb
furniture refinishing with barb blair (me!) :: creativebug classes
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfUrAw5AzJo[/embed]Well friends....Part 1 of my online class series is up and running at Creativebug! (if you click on the creativebug link it will take you directly to my class page!)I hope you will enjoy this promo video, and that you will join me for some furniture refinishing fun!Lets get creative, and design cool things together!xo,Barb
earth day :: the new "gem" bulb by nanoleaf
So....you know how most LED light bulbs are just not that design friendly? At least that is how I have always felt. While there is a part of me that wants to save money and energy, the designer in me cringes at the options available.......until now.Introducing the brand new "gem" LED bulb by nanoleaf ! How awesome is this option!? The "gem" launches today...in honor of earth day....because: "it's time the world had the option to choose a beautiful decor bulb that is also good for the planet" - nanoleafSince this is an LED bulb it has a very long life expectancy, so the value is clear to see....AND this light puts off beautiful warm light! No weird blue light special here!Check these guys out on facebook and instagram !xo,Barb(full disclosure: I was sent a complimentary gem light bulb from nanoleaf, but I would not have promoted it if I did not think it was absolutely brilliant. Pun intended. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.)
creativebug :: online painting classes with knack
Hey everyone! I am so sorry that I have been a little bit silent around here the last couple of weeks!I had a really big and unexpected opportunity come up and I dove in with everything that I had. It went really, really well and I will be able to tell you about it at the end of the week! Yay! You don't have to wait long!AND....to tide you over....my online classes are launching THIS THURSDAY! I am so excited to share these classes with you all!I filmed these classes with a company called Creativebug and I absolutely cannot say enough about them! The team from Creativebug was an absolute joy and they were so skilled and professional. The week we spent together was long and tiring, but in the end new friendships were forged, great work was accomplished, and I totally cried when we all had to hug goodbye. I love you Brian, Devlin and Courtney! Thanks for being amazing at what you do!I'll be back Wednesday with more info on where to go and how to sign up!Get Ready!xo,Barb
book news || a few secrets revealed and the title
Well, as you all know....I have been working away on my second book for the last year. In one way it seems like the year has taken forever, and yet in another way it seems like a very fast and vivid dream.To say that I am excited about this project would be the worst understatement of the year.....I am STOKED! I am thrilled that with every passing day, we are closer and closer to the release of ........wait for it..... FURNITURE MAKES THE ROOM!! You see what I did there? So, we go from my first book which is called Furniture Makeovers, to my second book which will be called Furniture Makes the Room. There will be many new and exciting aspects to Furniture Makes the Room....for instance....we shot in actual peoples homes....we styled furniture multiple ways in order to show the versatility of color, we amped up the technique and really created some out of this world designs, and I do a lot of heart to heart sharing about the concept of home and what that looks like to me.I am super proud of this body of work and cannot wait to share it with you all! Thank you for your friendship and support throughout this entire journey. I am truly thankful for your words of encouragement.Things are looking really really good and I am in the world of editing and copy editing at the moment. This is the hardest phase for me since writing takes much effort for my feeble little mind, but I am thankful to again be working with the super thorough and talented team at Chronicle Books!It wont be too long now....and I promise to keep you posted along the way!xo,Barb(gorgeous photos by Paige French)
yes....just yes
image found here
I am three days away from the final deadline for Knack book two, and even though the tiredness and stress are present......the excitement is even greater!
So thankful for this wonderful opportunity, and I do not take it lightly. I appreciate each and every one of you so very much.
Make it a "heck yes" day today!
xo,
Barb