stephanie – me & mrs. jones

will work for food.

May 15, 2011 by stephanie

as long as chef wally joe is manning the saute pan, that is. set to open in just a few days (pending staff training, menu tweaks, and a liquor license) acre will be a most welcome addition to the memphis restaurant lineup. though mrs. jones’s involvement was limited to the ladies’ & men’s rooms, there was no way to miss the tantalizing smells coming from the kitchen this week as things got revved up. they aren’t kidding around about the emphasis on local cuisine…chef joe and his staff even have an herb garden planted right outside the kitchen door.

here are the bathrooms, before:

gwen driscoll designed the chic and cozy interiors, and i did my best to execute her vision for the bathrooms. first, she specified a particular geometric pattern for the men’s, suggesting a trellis or lattice-work:

(relying heavily here, of course, on the unfailing assistance of my laser level.)

then, in the ladies’: walls scattered with loose, wild gardenias and a pale pink ceiling covered in little gold…well…visitors.

some process notes: working with a palette of gwen’s custom colors, i used mylar to make the stencils for each of the elements, and then brushed in the little details. (i cut a second set of stencils from lighter-weight – but less durable – mylar sheets for the men’s room ceiling…gravity being an obvious issue.) (which worked swimmingly until getting too close to the halogen lights. for those of you wondering: mylar melts. relatively quickly.)

and glaze in a deeper shade of brown was stippled on to the ladies’ walls first, to give the flowers a softer ground on which to bloom.

you enter acre through a glossy sunflower-yellow front door, and wind through a series of small dining rooms and a beautiful bar in a fab mix of materials: reclaimed barn planks, silver gilding, ebonized wood, white leather, iron, industrial metal piping, slabs of the most gorgeous marble, and shimmery dirty-copper-penny tile…it all feels like a very tony treehouse. in back, tucked behind high stone walls and enormous boxwoods, is a beautiful, quiet patio where they’ll be serving cocktails and a bar menu. it will be one of the lovliest spots i can think of to have a meal.

i can’t march on without first thanking my clients and designers who have been so patient and flexible through the many scheduling upheavals as this project unfolded, and ann nordeen parker and amy moore from gwen’s studio for their support and direction throughout. and enormous thanks to dear friends (sally, margaret, cheryl, sarah, catherine) who checked in with coffees, turkey sandwiches, diet cokes, homemade gazpacho, and all manner of support. catherine was even game enough to take brush in hand and lend her talents! i am so very grateful to you all.

island, girl

April 20, 2011 by stephanie

lovely clients have engaged talented anna baskin lattimore to help them wrap up the details of their beautiful new jeff bramlett-designed home. they were looking for a soft, furniture-y feel for their kitchen island and mrs. jones was more than happy to oblige. starting with the base coat of duxbury gray (benjamin moore # hc.163) i added anna-approved, rubbed-back streaks of puritan gray (hc.164). on top, a glaze tinted with raw umber and just a little dollop each of lamp black and titanium white was rubbed over the whole thing, and used to add water-spots and fly-specks. a low-lustre varnish seals and protects the finish. here is the before, the after, and some details:

(the perfectly constructed, gorgeously detailed cabinets were built by bob westmoreland.)

they also requested just a tiny bit of aging glaze in some of the nooks and crannies on the cabinets. anna was spot-on as usual in choosing a scheme pulled together by the de-lish wallpaper she used in the adjacent butler’s pantry.

the whole enterprise would not have been nearly as much fun without buddy, the sweetest doggie ever, and, by the way, an excellent herder.

spring has sprung

April 4, 2011 by stephanie

this weekend, meg (with the ink just dry on her red cross certification) had her first ever babysitting job for the cutest baby in the world:

charlie scored a goal in his lacrosse game:

will escorted a lovely young lady to his formal:

mr. jones kicked off turkey season at the farm:

and i was thrilled to be able to show a few pieces at the junior league sustainer art show.

what a party! what a weekend!

glammed-up pair

April 3, 2011 by stephanie

this pair of chairs was too cute and nicely made to leave behind at a recent estate sale. (though mrs. jones was unable to conjure up the name for this particular form, john tackett, the devoted classicist, has advised that they are in the style of charles eastlake, and might be labeled as being from the aesthetic movement: 4th quarter of the 19th century.) the kind of kooky carved details at the top seem sort of pagoda-like, don’t you think? anyway, in honor of prom season, and since the ladies at market central have been asking for something gilded, i settled on glam silver leaf over a black underlayer, adding a raw-umber-tinted varnish on top to protect and give a “been around a while” look.

here is the before:

(having never dissected a chair before, it was fascinating seeing what was under the dusty old uhpolstery…all those layers of stitching and padding and burlap and springs.)

and on the subject of upholstery, since there are so many different ways you could go with these (hot pink velvet and turquoise mohair were on my shortlist) i decided to leave them un-done, and to let the buyer finish them to their liking.

here is the after, and some details below

they are available at market central, and on etsy.

{and they were featured on chinoiserie chic…many thanks to lovely tastemaker beth connolly for the mention!}

sweet white light

March 28, 2011 by stephanie

lovely clients of gwen driscoll’s had this collection of sconces and chandeliers that they wanted to use together, and so she requested a unified, updated look. here they are before:

and after being treated to the high-gloss version of benjamin moore’s white dove:

(i hope to have the installed “afters” to show you soon.)

waxing poetic

March 24, 2011 by stephanie

mrs. jones recently fielded a question on using wax as part of a painted finish (with standard latex/acrylic/alkyd paint), and wanted to share a little more information in case others might have the same query. wax (as you know) is a petroleum-based product, and so acts as a fantastic sealer and protective layer on top of paint. but because it is so, well, waxy, paints and glazes will not adhere over it, and so it must be your final layer (or act as a “resist layer”…more soon on this technique.) (and if you’re using chalk paint™ decorative paints by annie sloan, or miss mustard seed’s (or other) milk paint, please follow waxing instructions particular to those wonderful mediums, since the method is a bit different.)

it’s simple to use wax over paint to protect, add sheen, and give that old-fashioned furniture feel. for an application like this, i (obviously) love annie sloan’s clear wax…it’s butter-soft, has a very low solvent content, and is truly clear (to illustrate, see photo above, and read below.) minwax’s paste finishing wax is also a decent one if you need to put your hands on a more widely available choice. myland’s and antiquax are both excellent. the list goes on and on..anyway:

with paste wax, run the bristles of a chip brush ( the 2″ size is perfect for this, as they fit neatly into most can openings) over the wax, and then brush in quick, short strokes over the surface, following your painted brushstrokes, and bearing down to spread the wax evenly. you’ll feel the brush begin to “pull” as it runs low and needs to be reloaded. let the wax dry – depending on your humidity levels, this can take 20 minutes to 4 hours – and then buff/polish with a soft lint-free cloth, like an old t-shirt, folded to the size of your hand. (if you’re using annie sloan soft wax, you can use a firm-bristled brush or a cloth for application. wipe the excess wax back while it’s still wet, and then leave it to dry, buffing later, or even the next day.) for buffing, cut-up oxford cloth shirts are a great tool, as are bird’s-eye-weave diapers.

the drawback to most paste waxes is (as shown in the photo at the top) that they can leave behind a hint of a pink-ish or amber tint, which will show on lighter and darker paint colors. over white/light paints, if you can’t easily get annie sloan’s soft wax, bowling alley wax is an option. it goes on very clear, and does not yellow over time. it buffs to a higher shine than plain paste wax…even glossier if you put on a second coat…though it requires more muscle to apply and polish.

tinted waxes (besides the annie sloan dark wax, mylands is hands-down my favorite line, but there are plenty available – your local antique shop will probably stock a great choice, too) give you wax and color in one step. (peek here to see a project using tinted wax on raw wood, and here for a restoration project.) over lighter shades of paint, wax containing a tint such as raw umber, antique pine, or dark brown will leave behind a yummy patina and a nice aged effect. black tinted wax over black paint gives beautiful depth. brush it on as thinly as possible, and if buffing with a cloth doesn’t remove as much as you want or give the desired sheen, try going over the surface very gently, and with the grain, with 0000 steel wool instead*.

(word to the wise: tinted waxes should not be used on a piece that will come into close contact with light-colored fabrics, since there is a chance that some of the pigment might rub off from, say, a dining room chair on to your aunt louise’s new white blouse, or from the bed headboard on to that fabulous ivory pillow sham you just brought home.)

if the wax is too firm to brush on easily, set the whole tin in a pan of hot water to soften it up, or leave it to sit in a sunny window for a little while.

*one other little trick to have up your sleeve is to apply a thin, very sparing dusting of rottenstone to the surface just after you brush on the wax. when you’re ready to buff, the rottenstone acts as a gentle abrasive, bringing up the shine and making the work go a little more quickly. it will leave just a tiny hint of dusty gray behind where you’ve sprinkled it, another great way to “age” a newly painted surface. using a small (1/2″ or 1″) chip brush, dip just the tips of the bristles into the rottenstone, and then tap the brush gently above the waxed surface to distribute the dust. (richard martin, long the king of fabulous painted finishes here in memphis, has a signature look to his work that includes a dusting of rottenstone left in all the right nooks & crannies. it is perfectly gorgeous.)

and, finally, don’t toss your waxed-up chip brush…ziplock-bag it, and keep it for next time. the bristles might become stiff, but will soften up when you start working with it again.

mrs. jones is getting tara-fied

March 22, 2011 by stephanie

and it really could not be more exciting. it may be a bit premature to share this, but i’ve just received the “draft” pages of a new and improved website from the incredibly talented tara snn, and am so thrilled. so please stay tuned for a terrrrific new online me & mrs. jones, coming in the next couple of weeks.

in the meantime, please forgive any technical hitches and/or glitches while things get switched over. ( though knowing tara, it will all be smooth as silk.)

bebe moderne

March 13, 2011 by stephanie

a very lucky little baby is due to arrive at any moment, and will go home to a snazzy nursery, done up with pale gray/blue walls, some yummy bittersweet chocolate brown, happy hits of orange, and super-cute jungle animal accents (think jonathan-adler-esque) mixed in with a bold graphic (think the iconic kwid trellis – but in coffee and white.) this mid-century dresser, from the dad-to-be’s family, has been freshened up with benjamin moore’s white dove and a high-gloss treatment. the original hardware received a platinum makeover. here is the before:

(sorry it’s a little jumbled up.)

and after:

it’s gone from bachelor-pad-groovy to sweet and chic, i think.

the lamp had been red with gold, but was the perfect size and style for the room. (please forgive the lack of a “before” photo.) after stripping and priming, it was painted in bands of brown: benjamin moore’s brown sugar and pratt & lambert’s obsidian. i gave it a final rub-down with myland’s antique brown wax. (and immediately began craving chocolate chunk brownies.)

the pieces are on their way to clarksdale, mississippi, as the lovely expectant mother practices her breathing excercises and watches the clock. i hope to have photos soon of the completed room to show you.

extra, extra

March 10, 2011 by stephanie

read all about it …many thanks to emily keplinger at the commercial appeal for the nice profile today, and to beth humphreys moore for snapping the photo (though i didn’t get the much-needed katie-couric-style extreme photoshop treatment, and she did not get credited for the image. oh well.) mrs. jones is just not quite ready for her closeup, but very much appreciated the opportunity to discuss her beloved little biz.

mantel makeover

March 9, 2011 by stephanie

lucky, lovely clients of robin selberg’s have this cozy fireplace in their master suite. the mantel, an addition by previous owners, just didn’t quite blend in to their serene scheme. after removing the wax, i sealed it up with a primer, put on layers of paint to match their existing trim, and added just a tiny bit of tinted aging glaze to soften it up. here is the before and after:

marching on in

March 6, 2011 by stephanie

the new month has come in like that proverbial lion, with all kinds of exciting “befores”…hope you’ll check in soon for the results.

sweet suite

February 25, 2011 by stephanie

a lovely client has a set of this sweet furniture…two dressers, two nightstands, and a mirror. she requested a lighter, feminine look for them, with just-slightly-aged cameo white (benjamin moore #915) and a bit of rubbed-back gold to accent some of the details. here is one of the nightstands, before & after:

(edit, 3.31.11: how fun to see similar pieces on pages 77 & 78 of high gloss…sarah tuttle creates a chic mix, does she not? i will be looking for more like this at the flea market!)

down under, a devotion that’s golden…

February 24, 2011 by stephanie

whew! wasn’t sure i could work all that into one post title…but wanted to let you know about three friends who are publishing very entertaining and interesting blogs. john j. tackett is a most accomplished and well-schooled architect (not to mention a truly lovely gentleman.) a citizen of the world, he has a wonderful national reputation, and is a pillar of the design community here in memphis. read the devoted classicist, and you’ll see why i count myself very lucky to be included in his wide circle of friends.

The Devoted Classicist

mrs. jones is thrilled to have recently become a “hedgie”, and has had so much fun getting in on aussie blogger millie’s adventures – both hilarious and touching – in travel and design, over the laurel hedge.

The Laurel Hedge

catherine golden (of domino fame), a long-time friend and inspiration, has recently begun penning the golden touch. cat is a full-time attorney and all-around cool chick with a passion for design and art history. you will be amazed at her thrift shop finds and the projects she manages to pull off on the weekends!

if you have found your way here via their kind direction, welcome, and please make yourself at home, and happy reading.

feeling treasured

February 23, 2011 by stephanie

mrs. jones is feeling oh-so grateful to her fellow etsians for being included recently in these wonderful treasuries: rainbow sherbert (all those yummy colors…delish!), green damask (so many ways to use damask, so little time!) and pink is a girl’s best friend (the raspberry table again, in sweet, blushing company.)

take a peek if you have time. happy etsy shopping.

wild (& mild)

February 9, 2011 by stephanie

until mr. jones lured me to memphis from chicago, i had never heard of a hunt supper, had never been to a wild game dinner, or been part of a supper club – all traditions now dear to me. our supper club has entertained us in great style…everything from a swank kentucky derby party to a patio fish fry to a lavish dinner in a wine cellar…so there was just a little pressure when our turn rolled around this month. but, spotting the pile of farm-wear by our back door, and knowing that the recent bounty of hardeman county included plenty of duck, venison and quail, the theme became obvious: a wild (& mild – we put some pork tenderloin on the menu, too, just in case…) game supper.

and so, the muddy assortment of hunting boots became part of the decor, along with antlers and turkey feathers, flannel table runners, and rustic candle holders that mr. jones fashioned from farm-found firewood. (and if you’re looking, paperless post has – under “images”, between the venetian mask and baby’s blocks – a pair of maine hunting shoes with which to embellish your card.)

(between hostessing duties and a couple of three buck fevers, my camera sat waiting…many thanks to beth for picking it up and snapping these little details for me! as for those little deer in the dessert…holly at the thin veil made sure they were here in time to adorn the chocolate pots de creme.)