In fact it was Annie Sloan who said that to me when I attended my first workshop in Oxford. How liberating that was! Once you realise how many different surfaces you can paint, you can’t help but get excited thinking of the endless things waiting to be transformed at home.  Metal lamp stands, candelabras, concrete floors, outside sheds and of course,  endless amounts of brown or pine furniture.

I always encourage customers to send me photos of their transformations.   Actually it’s because I hate to feel left out.  (I can’t sell a pot of paint without asking…. so what’s this for…walls or furniture?)  I know I’m so nosey and want to see all the amazing  up-cycling!

Just look at our photo gallery, it’s totally inspirational!

Thank you so much for yesterday’s course. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, far more than I honestly expected to, no doubt aided by your easy teaching styles and great sense of humour!

I have talked things through with ‘him indoors’ and I have been granted ‘permission to play’ with our yellow pine furniture and interior of the beach hut or surf shack as you so delicately put it Mary!

With that in mind I would like to purchase the starter pack that you mentioned and appropriate brushes. I preferred using the slimmer brushes but will be guided by you.

My phone reception at the holiday cottage is terrible, hence the email, so I will phone you once I get home next week to finalise things. This will also give me the opportunity to look at the room colours to decide which colours I want to play with.

Below are the answers to your feedback form:
Did the workshop meet with your expectations?
Expectations exceeded.

What did dyou enjoy the most about the workshop?
Relaxed, friendly atmosphere with no pressure and plenty of encouragement. (Safe learning environment if you are PC about these things)

What did you enjoy the least?
Nothing – Even the resident guard dog didn’t bite!

Would you be interested in doing further workshops…..
Yes please – I want to get home, have a play then look to return in the near future. Probably most interested in gilding and decoupage. Might be tempted by the full day painted furniture workshp if I find myself struggling to attain your high standards!

Do you have a specific workshop you would like us to run?
Not at present

e-newsletter – Yes please. Areas of interest – Furniture, mirrors and pictureframes.

PS. I love the website -

Once again, many thanks and apologies if this message is somewhat elongated.

So This is my journey  … … …

Well who would have thought in the autumn of 2010 I would be opening my own shop with my sister Tricia and running workshops using the glorious Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ decorative chalk paint?

In 2010 I was at a stage in my life where I wanted to change my career path and do something more CREATIVE. So my throw away comments to my sister ‘wouldn’t it be fun to have our own business?’   (But what would we do?)  Was just the beginning of something we had no idea of what it might be? (Confused? Yes, we were too).

It was a hot summers day when Tricia and I were having a coffee in Great Missenden, Bucks, when we stumbled upon a small, beautiful shop called ‘Fair Lilly’. What an inspiration that was!

A few weeks later I found what could (with a lot of imagination) be a perfect little shop back in Falmouth, Cornwall. I excitedly rang Annie Sloan in Oxford. As if by fate – Annie herself answered.  ‘Do you need a stockist in Falmouth?’ I asked,  ‘Yes’ she said.  So that was it.  We were off! No stopping us now!  (We ignored the family comments – ‘so you’re going to open a shop in a recession?’ Do you know anything about retail? (Err…no)

A leap of faith … Yes, that’s what it was.

• Thursday 17 January
• Thursday 14 February
• Thursday 14 March

Spaces Limited           Book your place now!

Brook Farmhouse
Tedburn St Mary
Exeter
EX6 6DS
01647270042
07899963003
www.brook-farmhouse.co.uk

Best wishes

Hazel Sharrock