Distressed For Success!!

Are you looking for a way to refinish your kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities or a piece of furniture? Well, then you have come to the right place!! These paints will blow you away! Look no further! With the Caromal Colours paints there is no need for Stripping, Sanding or Priming!! I’m not kidding you! All you have to do before you start painting is clean your piece with something like Simple Green, rinse and let dry! You can achieve all kinds of different looks….like a nice soft distressing or no distressing at all…all the way to a chunky aged finish! We are backed by Country Living Magazine and more than happy to answer any questions you may have! Come back for more pictures of finishes that I’ll be posting right here!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR FURNITURE AND CABINET PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below. Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order! If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE:  MartiC   WHEN YOU ORDER!CLICK THE SIGN BELOW TO TAKE YOU TO THE CAROMAL STORE.  THANK YOU!!

Stacy’s Powder Bath….

Caromal Colour Black Distressed Cabinet

My client was tired of the same old golden oak vanity in her powder bath, but wanted a quick and easy fix.  She didn’t want to replace it, she wanted to refurbish it.  Caromal Colours to the rescue!! She knew she wanted a distressed finish, but wasn’t real sure of the final look she was after. So we played a little. As you can see in this picture I am applying the Textured Basecoat “Peppercorn” straight onto the vanity. Remember, with these products there is no need to sand or prime!!  It can go right over the existing finish, as long at it is clean and dry.

The sample I had created for her previous to starting was a Barnworn finish from Caromal Colours. I used the Textured Basecoat Peppercorn, followed by a layer of Chipping Creme, then a coat of Textured Basecoat Pumpkin, then Toner and topcoated.  However, once I had the first layer of Peppercorn on the vanity, Stacy decided she really liked the color and wanted the top color to be the Peppercorn. So what I had to do was once the Peppercorn was dry, I went right back over it with the Pumpkin color. We wanted the Pumpkin to show through the Peppercorn. Still with me? So here is a picture of me putting the Pumpkin color over the Peppercorn color. (Please excuse the bad photography, but my DH took these pictures with my cell phone!)

Once the Pumkin color was dry, I applied a good layer of the Caromal Colours Chipping Creme…this product is what is used between two colors so that you can quickly and easily sand the top color back to expose the color underneath.  As soon as it was dry, I went right back over it with the Peppercorn color.  Thank goodness the Textured Basecoat dries fairly quickly and covers soooo good!  Stacy was really happy that I didn’t have to spend a lot of extra time or spend a ton of money on more products just because she had changed her mind.  It only took me about an extra hour to make the quick change.  After the Peppercorn Textured Basecoat was dry, I gave it a quick sanding and then sealed the cabinets with a wipe on poly as a topcoat…and to give it durability!

If you notice this finish has a good amount of texture to it. Don’t be fooled by the name Textured Basecoat….you can achieve different looks with it. For this piece we wanted a lot of texture. So all I had to do was smoosh each layer on randomly….easy as pie!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR NEXT HOME PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below. Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order! If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE:  MartiC  WHEN YOU ORDER!

I ONLY GET CREDIT FOR YOUR ORDER IF YOU REMEMBER TO USE MY CODE SO THANK YOU!!!                     MartiC

Country Pumpkins!

First I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  I certainly have a lot to be thankful for in my life and will spend tomorrow reflecting on just how blessed I really am!

So I have this new (old) to me hutch that I picked up at an estate sale a few weeks ago.  I plan on putting a new finish on it….as soon as I can make up my mind what I want.  But in the meantime, I thought I’d decorate it with some pumpkins that I purchased at Hobby Lobby for a song and applied a distressed Caromal Colours finish on them!  Easy, peasy!

These pumpkins were made of paper mache and all I did was smoosh on different colors of the Caromal Colours Textured Basecoat, distressed with some sand paper and added the Caromal Colours Toner! Told you it was easy! Another great project for the DIYer on a budget!!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR CRAFT PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below. Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order! If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE:  MartiC  WHEN YOU ORDER!

I ONLY GET CREDIT FOR YOUR ORDER IF YOU REMEMBER TO USE MY CODE SO THANK YOU!!!                     MartiC

Gilded Holiday Mason Jar Lanterns!

Here is a great idea to add some charming holiday spirit to any table setting!  And it’s inexpensive as well!

Here is a list of supplies you will need.

Decorative snowflakes made with paper punches and quality card stock paper.
Painters Tape
Caromal Colours Sticky Size
Caromal Colours Silver and Gold Leaf (You could use the copper as well)!
Caromal Colours Toner if desired.

Wrap tape around the jar to create a guide.  Apply the Sticky Size with a foam brush and let sit for about 3 minutes.

Next, place the paper snowflakes to the mason jar.  They should stick to the sticky size.  Apply one more layer of Sticky Size over the snowflakes and let it come to a tack, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Now carefully apply the leaf and firmly press it down with your fingers.  Let the leaf sit for about 5 minutes.  Brush off any excess leaf with a soft brush.  Then carefully remove the tape.  If the leaf is too bright or shiny for your liking, you can apply a coat of Caromal Colours Toner by brushing it on and then wiping it back over the leaf to tone it down!

These are simple enough that you can let the kids hep out!  The perfect craft for the DIYer!  And they would make great presents for teachers!  Have fun!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR CRAFT PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below. Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order! If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE: MartiC WHEN YOU ORDER!

I ONLY GET CREDIT FOR YOUR ORDER IF YOU REMEMBER TO USE MY CODE.  SO THANK YOU!!!                     MartiC

Mrs. Lucy….

Mrs. Lucy, a repeat client of mine, gave me a call one day about a piece of furniture that her sweet husband bought her on a trip to France about 30 years ago.  She was tired of the drab darkness and wanted to know if I could give it a face lift.  Well of course I could!!  I have the perfect products to refurbish just about anything that needs a update or change!   I didn’t get a before picture of it put together, however these two pictures were taken right where dear hubby unloaded them!

It was a quick and simple fix to her delima….Caromal Colours to the rescue!!  I cleaned the piece with Simple Green and made sure that it was completely dry before applying Caromal Colours Cobblestone Texture Basecoat.  I used a chip brush to smoosh and moosh the entire surface.  After it had dried, I went back and put a really quick second coat on any areas where it didn’t cover 100%.  Total time to apply the color was about 4 to 5 hours!  And guess what??? NO STRIPPING and NO PRIMING FIRST!!  You gotta love that!!  I let it dry overnight and then applied a small wheat leaf stencil that I ordered from Royal Design Studios.  I used artist acrylics to color the stencil.  I grabbeed my handy dandy palm sander and went to work distressing the edges to where the original wood showed through to give it an aged look.  I also wanted to give it a smoother over all finish so I quickly sanded the entire piece to knock off any nubbies that may have been on the surface.    I probaby spent 45 minutes sanding it to get the look I wanted.  After the sanding, I wiped the entire piece down with a damp cloth to clean off any sanding dust that may have been there.  When you sand these products they may appear to be dry and powderly looking and too light in color…but don’t worry…the next step fixes that!!  I next applied the Caromal Colours Toner with a chip brush…..I kind of work in sections…like the back panel first, then a door, etc.  Anyway…..I just brushed it on and wiped it back with a lint free wiping rag (I purchase them by the bag at my local big box store).  I suggest you wear gloves for this step as it will get all over your hands!  I then left it to dry overnight.  The final step was to put a protectant top coat on it.  On this piece I used the Liberon Wax Neutral.  I used a wiping rag and just rubbed it in all over the surface.  After about an hour I went back and buffed it out with a clean cloth.  Done!  Total time spent on the piece was about 10 hours!  Not bad for a piece that made my client extremely happy!  And I looovveee  happy clients!  Here are some after pictures I took of the piece before I delivered it back to it’s home!  In all honesty….I would have loved to have kept it for myself!

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR CRAFT PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below. Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order! If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE: MartiC WHEN YOU ORDER!

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!

ITS FALL AND PUMPKINS ARE EVERYWHERE!!

Do any of you craft?  I love to make things for my home that are unique to me!

I fell in love with this display that Caromal Colours had in a copy of Country Living Magazine a while back and I was inspired to create some pumpkins of my own using their products this fall!  So I thought I’d share some pictures of my pumpkins that I made using Caromal Colours Texture Basecoat, Toner, Liberon Wax and Gold, Silver, and Copper Leaf.  I also used some decorative tissue paper that I applied with Modge Podge!

Maybe not your traditional fall pumpkins….but I love a little bling and thought I could use these anytime during the year!

On these pumpkins I used the Caromal Colours Peppercorn (black), and Paprika (red) Texture Basecoats, Silver Leaf, Toner, Liberon Wax…some zebra tissue paper, modge podge, trim, ribbon & a bling button!

Here are some that are  slightly more traditional….but keeping with the French Country look….love me some fluer de lis! 

On these I used the Wisteria Texture Basecoat, Fleur de lis tissue paper, Modge Podge, Gold Leaf, Toner and Liberon Wax.

I love how these turned out and get so many compliments on them!  They have that Old World/French Country feel that is so popular in Louisiana!

Okay….so finally some that are a little more traditional…at least I used the pumpkin color!

On these I used the Textured Basecoat Pumpkin, Copper Leaf, Toner, Liberon Wax…and some Cheetah tissue paper, and coordinating ribbons!

On the little stand I used the Textured Basecoat Chocolate  with a little toner and Liberon Wax!                                                                            

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOUR CRAFT PROJECTS?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below.  Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will receive a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order!  If you need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or 225-975-3957 and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE:  MartiC WHEN YOU ORDER!

Get a little paint on your socks!

A while back Traci Hickingbottom from Lake Charles contacted me about the Caromal Colours products.  After a little discussion, she decided to throw a Caromal Colours party!  The party was held at the beautiful home of Lori Benoit, as Traci’s home is basically under contruction.  Let me tell you….these ladies weren’t afraid to “get a little paint on their socks”!  We had the best time doing samples from the distressing and barnword kits!  I also showed them how to gild an ornate applique using the copper leaf.  At the end of the evening I think everyone was really pleased with the class!  I can’t wait to see what they do with what they’ve learned!  Thanks ladies….hope to see you all again soon!

ARE YOU READY TO “GET A LITTLE PAINT ON YOUR SOCKS”?

If you would like to have a paint party with a few of your friends, then give me a call and we’ll get one scheduled!  You can email me at CaromalColours@gmail.com or call me at 225-975-3957!

Are YOU ready to get some Caromal Colours products for yourself?

If you are ready to order product, you can click on the Caromal Colours Sign below.  Enter MartiC (case sensitive) in the coupon code or comments section and you will recieve a discount on your shipping and I will receive credit for your order!  If you  need any help placing your order, please feel free to contact me and I will help you with it!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY CODE:  MartiC WHEN YOU ORDER!!

Look What’s New!!!

OMGsh!  Have I got some awesome news to share with everyone!  Introducing Country Living Artisans Collection of Decorative Finishes by Caromal Colours…better known simply as Caromal Colours!  This is an amazing line of professional quality decorative painting products that are now available to the do-it-yourself market!  Country Living Magazine has given their full endorsement and you can find some wonderful ideas for projects within its pages.  I am the first Certified Independent Rep for this new product line in Louisiana, however I’m not territory impaired so I can work with any of you who would like to try it out!

So let me introduce myself.  I am Marti Carroll and I have been a professional decorative finisher for over 17 years.  Although I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; I have commissioned decorative painting projects as far away as Ocho Rios, Jamaica!  I love what I do and get great satisfaction from creating beautiful finishes for my clients who want to hire a professional.  You can see some of my work at http://www.fauxscapes.com, as well as my other blog that will display more projects at http://www.fauxscapes.wordpress.com, along with a little more information on me!

I created this blog to offer ideas, inspiration, instruction, and support to those interested in creating their own beautiful finishes using the incredible line of Caromal Colour products!  You may ask why?  Why would I want to be involved with a product line that could directly conflict with my professional business?  Well it’s really simple.  There are a lot of people out there who would never consider hiring me when they get such great satisfaction of doing it themselves!  And let’s face it…in today’s economy there are going to be a lot more people learning to do all sorts of stuff that they would have hired out in the past.  Besides, haven’t you ever seen an item in a store that was pretty and thought to yourself, “I could do that!”.  Well that’s one reason why I’m here…to offer you products and support…so YOU can do just that!

To learn more about the products you can follow along with future posts right here…and you can also go to http://www.caromalcolours.com  to see how to order products and get some more inspiration!  These products are not sold in paint stores or big box stores, however there are a few retail shops around the country that sell them.  So the best way to get your hands on them is to order them online…you have them delivered to your home in about 3-5 days.  I do ask that if you place an order, please use my code:  MartiC (case sensitive) so that I will receive credit for you order and you in turn will get a discount on your shipping!

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at caromalcolours@gmail.com or (225)975-3957.