Lisa Matthews, Interior Designer and owner of Adagio Antiques, went to high school with Amy Howard. If you aren’t familiar with the Amy Howard Paint brand, it is an easy to use,  DIY,  “green” product brand. This line of paint and finishes can be used on just about anything (metal, kitchen cabinets, concrete containers, mirrors and lacquered furniture) by just about anyone. You name it, there is a technique and product for it, and with a little guidance vis Ã vis a workshop you can breath life into an old, tired piece of furniture. And not all products require a workshop — for example the High Performance Spray Lacquer can be purchased and used with the provided instructions.
You can find Lisa Matthews and Adagio Antiques at Cotswold Marketplace. She stocks a wide variety of the Amy Howard Paints and Finishes and will be offering workshops this winter.
Amy Howard’s motto is “Rescue, Restore, Redecorate”. I love that, and so does Lisa. Lisa enjoys furniture rescue. Some of the “gussied up” items can be seen in her space at Cotswold Marketplace. Now Lisa wants to teach YOU how to  restore a piece of furniture. A custom piece with bragging rights–“I did that!”
Here is a run down of just a few of the products available:
High Performance Spray Lacquer– by far the easiest process. This is not your mama’s spray paint. A back and forth rhythmic sweeping motion over the furniture is all this one requires. Wonderful colors to choose from with that high-gloss finish everyone wants.  This is a quick and easy way to add some life to an old chair or table.
One Step Paint- 34 rich colors to choose from. This paint will cover metal, lacquered wood and concrete. So easy to use. Brush it on and watch the transformation. Purchasing and using the One-Step Paint doesn’t require a workshop but if you want help choosing a color, snap a picture of your item and take it to Lisa at Cotswold Marketplace. Maybe take a sample of existing fabrics and wall colors for an easy match.
Toscana Finishes-The beautiful “Old World” patina for furniture, picture frames, accessories.  I recommend a workshop for this process.  Not to fret, Cotswold Marketplace will be offering these. Go up in the attic, drag that dusty picture  frame down and clean it up. A restoration is about to take place! And you can tell everyone YOU did it!
Powder Paint Finishes, Glazes and the Rest-Â Powder Paints are all-natural pigments mixed with water and brushed on to achieve a beautiful patina. Perfect for furniture, picture frames or even art. Â There are glazes, plasters, and waxes. All help to achieve a different look. Again, I would suggest a workshop. If you have an idea for a piece of furniture but aren’t sure how to achieve it, contact Lisa. She can walk you through what you need to make your piece work for your space.
Antique Mirrors- I love the smokey antiqued mirror. This process does require a workshop and several steps, but  it’s a fabulous DIY project. These mirrors can cost big bucks so why not try to create one for a fraction of the price.
Mirror Stencils– to add some major glamour and interesting detail to a room try a stenciled mirror. A great way to bring in some pattern and color. Lisa has stencils and can help you choose a pattern and color for your room.
Lisa held an Amy Howard Paint Demonstration last Saturday to prove that YES-anyone can do this! It’s a wonderful way to be creative and add something lovely to your home.
For WORKSHOP info contact Cotswold Marketplace. For product information contact Lisa Matthews at adagioantiques@gmail.com
200 North Sharon Amity Road
Charlotte, NC
704.365.3331
10am-5pm Monday – Saturday
info@cotswoldmarketplace.com
