Knack Studio in my home state of South Carolina really has the knack for making my day (I know, corny intro) and making me feel super inspired when it comes to giving old furniture a new life. Designer Barb Blair is so talented, whenever I peek into her etsy shop I find some cute piece of furniture given a creative face lift that I wish I could order and have shipped over here to me. I always find something I like. For instance take this blue gray distressed piece…
Cute, right? It is called Aziel and goes for $625 so while not exactly bargain basement prices, you have to remember that these pieces are vintage and have one-of-a-kind paint jobs with unique hardware so no two are alike. Try that at most stores… Making $625 seem really worth it considering what time and effort must have been invested in restoring this little girl…
What made me think about Knack today? Easy. She commented earlier on my blog! I love when people comment because often it’s a reminder to a very busy me to have a peek in on someone that I’ve been a bad girl at keeping up with. In this case, Barb’s comment connected me back to her amazing world (Thanks, Barb!) and now I can share the good vibes by showing you her work in case you’ve not seen it before.
Next there is Imogen in pumpkin orange with blue knobs, Nelly in sunshine yellow (so cute!), or the Rachel in gray with yellow knobs. But wait! There’s more beautiful pieces to be inspired by… Like this incredilicious black dresser with the floral motif and this stunner of a dresser in turquoise. I mean seriously Barb, it’s not fair that you are so creative – you make us look at those curbside finds in a whole new light.
What do you think about Barb’s work? Did you catch the store tour that I shared here on decor8 in March of ’09? If so, you don’t have to miss it a second time. CLICK HERE to see the gorgeously inspiring Knack shop. Enjoy!
(images: barb blair)
December 7th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Barb is so talented and I love following her blog! As a newbie vintage furniture transformer, I look to Barb for advice and inspiration. She never disappoints!
XO
Lenore
Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.´s last [type] ..Etsy Love- Perideau Designs
December 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Barb’s work is truly inspiring. Her style is lovely and the attention to detail that goes into each piece is what makes her work truly stunning!
December 7th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Wow! I am speechless. Those pieces are amazing. As I was looking over the pictures I was trying to find my favorite piece and… I couldn’t choose one. They are all so beautiful and unique.
-Camberley
December 7th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
What a beautiful collection of drawers – love em all. I especially like the larger armoire by the stairs – they seem harder to find. It all looks so beautiful, I feel quite inspired!
December 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I wish I wish i could get my hands on that first piece of fine furniture!
Fantastic!
December 7th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Love the refurbished pieces – I will check out the Etsy store. Thanks for sharing!
December 7th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I SO want to be her when I grow up.
I alter items for the home, but haven’t had time to start on furniture.
Melanie´s last [type] ..Christmas Sheet Music Tea Lights
December 7th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
She does great work!
I love the refinishing colors and accent colors. The first piece is my favorite. Great seafoam.
N
December 7th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
What do I think??? I like, and I wish I could find something similar near me. We are in desperate need of a new sideboard, to house our new engagement present dinner set (made by a local potter -includes teapots, mugs, jugs, casseroles, tajine, serving bowls, plates, side plates, bowls, and mini dishes for jams/pate etc!!!!YAY!). At the moment it lives in boxes.
I really like the black dresser with the floral motif!
Andrea´s last [type] ..Ode to Boing Boing and Davezilla!
December 7th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Great use of colour – very confident, I like it!
Will´s last [type] ..A Habitat Christmas
December 7th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Oh, I LOVE the Aziel and the black floral! Love! Thank you for showing us shops that we may not otherwise see! Have a wonderful day.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang´s last [type] ..Water Africa
December 7th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Barb’s style is neat as her pieces will blend and make a statement in any room, whether traditional, modern, or IKEA (: . They appeal to my recycling sensibilities and vintage taste. I will check the March 09 post and tag KNACK as a favorite on Etsy. Thanks for the nice post, Holly.
PS I wonder if Santa can get that Aziel piece down my chimney?
December 7th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I love it but it just makes me want to make and no buy. I have a very dear old cupboard of my grandma’s that needs love and attention!
mijk´s last [type] ..Be sweet
December 7th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Thank you , thank you, thank you Holly for this awesomeness! You are too good to me!
I absolutely cannot wait for your book! :)
xo
December 7th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Barb is my superhero. How nice to see her here.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Barb is amazing, the pieces look great. I especially love that last bright blue one. So amazing!
December 8th, 2010 at 1:25 am
I love her use of unusual knobs and soft, weathered paints etc. I have listed her etsy shop on my list of favorites.
diane´s last [type] ..Learning to Sew–Making your own bias tape- Part I
December 8th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Fabulous post! Thanks for sharing this great find!
Vanessa Elizabeth´s last [type] ..But which is it
December 8th, 2010 at 4:30 am
I’m seriously in love with everything Barb does. She is so inspiring, and her talent with color is incredible.
Jillian´s last [type] ..reverb10- Community
December 8th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Perfect timing! Barb’s work is fantastic. I was just wondering what to do with one of my old tall boys. It’s not precisely vintage but in need of a good revamp.
December 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Love these – especially that first one! I spent the weekend in Stockholm and trolled some of the antique shops in the old city – some pieces a lot like these were to be found.
diana strinati baur´s last [type] ..potentially yours- create a new life
December 9th, 2010 at 1:35 am
i LOVE barb at knack. she did a piece named millman for us back in 2009
click here for photos:
http://mymiscellani.blogspot.com/2010/02/2rs.html
christina elliot´s last [type] ..wyomingwhatup
December 9th, 2010 at 2:32 am
I LOVE these! They are very beautiful and inspiring. I have a wooden dresser that I would love to paint but it’s hard to think of painting a beautiful piece of wood. These pieces are the perfect inspiration and maybe I don’t have to paint mine I could just maybe buy one of these!!! Wish list???!
Christina Diaz´s last [type] ..Touches of Rust
December 9th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Beautiful pieces.
625 is not bad at all, considering that if someone bought a piece with the same function from Ikea, it’d be 200 + a couple hours of assembly, frustration, and check out lines.. haha..
December 9th, 2010 at 4:27 am
makes me appreciate the furniture I have and not the furniture I want. All I need is creativity and love (and time, but whatever) to make something old be new again.
Damaris @Kitchen Corners´s last [type] ..DIY Holiday Gift Series- Hot Chocolate Pops
December 9th, 2010 at 6:13 am
Barb is wonderful inside and out. And you know what? She is in my hometown too! Yipeeee! I get to see her work upclose and personal. Let me tell you something, her babies look better in person. She also has a knack for styling her shots. Something that most of us would love to do. I think it is exciting to sit back and watch what she comes up with next. Congrats Barb!
laura.
December 11th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Like it very much! This furniture and especially the garlands on the photos, immediately made me think about a french blog in which you can find sooooooooooo cute vintage things as well.
April 29th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Oooh thank you for this…I have a large piano that has been stressing me right out…give it away, recycle the wood OR paint it ! I saw an aqua one last night that I LOVE, swooning over these lovely pieces…going to buy paint !!