The Chair Affair

Furniture mid-class

About once a week, Metheny Weir hosts a workshop that teaches a small group the basic techniques of Annie Sloan.

Last night one was held, and it wan an unusual one. Typically, the store closes at 3pm, but not Friday night. Instead, we were open until 9:30 hosting a special "Girls' Night Chair Affair" won at an auction.

Starting at 6pm, a group of five older woman strolled in, decked out in overalls, sweats and ruined t-shirts. They toted in bags of cupcakes, macaroons, cheese, beer and tons of wine. Oh, and of course, furniture to paint.

I bet anyone passing by the shop on the sidewalk would be able to tell that there was a party happening inside due to all the noise. The woman laughed, chattered and drank in between coats of paint.

And you know what? Despite the fact that the painting process was not the focus of their three hour class, their pieces actually turned out okay. Originally brown, dirty, chipped or just plain ugly, all the woman picked bright Annie Sloan paint to brighten the rather dull chairs and tables. Usually what happens in these classes is that the woman are so focused on getting it painted oh so perfectly, that it actually turns out a little iffy. Things look best when they are done a little more loosely and without perfection in mind.