FUN WITH SUNNY

Talk about breaking away from boring and creating something fun! These floors were painted using my friend Sunny Goode's stencils. I am inspired by the great colors and patterns. Check out Sunny's entire line on her website here.

Have a terrific weekend, everyone!

A GOODE TIME WITH SUNNY

Me with Artist, Designer, Author and Entrepreneur, Sunny Goode.

A few years ago I saw Sunny Goode and her work featured in a magazine and was immediately taken with her gorgeous colors and unique designs. Then, last year, I wrote a feature on Sunny and her company here on Annechovie. Much to my surprise, I received a very kind email from her and was then able to interview her in depth for a follow-up post. I was excited when, just last week, I had a chance to meet her in person when she came to town with her beautiful family. We had such a great time chatting, that before we knew it, a couple of hours had passed and we had to break up the fun. Sunny is not only lovely AND talented, but extremely warm, down-to-earth and fun. If you haven't seen her site and blog, you have got to check it out!

Sunny's charming shop in Richmond, VA. You can also shop direct via her website

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Sunny is known for her innovative ideas and products, pairing gorgeous colors with hip designs.

TREATS IN THE MAIL!

Artist/Photographer Maritere Casillas-Rice sent me her gorgeous photo of rhodochrosite and a print of one of her lovely paintings. Congratulations to Maritere who recently received a special award for her architectural photography in Houston!

What a treat! The talented and gracious Sunny Goode sent me 2 of her books, "Paint Can" and her latest, "Paint Can Children's Rooms". Both are beautifully illustrated with full color photos and step by step instructions - very inspirational. Thanks to you both for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

I am amazed by the wonderful people I continue to meet through blogging - each one is so unique and has opened me up to such diversity and beauty. From France to Australia, from Japan to Canada to Ireland, all over the globe and right here in the US, it's been a true joy meeting each and every one of you!

** On a side note, I hope you all have a safe and wonderful Labor Day. For those of you in the path of Gustav, my prayers and thoughts are with you!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * SUNNY GOODE * PART 2

The lovely and talented Sunny Goode

Porch floor by Sunny

Where were you born?
Atlanta, Georgia

What was your least favorite subject in school?
Math

When do you remember first showing an interest/affinity for art and painting?
My art class in 3rd grade, we really had freedom to create rather than be told what to do…it was my favorite part of school. I also have been very visual my whole life- photographic memory of color has helped me a lot with clients and projects.

Are you married?
Yes, to Read, 15 years. Very fun, supportive, and creative too.

Any children? Yes, Presley (girl) 11 years-Whit (boy) 9 years and Beck (boy) 6 years, they are great and make life fun and funny.

How long have you lived in your current home and what is your favorite thing about it?
We have been here 5 years, and what I like most is how it feels… very comfortable, happy and colorful. There is not one room I would freak out if 10 kids were hanging out in it…I also love our neighborhood- it feels like the 1950’s .

Foyer of Katie Ukrop's home

What's is your greatest challenge?
To educate the world how to achieve GOOD decorative painting …once you have experienced the bad stuff it is hard to get the visual out of your mind!

What do you love most about having your own business?
Really the humor! I have seen a lot of really funny situations…
Seriously, I love creating and sharing ideas. I also love customers who have gained confidence by picking a project out and doing it, and feeling successful! That makes me happy.

Living room and foyer of Katie Ukrop's home before the furniture was moved in and Domino photographed it.

What/who would be your dream commission/client?
Free creative reign, for a customer who shares my enthusiasm for pretty things.
Preferably somewhere tropical with great architectural bones…

If you could only shop at 1 place, where would it be?
Right now it would be Trina Turk- I love her fabrics!

A beautiful large-scale stencil in Sunny's Richmond, Va store

Your favorite color?
pink

Food?
Anything Fusion -I love when chefs mix and match cultural tastes - it is always so surprising to me what can be done!

Music?
I really like a lot of different music…no rap or heavy metal though… that drives me crazy!

Your dream travel destination?
Lake Como Italy with my family for a summer

This is the second part of my feature on Sunny Goode and her decorative painting company Sunny's Goodtime Paints. Sunny is an amazingly talented decorative painter based in Richmond, Virginia. Her work has been featured in several decor magazines, including Traditional Home and, most recently, Domino. She loves color and pattern and is a pro at combining them to perfection. She has a store in Richmond, as well as online, where her uniquely tasteful stencil designs and gorgeous array of color washes are available for sale. I want to thank her for allowing us to get to know her a little better and see some more samples of her beautiul work. There is so much more to see on her website; tutorials, a gallery of her work and a selection of her products. Thanks, Sunny!

THANKS, SUNNY!

I just want to thank artist Sunny Goode for the kind mention on her blog yesterday! Sunny is an artist and decorative painter who started Sunny's Goodtime Paints. Her beautiful work was featured this month in Domino. Check out her website and blog here.

SUNNY'S GOODTIME PAINTS

Artist, designer and entrepreneur Sunny Goode

Sunny's stylish monograms are made with a flat finish, so they have the look of something painted on the wall rather than a slick decal. They feature a water-based adhesive, for simple and easy removal. A very practical and economical alternative to a custom decorative paint job.

Sunny's beautiful work was featured this month in Domino in the sunny, pastel home of Richmond, VA art dealer Katie Ukrop. Look at the wonderful floor she stenciled!

(Click for larger image)

Sunny's charming shop in Richmond, VA

A couple of years ago I read about Sunny Goode, a talented artist and painter based in Richmond, Virginia - a pretty stylish town. I was immediately entranced by her beautiful colors, stylish stencils and motivating photos. Sunny started Sunny's Good Time Paints in 2001 and now has a shop, a website, and materials available in select shops nationwide. She has authored two how-to books chock-full of inventive design ideas; "Paint Can!" and "Paint Can Children's Rooms". My memory was jogged when I saw her work featured in the August issue of Domino, so I decided to visit her website again and see what was new.

Let's face it, for the most part, faux painting has already experienced it's heyday and much of it now is associated with bad memories of pseudo-Tuscan washes and poorly-executed sponge jobs. I should know - I have seen more than a few people cringe when I tell them that, besides being an artist, I also do decorative (and even a little faux) painting. People used to have the same reaction to the word "wallpaper" being used!! However, wallpaper is now quite in vogue again and I am convinced that Sunny Goode could single-handedly bring about a similar revival for faux finishing.
I promise her style does NOT even remotely resemble an Olive Garden interior. She manages to elevate the much-maligned wash or stencil to a level of distinct style. Her concoctions are a far cry from anything boring or tired. Her website is overflowing with eye candy, helpful tips, tutorials, great rooms and tons of inspiration. Not just for walls either! I think her floor designs and stencils are equally exciting. Sunny's Goodtime Paint colors are outstanding and a refreshing departure from the generic, boring shades and combos that are often associated with decorative and faux painting. All of her products are water-based which is an added, earth-friendly bonus that won't leave you gasping from fumes. You can order the supplies straight from the website, or find a local stockist near you. She offers glazes, color washes, stencils, supplies, removable monograms and her books. I guarantee that a visit to her website will inspire you and have you wondering whether perhaps you should get the Palm Beach Pink and pair it with a Cappuccino accent or try something even more daring? Trust me, you will want to put on some gloves, choose a stencil and get workin' on your own masterpiece - pronto!!

(All photos courtesy of Sunny's Goodtime Paints website.)