Well it has been a hectic weekend. We received our first shipment of van Gogh Chalk Paint Collection Paint. A lot of things are happening at once. We have a full page add coming out this week in the local weekly newspaper. Here to the right is part of the ad that will appear in the St. Thomas Weekly news.

The will be an ‘editorial’ style story beside it and I have inserted that right here:

“Stan Portley’s – Timeless & Unique”
And uniquely Canadian
Now with the van Gogh chalk paint collection

There’s excitement, and much that is new to celebrate at Stan Portley’s in Port Stanley.

The store that has an established reputation for unique gift and home décor items, and “our painted furniture,” is now offering the uniquely Canadian van Gogh Chalk Paint collection. It’s a made-in-Canada version of the paint that’s making vintage furniture lovers ecstatic about the look they are now able to achieve.

Not only is the van Gogh line the only Canadian-made chalk paint offered in this area, it has no nasty toxins that may come in paints made with oil or chemical solvents. It’s eco-friendly and involves no waxy chemicals. At Stan Portley’s, they can colour match any colour of paint with the van Gogh Chalk Paint and are creating four signature colours that will be unique to Stan Portleys.

To assist people with this great furniture paint, classes will be starting in January at the Port Stanley store and the new London store. Out at “The Barn” Home Studio in Sparta classes will be starting in the spring of 2013. Business owner Bobbie Robinson says, “Some people are hesitant to try crafts like this because they think it may be too difficult for them, but it turns out it is not as difficult as they thought.”

It’s been quite a journey since 2003 when Stan Portleys – Antiques & Uniques was born in the back of a store, just down from its present location in Port Stanley. “At the time we dealt with antiques, vintage linens and silver, and a small amount of new giftware,” Bobbie says. Some of the most sought after gift items are the custom wood or metal signs which are made in North America and shipped from the store to places as far as Australia, New Zealand and even China.

Bobbie points out that, “Many homes and cottages throughout the area have one, two, three or more pieces of our painted furniture incorporated into their interior design. We have even shipped to the eastern seaboard of the United States. Whether it be Urbane Chic, Paris Apartment or Cottage Style, we have met the needs of the discriminating home owner.”

Having fewer antiques and moving towards the future, the store owners are still looking for those ‘unique’ Canadian and North American items which will bring a home together.

The all-Canadan van Gogh chalk paint collection really fits this trend. Bobbie recommends, “Be kinder to the environment by “adopting heirloom furnishings. The antique look is all about the discovery of ourselves through one time to another – and the delight in that recognition. Relive, redesign, relove.”

The store’s signs and graphics have recently changed from Stan Portleys – Antiques & Uniques to the new Stan Portleys – Timeless & Unique.

“This is in line with other things which are happening with our business,” Bobbie says. “And just as a teaser for you . . . watch for the opening of our new location on Richmond in London.”

Bobbie Robinson, Owner, Stan Portleys – Timeless & Unique, sums it up well: “Stan Portleys and Port Stanley, we are timeless and unique. Stay tuned . . .”

Bobbie, my beautiful talented wife, has also been busy painting the cabinet for the paint for the Port Stanley Store. It was an old flat to the wall that came out of a farmhouse near the town of Fingal just north of us. It was from around 1800 and the sides are 19” wide at the bottom and they are made from a single board. The doors which I have removed had the old glass in them and and were a 2 over 3 configuration. The old glass was quite wavy and as we know glass will flow over the years especially glass made over 2 centuries ago.

Here is a picture with Bobbie standing beside her finished project.

She was also working on a set of corner cabinets. They look quite amazing. I will feature those in my next blog.

John Robinson – Master Craftsman and Proprieter – Stan Portleys – Timeless and Unique