Tammy Durnell, owner/artist of Poppy Cottage, is shown at work.
By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association
We lived in DeKalb County, near Auburn, when our children were growing up. Our daughter Dee Anna had a dear school friend with whom we have stayed in contact over the years. Married now and with a young son, Tammy Durnell has become a creative entrepreneur.
To our delight her talent was recently recognized and she was invited to open a business here in our own Village at Winona. This will be a sister to her very popular business located on East State Boulevard in Fort Wayne.
Located next to Cerulean restaurant on the canal, The Poppy Cottage recently opened and is a fanciful place to visit. Unique workshops are offered on a regular basis to teach much in the use of a creative painting system called Chalk Paint decorative paint, created by Annie Sloan. More info on this system can be found at www.chalkpaint.com.
This system is becoming very popular and anyone can learn it. It is offered only at a limited number of outlets such as The Poppy Cottage. Taking older outdated pieces, from small tabletop items to large pieces of furniture such as beds and chests, this technique saves these items from the salvage heap and turns them into works of art.
Durnell at her Poppy Cottage has an exclusive arrangement with Annie Sloan from Oxford, England, to sell supplies and teach these methods. Can you imagine refinishing an old dresser without having to do any sanding or priming? It is not only possible, but the results are beautiful. With chalk paint you get a velvety matte finish. By adding soft wax, you can achieve a subtle sheen as well as protection and durability.
Durnell also offers many of the imported and coordinated European fabrics hand selected by Sloan to color-coordinate with every hue in the soft palette you will learn to utilize in the workshop.
The creative effort that makes something into an object of art can be found throughout this quaint little shop. From the chalk paint supplies and workshops for the renovation of old furniture items, to pieces Durnell herself has painted, to items crafted by local artisans and even vintage-inspired home décor, the shop is filled with a multitude of artistic ideas.
Several things in this shop caught my eye, but do you remember the column I wrote recently about painting on a screen? In this shop you can paint the frame surrounding the screen with a special technique and add another level of art to your screen painting.
There are also workshops on how to create the look of an old, crackled masterpiece using a two-step process called craqueleur, or how to add an aged patina to a drab finish, and much more.
Next time you have a chance, drop by this shop and check out the ideas abounding in every corner, or better yet, sign up for a fun-filled workshop with owner Durnell. For more info, you can visit www.poppycottagestudio.com.
Upcoming and Current Events:
- Teresa Smith’s unusual exhibit is now open. More on this next week. Visit now at Warsaw City Hall Gallery. Free Admission daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
- Christmas Boutique now open at Lakeland Art Gallery, Pierceton, 107 Main Street from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Note: several great workshops are available for adults and kids. Call (574) 594-9950 for info.
Questions about items in this column can be directed to Darla McCammon at mcdar7@gmail.com.
An interior view of the Poppy Cottage