From Wilshire Way, to Wilshire Collections to now starting this blog. I can’t believe I am sitting here typing on a computer, on MY OWN website that I somehow created all by myself. To say that this blog has been a labor of love is an understatement, but it has also been a dream come true. I have loved to write since I was young. The written word is my love language. Just ask my husband about all the letters he wrote me back in the day to win me over 🙂 I minored in writing in college and have thought off and on over the years about doing something with it.  Life kept going and got busier and busier, and my writing was put on hold. I love my little life and am blessed beyond words. I have been married for almost 15 years to my best friend and one of the funniest (don’t tell him I admit he’s still funny) guys around. We have 2 boys that are our world. Parker age 10 and Tyler age 5. I could have written a book about life itself with those two. The funny things they have said over the years could have possibly been a best seller. But I have been knee deep in the mom thing for over 10 years now and have loved being home and raising my boys. I’ve been a full time stay at home mom which is hands down the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had, but most recently I have been working my own business with Wilshire Collections all while doing the mom thing and trying to swing it all. Also hard and rewarding! Ps…any way you swing it, the mom thing is hard AND rewarding! There’s one thing I know, no matter how you slice it and dice it…I love my family!

 

 

It started in November of 2012 when I bought my first little sample jar of chalk paint and painted my first little table. I was HOOKED!

I started painting things around my house, (like so many things that my husband would have to tell me to put the paint brush down!) and then did a little bit for family. Then it happened. My sister and I were sitting on the closet floor at my parents house on Christmas day talking about this awesome new chalk paint and how much we loved decorating our homes. You see, our mom has a great eye for decorating and always has. It’s in our blood and we learned from the best. Right then and there we decided that we were going to make something out of our little home décor and chalk painting addiction. We grew up on Wilshire Way, so in January of 2013…Wilshire Collections was born!

To say that where this business has taken me has surpassed all expectations is an understatement. We hoped that maybe a few people would want us to paint furniture for them. 4 years later and I literally couldn’t tell you how many pieces I have painted. I was blessed to be able to work alongside my sister for a couple of years as we built the business.  Now it is her time to do her full time stay at home mom thing and love on her baby boys, but she is my number one fan and the first person I turn to for advice and opinions. And we even still try and sneak in a Margarita meeting every now and then 😉

 

 

I have literally poured myself into this business. I’ve had bumps and learned a lot along the way. I’ve dropped whole cans of paint on my garage floor, I’ve missed the seat of my little painting chair on wheels and fallen flat on my butt (again, on the garage floor), I’ve gone to some beyond shady areas to pick up furniture I couldn’t resist, and my favorite might be when I did the full blown splits (again in the garage) because my painting flip flops were so slippery that they just started sliding and I couldn’t stop. My kids think my paint clothes are my “uniform” and really don’t bat an eye anymore when they see me in them. I have promised my 10 year old that I wouldn’t show up to his school wearing them, but beyond that it is fair game. He is my “techy” kid and has been very interested in this website I have been creating. My now 5 year old has been my assistant since I started and can help me with most anything and loves to do so. He is also the first to tell me how beautiful everything I do is. Couldn’t ask for better free help 🙂 My husband is such a huge support and encourager. He hauls, lifts and moves furniture and everything else I have like it’s his job and never (well, rarely) complains. He’s taught me how to use power tools and laughed along side me when I mess up big…then, fixes it for me.

Wilshire Collections has been a wild and great ride. I’ve been in various stores over the years selling home décor and gift items and of course…painted furniture! I am now also a retailer for Blackberry House Paint! Doing custom pieces for people and helping them transform an old/outdated piece of furniture into something they love is one of my favorite things to do. I’ve always said that the day I dread going out to my garage to paint is the day I hang my hat. So far, the hat is still on and I love seeing each and every piece truly transform.  A good DIY or craft project makes me happy.

It has been on my heart to start a blog associated with Wilshire for over a year now. I decided 2017 was going to be my year, so on January 1st away I went starting to create this site. I have also recently announced that I will be adding a new service this year, Interior Styling. I am super excited to use my love and eye for decorating (and shopping addiction) to help others create spaces in their homes that they love! I hope you will join me in this journey and check back often as I blog about everything from projects around my own home, client projects, home décor inspiration, DIY projects and I’m sure some stories about my life with my favorite boys!

~ Stacey

Some of my favorites from Pinterest….