Linda’s Creative Accents

When Linda McKinley opened her cozy little shop called Linda’s Creative Accents in Historic Etowah, Tenn., she had no idea she’d be painting lots of furniture and re-purposing many different unique items to give them life and new use. Not long after she opened, she tried painting a few prices of furniture and everyone loved what she did and they sold quick. After numerous pieces left the store no sooner than she placed them on display, Linda realized she had found her niche. She had been using a particular paint, Chalk Paints Decorative Paints by Annie Sloan.

In the fall of 2014, Linda went to classes to be a stockist for these paints. She is now the only one in the surrounding area of McMinn, Polk, or Bradley County that can distribute it. Being a stockist also allows her the pleasure of teaching classes on how to properly use the paint to achieve the beautiful results the Chalk Paints by Annie Sloan can give to an old or new selection of furniture or almost any other décor piece you’re wanting to use. It captures the beauty in vintage and primitive pieces such as old doors, garden gates, decorative shelves, fruit jars, brass sconces, silver trays, and many more items. If you want to change the finish of your kitchen cabinets or distress or give color to a bedroom suite you’ve had for years, you’ll be amazed at the luster and beauty Linda has captured in the finished selections for sale in her shop.

If you have a little creativeness in you and you like to paint and just want to refresh a piece or two of your own, Linda’s classes may just be what you need. Then you can check out the pretty colors and take some home for your project.

Linda’s dad loves the hunt and loves to re-purpose and build new things, too. When Linda has a vision for a new selection that she’d like made out of some worn out or broken and discarded items, she draws out her plan, calls her dad giving him the details and the search begins. Once he locates what he needs to build her latest creation, the work is on and before she knows it, it’s at her house ready for her to finish or paint.

Linda always has some of my favorite collectibles such as old pottery bowls, soft linens, wire structured and garden items, wooden boxes with old signage, retro kitchen selections, and the list goes on. There’s always great selections of primitives, fine wood and painted furniture, mirrors she’s given a special finish and waxing to make new the frames and odd lamps and smalls accenting them all. Add some beautiful hand-crafted throws and quilts and special glass all in displays that hint a touch of French country, to rustic, to a touch of vintage elegance.

Several months back, Linda moved her store south a block, but still on Tennessee Avenue. Her address is 712 Tennessee Ave., just two doors down from Etowah’s Historic Gem Theater. If you visited Linda’s Creative Accents last year, you’ll want to make a note of this address. If you’re traveling, look for the sign above the door and there’s always something eye-catching just inside the window or door.

Be sure to friend Linda’s Creative Accents on Facebook and you’ll enjoy a glimpse of what may be available in her shop. If you see a piece that you have just the right corner or wall for, don’t wait, it won’t be on her showroom floor long! Linda’s shop is open Tuesday through Saturday in the summer and fall, so put her on your calendar for your late summer or fall excursion, or as Linda would tell you, “There’s no time like now!”