Ava’s Attic, Painting The Town… One Bedroom Suite At A Time

Since 2009, Ava’s Attic has been bringing the South Walton/Destin area a fun, friendly consignment shop, with treasures around every corner. Family owned, and filled with furniture, home décor, clothing, and more, it is no surprise it has thrived for nearly a decade. Over the years, Ava’s has morphed into so much more than just a consignment shop. Around 2011, the mother-daughter team, owners Susan Henry and Courtney Henry Hood, really took notice to the coastal trend of painted furniture. Then, with all of the resources at their fingertips, they just needed the right paint, and what better inspiration for their palette then right what was right outside our doors! The tones of seafoam, blue skies, emerald waters, white beaches and sandy dunes filled their color story. They played with textures and color palettes until they found the winning combination; with Benjamin Moore paint as their base, Ava’s Chalk Paint was born. “Our best sellers in Ava’s Chalk Paint are Cotton and Coastal Blue”, says Courtney. “We wanted the color wheel of our paint to reflect the tones around us. When people come to the beach, they want the hues of the beach to flow into the places they stay and call home.”

Ava’s Attic has expanded into a larger space, still located in Miramar Plaza, which allowed the Henrys to add a paint studio to the second floor of the store. “We have wonderful consigners who bring us amazing pieces to work with! The key to our success is we have the furniture at our fingertips.” Says Susan. Not all dark pieces immediately go to the paint studio. Many pieces that come in are beautiful as they are, and some Susan and Courtney just know will come to life with Ava’s Paint. “Bedroom suites are a showstopper” Susan says, “It’s amazing to see the transformation that can be made from an out dated bedroom suite, to a beautiful bright set, ready for its beachfront view!” Over the years Ava’s has grown and learned different painting and distressing techniques. “With the popularity of Pinterest, and DIY projects, so many of our customers are interested in getting their hands dirty and learning how to achieve these looks themselves.” Says Courtney. In the near future Ava’s will be offering painting classes. “We are also going to have a space in our paint studio, where with a fee, you can take your purchased piece, and under the guide of our senior painter, Katie Brandon, create your very own masterpiece! She will walk you through the whole process.” says Susan, “This is something that has been in high demand from our customers, and we are so happy to be able to share the techniques we have learned over the years.” Katie is always working on something new, whether it be with new paint colors or stains, or a different distress. Recently she mimicked the look of driftwood out of a variety of stains on a farm table and the result was absolutely beautiful. “I have some new colors and ideas I can’t wait to try!” says Katie, eyeing an old table in the corner of her studio.

Ava’s also finds customers who are attached to a family heirloom, but are so outdated, they are at a point of reluctantly letting it go. That’s where Susan and Courtney come in! With three painters on staff, they can take these precious pieces, paint them and revive grandmother’s dresser into something to be enjoyed for years to come!

Ava’s also finds customers who are attached to a family heirloom, but are so outdated, they are at a point of reluctantly letting it go. That’s where Susan and Courtney come in! With three painters on staff, they can take these precious pieces, paint them and revive grandmother’s dresser into something to be enjoyed for years to come!

Ava’s Attic prides itself on working for their customers, making them happy, and above all, making their house into a home, one painted piece at a time.