ANNIE SLOAN FURNITURE PAINTING RETREAT
EXCLUSIVE RETREAT IN PORTISHEAD, BRISTOL
Wednesday 29th May to Monday 3rd June 2024 SOLD OUT
Wednesday 11th September to Monday 16th September 2024 SOLD OUT
Wednesday 4th June 2025 to Monday 9th June 2025
Wednesday 10th September 2025 to Monday 15th September 2025
Stay five nights and six days at a beautiful English manor, Court House Farm, have seasonal home-cooked food prepared by a local chef, drink selected wines, unwind and immerse yourself in the creative world of furniture painting. All painting sessions will be delivered by Doghead Designs and Annie Sloan within the grounds of Court House Farm which is artistic inspiration in itself:
‘A PLACE WITH SOUL AND STEEPED IN HISTORY’
COURT HOUSE FARM
This retreat is totally unique and is the only one of its kind available within the UK. Combining painting, health and wellbeing and creativity, it will inspire you to learn new techniques within a truly magnificent, quirky and historic setting. Whether you consider yourself a complete novice or seasoned artist, this retreat will cater to your personal strengths and interests through the 1:1 tuition, demonstrations and creative activities. This event has welcomed guests from all over the UK as well as Canada, Germany, Romania, France, America, India, Portugal and Denmark.
INCLUDED:
Accommodation in a medieval manor (1300sAD), adjoining Tudor manor house (1500sAD)
Fully catered: breakfast, ‘elevensies’, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines
Annie Sloan Techniques Workshops (such as basic principles of Annie Sloan paint, waxing, texture, two tone distressing, gilding, stencil, decoupage, crackle, smooth finishes, ombré/blending, pattern and mark making)
Demonstrations on a variety of techniques
1:1 tuition working on a piece that you will bring with you to upcycle
Live demonstration, Q&A and interview with SPECIAL GUEST, Annie Sloan, the founder of Chalk Paint®, who will be joining us for two nights and three days
Live demonstration with our special guest (to be announced)
Exploring colour and texture on canvas, taking inspiration from the beautiful house and grounds
Photography and staging workshop with your upcycled piece of furniture
Opportunities for social media coaching
Flower picking and arranging
‘Tablescaping’ - including making our own painted napkins
‘Downtime’ to relax and enjoy some time away from the paintbrushes with a local visit planned to Clevedon Pier and Doghead Designs
Meeting and socialising with likeminded individuals
An art talk by an art historian to accompany pre-dinner drinks
A talk to learn more about the history of Court House Farm
Special guests: mindfulness, health and wellbeing & relaxation (for example, hand massage, yoga, reiki)
BOOKING INFORMATION
Wednesday 29th May (midday) to Monday 3rd June 2024 (11am) SOLD OUT
Wednesday 11th September (midday) to Monday 16th September 2024 (11am) ONE ROOM LEFT WITH SHARED BATHROOM
Wednesday 4th June 2025 to Monday 9th June 2025
Wednesday 10th September 2025 to Monday 15th September 2025
Own room with en suite: £2450
Own room sharing bathroom: £2350 (please note there are only two bedrooms which share one bathroom)
Shared room with both participants taking part in all activities: £2250 (ideal for friends/partners - this price is per person and requires a £500 deposit per person)
NEW TICKET RELEASE: WE HAVE RELEASED A LIMITED SELECTION OF DAY RETREAT TICKETS FOR GUEST WHO WISH TO JOIN US BUT AS A NON-RESIDENTIAL GUEST FOR £1250.
A £500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place with the balance due one month prior to the Retreat start date. To book pay your deposit, please follow the link below: If you would like to split the remaining balance over the coming months, please contact Tristan for information on this. Please note that if you are unable to come to the Retreat for any reason, tickets are non-refundable (including the deposit and the final balance). However, we are always more than happy to transfer your ticket to a future Retreat.
Bristol International Airport is 15miles away | Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway and Nailsea and Backwell train stations are all close-by. If you are arriving by public transport then arrangements can be made to source furniture and courier/ship the completed projects following the retreat.
TESTIMONIALS
‘It was perfect!’ Survey (anonymous)
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the Annie Sloan Painting Retreat at Court House Farm with Tristan and his team. Tristan is a brilliant teacher (not surprising given his background) - getting the right balance between listening to what your ideas are, advising on style and technique, and giving encouragement to try new things. Above all, he gives confidence to unleash your inner creativity! The setting for the retreat was sublime and surpassed my expectations. It was beautiful, calm with plenty of space in the painting ‘cow’ barn. The owners/hosts were delightful and so welcoming, especially as I was not resident for the retreat, but rather attended as a day participant. If possible, I would recommend staying at Court Farm House to get the full benefit of what the retreat offered. Despite that, apart from the painting techniques I picked up, I have many happy memories of the 5 days: the amazing delicious food by Kirstie; meeting and having teaching sessions from Annie, the ‘master’ herself; the fascinating history of art talk; and napkin printing to name a few - and of course spending time with lovely like-minded people. For someone who was new to furniture painting, I was delighted with what I managed to achieve by the end of the retreat. I feel excited that my experience has inspired me to have a go at new projects using different painting techniques.’ Katharine, UK
‘It was such a wonderful time. Tristian and the entire team at Court House Farm made the days so perfect and I'm so glad I was there. The food was incredibly delicious, Helen always made sure everyone was happy, all the flowers around, the whole atmosphere was magical. I learned so much and was able to relax that I am full of positive energy. Our morning yoga classes provided a great start to the day and in the evening you could sit together by the fireplace with a glass of wine. Everything was connected to privede a creative, holistic and inspiring experience. Tristan is a wonderful teacher, encouraging, creative and always with a smile. The opportunity to meet Annie Sloan and her husband was so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you all for that nice experiance, it really made it a retreat that I will remember forever.’ Lioba, Germany
‘So…if you want to learn about painting furniture in a superb environment where you feel supported and encouraged by the best, there is better way than one of Tristan’s retreats. Not only is the venue awesome but Tristan’s guidance, teaching and calm nature brings together a unique opportunity to explore and take risks without any fear of failure. The additional bonus of Annie Sloan in person giving insights into tones, compositions and history of the development of her chalk paint is the icing on the cake. Which brings the subject onto the food….oh my!!!! Luscious eleven o clock and tea time cakes, sandwich together sumptuous lunches - then if you are lucky enough to stay for dinner…a veritable feast is provided. I can’t recommend this whole retreat enough - the value for money is great and to be surrounded by likeminded, friendly, supportive people adds to the cocktail of delight.’ Philippa, UK
‘I arrived at Court House Farm having no knowledge or ideas about painting furniture, chalk paint or Annie Sloan, but looking for a creative break with like minded people. What an eye opener: from the expert tuition by Tristan encouraging us to take risks and believe in our own creativity, the warmth and embracing hospitality of Helen and Mick, Kirstie's superb food, and wonderful fellow guests, to a masterclass from Annie Sloan herself. Add in early morning yoga, hand massages, breath work, fabric stencilling, art talks, and learning how to stage our furniture when finished, all the while staying in an historic and beautifully eclectic building surrounded by beautiful gardens. A truly amazing experience with wonderful people.’ Jane, UK
‘There are many words to describe the wonderment of this retreat. One word keeps coming up in my mind....sublime! It was the most enjoyable time I have have spent on a trip of this kind. From the fabulous people that were participating and running the show, to the incredibly delicious food, the creativity of learning the techniques of the new world of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and everything else in between....sublime! I came to this retreat as a chalk paint novice, needing to paint my bedroom furniture after a major reno. I left learning so much and finishing a piece there that I love. I left feel very confident to go home and tackle my furniture with everything that I learned. Tristan was the most wonderful leader and instructor with super human skills, energy, support and fun. I especially enjoyed our group, who were heartwarming, delightful and very talented. Everyone produced the individual stamp on a piece of furniture that was unique, incredible and inspiring to do more. We had many extra things to do, but the best was having Annie Sloan visit us and share her wisdom on our pieces, as well as her incredible experiences and knowledge. So wonderful! Court House Farm and our hostess Helen were also sublime! The 13th century manor, was so beautiful, comforting and ultra comfortable. The grounds were unending with nooks, crannies, stunning gardens and so much more. I did not want to leave. Helen was the ultimate hostess, insuring that all were well taken care of. I would love to return again and would highly recommend this retreat. Special thanks to Tristan, Helen, Annie, Sophie and Kirsten. Nothing could have been better!’
Jo Ann, America
‘As a local to Portishead I attended Course House farm on a daily basis. We tried out lots of different techniques and colours, it was amazing to see which shades complemented each other and to get inspiration on techniques and colours for other projects. Starting on a large project was daunting but Tristan was always there with great advice and suggestions. I loved incorporating stippling (which later on was brilliant for dry brushing over), blending four different colours and adding silver gilding and clear then black wax. Meeting Annie Sloan in person was so interesting, she gave us all advice on our projects and talked to us about different colour combinations and how effective these could be, as well as demonstrating her new transfer patterns. Everyone at Court House farm was very welcoming and we were blessed with great weather so we all enjoyed relaxing in the beautiful gardens when we took a break from chalk painting. We were looked after so well with wonderful food and regular coffee breaks, roast Sunday lunch in the garden, with amazing flower and foliage decorations arranged by fellow attendees, was out of this world. Early morning yoga sessions, a breathing workshop, a history of art lecture and hand massage, along with a napkin printing workshop all added to the fun. A truly inspiring, educational, entertaining and magical few days, I think we were all sorry when it came to an end! Thank you to everyone for giving us all the confidence to continue to experiment with Annie Sloan's wonderful chalk paint and wax in such beautiful surroundings.’
Shirl, UK
‘An inspiring retreat .
What makes an inspiring retreat with Doghead Designs and Annie Sloan?
The wonderful Court House Farm and magical gardens, where hosts Helen and Mick make you feel like house guests and look after you so generously? The amazing food, lovingly prepared and artfully presented? The well-being experiences, yoga, hand massage, soma breath work? The inspiring experiences, watching the sunset on the beach, art talks and creating abundant tablescapes? Or the excellent tuition from Tristan (Doghead Designs) and guidance from Annie Sloan, giving you the skills and techniques to transform your lowly piece of furniture into a statement piece to be proud of, giving you the confidence to take on your next project?
I could not have asked for more. What a memory to treasure. It was a true feast!’ Kate, UK
‘This retreat was MIND BLOWING! Tristan emparted all of his knowledge and painting skills in such a fun and unboring manner. It has given me so much tools to continue my small business of painting furniture. Tristan’s flare for art and painting and also his teaching skills are top notch. If anybody is thinking of doing this type of Retreat, don’t think twice. Once you pay your fee, you get there and everything is catered for which is such a bonus from breakfast to refreshments, the most amazing bed rooms and beds, lunch, dinner and the utmost care from Courthouse Farm. I’m still thinking about how spoilt we were and every single detail was thought about. Dietary needs to seeing if we all got home safe and sound as our group travelled from all over the world. It was the most special and relaxing break making great friends and the sun just shone down on us in the amazing grounds and gardens of Courthouse Farm. It’s a no brainer just book it…serious value for money.’ Bella, Ireland
‘Everything that has been written about the retreat so far, I can only confirm 100%. It cannot be said often enough that the retreat is extraordinary in terms of location, organization, quality, etc. The combination of Tristan and the whole team of Courthouse Farm as well as Annie Sloan and Jonathan Marc Mendes make the days of the retreat an event that feels out of this world. It was my first trip alone since many years (I am in the 50‘s and live in Germany) and I was really excited. Since I've only been painting with Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan for a year, I was so curious to learn something new. Up until now, I was only learning it from YouTube videos. I was welcomed like into a big family, so warm everyone was with each other. Everyone was interested in each other, there were so intense, valuable conversations. The days were so well organized and filled with experiences even outside the painting workshop that the time flew by. We were all in a super flow, Tristan made it possible every day anew that we could experience this magic of being together. We were all in love with this state. It sounds like a fairy tale, yes, but it was ! Surrounded by the incredible beauty of the Courthouse Farm we were all inspired. Yoga and food that I can't imagine being better rounded out the phenomenal program. Back home, we all miss each other, keep thinking back to the super flow - it was a brilliant time. The furniture pieces are all so different and yet all made with the same enthusiasm for Chalk Paint. What this paint can do everything - it's therapy in a can! I will be back again.’ Ilona, Germany
‘My husband and I had so much fun on this retreat! Tristan was incredibly inviting from minute one. He truly cared about each of the guests and made everyone, no matter their level of painting experience, feel welcomed. He met everyone where they were without judgement and was easy to collaborate with when it came to deciding on the vision we had for our individual pieces. The painting techniques classes highlighted the diversity of Tristan’s painting portfolio and provided us with fresh and unique ways to approach our projects. While working on our pieces, Tristan struck a great balance of being supportive and offering help to everyone without ever dictating each painter’s creative process. In addition to the activities of the retreat, the location, Court House Farm, was a beautiful to stay. Each room was comfortable, the food was delicious, and the owners, Helen and Mick, are two of the kindest souls you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. Overall, the week could not have been better and I highly encourage that anyone who has the chance to join one of Tristan’s retreats to do so, you will not regret it. Thank you again to Tristan and Court House Farms for an unforgettable experience!’ Olivia, USA
‘Attending the 5 day Annie Sloan Furniture Painters Retreat in Bristol, UK, has truly been a highlight of my life! Court House Farm was such an enchanting setting for this….the manor tucked away in the town of Portishead, surrounded by stone walls, full of flowering garden beds and cared for by two of the most hospitable people that I have ever met….the accommodations were superb, extremely comfortable and the meals provided by gourmet chefs were a daily delight! Tristan was an amazing host who taught me a wide variety of new painting techniques that I have already put into practice since returning home. Having the opportunity to meet Annie Sloan, sitting down and having a coffee or sharing a meal with her was nothing short of amazing and so inspirational! One of the best outcomes of attending was the friendships that I have made with furniture painters from all over the world….all with different backgrounds and different levels of painting skills, but who all share the passion of painting furniture. It is almost beyond words to describe this experience….’ Alison, Canada
‘This was the most wonderful experience. We were made to feel so welcome and treat courthouse farm like our home. Even with experience I learnt many new techniques, pushing my boundaries and being out of my comfort zone was great.I learnt a lot about myself too. Tristan is a wonderful teacher and mentor, encouraging and always with a smile.The food being cooked for us all day everyday was beyond a treat. Meeting people from all over the world and making good friends for life. I recommend this to anyone, new to chalkpaint or experienced. I’m jealous I won’t be at the next one!’ Lottie, UK
‘Life changing! Your talent, knowledge, enthusiasm, humor, and ability to teach was so valuable to me! I appreciate you and learned so much! The venue itself provided inspiration throughout the week. Accommodations were wonderful. Food was out of this world. The agenda made it so special. Sure I don’t drink gin. But I learned a few things. I am personally interested in wine tasting. But I understand why you went the route of gin. I like supporting local businesses. My focus was learning from the best. I loved the additional activities non-paint related. The activities were all tied together to provide a creative, holistic experience that was inspirational. It made it truly a retreat I will remember forever. Painting: I loved the small numbers. This enabled you to give hands on attention and guidance. I also liked being placed next to Valerie who has experience. She gave me valuable feedback when you were working with others. Lisa was a great help as well. The agenda of the paint portion was perfect for me. Annie: the icing on the cake! Having her there for multiple days added a whole layer of ‘special’ to this event. I loved that she mixed up who she sat by at dinner. To have a few moments of conversation with her …and you! …gave me the motivation and inspiration I needed. I also loved meeting others at the Saturday event. That was an experience in itself. Loved having tea in the garden afterwards. I loved it Tristen and Helen! Every second of it! My family and friends went crazy over my daily Facebook posts. ‘Trip of a lifetime’. I’ve come home regenerated and ready to push my sleeves up to pursue a dream I’ve had for years. Walls were just ok to do in the early 2000’s. But furniture …to rescue pieces and turn them into statements in a home …wow. How fun! Thank you.' Lori, USA
’For a novice furniture upcycler who had never used Annie Sloan Chalk Paints it was a revelation, finding out how versatile they are which opened my eyes to the wonderful things I could create! From decorating fabric, glass, wallpaper, wood, concrete, ceramics, walls and so many other things! Also who would have known that you didn't have to sand a piece of furniture before applying chalk paint, saving so much time and energy. The ease of being able to wipe away mistakes and start again, giving you flexibility to change your design during the creative process is brilliant. Tristan taught us so many techniques, from blending, applying gold leaf, raised stencilling, adding texture and many more, he was the perfect teacher, his encouragement and praise helped us to upcycle our furniture to be wonderful. As a mum who puts her family first before herself, it was so lovely to take time for myself to be creative, try new things, spend time with interesting people, eat delicious food that I didn't have to make myself, relax in a stunning setting both in the Court House and in the grounds and meet the amazing Annie Sloan! I thoroughly recommend this Retreat for those wishing to explore their creative side alongside other like minded individuals!’ Bex, UK
’I’ve come away feeling really inspired, confident and ready to try new things. I had the best time and learnt so much which is exactly what I wanted to get out of the retreat.’ Victoria, UK
‘I was pleased that I was brave enough to attend this furniture painting retreat. I loved every second. Tristan was the most attentive, approachable, creative teacher who taught and guided us throughout. The schedule was full of variety, from techniques training, to napkin stencilling, demonstrations from Annie Sloan herself, evening activities, staging furniture and much more. The location/accommodation was outstanding, as is the host Helen, who went out of her way to ensure everyone was happy, relaxed and well fed, from breakfast through to supper. The food by chef Lisa was amazing every single day, to include non-meat meals for myself!! All the staff were fantastic. It’s a must retreat for anyone wanting to start out as a furniture painter or current furniture artists wanting to further their skills, do some networking and have a fun week with lots of belly laughs. I met complete strangers on the retreat who I am now happy to call my friends. Just book!!’ Lisa, UK
’If you wonder to yourself that you would like to take part in this retreat, don’t hesitate - book! I can’t recommend it enough. My take home is that the experience was full 360 delight in environment, food, comfort (slept so well), learning all about Annie Sloan paints and techniques. Being creative every day as a student is my kind of bliss. Lots of lovely added extras from mindful yoga in the morning, a presentation on the life and work of Laura Knight, flower arranging and visits to local sights. It was the people involved and taking part that is the icing on the cake. The team worked tirelessly to create something that left me feeling at peace and happy, confident and ready to return home to face anything. This is huge. But I have also made great new friends who I shall remain in contact with and even hopefully go and visit. There is so much to share, this barely scratches the surface of the ambience all hosted by the amazing Helen and talented Tristan. A heartfelt thank you!’ Amanda, UK
’My idea of a retreat is to escape the demands of everyday life and enjoy oneself. The luxury furniture painting retreat offered by Doghead Designs in collaboration with Court House Farm certainly hit the mark! From the moment I arrived at this spectacular venue I felt as if I had stepped into another world. Court House Farm oozes charm and individuality. The romantic decor combined with the beautifully planted gardens provides a truly relaxing and inspirational setting for being creative. The standard of catering is equally wonderful. Every dish seems like a work of art and the effort that has gone into creating a healthy, nutritious menu for all diets is evident. Eating was as much a pleasure as painting. The painting itself was informative and great fun. Having never painted furniture before I thoroughly enjoyed learning different techniques and trying out the possibilities on my own pieces. I felt a great sense of achievement when I stood back and saw how far I had come in four days. It was particularly special sharing my precious detox with other like-minded people, both those looking after us and fellow retreaters. We very quickly became a family in which we could relax, forget the stresses of the outside world and enjoy each others company. All in all I feel I have had a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with myself and am still very much feeling the benefits now that I am back at home cherishing the memories. I hope I get the opportunity to do this again some day.’ Carole, UK
’The catering was truly amazing.’ Survey (anonymous)
’I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The whole retreat, from start to finish, was absolutely perfect.’ Survey (anonymous)
'There are simply not the words to describe how fantastic this event was - relaxing, energising, sociable, creative, therapeutic…the list goes on!’ Survey (anonymous)
’Thank you so much for being such great hosts. You made the retreat a wonderful experience.’ Desiree, Netherlands
