Fauxology: Studying the Visual Magic of Faux Finishing and Interior Design (brought to you by Garay Artisans)

I hope everyone is enjoying wonderful company, delicious food and spectacular fireworks!

Here was the scene this morning…looking online…googling architecture…reading stuff…came across this video…and ran to my husband.  Me: “Dude!  You have got to see the most beautiful thing ever!” Him: “I am, right here.”  (Proceeds to give me a kiss.)  Me: (Blushing, enjoying the moment.)  “Uhm, wow, thank you.  But, really!  Run!”

So, I showed him this video — the coolest building ever: The Dynamic Tower in Dubai.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t want to move to Dubai. 

Thanks again, Home Rejuvenation!

One of my favorite blogs in the world is Home Rejuvenation.  It is penned by a design firm based in Singapore called KNQ Associates and it showcases the latest design trends from Asia and beyond.  Every time I go to their site, I find something else awe-inspiring.  Their latest post is a Dwell video featuring architect David Ling speaking about the Manhattan loft he calls home.

If I could do trackbacks, I would — so for now, I’m posting a video link directly.  (I really have to go learn the next level of blogdom.)  Mr. Ling is eccentric — and I usually love eccentric people.  Though I had to laugh at the whole “radiators were ugly, so I had them taken out” thing.  He had them put them back in when he “turned blue”.  LOL!   His space is…raw, grounded and beautiful at the same time.   I love how he describes the rustic or patinated areas as “layers of history”.  It’s fun for me to get lost in the musings of other artists and try to visualize what they see when they perceive and design a space.  It’s fantastic to get out of my own head for a bit, you know?  At about 4:00 minutes, the most beautiful blue wall comes along — I wanted to melt into it!  And then about 4:10 comes a truly unique “master bedroom” experience.  Wow!  (I believe it may include a version of this bed, which I’ve written about before.)   

I really likes how Mr. Ling talks about evolving a home’s design.  I believe he means to say that even if his tastes or needs change, he would probably evolve his home to tailor his new vision rather than moving out.  I feel the same way about my home — it would take a lot for me to leave this house.  I’d rather commit to it and just keep developing it as I go along life.  He also talks about his home being “a lab of sorts, things that I would do to myself that I would be hesitant to do to a client.”  Ah, we are kindred spirits in that regard!  Mr. Ling’s design and philosophy is not for everyone but I really hope you enjoy the experience of it!

Our business is divided about half and half between commercial and residential work.  I love commercial work - dealing with different firms, finding the right solutions for the interior designers and the rat-a-tat pace it seems to go in.  Plus, the added benefit that many people can see the work. 

Residential commissions are enjoyable as well, trust.  Creating the right finishes for someone’s house is a labor of love but it’s satisfying when a homeowner can’t wait to come home…nice!  I’ve definitely found the two right niches for my business — but today, dear readers, we’re going to talk about another kind of niche: the dreaded ones.  Most people have them in their homes and drive themselves crazy trying to find something cool to do with them.  A niche could stand out on its own (a Wow! finish) or be a showcase for a work of art (a finish that provides a great background and doesn’t compete with the art).  I thought I’d post a few niches we have done…maybe one will be an inspiration…

This one has a custom-tinted plaster with a gold wax overlay. 

This Venetian Plaster niche and accent area have been seen before, but I do think the technique and color showcase the area nicely.  Both the finish and color were specifically chosen by an architect and his wife — their home is one of my favorites ever!

The striking papers from Vahallan.  It takes a while to install them (laser levels, balance of color, etc.) but the effect is worth it.  (One regret: I do wish I had painted the trim border a nice deep walnut or coffee bean color…)

This niche and surround has gold leaf embedded within several tinted plasters.  The Modello designs are coming from under the light fixtures (which we fauxed as well — they were white originally.)

Sometimes all it takes is a little design work or a bit of color…

This niche was done for the Faux Showcase 2005 here in Orlando.  We went back and forth on what to do with the niche and decided on a a decorative design that could be seen behind crumbling plaster.  This is actually about 6 layers worth of work.

This one has also been seen before, but I thought it would be nice to include it again in our niche post.  The background is Faux Effect’s Lusterstone and an embossed Modello with aged schaibin highlights. 

Last but not least, is the niche within this cabinetry.  We woodgrained the cabinetry (including painting the trim on it black) and also did the ceiling in its entirety (Venetian Plaster, glazing, aged metallic panels, painted medallion, etc.)  The niche has a plaster background and is also embossed with plaster.  It’s nice to run your hand over it and feel the relief of the design.  A cool “oh!” is that the designer chose the border of the design panel to match the panels on the ceiling — square but with curved edges.  I thought that was a nice subtle touch by her.

I hope you’ve found something you liked…have a great weekend!

An old friend of mine contacted me out of the blue and it was so nice to hear from him.  He inspired me to look up friends that I thought about every so often but had lost touch with.  I went crazy googling and writing — it’s been wonderful getting chatty and excitable e-mails back and I’m happy to have “re-started” many friendships.  Of course, with all the good must come some bad. 

In 2002, I met Carol Petalas in a now-defunct paint store.  While striking up a friendship, she mentioned she needed help with a few homes, both local and out-of-town.  My brother and I came on board temporarily and traveled with her.  Although she was primarily a muralist, she taught us many things about faux and expanding our creative horizons.  She also infused a love of Greece to us, having lived there for a portion of her life.  A highly respected artist, she was chosen by HGTV to be featured in their Modern Masters series in an informative episode.  She was also the subject of many art gallery shows and media pieces.  After helping Carol for a time, we turned back to our own commissions but we did speak on the phone occassionally.  One day, we met up for lunch and promised to keep in touch more frequently…and you know how that can go.  Sadly, my brother and I found out that she passed away two months ago from stomach cancer.  We were both so upset and we vowed to find out where we could pay our respects, even at this late hour.  The world has lost a tremendous artist. 

Here is some work we did with her — sorry the pics are not the best quality but they are about six years old and taken by an early digital camera version. 

The wild tortoishell…I’m not the biggest fan of borders per se, but I do like how the matching border adds a nice touch.  The border was handpainted with no stencils used.

I like how Carol decided to have us take the faux beyond the set border…why color within the lines?

Two others…the faux and/or colors in these are just a bit passe, but this is a post of our work with Carol, so in they go…

Today, I also found out that another friend who recently contacted me (she was my best friend in high school and in my 20s) lost her mother this past week.  Heartbreaking.  I suppose that’s the current mood…finding comfort in memories.  I’m going to try my best to be aware of and appreciate all the moments we are given with those we cherish for they have a way of passing us by, no? 

Inspiration for a finish or a technique comes in many forms.  Visuals from magazines, recipes from books, new products and/or new classes from masters in the field or just a beautiful stroll through nature can bring about a flurry of new ideas. 

This particular technique for our client’s wine cellar came from the book Spectacular Walls by Jeannine Dostal.  It took a bit of practice to master the “sculpting” but it was worth it when we presented the sample board to the client.  When we were done with the room, all they kept repeating was “That is so cool!”.  Another client loved it as well so we are doing it for the exterior walls leading into his wine cellar.  In Florence, he commissioned a custom-made large tile plaque with grapes & leaves and his family’s name engraved on it — we are going to bring in the grapes and leaves to intermingle right where they meet the tile & wall.  I’ll post a pic soon! 

Here are the two sides of the cellar (the full pic came out fuzzy, darn it!):

Here’s a close-up:

Until next time!

Mr. Hubbard (no relation to L. Ron) also said “A man is not paid for having head and hands, but for using them.”  Well, that quote also comes into play here.  I thought I’d take a brief respite from faux & design to show you how hands proved a muse for someone’s fun-loving spirit and creativity.  (This person might have also had a lot of time on their…ahem…hands.)  (…aww, no eye-rolling, you know I had to go there!)  A client of mine sent these to me and their colorations and fantastic use of perspective are charming.  I hope you like them as well.

Only thing I wonder: how long did those hand models have to pose for? Seems like an Ouch kind of a situation… 

A company I work with sent me the premiere issue of Hawk & Trowel magazine because they thought I’d be interested in its articles.  And how!  It is a new magazine brought to you by Professional Trade Publications.  They publish magazines, such as Concrete Decor, that cater to the needs of specific trades in the building, architecture and design industries.

In the issue is an article written by Amy B. Johnson entitled  Venetian Plaster: Lime vs. Synthetic.  It is one of the best articles I have ever read with respect to this subject.  Many people simply don’t know the difference between the various types of Venetian Plaster available and the different techniques needed to ensure a beautiful and lasting result.  Great read.

If you are a faux finisher or Venetian plaster artisan, click on the link to subscribe to this magazine (it’s free to the trade).  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! 

P.S.  What is a Hawk?  It’s a hand-held tool that’s used to hold plaster (seen on the cover above).  You just put a good amount of material on it and it makes it easier and faster to load your trowel.  Better than continuously stooping to your plaster container or even worse, getting up and down the ladder.

They say that on your deathbed, you think of the things you didn’t do — not the things you did.  While I won’t say my life has been without its regrets, I do strive to live in the moment and let my friends and family who surround me today know how much I appreciate them and love them.  Case in point: my brother, Jason.  He has been with Garay Artisans almost from the beginning and I do not know where I would be without his support, artistry and genius.  He is also, without a doubt, one of my favorite people in the world and one of the few with whom you could go out and have a great, full-of-laughter time and yet still have deep, introspective and serious conversations with. 

I’ve spoken before about artists usually having another creative outlet other than the one they work within.  My brother is an amazing artist but he also dabbles in photography.  I thought I’d share some of his work with you (none photoshopped).  I think they have a lot of soul and are breathtaking. 

That last one makes me feel elated.  Hope you’ve enjoyed his work!