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

I met Victoria Cerrone in 2005 at the Faux Showcase House when she came to view the home and take our guided tour. We ended up deep in conversation on all things art, design and serendipity…she is truly a wonderful conversationalist. Victoria is the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for BOBOSART, Inc., an art consultancy firm that focuses on high-end commercial, hospitality and residential developments. Some of the public and private art programs the firm is responsible for are CNL Center II at City Commons, the VUE at Lake Eola and U.S. Trust in Miami, Florida. Whenever I spend time with her, I always leave feeling as if I can accomplish anything.  She is that positive and powerful a presence. Her taste in art is impeccable and I thought she’d be perfect to offer us insights into the Fine Art industry.

Tell us a little about yourself and your style. Having spent a good portion of my youth in Italy, I grew up with very contemporary furniture juxtaposed with classic architecture and art. This combination reflects my style which tends to lean toward contemporary art placed in traditional backgrounds or visa versa, traditional art mixed with contemporary design.

Please tell us a little about BOBOSARTs philosophy. Our philosophy is to create powerful connections through art and provide superior client value. Honesty, integrity and professionalism are at the fore front of our work and our relationships.

Where do you see art design heading in the future? The future of art design is exciting and without limit! With the increase in niche boutique properties, art continues to play an important role in the overall design environment. Generation X and Y appreciate the impact art has in their life and seek design that includes more of this. Sculpture can also be incorporated into the green design movement by creating kinetic energy or an art form that is sustainable and I think we will see an interesting art form developing in this sector.

What or Who are some of your inspirations? Public art created by artists such as Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor and Christo breathe life into large exhibits that force us to stop our daily routine and take notice.

Please describe your ideal space. White walls covered with art with very minimal furniture that is well designed. Also, open air spaces with water elements.

Please share with us some of your favorite websites. I really like ARTINFO, Fast Company and artnet.

What is one of your most fulfilling projects? The U.S.Trust project in Miami is a beautiful, well orchestrated contemporary art collection that includes master and emerging artists from Latin America. I am amazed by how each work relates to the next and how many different forms of art are represented, including painting, photography, serigraph and aluminum works. The client had a clear vision of the space and we were able to successfully translate their needs into reality.

What are some industry books that you recommend? I would recommend looking into Collecting Contemporary by Adam Lindeman and Corporate Art Consulting by Susan Abbott.

What art design advice would you offer our blog readers? Visit museums, art fairs and galleries every chance you get; you may discover a piece that you just can’t live without and don’t worry about how it will fit the space. Then, use the art as the inspiration for the design environment it will live into.

Before & After: Seeing the impact in an office space for the U.S. Trust Project

My siblings and I were recently able to catch up with her at an art exhibit organized by her sister, Maria Cerrone. One thing about Victoria is that she is such a generous person and I’ve never known anyone who has a better finger on the pulse of popular culture, art and events in Orlando. She is someone who inspires me to experience different genres of art and by example, give selflessly to others.  I cannot say enough good things about her…we should all have a Victoria in our lives.  I hope you’ve enjoyed her thoughts and please be sure to see the website which features?artwork photographs of the BOBOSART commissioned projects. As always, these interviews are archived in the Message Forum. Hope you had a great weekend!

Hello, everyone! Well, our latest project is taking a restaurant which had white painted cabinetry and turning it into an elegant Antique Cherry wood. Flogging is what the first layer in some woodgraining finishes is called.  You are taking a mixture of tint and beer or soda (yes, you read that right) and slightly beating it onto the surface using a brush called a flogger. (Why they had to resort to using torture terms to describe woodgraining layers is beyond me.) A flogging brush has long bristles which help to simulate the open pores in wood and the underlying grain that occurs when wood is cut.

Our crew has had a fun time with this project.  The team has really gelled together and our finishes look nicely uniform. Plus, we all get along like seven peas in a pod. Our “What If?” situations for each other have continued (which started as we were all doing the Portofino Hotel commission, if you remember that blog post a few weeks ago) and we are now up to Name that Band game (identifying songs on the radio) and the Five Foods to Bring Along to a Deserted Island debate. (Mashed potatoes being on almost everyone’s list.) Everyone should have this much fun working and being with their co-workers!

This is our crazy Garay Artisans team (sorry it’s so fuzzy — they were moving!!!). Back Row: Pedro Santiago, Jason Rosales and Roger Herota. Front Row: Debbie Parsons, Yuri Garcia and Monica Zeuli. Not Pictured: Regina Garay, desperately trying to snap a non-moving group.

Many finishers use different techniques for their woodgraining. For this commission, the layers that worked for us were: (1) Base color, (2) Flogging, (3) First Glazing Layer, (4) Second Glazing Layer, (5) Finesse Layer and two topcoat layers. You need to do this for both the vertical panels (stiles) and horizontal panels (rails).

Here you can see a partial before shot of the restaurant:

Here is Roger flogging the first vertical layer (the stiles) on a nice peachy base. When done, we will switch all the tape around and tackle the horizontal sides (the rails):

Here is a sample of the first glazing layer. You can start to see where the glaze is being manipulated into the grain patterns.

We’re still working on the second glazing layer, which really deepens the color, adds depth and pulls it together. The Finesse layer is about taking all the woodgraining and making sure that the “wood” is not too perfect (since nature is never about being perfect) but making sure that it is perfect since you want an altogether balanced, pleasing and cohesive flow of color and grain. It’s a fine balancing act. Once we are done and the restaurant is put together, I’ll post a series of before and after shots. Talk to you soon!

When I first moved to the Orlando area in 2000 to continue my business, I decided to work for a faux finishing company to learn the lay of the land and meet other artists. The owner paired specific finishers to work in assigned areas and to my incredible luck, I was teamed up with artist Jeff Huckaby. Not only is he a generous person but his artwork (as you shall soon see) is beyond beautiful. Although we now own our individual businesses, we have remained good friends throughout the years and we have kept each other updated on all our design adventures. Jeff, in addition to being a great finisher, specializes in creating one-of-a-kind ceilings. They are unique works of art and I try to incorporate them in the design plan for many of my residential and commercial clients. In addition to introducing you (my faithful blog readers) to design professionals, I thought I’d also introduce you to other wonderful finishers, muralists and fine artists. What a treat for me to have Jeff as the first artist profiled — and I know you’ll love reading about his thoughts on all things design. Please be sure to view his website — my favorite area is the “From Sketch to End Product”.

Tell us a little about yourself, your style and philosophy. I’ve been painting for 11 years and am still challenged by this profession in some fashion everyday. My personal style and the style of painting that I do could not be at more opposite ends of the spectrum. My style at home is simple and clean. For work, the style is usually something ornate inspired by the old world (although not always). My philosophy with decorative painting is not to go for the obvious. I try to come up with something that is unexpected yet classically inspired. I always steer way clear of “cute”.

What are some misconceptions about interior design and/or faux finishing that you encounter? That it is glamorous and easy….it most assuredly is neither.

What/Who are some of your inspirations? I’m a magazine junkie. I sit down once a month with a stack of magazines that is about 2 feet tall and clip out anything that catches my attention, be it a design or a color combination. I keep all of the clippings handy when I’m stuck for an idea. It is a great resource.

Please describe your ideal space. A neutral palette with bold yet simple furnishings and a few well placed ethnographic accents among an otherwise modern aesthetic. For art on the walls, abstract canvases painted in muted but colorful tones. I love things that have an organic quality.

What are some of the most common design and/or finishing mistakes that you come across? The most common mistake I see across the board is inappropriate use of scale. When designing an embellishment for a space (or anything else), one must keep in mind that the design needs to balance out what is around it. It can’t just be whatever it wants to be. It has to speak to the other elements in the room. Secondly, a tip: When choosing colors from a paint deck, go with the chip that is a shade lighter than the one you choose. The color typically will feel darker and more intense when it is on the wall. This is especially true when choosing yellow tones, I find.

Any design and/or finishing books that you recommend for us to read? My current favorite is 150 Best Apartment Ideas. It is great for the modern interior lover.

What’s the best piece of design advice you have ever received? I was very fortunate to work under a designer when I started out who was not shy about telling me what I did wrong. She actually brought me to tears on more than a few occasions. But she told me over and over again, “You have to step back and look at your work, Jeff!” It is such simple advice…but so helpful.

What is your favorite quote? Undoubtedly it is “Buy the best and you only cry once.”

What design and/or finishing advice would you offer our blog readers? If a potential project scares you, try to conquer it by approaching it in a way in which you know you can absolutely control the materials you will use. A daunting job is no place to be trying out new techniques. Don’t be afraid to recommend your own ideas to a client. I find that clients are open to ideas if the spirit of the outcome is the same. If you can’t do that, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a colleague or simply turn down the job. Sometimes saying no is just the ticket to keeping your sanity. But don’t ever stop stretching your comfort zone either. Use common sense.

Some of Jeff’s work:

I’ve known Jeff for seven years and never realized that we both peruse magazine clippings for ideas! He’s right — they are a fantastic creative jumpstarter. Please be sure to view more of Jeff’s work. He is truly a unique and extremely talented artist…and a valued friend. As always, the Faux-cus on the Pros interviews will be archived in the Message Forum for access anytime. Have a great day!

Hello, Everyone! We have some exciting news for the DIY Workshop Programs for you — we’ve fine tuned the process and have “listened” to all the e-mails and feedback we’ve received. Here’s the brand new info we have in store?for you:

ONE We are going to be offering remote classes to make sure everyone gets a chance to have a DIY Faux Workshop and doesn’t have to travel forever to get to the class location. The five locations are: Downtown Orlando, East Orlando, Altamonte Springs, The Villages and Clermont. If you feel any of these locations is still too far or you’d like a particular class not being offered in your area, please e-mail us with your suggestions. I, for one, am excited to travel to these locations and meet all the budding artists out there!

TWO Due to this change, we are also offering an special introductory rate to our classes. These rates will be in place for six months and then they’ll go back to their original pricing so I do suggest you snap up your space now. The Elegant Glazes and Metallic Finishes workshops will now be $99 and both the Textures and Venetian Plasters class will be $125. Honestly, there is no way in the world to beat that with a stick. Great Pricing + Fantastic Finishes = Beautiful Home.

THREE We have also teamed up with MeetUp and are offering a free (yes, free) Faux Finishing roundtable at the House Blend Cafe in Ocoee, FL. It’s really geared towards homeowners and beginners and we want to encourage a fun time discussing?finishes and decorative details, targeting project speedbumps, meeting like-minded others and having a great cup of coffee and some munchies for about an hour or so. You can also come see the workshop sample boards and ask any questions about the classes if you’d like. It’s really all about providing a good, informative time with new friends. The MeetUp is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th at 10:00 am and you need to RSVP here. Sign up early because attendee size is limited. If it proves popular, I’ll have one about once every month or so.

FAUX! Here is the new workshop schedule. The website will be updated by early next week and you can sign up online or send in payment via snail mail.? If you need help processing the payment or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Suzanne in our office: (407) 839-4050.

* Saturday, September 15 - House Blend Cafe?(Ocoee, FL) 10:00 am MeetUp - Faux Project Roundtable for Beginners (Free) * RSVP here *

* Saturday, September 22 - Maitland Civic Center?(Maitland, FL) 10 am - 1 pm: Metallic Finishes Workshop ($99) 2:30 - 5:30 pm: Touchable Textures ($125)

* Saturday, October 20 - Citrus Room at Holiday Inn Express in Clermont, FL 10am - 1 pm: Metallic Finishes Workshop ($99) 2:30 - 5:30 pm: Venetian Plaster ($125)

* Saturday, November 17 - City Arts Factory (Downtown Orlando, FL) 11:30 am - 2:30 pm: Touchable Textures ($125) 3:30 - 6:30 pm: Venetian Plaster ($125)

* Saturday, December 8 - The Villages, FL (Location: TBD) 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Elegant Glazes ($99) 2:30 - 5:30 pm: Touchable Textures ($125)

* Saturday, January 19 - East Orlando, FL (Location: TBD) 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Metallic Finishes ($99) 2:30 - 5:30 pm: Touchable Textures ($125)

SPECIAL NOTE: To look at the samples for the Metallic Finishes, Elegant Glazes and Touchable Textures class, please visit the DIY area of our website. Please note that pics of the Venetian Plaster class and soon-to-be scheduled Cabinet Class will be up by early next week. The Cabinet Class does have a waiting list started so be sure to e-mail Suzanne@GarayArtisans.com if you’d like to have first dibs on attending that workshop.

Have an amazing day!

I met Sherry Duvall and Peter Petrilli when they e-mailed me about a very unique finish for their home.  When I met with them, I was aware that they were involved in the real estate business but as soon as I walked into their home, I knew that they had sensibilities that set them further apart.  Since Sherry has strong artistic training and Peter has an architectural, engineering and product design background, they can both conceptualize a space for their clientele and not only create a home that is wonderful to walk into but that will also maximize their investment in the future. They are both involved in the high-end resale market, as well as land sales and new construction. Given this and their flawless design instincts, I thought them uniquely qualified to give us industry insights.

Tell us a little about yourself and your style. As a high-end Realtor, I have seen a lot of homes: the good, the bad and the ugly. When my new husband and I decided to build our dream home in 2006, we committed ourselves to incorporating all of our favorite things. My husband is an architect and industrial designer; we are both artists with similar likes and dislikes. Although Peter lived 25 years in Coral Gables, we love Central Florida. We wanted to create the overall flavor of living in South Florida in our home, including design, features and color.

Tell us a little about your company and its philosophy. Peter and I specialize in high-end real estate, the resale market and land/ construction sales. We have been very successful focusing on our service and professionalism.

What are some misconceptions about interior design and/or architecture?that you encounter? In my business, the biggest misconception regarding interior deign and architecture is that each room should have its own personality. The most desired homes have a consistant theme throughout; the flow of the floor plan and design should be present in some capacity in every room.

Please describe your ideal space. Our ideal space is open, light and bright. It has an unassumming elegance detailed with the finest details possible with extra attention to the fixtures, flooring and colors. In our home, our favorite room is a “living room” turned “sun room” that has the ability to be converted to indoor or outdoor space depending upon the weather. On the interior, it has beautifully stained french doors and on the exterior it has 8 ft high pocket sliders. The room is positioned, so that it overlooks the gas fire pit and lagoon-style pool.

What are some of your favorite color, texture and/or products to work with? Because we are both painters, I think we have a great appreciation of color and texture. Our entire color palette was chosen before we started building our home. We did not deviate from that palette in any aspect of the home, which adds to the overall flow and continuity. We chose persimmon, browns, warm golds and citrons/ grassy greens. We complimented all the interior colors by finishing the floors in stained concrete.

What has been the most positive and/or fulfilling project you’ve worked on? I had the pleasure of working with a family that had a grown daughter with MS. They had not been able to afford a universally handicapped desgined home until after they received an inheritance. I was instrumental in assisting them with designing the home to acommodate Elizabeth in her wheel chair, slopping thresholds, wheel chair accessible sinks and desks, low pile flooring, wider door ways, etc. This was the first time in her life that she did not have to drag herself up a flight of stairs to go to bed. After her first night in their new home, I asked Elizabeth how she felt and she replied, “I feel like a princess”. After ten years, I still get an invitation to the family Christmas party.

What design and/or architecture advice would you offer our blog readers? I always recommend that my building customers hire an architect, interior designer with experience in new construction and a landscape architect, if possible. Considering where we live, it would make sense to focus on “Florida-style”. I see so many customers relocating from different parts of the country and bringing with them their exisiting ideas of design and architecture, which could be the kiss of death when it comes to maximizing the overall return on their invesment.

Home designed by Sherry Duvall and Peter Petrilli (Dave Brewer Realty)

I completely agree with Sherry’s assertion that a home should flow and not have different themes peppered throughout the house. Picking a beautiful color scheme and incorporating those in different ways is key to successful design. I also love how a home can be tailored to fit the needs of a client, a la Elizabeth’s story. It’s always wonderful when you can make a client feel like royalty. Thank you, Sherry, for sharing your insights on behalf of both yourself and Peter. Please be sure to look them up under their company, Dave Brewer Realty. As always, this interview will be archived in our M!essage Forum. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend