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

The art of woodgraining is traditionally called Faux Bois (sounds like Foh Bwa).  It is a craft that takes a lot of time to perfect but I consider it an absolutely necessity for any faux finishing company to have this ability in their bag of tricks.  We get called in to do a LOT of woodgraining — front doors, garage doors, archways, trim work, existing cabinetry, elevator doors (yes, really) and ceiling beams to name a few.  Most of our work consists of matching existing woodtones and we can work on a large variety of base materials (i.e., metal, paint grade wood, drywall, etc.).  We recently fooled a carpenter with just one of our samples (let alone the work), which made our day.  It truly is a very gratifying finish — and every step, from base coat to topcoat is equally important for the effect to be as realistic as possible.

The following are pictures of one of the transfauxmations we did this year.

We started with a white painted cabinet.

You can start seeing the changes here.  We began by applying a woody yellow base coat and then proceeded to the flogging and graining phases.  We protect and tape the area well since we?spray some of the coats — it gives a seamless finish.

Our technique involves one flogging phase and two graining phases. You can see the difference a second layer adds by comparing them side by side.  The right has one layer while the left has the second. Quite a difference, no?

I’m putting this shot in so that you can see the grain details we work in.  I LOVE seeing these grain patterns appear — it makes me so happy to see what a flick in the wrist can do.  We usually do not use the rockers since we find greater control over the pattern created with other brushes.

Here is the final shot before everything was put back together.  I’ve put the original back in the corner for you to see the difference.  When you step back, you see the overall effect but if you were to step closer, that’s when the layers of graining details really shine.

Hope you liked the befaux and after shots!  Next week, we are starting work on very high ceiling beams doing faux bois marquetry using intricate designs.  We should be done with it by the beginning of next year — I’ll be sure to post those pics.  Have a great day!

The home I’m currently working on has a decorator who recently had a nice laugh at my expense.  We’re working on quite a few areas and she asked me to take a look at the main powder bath and think up some ideas for it.  I had provided her some options when she comes in and says, “Regina, the client has the perfect idea! He’s thinking mauve!”

At this point, I start silently hyperventilating, my eyes are darting and I feel a mini-panic attack come on.  You see, I have this thing about mauve. Mauve is The Big Bad for me — I just can’t work with it no matter how hard I try.  Think kryptonite for Superman, water for the Wicked Witch of the West, an empty donut box for Homer Simpson…all rolled into one.  (In the link above, it says that artist James Whistler asserted that “mauve is just pink trying to be purple.” What a perfect description.) So, I start to explain my hard and fast rule about mauve — cue Meatloaf — “I would do anything for faux, but I won’t do that”, when she starts laughing and says “The crew thought it would be funny to bring it up and see your reaction!  Don’t worry, no one is thinking mauve.”

(…did I mention my crew got fired?…I kid, I kid!…I only thought about it seriously for like, a minute. Maybe ten.)

The point of this little story is that it got us thinking about all the left of center requests we’ve had that we’ve never said “no” to.  Sometimes a client will ask for something a little extra that we normally don’t get the chance to do.  (In fact, for the current client we are “adding some patina” to exterior planters and glass etching a full design into the pool bath’s two windows since they are currently see-through and right at body-level.  Really cool stuff.)? Here’s a few:

Backsplashes:  We have created faux backsplashes (left pic), tile backsplashes for future installation in a pool bath (middle pic) and a tile mural for an outdoor kitchen.

Fixes: (left pic) The client had an existing glazed ceiling and faux marble border.  They then had cabinetry installed which caused them to have to move a light fixture and break into the pre-painted border.  Our task? Fix the hole, mimic the existing faux marble border and make it look as if nothing had ever happened (right pic).

Casts:  Our client wanted an exact duplicate of her kitchen tile incorporated into her range cover.  So, we created a mold of the tile, made a paintable cast and then installed that in a linear design.

Adding some oomph:  (left pic) Our client didn’t like her guest bath’s light pine cabinets and formica countertop.  We painted the counter to look like granite (stopping at the inner edge of the sink) and faux stained the cabinets to an antique cherry color. They are both very durable.  (middle and right pic) Client liked his black wrought iron gate but it looked too “new”. He wanted it to look aged, rusted, weathered. He was happy with the results.

Forgotten Fireplaces: The fireplace on the left was chipped, sported a drab color and had basically seen better days. The angel relief also did not fit into the incoming design scheme. (right pic) We removed the angel, filled in the hole, retextured the area and gave the whole piece a warmer color.  We also stained the concrete base for good measure.

Statues: Our client had small statues that she treasured but had deteriorated badly. She wanted a fresh, dark tone.  We sanded, cleaned, primed and colored our way to just that.

I think I’ll keep adding “You Gonna Finish That?” posts from time to time.? It’s fun to see the transformation a little fixing and a little painting can have, no?

Title: Quote from Diner

I was introduced to the wonderful Stoneworks of Art by a good friend of mine: my mother-in-law, Naomi.  The company became established over 20 years ago and since then have amassed a loyal clientele in their Miami-based location in addition to clients throughout the nation, in the Caribbean and Latin America.  The company’s designs are based on Renaissance inlay stonework and their artisans use ingenious methods to recreate those designs for modern consumers.  Owner Jo-Ann Zanzuri and Omar Pineda, the Showroom Manager, took time to offer insights and considerable knowledge to us.

Tell us a little about your company and its style.

Stoneworks of Art is a national leader in waterjet-cut natural thin and lightweight stone products.  We design and produce the finest selection of classic and contemporary natural stone medallions, borders and tabletops for a broad range of? residential and commercial applications.  Our style is very traditional. Clean lines, elegant swirls and delicate elements adorn our medallions and borders. We utilize the natural beauty of stone to enhance our designs and enrich them to be fine pieces of art.

What advice would you offer our blog readers with regard to your trade?

Take advantage of the now growing selection of natural stones available. For many years, designers and builders felt comfortable with standard color selections in marble and granite. New quarries, unavailable a few years back, have unveiled extraordinary finds in onyx, limestone and semi-precious stones. Incorporating these new colors to our standard palette has, for us, redefined the look of elegance in our medallions and ergo in our client’s spaces.  Look for a company that continually keeps being innovative in their field.

The sky is the limit in terms of design. For example, one of our offered natural stone materials, Trimstone, can offer floor, wall and ceiling applications, previously prohibited due to production and installation issues. It is also very easy to install — which is great for everyone. Be aware of all your options before making your final decision.

What are some misconceptions about stone that you encounter?

Stone slabs are usually thick and used for countertops and cut to size applications. Designers and builders have avoided using these slabs for wall applications, elevators and any place where the thickness and weight was a factor. We’ve countered this factor by developing a patent-pending process of making thin, lightweight natual stone slabs for these uses. At only 3/8″ thin and 2.5 lbs per square foot, the Trimstone panels can be used where other slabs are impossible, expensive or too dangerous to use. Among the benefits are greater strength, resilience and durability, lighter in weight, easier installation, reduced chance of breakage and reduced shipping costs. So the misconceptions that stone is heavy and hard to maintain is no longer an issue.

What are some of your favorite design styles?

Although we are personally able to create endless clean line designs, our clientele overwhelmingly selects traditional, old world and sophisticated designs in rich jewel stones.

What/Who are some of your inspirations?

Our craft revolves around a blend of historical designs, modern trends and everyday inspiration.  In the case of custom work, our designers are commissioned to create patterns with only a few basic guidelines. The most insignificant leaf or bent piece of wire can inspire a striking new medallion design.

What are some of your favorite color and/or product combinations to work with?

Medallions are exquisite art pieces in your home or business. An extensive color palette of marbles, granites and limestones can create any mood in your home. We especially love to incorporate semi-precious stones like onyx, blue lazuli or any exotic stone. These unique elements give medallions an incomparable beauty.

What are some of the most common design and/or stonework mistakes that you come across?

Sometimes our clients have tried to have stone match the other finishes in their house. Stone has a natural beauty of its own and can stand alone as long as the overall tones match the house.

What’s the best piece of design advice you have ever received?

There is no such thing as a marble emergency!

It is clear that the artisans at Stoneworks of Art love their craft. Mr. Pineda let me know that their designs are hand cut by the artisans using powerful water jets at the rate of 50,000 psi, which is faster than the speed of sound.  They are then carefully assembled and polished by hand — amazing! Take a look:

While perusing their online catalog, I’m just falling in love with some of their designs. Here are some of them:

Aren’t they gorgeous?  Certainly inspiring.  I’m so happy that Stoneworks of Art was able to provide some behind-the-scenes peeks and I hope their information proved to be a fun and informative read.  (…and a BIG Thank You! to Naomi for facilitating the interview.)  Please be sure to check out their beautiful website and check back in a month for the next edition of Faux-cus on the Pros. 

Well, color me bummed.  First, they close down my favorite magazine House and Garden (with the editorial letters from the incomparable Dominique Browning and the very funny Testy Tastemaker, Mayer Rus) and today I find out that they have closed down Blueprint.  Sigh.

I’ll miss ya…wish I could have more.

Title Quote: Oliver Twist

Just wanted to write a note to say that if you are into contemporary artworks, the Orlando Museum of Art opened an exhibit this past Saturday that features 75 works of art from private collections (two pictured below).  The exhibit is entitled Audacity in Art and runs through early February 2008.  You can click to find out more info here. Mmm…Audacity in Art?  Now, that’s intriguing — will definitely have to check that out!

Update 12/14/07: BTW, I just read this special membership offer: “Celebrate the holidays with the Orlando Museum of Art! Purchase one Museum Membership and receive a second Membership for $20 — this is a $50 savings! Memberships come gift wrapped and ready to give. Please call the Membership Department at 407.896.4231, ext. 235 or email khallisey@omart.org for more information. This offer expires Dec. 31, 2007. For additional information about Museum Membership and benefits, please click here.”

Although I was raised by a Hispanic single mother, I didn’t grow up with salsa or other Spanish music. We listened to Billy Joel, Abba, The Eagles (Los Eagles, to her), Chicago, Stevie Wonder, The Carpenters — and throw in some Motown soul, the Ramones and a bit of disco and you get the picture.  So when we listened to Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia”, I often thought what a great place Georgia must be to have someone willing to travel at night to get there.  (When you’re young, you take things literally.  I didn’t understand that it was about the tough loss of a dream and the strength of love.)  All I knew is that Georgia was a special place that I wanted to visit.

I’ve only gotten to Atlanta (though I’d love to visit Savannah and other GA locations) but I love the city.  Not only does it have a fantastic entertainment industry, but it also has great cultural locations and amazing restaurants. Some of the best faux schools are also there: School of Italian Plasters, The Finishing Source and Paintin’ the Town Faux.  My husband and I were there recently since I’ve been wanting to visit The High (Atlanta’s art museum) ever since they announced their three-year collaboration with the Louvre in Paris: Louvre Atlanta.  For three years (with a different exhibit each year), priceless artworks and masterpieces will travel to the United States and find a temporary home here.  We are in Year Two of the collaboration and the theme, so to speak, for this year is The Louvre and the Ancient World.  To wander around looking at huge sculptures and artifacts that belonged to Egyptian pharaohs and Napoleon himself is mind-boggling (at least to me).  Then, as you meander around you come upon the Impressionism exhibit wherein you come face to face with Renoir, Monet, Degas, Cezanne and Cassatt masterpieces, to name a few.  My husband, Chris, and I also discovered the Women In Art exhibit, which featured the Eleanor photographs by Harry Callahan. Mr. Callahan photographed his wife, both clothed and in the nude (although very few of them are erotic in nature), for most of his life.  Chris didn’t really like them (”she’s never smiling and the photos make her look so cold and distant”) but I liked them precisely for that reason — the fact that she wasn’t the point of the photograph but a part of its composition as a whole.  My hubby is a great companion to wander around with since he brings his own unique ideas on how art is perceived and he makes me aware of details that I would otherwise never notice. The High was packed when we got there early in the morning (you can see the crowd starting around The Tiber sculpture below) but was absolutely a mob scene by the time we left in the early afternoon…the Louvre exhibit is really popular.  If you get a chance to visit, please consider it.

In retrospect, I should have known that taking photographs would not be permitted inside the museum but it worked out because I took pics of something else instead. While staying at the The Peach House, we noticed that the architecture of the neighbohood was really beautiful.  (According to my Google research, it is a mix of Victorian Anne and Victorian Colonial.)  The owners are really proud of their homes and are not afraid to paint their exteriors with great color schemes. The effect is really enjoyable and quite different from some of the home communities here in Florida (same look: boxy, same colors: neutral). Here are some examples:

Hope you’ve enjoyed the pics…”talk” to you soon!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  Me, too, Kelly…me, too.  Ms. Kelly Wearstler is one of my very favorite designers so I am choosing her book Modern Glamour - The Art of Unexpected Style as our first official Book-of-the-Month.  I actually started off with her second book, Domicilium Decoratus, a picturial on her self-designed home.  After speaking with a fellow design aficionado (thanks, Blythe!), I ordered Modern Glamour and have been reading (and drooling) ever since.  You can further check out her works and product line at her firm’s website.

Ms. Wearstler is an interior designer who mixes bold patterns and colors with an easy elegance.  She never leaves a wall just white (Thank You!) and uses architectural details and objects from different eras and styles and blends them beautifully. In the book, she shares inside info on colors, textures, details and the evolution of her process. The book’s photographs are sumptuous and a true feast for the eyes. Below are some of my favorites:

Pic Below: Love the color scheme and the insets (looks like painted tree branches and birds over aged gold leaf, yummy!).  Oh, is that a glass of wine? Why, thank you…I believe I shall sit down and chat for a bit.

Pic Below: Though monochromatic, there is still opportunity to throw in a bold pattern in an unexpected place.

Pic Below: The panels are created by paint (unique, wonderful idea) and I love the details such as the dual-colored door on the back right (when closed, it completes both rooms) and the tassel on the door handle in the foreground.

Pic Below: Good-looking exterior pics are a big thrill for me (maybe since I’m none-too-pleased with my own and need more ideas).  How cool is the seating? I thought it was a great idea for those who entertain at home knowing that their guests sometimes spill outside. (Plus, I love pretty dresses and I appreciate sitting/leaning areas in a party that won’t snag my clothing. I’m a girl — I had to notice that…)

There are many more ideas in this book — I didn’t even post some of the most amazing visuals.  Sometimes a bit of mystery is wonderful and I’ll leave you to discover those images.  I loved the fact that although most of the photographs are of “fantasy” homes and hotels, there were still many ideas and inspirations that could be brought into any space.  I hope you consider perusing the book — I believe that you will fully enjoy it and feel creatively inspired!

We sometimes get e-mails from our website visitors asking questions about a specific finish or just about a general finishing dilemma they have.  While we can’t give away all our secrets, we are pretty open about a lot of our faux finishes and recipes.  I’m going to be sharing some of the e-mail questions we receive that I think many would benefit from.  So, here goes the premiere of our first mailbag question: stripes!

Kristen from Jacksonville, FL writes: Hi! First of all, you do amazing work. I’d like some info on your sunny yellow and white stripe room. What kind of paint did you use? Is it a glaze? Do you know the specific colors that were used?  It is awesome. How wide are the stripes? Thanks so much.

Kristen: Ah, those stripes.  One of my FAVORITE rooms — but it wasn’t while we were doing it, LOL!  Our client called us in with that yellow pre-existing?with her home purchase.  It literally started at the baseboards and was taken into the ceilings.  There were no house records of the paints used and no paint can available to guide us in the right direction.  It was a dark sunny/yellow ochre at least, that’s the way I would describe it.  We went to our local Sherwin-Williams to match it using a painted switchplate.  (Took us 4 tries — you have no idea how much we wish we knew what the original color was.  We were touching up so it had to be spot-on.) We used the white to tone the yellow down with stripes and painted the ceiling, but left the baseboards and crown with the yellow intact.  There were no glazes used.  The stripes were 5″ wide from what I remember (it’s been a few years).  The accessories in that room were kept to black and white and small splashes of color.

One thing I do remember about that yellow is that it was slightly obnoxious on its own.  So, in looking for that yellow, I would test out some that are, on first impression, not “pretty” and a bit much — in fact, you may look at it and say “no way” initially. That yellow turned into a powerhouse only when the white (and black) came in to pair up with it.  I hope that has helped…let me know how it turns out…and thanks for the compliment! - Regina

Here is another view of the room she is referring to, in addition to the link above:

Below are a few tips on stripes — and a few more pics.

Tip 1: Before starting, measure the length of the entire room.  We divide this number by the stripe width we are hoping to achieve and find a happy medium that will give us the best possible equal length stripes. We then use pencil and a laser beam level to map out the stripes. There are a few ways to create stripes but this method is effective for us.

Tip 2: Before you begin painting the stripes, seal the tape with either a clear color (such as Faux Effects AquaSeal) or use the same color that the tape is protecting. When it dries, it creates a seal barrier that your striping color can not penetrate  allowing for a crisp clean line. (If the color you use to seal with does seep under, it’s absolutely fine since it will either be the same color that it seeps into or will dry clear and you will not be able to see it.) You will sooooooooo thank me for this tip.

Tip 3: Know that all stripe lengths will not be spot on but the final effect is such that no one will notice. Start at the least seen corner and work your way around back to the starting point.

Tip 4: The direction of the stripes (horizontal or vertical) affect the size of the room while the color of the stripes affect the ambience and style.  Vertical stripes add height while horizontal stripes make the room appear larger.

Tip 5: To achieve subtle stripes, either (1) paint the same color in both a satin and semi-gloss or gloss sheen or (2) paint the room using a satin base paint in your chosen color and then stripe with a semi-gloss or gloss topcoat.

…and that is everyone looking out for ladder safety this holiday season.  I came home from the grocery store this morning (preparing to treat my visiting Mom to a delicious breakfast) and one of my neighbors is on this impossibly high ladder secured on what looked like dirt reaching to his far right to put on his holiday lights. I swear I saw his life flash before my eyes. I stopped to help him but also thought to put out this APB on the blog. (You see, very early on in this line of work, I fell off an 8-foot ladder and suffered broken bones and had knee surgery.  Even though I still scale the heights, I’m a huge safety advocate now.)

I found these really great ladder safety tips online for this (or any) season. Enjoy…and be safe out there while making your house the coolest on the block!

Title Quote: Spice Girls