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

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!

We’re up to the third and last home in Fauxology’s online tour of the Street of Dreams Orlando 2008: Chica Margarita — and it is every bit as enjoyable as it sounds.  (Chateau d’Usse is the first home we profiled and Triana is the second.)  Chica Margarita was named to honor its “fun, female and Spanish influences”.  The builder is Martoccia Custom Construction and the talented designer is Anne Rue.  Chica Margarita is eco-friendly, with over 70% of the home using reclaimed or green materials.  The home was built to cater an active family — boasting a small golf course, exercise room, outdoor recreation area, a bowling alley (which glows in the dark — cool!), a theatre, a large playroom and 27 plasma televisions sprinkled throughout the house.  According to the catalog, the builder/designer team jokingly considered calling the house “Why Go Out?”.  It is priced at 8.9 million (furnished). 

Here’s the Entrance.  Not a favorite of many but I loved it!

One of the game rooms had a full-room mural.  It depicted shifting seasons and landscapes.  Really nice.

Some unusual textures - breakaway brick (left) and Venetian Crocodile (right)

One of the girl’s rooms was a favorite of mine.  Here’s the room and the bath.  The flowers in the shower are made of mosaic tiles and I love the frilly shower curtains.

Check out how cute this is - a funky, hip mural of a girl with real mirrors on the skirt and rhinestones on the cell phone. 

The infamous bowling alley.  It was created for a Gator fan (see “Gator Lanes” airbrushed in the back?).  It also has Yankee Stadium painted in the side mural.  (I guess it’s commemorative since this year is the last year that particular stadium will be used to host games.)

…and finally, the exterior grounds…

We were all floored by the beautiful pieces of art chosen by the designer and the truly original lighting fixtures.  Once again, this was a favorite among some of the group — the house favorites were pretty much evenly divided within our ranks.  Truly, isn’t that what the Street of Dreams is about?  A little something to inspire the interior designer in all of us. 

Some pictures courtesy of Street of Dreams.