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

Hi, Everyone!  Well, tomorrow (Saturday, 8/16) is The Day!  I’ve talked about The Fauxtastic Four before and gave you a preview of what was coming.  Well, we’ve decided to change our moniker and re-christened ourselves: The Wall-nuts!  (No offense is intended to any ceiling or any other surface.  My name is Regina Garay and I approve this message.) 

We are getting together to check out the recipes in Gary Lord’s book “It’s Faux Easy”.  (Do click on the Fauxtastic Four link above to read a little more in-depth about our plan…it’s been a long day and Momma’s tired.) 

My husband, Chris, and Sharon Adelman’s husband, Chad, have been working diligently this week to put our podcast tech tools together to ensure that the four Wall-nuts can talk all about our first adventure.  Thank you so much, Chris and Chad!  I’ll try to post the entries up as fast as I can.  Not sure the world is ready for us gabbing away (someone is bringing Mimosas, I think) but there it is…

Until then!

I enjoy using stencils in both my business and the workshops I teach.  They are so varied nowadays — from traditional to large graphic prints to thoroughly modern patterns.  The designs are just an additional beautiful “layer” to use on a technique.  Here’s what Debbie from Clermont, FL wrote to us:

Hey, Regina!  How’s everything?  Just a quick question for you, where’s the best place to get stencils?  My sister and I would like to use some for fabrics.  We are going to the UK next week.  Anything there?  

From Regina: Why, yes, Debbie — I can totally help with that!  In fact, it’s one of the questions I get asked the most.  Many people think of Michaels as the only place one can get stencils but there are other options as well.  Stencil companies abound on the web but I am going to save you a lot of Google trouble and just give you a list of our perennial favorites.  I’ll also throw in some blogs for you to visit that focus on the art of stencilling. 

Well, if you are going to be in the UK (lucky girl!), you must stop by and see the very chic Helen Morris at The Stencil Library.  Although I’ve never met her, I feel as if I do because of her gorgeous blog.  I pretty much drool over any of her designs but it’s the latest, the Larger than Life collection, that has me really excited.  Her current catalog encompasses over 3,500 designs and can be shipped world-wide.

Royal Design Studio and Modello Designs - The former is a traditional stencil company and the latter focuses on one-time use decorative masking patterns.  Each company has gorgeous designs to choose from and each site features beautiful showcases for their patterns.  Ms. Royals, an established author, also has a blog focusing on all things pattern.

Artistic Painting Studio has beautiful new designs called the Black & White collection.  The company is owned by Ms. Jennifer Ferguson who is frequently featured on HGTV.  She just recently started her own blog.

Dimensional stenciling is something that has been around for a bit but some are doing really innovating finishes with the style.  My friend, Donna, at the Sarasota School of Faux & Architectural Finishing, exclusively sells a 14mil line by Victoria Larsen that allows you to get a crisper and fuller design.  Nice!

Stencil Planet has some unusual and super cool stencils available online.  Their site is easy to navigate and has an Ideas & Tips section. 

Looking for an allover design to mimic wallpaper?  Wallovers has them!  These types of designs are available by most stencil companies but Wallovers focuses on them exclusively.  They also offer “toppers”, a smaller stencil to fill in gaps.  Trust me, you want one of those!  Mm, loving their new Roundabout design…

I just had the Mad Stencilist print me up a few of their “Say What?” stencils.  They can custom cut and font any script or quote you’d like to add to your home — even over archways.  Just send them your measurements and voila! Plus, they have such a cool name. 

Finally, their is also a search site for stencils — appropriately enough called Stencil Search.  They also have a full listing of the stencil companies they cover. 

I hope this has helped!  I’m glad you’re trying out stencilling on fabric — and if you’re washing the fabric, please remember to use specially-designed fabric paint!  Let me know how it all turns out!   - Regina

I luff mail like that because it just serves to remind me not only the amazing variety of stencils available today but also the the myriad of versatile surfaces that stencils can be incorporated into.  Now that you have this info…why wait?  Create!

The Fauxtastic Four. What is it? Who are they? Is there really a faux superhero team? Well, no…and yes. The Fauxtastic Four came about as an idea I had to take the faux recipe books and videos that come out every year and actually test them. See if the recipes hold up and if anyone really can achieve those looks. Then, I thought, “Why just test them on my own when a group with varying degrees of training can do so?” The idea started to take shape and the group started to evolve. I narrowed it to four participants: [1] a faux-as-a-hobby enthusiast with no professional training, [2] a professional faux finisher starting their career, [3] a professional faux finisher more than a decade into her career (that would be me), and [4] a university-trained muralist.  In short, the Fauxology readers will each have a person whose experience they can relate to.  I thought we each would bring a certain outlook into our tests and reviews while helping the readers (that would be you) make an informed buying decision on a “how-to” purchase.  

Here’s how it works: Once per quarter, our group chooses a book and/or video we’d all like to review. After picking the finish in the book/video we’d each like to try the most, with no repeats, we get together in the studio for one day to test our chosen recipes and talk (and eat and drink and have fun).  No actual formulas will be posted online but there will be pictures taken of the process and of the final results. All four of us are pretty positive personalities so we will be fair but not be vicious or derogatory — we’ll leave that to those who like to tear others down.  Our ideal goal is to have a great experience with the book/video and share our findings with you.  We will also have a podcast where you can listen to the four of us dish on our day and the results.

So, who is the lucky recipient of Review Numero Uno? Why, it’s Gary Lord! We’ve picked his book “It’s Faux Easy” to test out. Our studio day is planned for Saturday, August 16 – look for the next Fauxtastic Four entry after that to see and listen to the results! Until then, here are the pics and bios of each of the Fauxtastic Four members…enjoy!

The Faux Enthusiast: Sharon Adelman

Hoping to Inspire: All the DIYers out there!

I have always been very active in the arts. In middle and high school, I loved “still art” and anything that was abstract. With my parents’ “push” to learn classical music since I was 5 years old, it also fueled my passion for music as well. I went into Audio Engineering and Digital Media degree programs, but eventually got tired of the competitive nature of the music business. Four years ago, I tapped into the teaching market after a revelation: teaching has always been in my blood since the women in my family were all teachers. This has taken me into a new career and I now teach at a children’s school. Art and faux has always been something of a fantasy for me, meaning that “one day, I will learn it” but I never knew where to start. After meeting Regina, it sparked my interest even more. I enjoy cooking, entertaining, traveling abroad, indigenous craft and music.

Ye Olde Timer: Regina Garay

Hoping to Inspire: Like-minded professionals and anyone with an interest in decorative painting as a hobby or business

Regina Garay is of Hispanic heritage and has traveled internationally to receive training from world-renowned Master Artisans. She is a member of the Stencil Artisans League and the company is an ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Industry Partner. She was one of the first faux finishers in the country to be recognized as a Certified Faux Consultant by the Paint and Decorating Retailers of America. She has taught faux finishing courses for the Southern Women’s Show and her firm’s work has been featured in newspapers and magazines (and now, a book: Modello by Design) in addition to a commission featured in the Frontgate catalog which reached 40 million homes. She was recently asked by TalkFaux, an international faux finishing forum, to be a Global Moderator on their site. Her firm, Garay Artisans, was established in 1998 and the artisans have since worked in many beautiful homes and notable commercial projects including hotels, restaurants and boutiques. She also teaches beginner’s faux finishing workshops in Orlando in conjunction with Benjamin Moore and maintains the Fauxology blog. She personally enjoys traveling, socializing, dancing, reading a great book and going to the movies. She hopes to tackle her garden as a project one day.

The New Professional Faux Finisher: Debbie Jackson

Hoping to Inspire: Those who are just starting their faux careers or are thinking of jumping into one

Debbie Jackson is the owner of Debbie’s Designs, a Central Florida faux finish and custom painting business that was established in 2006. Debbie’s interest in art began in elementary school, where she began drawing portraits of her family, friends and an assortment of pets. Over the years she developed an interest in making her surroundings more appealing to the eye and decided to take the next step and start her own business by sharing what she loves with others. Debbie continues to learn new techniques yearly at different faux studios and schools. When not painting, Debbie enjoys photography, visiting with family and friends and playing with her animals. Debbie is also passionate about animal rights and volunteers for a local no-kill shelter.

The University-Trained Muralist: Monica Zeuli

Hoping to Inspire: All fine artists who have an interest in faux finishing as well

I did my first painting when I was 7 years old. My dad was an established artist and my first art teacher. When I was young, he taught me the correct ways of drawing and painting. This is the best thing you can do for a child who enjoys art since you receive more of an education than what you learn at school. I used art as my therapy as a teen during my parent’s divorce and my Grandfather’s death. It helped me heal in so many ways and it teaches you to look inward and grow.  In high school, I took weekend classes in Boston’s finest schools and was nominated as Best Artist.   I went to a four-year art program at Notre Dame College where I got a BA Degree in Commercial Art. I started my own business in 1998 in Massachusetts and was astounded at the fact that I could actually get paid for what most people consider a hobby. I moved to Florida in 2000 and since then, have been painting regularly and been steady with referrals.  My work is getting more defined and recognized everyday.  I sleep great since there is nothing more satisfying than being wiped out from painting all day.

All of us are so excited — we hope you are, too! 

If you had to ask my husband or I what the other did for a living, we would probably not get very far in the information department.  I do know this: he is a computer genius (one-time Math Champion of Florida), his work revolves around something called “networking” and/or “programming” and he has clients like eBay.  Out of curiosity, I asked my husband the other day if he knew what glaze was.  He said: ”It’s something you put on the walls to paint with…you know, stuff like what’s on the Krispy Kreme doughnuts.”  Folks — I can’t make this stuff up.  (After I explained it better, he laughed at himself along with me.  Brilliant, sweet AND entertaining — husbands don’t get any better than that.) 

Well, imagine my surprise when my husband excitedly comes up to me and starts talking about a new series on the DIY Network called Man Caves.  Apparently, it’s the greatest show since The Three Stooges.  Here’s the info:

Every guy needs a space to call his own… a sanctuary where boys can be boys, where life essentials include a wet bar, a poker table and a place to watch the game with the fellas. And maybe even an indoor putting green! DIY Network’s Jason Cameron is joined by football great Tony “The Goose” Siragusa to offer ideas and do-it-yourself instruction to turn a basic basement into the ultimate guys’ hangout.

The show has officially been TiVo’d in our household (Wednesdays at 10 pm).  If you click here, you’ll see that they have video snippets teaching all about installing a chair rail, painting a two-tone finish, making a hockey-stick table, learning to build your own custom poker table and coming up with the Ultimate Man Cave Plan. 

You know, I just took a good look at the host pic above and really digested what they teach in this show.  I guess I should start getting very, very afraid if I see a toolbelt purchase.

I hope the holiday break was wonderful to all of you.  I spent it in Miami visiting both my husband’s family and my friend Elisa who recently lost her mother, Maya.   Maya was a kind and fun-loving person — we spent some time talking about her and about how to appreciate your family and friends every day.  It was both a sad and hope-filled weekend. 

Well, I’m going to give you a few nibblers to chew on while I put together some bigger blog posts for later on this week.  I hope you enjoy them!

DIY

A good blog I like is Apartment Therapy.  Their motto is Saving the World, One Room at a Time.  Love that!  They recently posted two cool (ok, one cool and one sorta questionable) How-Tos and I thought I’d share with you.

Painting Embossed Wallpaper - This is the cool one

The Top 10 Affordable Wall Treatments - The suggestion to use Blik? Very nice.  Aluminum foil?  Not so sure about that particular one…but I will go to crazy lengths for my DIY readers, so here you go…

ENTREPRENEUR

Ladies Who Launch is a great group and website.  It’s all about female entrepreneurs and (1) finding the right resources and contacts/friends, (2) connecting with others and (3) spreading the word about your personal business.  They’ve just opened their online social network to allow for everyone to register for free.  They even have a meeting group in some states where you get together with other powerful women for a few weeks to discuss each member’s business and work to better it, promote it and bring in fantastic new ideas from each other.  I wish they had one near me here in Florida!  I think it would be very inspirational. 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

If you are an artisan in the decorative painting field, Decorative Arts magazine is offering a free subscription to decorative professionals.  Please click here for the registration page. 

Well, I’ll talk to you soon!  Coming up, we have some great new Faux-cus on the Pros interviews, our Book-of-the-Month selection and of course, pics of great design and great finishes.  Plus, you’ll be getting information on The Fauxtastic Four.  Who are they?  You’ll have to come back around to Fauxology to find out! 

Until next time…

Thought I would post up some pics of our Textures Workshop.  We had a blast since everyone was funny and outgoing and ready to learn…love that vibe in a class!  When I pulled out my camera to start taking pics, Pam (one of our students), said “You know this is going to end up on the blog!” and everyone started laughing.  (Including myself.  I knew it was true!)

In the Textures class, we learn three finishes: Old World Plaster, ShimmerStone and an elegant Tissue Paper finish.  The Old World Plaster was turned into two finishes since I wanted to teach how to achieve bricks/tile/stones as well.  I also try to incorporate stencil work into the take-home samples since I think some textures could always use a bit of oomph.   

Stenciling acrylic colors onto the ShimmerStone…

ShimmerStone is a shimmery plaster that once troweled onto a wall, gives a kind of suede lustre appearance.  It’s beautiful and comes in a myriad of colors.

Here is Jorge with his Old World Texture…we gave the boards a worn and rustic appearance by having some darker areas and some faded areas.  His lower left corner had some really cool crackling going on (wish the picture did the finished sample justice!)

Our website will soon be updated with classes at Benjamin Moore beyond May.  I know the next ones are: Metallics (June 7th), Textures (June 21) and Venetian Plaster (July 13).  We also have the Cabinet Refinishing workshops taught at our studio in the schedule as well. 

I was asked where one could purchase good stencils — that’s a loaded question since there are so many great stencil companies and retailers out there.  I thought I’d share the list with you as well.  Here are some favorite retailers (in no particular order):

Artistic Painting Studio, The Stencil Library, Royal Design Studio, Wallovers, Stencilled Garden, Stencil Search (a sorta-Google site for stencils), L.A. Stencilworks and Stencil Planet.  When I started out, the owner of Heart of the Home stencils, Laura, was super-nice and patient with me so I always feel good recommending her stencils as well.  In case you’d like to take a look at additional companies, Stencil Search has a considerable list of stencil manufacturers. 

Have a great weekend!

Hi, Everyone!  I am so proud and happy to announce we have a winner for our April Workshop Contest: Sharon Adelman from College Park, FL!  I have corresponded with Sharon (she’s a peach!) and she has chosen the Venetian Plaster Workshop on May 10th.  Congratulations, Sharon — I look forward to teaching you some beautiful Venetian Plaster techniques!

Here’s how to win our May Workshop Contest:

This month’s contest is a bit more serendipitous.  We will choose this month’s winner from those who sign up for our newsletter during the month of May.  As the sign-ups come in, we will pop their names into a “hat” and then pick out a random winner at the end of the month.  Good luck!!!

If you’d like to take a look at our Workshop Details and Calendar, click here.  Our faux classes are being held in the Ocoee, FL location of Benjamin Moore and there will be light food and refreshments during each class as well as a product giveaway and material discounts.  Please note that should you win and you have already paid for your class, you will be reimbursed the class fee — no worries!  It should be a great time!

As I alluded to in the New Challenges Post, I’m trading expertises with a past client of mine.  She previously hired us to do a baby nursery (for her cutie-pie son) and this time around, I am helping to pull her living room, dining room and kitchen together.  She is a nutritionist and personal trainer so, in turn, she is helping me become a healthier person and whipping me into shape (and boy, do my muscles hurt).  We are both soooooo happy with our “deal”. 

We just finished doing a Venetian Plaster niche today. This is a Before shot — we had already picked out a new color for the walls (SW Ramie) and a color (SW 6009 Coffee Bean) to accent the soffit area and the niches  — it was all one solid neutral color before.  We framed out the soffit to make it more of a focal point as well as have the niches compliment it all.  The niches will be receiving a nice Coffee Bean Venetian Plaster with a subtle gold wax as well — but that is for another day. 

Here’s the start of the first layer of Venetian Plaster (”VP”).  We painted it in Coffee Bean just to have a nice dark base and I custom tinted the plaster to the perfect shade of red.  We troweled three layers of the VP and then burnished the third layer.  (There’s a lot of work in that last sentence, LOL!)

After we finished burnishing those last three layers, we waxed it with Liberon Medium Oak and burnished it again.  Here are some pics after taking the tape off. 

There are some touch-ups to do and we have to clean and paint in the edges above but you can start to see the effect.  We are tackling the VP niches next and then on to the dining room.  We have a whole world of finishes available for the dining room so we each want to come up with something spectacular.  I’ll keep you all posted, of course!

P.S.  All in all, it was about 9 layers counting from the skim coat (making the walls smooth).  I kept saying “no, just a few more layers — it’ll be over soon!” until she finally said to me “just wait till it’s my turn — they’ll be a few more reps and sets, too!”.  We both had a big laugh at that one (mine was more of a nervous laugh…).  You know, she came up with a great idea: they should turn this concept into a reality show — having people trade services that the other one wants and filming it.  It’d be totally cool to see so many different careers profiled and how much work each entails.  At least, she and I would watch it!

I’m pleased to announce that every month, we are going to be holding a different contest to win a free Benjamin Moore Faux Finishing DIY Workshop.  Here’s how to win our April 2008 Contest:

This month our blog’s name and site changed to Fauxology, easily accessable by going to www.fauxology.com.  The person who recommends our new Fauxology blog and link to the most amount of people via e-mail will win the class!  Please remember to cc: Regina@GarayArtisans.com so I can keep track of the amount of persons you have referred.  At the end of the month, I will announce the winner!  (Hey - try clicking the Fauxology link — you’ll come right back to this page.  It’ll be our version of Groundhog Day!) 

Samples of the finishes taught in the workshops — three per class — will now be available for viewing at the class location, Benjamin Moore’s Ocoee, FL store, and you can also take a peek at our workshop details.  I’ve also worked out a couple of cool things with Ben Moore: there will be a nice product give-away during the classes and students will receive a discount on all products purchased for their home use.  There will also be refreshments and a little food to nosh on during class.  It’s going to be a fun, creative time — I’m so excited! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Garay Artisans or just e-mail me directly.  I wish you all good luck and look forward to meeting the winner!   

Please note: If you have already signed up for a Benjamin Moore class and you win, you will be reimbursed the course fee.  Additionally, if you would prefer to take the Cabinetry Workshop instead of a Benjamin Moore Workshop, you will receive a credit of $99 towards your chosen Cabinet Workshop.  There is no cash value to this contest outside of the workshops.