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

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!

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!

In the midst of all the walls and ceilings, sometimes an area that is normally ignored becomes the center of attention.  Staircases fall under that category.  Many don’t realize that they do not have to live with a staircase they dislike — the color can be changed, the wood tones made deeper and richer or just have a little bit of metallic oomph added to the ironwork.  Here are some pics:

This is a light change.  The ironwork was installed in its original format: totally black and lacking warmth.  Our clients just wanted metallic hints added throughout the design.  It was all the change it needed.

This one is more of a medium change.  The designer thought the black was way too heavy for the home’s new stylings and so asked us to make it a lighter and warmer.  Here’s the Before:

…and After.

                                     
           

           
This staircase underwent a big change.  In the smaller Before pic, you can see that the balusters were a stark white and both the handrail and newel posts were a light pine…kinda blah.  In the After pic, we warmed up the balusters with an off-white base and color glaze, darkened the wood tone and created a newel post that was topped off by an aged gilded finish.  (Oh, the walls were glazed also…)

Hope you enjoyed the pics!  Until next time…

This is a ceiling my brother, Jason, and I recently worked on. It was a great day - we were the last trade in the house, we had awesome topics of conversation going and at the end came a ceiling our client loved. What could be better? What I thought I would do is walk you through the steps of this ceiling and show you how the two-overlay Modello was used to create this. You ready?

It started with a meeting between the decorator, Lynne Sylvester, the client and myself. Lynne wanted something to fill up this space and have the design incorporate some of the lines and colorations of the lighting fixture. She also wanted the vent to not be such an eyesore.

Lynne and I kept meeting at the Modello site and after looking at many designs, we both thought OrnCen164 was great — with a few modifications. Here is the original design — Lynne wanted the four double-scrolls between the outside scrolls taken out.

One thing I do stress is that you measure twice, then call Modello. I’m not ashamed to say that I miscalculated and had to have the design re-sized and re-cut at our expense. When we received the new size, we started laying on the first overlay. Since I’m the one taking pics, you’ll only see my brother working — but I assure you, it’s a two-person process. The first layer is extremely important because it sets the tone and direction of the entire design. We also had to make sure the large scrolls would fit perfectly on either side of that air vent (you can see the hole of the vent — we took it down to paint it so it would “disappear”).

We colored in that layer with the wall color so that the entire area looked balanced. Then, we removed the first overlay and installed the second one of the Modello. You always have to keep in mind the registration marks and making sure you’re right on point.

See how the scrolls are right at each side of the vent? Phew!

We had coloration layers and one final overglaze. A red tone is up first and will be the least seen color. It was chosen so that it worked with the incoming fabrics and furniture.

Two layers of metallic next. First Modern Masters Silver, then Platinum. Is your neck hurting yet?

After overglazing the metallic with a nice dark aging glaze, we took off the Modello. Since we were working on a knockdown ceiling, we had a lot of touch-ups (left pic). Time to bring out the tiny artist brushes to make those edges perfect! (Is your neck still hurting?)

Here are some pics in the late afternoon. The two-overlay Modellos weren’t too hard to install but did require some planning. The client’s reaction made the many steps sooo worth it.

Until next time!

I hope everyone’s weekend was great!  I wish mine had been a bit more productive but that may be almost everyone’s gripe, right?  I keep writing to the government about a 3-day weekend but I don’t think I’m getting anywhere with them.  C’est la vie.

Well, I wanted to show you a bit of what we call Smoky Ceilings.  It’s when we apply glaze and make it darker around the perimeter (”smoking” the edges) and then lighten it up when coming towards the middle.  We’ve done quite a few of them and my brother and I finally have a system down but the first one we ever did was a doozy.  Lots of tweaking and fixing to make it a seamless flow.

This is the before pic of a groin ceiling.  At least it had been painted and not left white but it did need a bit of oomph.  I think when the ceiling saw us it said “Yes!  I get to be special now!”  (…I know, I have an overactive imagination.)  The client did not really want this area to go over-the-top, which you can easily do with a ceiling shaped like this one.  She just wanted us to put ”a nice glaze on it and that’s it”.

Well, nothing said we couldn’t start with a different base coat.  I loved the metallic color on the light fixture (a sorta champagne-silver color) and I tried out a few metallic colors from a few manufacturers but nothing seemed just right.  I spent about half an hour playing mad scientist, mixing a bit of this and a bit of that and finally had the color down perfectly.  It took three coats for opaque coverage.

Using the light fixture colorations, we mixed a reddish-brown glaze and started glazing the ceiling.  As you can see, we kept the edges darker and swooped it into the four groin edges.  The client loooooooooooooooooooooved it.

Here’s a shot from underneath where you can see the dark edges better.  Pardon the view askew and my thumb on the upper right…   

There’s more you can do with groin ceilings…i.e., add a design along the edges, add a design on each of the four quadrants, do a multi-color glaze or plaster finish…but in the end, it comes down to what is right for the space and what is right for the client.  We have some more cool ceilings and rooms coming up this week so stay tuned…

OMG, I can’t wait to show you pics of some of our latest works.  They take time to crop and get to the right pixel size so it might be over the weekend/early next week that I might have some time to put it all together.  I can’t believe I get to be creative every day and leave people happier with their homes.  I just want to pinch myself sometimes, I’m so lucky.  In the meantime, let’s talk Part II of our “Aged & Old” discussion.   (OK, so it’s really a one-way discussion…but you can always comment!)

One of our favorite antiquing agents is Faux Effect’s Earth Brown AquaColor mixed with glaze.  We call it ”Age in a Bottle”.  Other good tints to use to create an aging glaze would include Burnt Umber, Raw Umber and Black.  Using Van Dyke Brown water-based stain mixed with a little glaze followed by a flat topcoat also works quite well, too.  One of my artist friends told me years ago to go take pictures of aged buildings, rust formations, verdigris — basically, anything that could be used as inspiration — and it was invaluable advice.  I noticed that corners and deep grooves usually remain darker than other areas since these are the areas least exposed and most prone to the accumulation of grime throughout time.  Conversely, raised sections would receive the brunt of wear & tear and so they would naturally fade more than the rest of the piece.  Some aged pieces (esp. wood) also have a light spatter pattern.  Most surfaces expand and contract in reaction to temperature changes (and the weather, if outside) and so the paint may start to flake, crackle and/or craze.  Amazing what you can learn from having photographs for visual reference.  Before aging a piece, some thought as to its composition and balance is helpful — you don’t just want to make it look old…you want it to be authentically old.  Now for the really fun part…pictures!!!!

Some nice weathered wood…

An aged building.  I particularly love noting the dark watermarks under the right window.

Lichen and moss…

A beautiful distressed panel (Right) and Rust (Left)

Hope you’ve enjoyed this Aged & Old series!  Until the next post…

Pictures courtesy of Phoenix Home & Garden, Period Finishes & Effects and Outdoor Painting Techniques

In many industries, the words “Aged” and “Old” have bad connotations.  In the faux industry, however, you might as well be talking about El Dorado, Valhalla or The Emerald City — it’s something to aspire to. To get anything to have a “centuries-old” look, you have to take into account what could get it there.  Wind, driving rain, heat from the sun, pollution, mistreatment, breakdown of materials, improper use of materials, natural disasters, grime and/or just plain old neglect are a few causes.  There are also many tools you can use to get there in a short amount of time: hammers, nails, sandpaper, steel wool, milk paint, crackle materials, pickling stains and aging glazes.  I’m sure I’ve probably forgotten  to mention other products and tools you could also use.

I’ve compiled some pics to showcase in this entry and in Part II as well.  In my eyes, I can only see the beauty of the effects of the passing years.  Looking beyond each surface and breaking down the layers, an artist will have to account for a good balance of color, texture and age.  In essence, find a way to be Perfectly Imperfect.  This will sometimes require layers of work.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.  Or in our case, hasn’t weathered in a day.

It would be so nice to be able to sit in this garden bench in the early morning hours.  The walls look like they might have plaster over bricks (see the faint indentations?) and there is, of course, water damage and dirt around the bench.  One way to achieve this look is using varying shades of tinted aqua plaster on the walls and then layering glazes/acrylic colors in various mossy shades as well as dark, dark browns, greys, some white and black.    

Two different types of water features.  I love the background of the Left (maybe using oxidizing patinas and/or silver metallic with a rust-colored watery paint to get there).  The one on the Right is a more traditional stone - different shades of grays, browns, ochres and white. 

 The following two photographs are stained and weathered wood pics.  Some of my favorite water-based wood stains come from Faux Effects.  The second pic features stencilling on the planks in a “pattern box” style, perhaps using milk paint.

This last pic showcases the appeal of taking years to grow vines.  I love, love, love this look and so I thought I’d end this entry with a photograph of the vine growing in an unusual place.  Years ago, I got lost in Winter Park, FL and saw a house that had gorgeous ivy all over its exterior walls.  I literally had to park the car, get out and just admire its beauty.  Try as I might, I haven’t been able to retrace my steps and find that home again.  It’s probably just as well — it’s hard to come back from a “stalker” reputation, LOL!

Until Part II…

Pics courtesy of Phoenix Home & Garden and Period Finishes & Effects.

There are some great decorative painting events and conventions coming up this year.  They are all fantastic opportunities to learn about new finishing trends, discover the latest & greatest products, share recipes, meet both new and old friends and of course the best part: being inspired to push your boundaries and set new creative standards for yourself. 

Salon — This one is coming up quick: May 21 - 25 in Chicago, IL (open to the public on the 22nd) and this year’s theme is Music.  Salon is a prestigious group of international decorative painters (in fact, last year’s Salon was held in Denmark) who convene yearly to “study each other’s work, watch and discuss old and new techniques and materials”.  As I understand it, artists can apply to Salon by submitting their work but membership is by invitation only.  The event is for Salon members and those interested in seeing true modern day masters at work.  After seeing the public exhibitions, it is impossible to not be humbled and yet strangely inspired by the Salon artistry.  (In fact, after taking Dean Sickler’s Advanced Woodgraining class, I walked away and challenged myself to reach his level of realism by the time I was 65.  Wait a minute.  I just realized I only gave myself a few decades…better get crackin’!)

Society of Decorative Painters — The 36th Annual Conference and Expo will be held May 26 - 31 in Tampa, FL.  Their theme this year is “Share the Magic of Painting” and there will be Beginner - Advanced classes held throughout the event. This event is less faux-related and has more of an emphasis on traditional decorative painting.  On Saturday, the expo is open to the public for free. 

SALI Convention — This year is an envelope-pushing event for the organization hosting this popular yearly convention.  SALI stands for Stencil Artisans League, Inc. and this year they are recognizing the growth of the decorative painting industry by changing the organization’s name to one encompassing all the artistic disciplines of our industry.  The name (which will be unveiled at the convention) also ushers in a great year of classes, with teachers such as Gary Lord, Donna Phelps, Kathy Carroll, Melanie Royals, Pierre Finkelstein, Leonard Pardon, Barth White and George Zaffle (to name just a few).  There is also a fantastic Expo to walk through, tour events scheduled and parties.  The event is in Charleston, SC and runs from July  21-26.  One of my best friends in this business, Denise Lunsford (who owns The Wall-Nut based in Naples/Fort Myers), and I will be rooming together and we always have so much fun.  (We met at a class about 8 years ago and it was a lifelong-friend moment.  In fact, when I call her I say “Hey Denise.  Denephew here.”)   You can download the brochure and see about coming along.  Should be a great event!

Artisans on the Water – This is the first event of its kind hosted by Out of this World Finishes/Seattle School of Decorative Painting, and they are planning to make it a yearly summer event.  The sunset dinner cruise will be in Seattle, WA, on August 7th (discounts available if you register by May 20th).  There will be gourmet cuisine, demonstrations of sell-able finishes by world-renowned instructors (including some previously mentioned instructors in addition to the Hoppe Brothers and Mike Macneil) with plenty of carrying on.  What a great idea!!

The Decorative Arts Show – The Faux Event has now become a part of The Decorative Arts Show, endorsed by the PDPA (Professional Decorative Painters Association).  This event is scheduled for September 7 - 13 in Atlantic City, NJ.  There are 48 classes available and include some of the teachers above as well as Ina Brousseau & Allen Marx, Andre Martinez, Nicola Vigini, Dean Sickler and a Business Roundtable that includes Nicholas Cichielo.  Looks awesome!

Hope you found some good information and please be sure to follow the links in case one (or a few) tickle your interest…we’ll meet again at the next post!

A little bit ago, we were asked to provide an estimate for an awesome exterior commission.  A very posh hotel wanted their name, logo and other mural/trompe l’oeil elements to be painted very elegantly on the side of their building.  A building whose side was 60 feet wide and 15 stories high.  What a rush!!!!  (As excited as I was, I didn’t give my hubby too many details – if he knew the height and scaffold situation, he would Not Be Pleased.)  Although we were up to the challenge, I also knew it would behoove me to partner up with a firm that does this type of work frequently.  After several inquiries, I was led to the gregarious Michael Cooper of Nashville-based Murals & More.  His work is extraordinary and I thought it would be great for you to get a peak into his mind and his incredible art.  He and his wife, Mickie, also write a regular column for the Faux Finisher magazine.  Let’s corner him and ask a few questions!!

Tell us a little about yourself, your company, its philosophy and style. I have been painting murals and finishes professionally for almost 20 years. Murals & More LLC has a reputation for quality. We are not the cheapest but we are certainly not the most expensive either. My murals tend to lean towards the more realistic style. Not necessarily photo-realistic, but I definitely want people to look twice before they figure out it’s painted!

Where do you see your field heading in the future? I think that there will be more and more talented people in the field, with customers settling less and less for sub-standard work. There will always be a market for the beginners and hobbyists, but I think that the ranks of the professionals will swell.

Professionally, who are some of your inspirations? Richard Haas, John Pugh, Kent Twitchell. Awesome artists. Very inspiring. Gives me some pretty heady goals.

What are some of your favorite color and/or product combinations to work with? I like working with silicates as well as Porter Paints.

What has been the most positive and/or fulfilling project you’ve worked on? I really like doing projects for fitness centers, because of how it affects all of the kids. I also love doing large exterior projects, because of the influence it has on different people almost every day.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have ever received? From my wife, Mickie: even if you are busy, still make five “calls” a day because you need projects to paint once you are done with the one you’re on!

Over the course of your career, what have been your favorite products? Hate to be self-serving, but I love the brushes I’ve developed.  Best I’ve ever found.

If someone had asked you when you were a child “What do you want to be when you grow up?” you would have answered:  A doctor. I was going to be a doctor all of my life, right up until my first week of college when I took chemistry.  Immediately changed my major to Interior Design. My parents were…ahem…thrilled.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current profession? Maybe a photographer, maybe in advertising, maybe in music promotion, but more than likely, I’d probably be dead.

That’s someone who loves what they do.  And, isn’t he funny?  Well, here’s some of his work for you to see:

How cool is this?  The water detail alone must have been insane quite the challenge!

Hello, 911?  There’s some big cats on the side of the road…

Oops…there goes the paint…(*shudder*)

Before (drab, drab, drab)

 …and AFTER! (Love how those three lights were worked in.)

…and just ’cause it’s so pretty…

We haven’t heard if the exterior project is going forward but I do hope we have the chance to work together.  Either way, I was glad to have the opportunity to make Mike’s acquaintance.  I hope you take the time to see the Murals & More website and check out the classes and products available — you won’t be disappointed!