I was going through the archives here at Fauxology when I came upon a post Regina had written about color.  It contained a photograph taken by M. Christine Duncan that really grabbed my attention.  It’s a side street in Hamilton, Ontario with the most vivid teals, coppers and burnt orange. The finish on the building looks similar to crushed velvet. As I took in all it had to offer – color, texture, mood – a room started to emerge in my mind. The week started with me showing you how I found inspiration from a fashion magazine. Now I’ll end the week sharing how I used this photograph as the catalyst for a room’s design.

I’ll start with color since that is what first caught my eye. There were many variations of wonderful color, but I narrowed it down to four. Using Sherwin-Williams paint selections, I pulled out the colors that I wanted to work with in this room. Here is the photo along with my color choices.

Now onto mood. For me the vibe that the photograph gives off is masculine, urban and industrial yet with old world flair. Setting the tone helps give me direction when selecting my furnishings. Here are a few examples of furnishings and accessories that I feel help to create this mood.

Kensington Leather Sofa: Restortion Hardware,
Teal Madeline Chair: Urban Outfitters,
Maggie Club Chair: Anthropologie

Steel Redsmith Armchair: Anthropologie,
18th C. French Tilt-Top Brasserie Side Table: Restoration Hardware,
Pinebrook Rectangular Rolling Coffee Table: Lamps Plus;
Traveler Chest: Anthropologie, Choe Console: Horchow

Industrial Gears Table Lamp: Lamps Plus,
A Cosmic Incident (art top right) – Urban Outfitters,
Art Agave (middle left): ZGallerie,
Rugs: Rug Stop,
Art Oxide: (bottom right) – ZGallerie

As a designer, it’s important to note that many decorative artists offer custom canvas artworks and rustic chic finishes, such as the distressed metal, for furniture and other surfaces.  I used a variety of items to illustrate how I’ve drawn design inspiration from the photograph and the look can be achieved many different ways. This isn’t a complete room nor would all these items necessarily be used in one room; it’s all about creating a jumping off point.  Next time you look at a picture that you really love, look a little closer; maybe there is a room hidden in there!

Have a great weekend!

Cheers to all,
Peggy
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I love the community of artists that surround Fauxology. I’ve mentioned before how many readers will send over links, images and snippets of information as possible blog topics. I appreciate them all! Artist Anna Sadler of Arizona’s Surface Refinements sent over information on her friend, Linda Topel, who offers artists and designers a great service via Photoshop.

Linda Topel: My first memory of the Arts is when I was about 4 years old.  I was painting with wet concrete all over my Dad’s car…it seemed like a proper support to me .  He wasn’t too happy since he had to stop pouring the new patio and wash the car. Needless to say, I’ve tended to avoid concrete since then!  Every other medium has been fair game. I found my way to online art forums after years of practicing alone and  I discovered Faux.  What a world of beauty it is, too!

While doing that, I found and fell in love with Photo-Shop. After a few years of experience, I look forward to doing what I love for more people:  Helping your client see what you see for their home by Photoshopping  a picture of your sample board into a picture of their room.

How cool is it to see the finishes being considered around their furniture and decor?

Linda, how does this work?

Pictures are e-mailed to me — photoshopbylinda@gmail.com — with your instructions.  Hi-res images work best and they can also be sent to me via cellphone e-mail (not as a text).  The better the picture, the better the end result.  I then provide a quote, time frame and payment instructions. Soon, the artist and/or designer will have images to show their clients!

Can you change the color?  Sometimes my clients love a finish but have a different color scheme going on.

I can change the color!  For more accuracy, a swatch or another picture of the color to be used should be sent.  I do advise that lighting and different monitors can affect the outcome.

Can a mural be applied?

Yes, a mural could be applied by sending a sketch, better yet in full color.  I can also work on different surfaces, including cabinetry.

How much does this cost and do you have a website?

Prices start at $12 per finished image.  I have a Facebook page, Photoshop by Linda, where I post information and photos.

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Do you like the idea?  I think it will definitely be very helpful in certain client situations!  Please do feel free to leave comments and/or questions for Linda — or just e-mail her directly and/or visit her Facebook page.  Thank you, Linda, for your time in answering my questions and to Anna for letting me know of her services.  Have a wonderful day, Everyone!

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Way back in the early years when my decorating gene was still quite dormant (my fashion gene was too busy running things), if you asked me the difference between art nouveau and art deco I probably would have told you I didn’t know anyone named Art. Then I got my first apartment…and discovered the joy of interior design.

Fast forward a few years and my interest in design turned into a passion. However, identifying these two styles was still confusing to me. It wasn’t until I began studying interior design that I actually learned what each one was all about (we didn’t have google back then, bummer).

So today for anyone that is as confused as I once was regarding the difference between art deco and art nouveau, I hope to make it a little clearer for you.

ART NOUVEAU
Art nouveau came first. The term in French means “new art” It began appearing in the early 1880′s and lasted until about the beginning of World War I. Whereas previously art had been divided into fine art (painting and sculpture) and applied art (furniture, pottery and such useful items), this “new art” (art nouveau) encompassed all forms of art and design including architecture, furniture, textiles, pottery, paintings, sculpture, metalwork and even jewelry.

Art nouveau combines geometric shapes with themes from nature like insects, plants, flowers, trees and sometimes mythical fairies. Up until the period of art nouveau, these natural forms were not popular. The design is also often characterized by its organic, fluid, asymmetrical curves.

ART DECO
Art deco emerged after World War I; a time when the world was ready for luxury and extravagance. It was prevalent during the 1920’s and 1930’s, until around the beginning of World War II.

Though art deco utilizes geometric shapes too, they are more linear, streamlined, repetitive and symmetrical. Sunburst and zigzags are two common shapes featured in art deco designs. When including natural forms, they tend to be more graphic and textural like the rough edges of a plant’s leaves or a zebra’s hide. Art deco is also recognized for its use of modern materials like chrome, wood inlays and stainless steel.

TO SUM IT ALL UP…

• Art nouveau is decorative, ornamental, “curvy” and asymmetrical
• Art deco is sleek, streamlined, linear and symmetrical

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
I love visual aides. So, here are some pictures to help illustrate the differences.

Artwork Source: Art Nouveau - Art.com, Art Deco – Wikipedia

Photo Source: Art Nouveau Eiffel Tower – Wikipedia, Art Deco Chrysler Building – Wikipedia

Source: Art Nouveau Doors – Potter Art Metal, Art Deco Doors – Art Deco Collection

Source: Art Nouveau Lamp - Allentown Art Museum, Art Deco Lamp – Table Lamps Lighting

Hope this helped you more easily recognize the differences between art nouveau and art deco. They are both amazing styles to work with. Have you worked with either art nouveau or art deco in something you’ve designed or created? If so, do share!!

Cheers to all,
Peggy
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Whenever I think of New Orleans style, I always think of it as the Rebel marrying the Debutante — a bit of rule-breaking going hand in hand with refinement.  While you can easily walk the various districts, you rarely (if ever) get a peek into the interiors.  It’s why I always enjoy coming upon books which lushly feature the homes and their design.

I found Big, Easy Style by Bryan Batt while walking the French Quarter. It was nestled within an independent bookstore in Pirate’s Alley called Faulkner House Books.  They only had one copy left (MINE!) and while visiting my favorite independent bookstore in the Garden District, Garden District Book Shop, I snagged a few more.

The author and the book, Big Easy Style.

What I absolutely love about the book is that Mr. Batt, both a succesful actor and designer, features the work of several designers and artisans, not just his own work.  I think that brings a greater overview and understanding of the interiors of New Orleans.  He also lists his favorite wall colors by several paint manufacturers.  Please note that the spaces were photographed by Kerri McCaffety, Erik Johnson and David Ash.  The book is published by Clarkson Potter.

Peacock Blue Lacquer Walls

A wall of small colorful canvases and a close-up of the drawer itself.

Painted and Gilded Panels – please do click to enlarge!

Distressed Plaster Wall

The book is a fantastic read as well — there are sections entitled “Love Your Booty!”, “All in the Family Room…” and “Guy Walks into a Bar” to name a few.  Normally, I just look at the beautiful photographs but he injects his vibrant personality into the writing and in doing so, makes it easy and fun to fully absorb his take on design and the soulful city which is his muse.

Gorgeous yellow walls with a glazed finish (left) and the fun of Mardi Gras float decorations on the walls (right).  Here’s a float with similar flowers!

Bryan Batt calls this a "hand-marbled gilt ceiling". I call it fabulous!

Mr. Batt opened Hazelnut New Orleans, a popular home furnishings boutique, with his partner Tom Cianfichi.  It is located in the heart of the French Quarter and “combines the old-world charm of New Orleans with a chic metropolitan twist”.  Please check out Hazelnut’s website as well as the one for Big, Easy Style itself.

 Artist Gretchen Weller Howard stenciled these gray-washed wood floors. 

Unique decorative elements...

A fantastic artist in New Orleans, E. Lee Jahnke, recently wrote about Mr. Batt’s book as well in her cool blog Inspired. Paint. Repeat.  She advised that the designers, shops and artists he references would all be in her insider’s guide to NOLA.  Great to know — and I hope you enjoy the book recommendation.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!

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Hello Everyone! Happy Monday to you; I hope you all had a great weekend.

A client once asked me where I found inspiration when beginning a design project. The answer to that question was easy – EVERYWHERE and then some!

One fun place I find color inspiration is on magazine covers. And I don’t just mean decorating and design magazines. Fashion magazines are a great place to get color ideas for a room, too. Professional stylists are at work choosing just the right color combinations for the clothing, accessories, and make-up. They also have pros working on choosing the background and font colors so that everything works together. Half of the job has been done for you. Now all you have to do is pull out the colors that you like and voila! You have the start of something beautiful.

I’ve put together a bedroom for you that was inspired by a popular fashion magazine.  I hope you like it.

Here’s the cover that was my inspiration along with the paint colors that I pulled from it:

Cover: British Vogue, April 2008 with Victoria Beckham   Paint: Sherwin Williams

Now, here’s the room I put together:

Sources: 1 - Dresser with linen finish: Horchow,  2 - Art: Art.com,
3 - Silver leaf bed: French Style Chairs,  4 - Ivory Pillow: Etsy – Pink Pillow: Etsy,
5 - Tea Lights: ZGallerie, 6 - Rug: The Rug Company,
7 - Decorative Finish: “Shabby Chic” by Faux Design Studio, 8 - Chandelier: Crystorama

And here they are side-by-side:

The design goes beyond just the color selection. The cover is soft, romantic and very feminine; so is the room.  The sparkle of her jewelry is reflected in the selection of the crystals of the chandelier, the tea lights and the silver leaf bed. The curved lines of the embossing in the wall finish are echoed in the lines of the chandelier and the bed, too. Finally, the rug beautifully ties it all together.

We all have special ways to get our creative juices flowing. I love to hear how and where other designers and artists find their inspiration. Where do you find yours?

Cheers to all,
Peggy
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In the 18th century, women and men retired to different rooms after dinner — women left to the drawing room and men stayed in the dining room to enjoy their drinks. Nowadays, the rooms are used more equally but more often that not, only for special occasions.  We sometimes are running around so quickly, that we have meals in the kitchen or in the alternate, while lounging in the family room.  However, everyone mostly agrees that the Dining Room holds a very special place in the home and as such, is often decorated beautifully.  In this design, Sheri Zeman of Chicago’s Faux Design Studio shows us a space that definitely falls under that category.

THE POP OF STENCILING

Close-up of crushed glass

Sheri Zeman: I was requested by the Painters Union to design the space for the annual Dining by Design gala by the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) organization.  Dining by Design showcases spectacular displays of cuisine, glamour and creative design and is presented along with the Architectural Digest Home Show.  For this space, our theme was “Metropolitan” and we decided to use Faux Effects products on every possible surface.  Everything you see in the picture – the floor, walls, table base and table top were all “fauxed”.

The table was MDF board, woodgrained with Stain & Seal to appear as a beautiful walnut inlay. The base and floor were also particle board, and RSCrete™ was used to simulate a 2’ Limestone blocks. Troweled on the table base was RS Stone and troweled on the walls, a light LusterStone.  The overall stencil is the Loft 101 Hudston stencil and it was embedded with black crushed glass.  (The glass is decorative — completely safe to handle!) The project took about 2 weeks to complete and was executed by the apprentices from the JATC with the booth was sponsored by the FCAC.  The event — and our area — was an incredible success!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Sheri Zeman creates some of the most innovative finishes and her Faux Design Studio is very well-respected. I recently took a class from her and could not be more pleased with the samples. (In fact, take a peek at a design board we created with one of them, Marcello.)  I love those glass beads — in every color.  Please be sure to visit and “like” her Facebook fan page to keep abreast of all the new samples and commissions her company produces.  Thank you, Sheri, for sharing this cool contemporary project!  And THANK YOU, dear Readers, for coming along with us during Dining Room Week — we hope you’ve enjoyed the projects, stories and above all, the exceptional creativity. Have a great weekend!

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Over time, dining in a great hall saw a migration to the smaller rooms, or parlours.  Property owners started developing a taste for more intimate gatherings and the smaller areas became the accepted space for dining. Speaking of smaller, the work that decorative artisans do doesn’t always encompass the entire room. Many times, working on just an accent area showcases that quality can also be had in small quantities.  Atlanta-based artist Kass Wilson of WallsTreat Studio shows us just that.

ACCENTS THAT WOW

Kass Wilson: A group of designers that I work with came to me with the request, “Will you help us with our show home?”  Translated, it usually means, “Will you paint for free?”

I have rules about that and it revolves around determining if this is truly a good marketing opportunity.  Here are the questions I ask:

1. Do we already have an established relationship?  I am happy to help those I collaborate with frequently.
2. Are we doing something that is really different and unexpected?  Showing simple finishes that all of my competitors already do will not make my finishes stand out among the crowd. I want an opportunity to set my work apart.
3. How long will the home be open and how will it be advertised to the general public?  It must be a recognized show home event that will be seen by many people.
4. How will the design group be promoting me in their literature, programs, blogs, press releases, etc.?  I want to be recognized as a valuable part of the team.
5. Will they be having this professionally photographed and will I have free and clear access to all of the full resolution photos?  That alone is extremely valuable.
6. Can I get tickets and attend all of the additional events associated with the show house?  These are great networking activities where I can be seen in something other than paint clothes.

The answer to all of the above was a YES.  It was now a matter of coming up with a finish that would be quick, easy, cost effective and a definite show stopper.

The furniture, window treatments and wallpaper (above the chair rail) were already chosen. During the initial planning, the designer’s thought was to do something on the ceiling. But once I saw the room, the huge amount of white space in the paneling was glaring at me.  It interfered with the warmth that they were trying to achieve and in dire need of texture and dimension. Cracked plaster was the predictable choice but how could it go beyond ordinary techniques that we see every day?

I installed wallpaper years ago in my bathroom.  It was enough for me to decide that I never wanted to go to that party again!  But, that experience taught me enough to assess that this would be easier than hand painting a background design inside each panel.  A scavenger hunt in the designer’s back room revealed a remnant of wallpaper that blended nicely with the color palate and style.  Likewise, there is always a smorgasbord of leftover products on my shelves.  A little mixing and a few extra tints yielded just enough plaster to cover these small areas.  The paper was cut, pasted into each of the windows and a clear barrier coat was painted on top.  Anything that was not perfect was strategically covered with the tinted plaster over that.  After everything dried, a simple glaze brought out the depth and dimension of the texture.

This Dining Room was the first thing that was seen when people entered the home.  The finish was right at eye level and everyone just had to touch it.  That, along with questions like, “What is this? Or How did you do this?” are always my barometers for success.  This finish turned out to be the main attention grabber of the space. It became a memorable feature and was picked up by two (2) publications for stories.

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“There are no small parts, just small actors”.  I love that quote and I think it comes into play here — making the best of every opportunity you are given, no matter what the obstacles are or the size. Kass was able to turn this accent area into showcasing a unique finish and securing two publications to print her artistry.  Wonderful!  Please be sure to visit her WallsTreat Studio website, her Facebook fan page and check in with her blog, Design Visions.  Thank you, Kass, for sharing your project – and advice – with us!

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