My Big Amazing Renovation

I love Talk Faux since it helps keep me abreast of new products, finishes and projects. I was happy to discover that several artisan members of Talk Faux were involved in the overhaul of a home in Falls Church, VA — and all to be filmed for HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation. This particular renovation was special since not only was it to have superb decorative painting, but was also eco-friendly. The house is one of the Green Living Show Homes sponsored by My Green Cottage. Rachelle Carson-Begley and Ed Begley, Jr. (of Living with Ed) were on hand to kick of the Green Living Show Homes Tour, whose proceeds benefit the Earth Day Network. I was lucky enough to have a few of the artisans share pics and chat with me on their experience. Please note that pictures were taken during the process and the home was not fully finished until after they completed their work — the show will have the most complete “After” visuals. The home started out at 1,200 square feet and was morphed into a 3,800 Craftsman-style home. It premieres on HGTV this Wednesday, August 19th at 11 pm e/p. Be sure to set those DVRs!

First on the scene were Dan and Wendy Gangler of Chicago’s Liquid Art Design. Dan says, “We completed two areas – using Vahallan paper for one room and an Aurastone counter for the laundry room. It was March, 40 degrees and the furnace wasn’t hooked up yet so we ended up doing the counter in our hotel room. It was warm and dust-free so it worked out well!”

Bernadette Forese of Pennsylvania’s The Faux Pro created the room finish for the homeowner’s 10-year old son. “We decided on the theme of being inside a spaceship and looking out into space. We used Moonglow Silver Lusterstone and a striping stick to create metal panels. Faux rivets, portholes and shooting stars with hologram foil were also added.” Bernie was helped for a time by Connecticut’s Marlow DeMars.

Leslie Barrie Nesbitt of Maryland’s Rhythmic Walls worked on the home’s exterior shed. “I completed my design one day before the final filming. The concept was deeply rooted in the African proverb that it takes a village so the mural depicts a global community of keepers whose purpose is to oversee the ecological maintenance of the Earth and its systems.” After Leslie was done, some of the roof tiles and trim work were to be replaced, so I hope we get to see the completed shed nestled in the garden in all its glory.

Ann Onusko of Cleveland’s Great Lakes Decorative Arts Studio worked on both a ceiling and a brick design, which she also blogged about. The ceiling had a center and border Modello pattern which were finished candy red foil, Lusterstone and Stain & Seal. The faux brick design was on a concrete cinder block wall and made to coordinate with the existing brick work, using AquaStone and Faux Creme colors. She says, “For the ceiling, we had to modify the border design to go around 10 corners. (Fauxology Note: Whoa.) The existing brick design was originally the home’s exterior wall.”

Bonnie Callahan Fulkes from Cape Coral, FL’s Bonzart Studios and her team worked on the Laundry Room, “Create” Room and the Hallway, using crystals, foils and beads. Bonnie says of these rooms were created with the children in mind. “I wanted them to be in a creative environment when creating their own works of art.”

Casabella Faux Finishes worked in the Living Room and created a subtle glass bead strie finish. Both Kris (who heads the NC branch) & Cheryl (who heads the NJ branch) were on hand and Kris also provided several beautiful works of art to hang on the walls and says, “It was fun to work with Cheryl again, had a great time, very nice people. Everyone’s areas looked great!”

The other artisans on the project include Deanne Cunningham of Maryland’s Deelite Designs, Tony LaSeur (Arlington, VA), Lisa Tureson of Faux Creations (Washington, DC), Will and Grace Wieber of Wieber Art (NY), Jne Medellin of B&G Decorative Painting Studio (Alexandria, VA), Sally Fretwell (Richmond, VA), Ann Bayer of Faux and Fleur Design (Arlington, VA) and Madelline Davis of Designs by Mad. Incredible artisans worked on this project — I cannot wait to see the end results. Here’s a pic of the artists looking wonderful and enjoying themselves at the after-party with Ed Begley, Jr.:

Of course, be sure to do whatever it is you have to do to catch this great episode of My Big Amazing Renovation this Wednesday, August 19th at 11 pm e/p. Please also take a moment to look at the artisan’s websites in your area and see if they can bring the same level of artistry into another space…yours. Have a great day!