The Tides Beach Club Lobby and Dining Area

Now you know why we love it so much! There are so many great objects in this space that truly give it its personality. I thought it would be fun to create the look of this room with items that are readily available online. Then anyone can bring it on home!

I’ll start with the living room area. I was able to find all the key pieces for you (with the exception of that amazing sideboard, but I’ll cover that in a second)…

SOURCES: Garden Stool – Phil Michael,
Buchanan Apartment Sofa – Pottery Barn,
Kreiss Shangri-La Directors Chair – Furniture Quotes Direct,
Chunky Stripe Pillow Cover – Pottery Barn,
Coral Lamp  & Teal Honeycomb Lamp – Pier 1,
Driftwood Side Table – Crate and Barrel,
Color-Bound Sisal Rug – Pottery Barn

Then there’s the dining area…

Copper Opulence Faux Finish – Artist: Ronit Meyers of RM Faux Inc.,
Chloe Dining Table & Chair – Bungalow 5,
Reflection Wall Mirror – ZGallerie,
Clear Glass Bell Jar Pendant Chandelier – Savio Lighting,
Color-Bound Sisal Rug – Pottery Barn

Now about that sideboard… I found either the finish or the shape, but nothing with both. Since we are all about decorative paint effects, I decided to go with shape. If you are a DIYer, you can recreate the distressed turquoise finish with the right stain and paint colors. The original piece looks as if the wood was stained with a deep golden color, distressed and then the turquoise was added in balance and distressed, too — all to give the illusion what was once a fully painted piece in turquoise has lost quite a bit of its paint down to the wood.  I’ve included a couple of examples from Sherwin-Willams. There are also many great artisans out there that could recreate this for you. Here’s what I found…

Unpainted Sideboard – Painting Furniture

You’ll notice that not everything I’ve chosen is a literal match. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same. You are looking at scale, proportion, overall “weight”, color, texture, and style. For example, I couldn’t find the stacked shell lamp base, but the coral base checked off all the same boxes.

If you find a picture of your dream room, examine it closely to see how you can duplicate it to fit your budget or space. Your dream room may be closer than you think!

Cheers to all,
Peggy

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Located in Austin, Texas, it was first established as a firehouse in 1890, became a saddlery in 1942 and saw its doors close in 1973.  The dilapidated property was snapped up by Giselle Koy, professional muse and author of The Modern Muse, and she oversaw an incredible renovation that was inspired by Venice’s Palazzo Fortuny.  She also took the best elements of European boutique hotels, mixed it in with the magic of NYC lofts and after hitting the blend button, created Palazzo Lavaca.

This is part of the Main Room and a close-up of the finish. According to Style Me Pretty, the walls “were restored to the original look and then sealed for preservation”. Below, one of the bedrooms.

Here are the dining areas…

Not all the areas have faux and/or decorative finishes.  Below is an office lined with Fornasetti wallpaper alongside a powder room with a nice, deep base color.

The hallway showcases a good mix of paint, a damask design and textured plaster with exposed brick.

Palazzo Lavaca takes its name from the street it resides in, Lavaca. It is 6,755 square feet and you can see layers of patina, great color balance and unexpected details brought in from global travels. Here are some final shots of lounging spaces.

That's an elevator you spy in the background!

Media Room

Colors and textures working beautifully together.

Photos from Sotheby’s and Palazzo Lavaca

Venetian Grandeur meets Industrial/Rustic Chic.  Ms. Koy intended Palazzo Lavaca to be the “forever home” for herself and her two children, but as she is moving to California, it is up for sale.  In the meantime, she lets it out for special events and weddings.  Please do take a look at their gallery further and marvel at the magic Ms. Koy created by adding to the building’s rich history.  I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of it.

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In last Thursday’s post on Chinoiserie, I included several pictures of the Grand Ballroom at the Dorchester Hotel in London. The metal Chinoiserie artwork was created by a company called Metall-FX, Creative Metal Solutions. When I found their website, I knew that I had to share their remarkable work with Fauxology’s readers beyond just that one post.

At Metall-FX, inventor Brian Eatwell has developed an extraordinary process for applying a metal finish to just about any surface imaginable. When the coating is applied to the surface of an object, it gives it the look and feel of solid metal. With dozens of pure metals and alloys from which to choose along with different textures, colors and finishes, an artist or designer is only limited by their imagination.

I’ve selected a few of my favorites from their gallery. Prepare yourself for a wonderful ride!

A fireplace in Paris is home to this elegant work…

Metall-FX shows you their interpretation of two great oceans…

Take a journey with their skilled artisans…

Art imitates life, animal life that is…

Would you like to see something in red…

Mother Nature would love this…

Trojan Battle Scene Frieze
The Metall-FX team created this Trojan Battle Scene Frieze for a client of James Livingstone of Lourenco & Co. It is over forty-four feet in length!

Here is a brief glimpse of the process that creates this incredible work of art….

One last picture…

This company is definitely going on my Favorites List! I only wish they were on this side of the pond. I hope you enjoyed seeing their work as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their work. Check out their website to see a gallery of their finishes and projects. You will love it!

Cheers to all,
Peggy

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We are proud to profile one of their recent projects, the lobby ceiling of a building along Fifth Avenue in New York City.  The project had undergone multiple renovations and the original entrance had an unusually narrow, low-ceilinged lobby. After adding lobby height and width, the new entrance and portal was then roofed with a shallow arch, evoking the building’s crown.  The commercial project had a decidedly contemporary vibe and the technique was designed by Robin Roi, the head of their decorative finishes department.

First, the team primed the surface and then created a textured pattern in a dark green color, which was the color that the client wanted to come through the final gilding.

The artists made a textured finish with heavy acrylic paint and massive brushes in a swirled pattern and then gilded it with aluminum leaf.

Close-up

It was all then sanded and abraded it lightly to reveal the texture even more. Finally, it was glazed to match the rest of the lobby.

Close-up

The gorgeous finish blends beautifully with the Travertine walls, patterned terrazzo floors and marble accents.

The final images are by Jock Pottle. All are courtesy of EverGreene Architectural Arts.

EverGreene advises that there’s a long historic precedent for this style, specifically, combed plaster from the aesthetic movement in the 1880s. It was actually more a style than a movement and was in response to the Victorian clutter of Gothic Revival.  To a certain extent, they used influences of the Far East as stylistic cues. Edward William Godwin is the architect that more or less typifies this style.  Taking the contemporary interior in mind, Robin Roi created a more abstract version of the textural aesthetic movement wall coverings for this project.  I think the technique is gorgeous and so well done — and am enchanted with the final colorations.

Since 1978, EverGreene has been creating award-winning designs and projects for special clients.  Their studio has several facets, including restoration and conservation along with sacred, civic and theatrical works.   In fact, they have a fascinating short video explaining how architectural conservators explore, sample and test historic interiors to determine past layers of history and suggest an appropriate plan of action.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The company also keeps a wonderful blog where they share some of their projects. You can also keep up with them via their Facebook fan page.  A warm Thank You! goes out to EverGreene Architectural Arts (and especially their Communications Director, James Tarmy) for sharing their project and incredible artistry with us.  What a beautiful way to end the week — enjoy the weekend, dear Readers!

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If you open your mind wide enough, you can find inspiration in just about anything. For me artwork is one of my favorite sources for creative spark. Last week I used a photograph of a Hamilton Ontario side street taken by M. Christine Duncan as the inspiration for a room’s design. Today, to create a formal living area, I am going to draw on a great masterpiece that is said to be the most famous painting in the world – the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci .

For my first step, I always decide on my color pallette. As I looked at the painting I new right away that I wanted to go with warm earthy tones and chose a pallette that would work well with that. The four colors I selected are from Sherwin-Williams. Each would be beautiful as they are or used as the base for a decorative finish. My color pallette…

Next I chose my upholstered pieces…

Source: Golden Settee, Darra Brown Floral Chair, Olive Velvet Club Chair  – Horchow

Then came hard furnishings, lighting, drapery, rugs and accessories…

Source: Schonbek Bagatelle Collection Crystal Pendant Chandelier – Lamps Plus
Flocked Velvet Damask Brown Pillow & Dupioni Silk Cream Envelope Pillow – Pillow Decor
Paramount Curtains – Horchow, McDermott Jar with Lid – Home Decorators
Fable Chest, Felicie Oval Mirror, Margaux Accent Table  – Horchow
Constantine Rug – Home Decorators, Carved Two-Tone Brown Table Lamp – Lamps Plus
Elaine Table Runner – Home Decorators

The beautiful finishes on the wood furniture and upholstered pieces can be recreated by many talented decorative artists. There are also artists that specialize in antique mirror finishes. Personally, I think the mirror that I selected would work even better if it had one of those lovely finishes!

Even though I saw this room with warm dark wood and earthy tones, I still saw it as very feminine. A place that was grand but inviting; a place where you could spend an entire afternoon just enjoying the view. Have you ever used one of the great masterpieces or a more recent work of art as your muse? Where do you draw inspiration?

Cheers to all,
Peggy

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Chinoiserie is a French term that refers to a European artistic style that began in the 17th century in which objects and decoration are inspired by Chinese design. Chinese motifs are reflected in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and other decoration.

I’ve put together some decorative items for you that represent this style…

Top Row: Silk Pillow, Porcelain Lamp with Silk Shade
Bottom Row: Mother of Pearl Motif Porcelain Vase,
Chinoiserie Bombay Chest, Terracotta Tang Dancer
Source: China Furniture Online

Chinoiserie murals are a popular way to bring this style to a space in a way that has major impact. Talented San Fransisco mural artist, Lynne Rutter draws inspiration from her world travels to create the most beautiful Chinoiserie imagery. This post wouldn’t be complete without including a few samples of her magnificent work. Here are three for you to enjoy…

Above: This modern interpretation of classic Chinoiserie wallpaper murals was specially designed for this room in one of San Francisco’s period mansions.
Photography: David Duncan Livingston

Above: This formal powder room features a hand-painted chinoiserie room mural, faux marble console and baseboards. It was designed by Lynne for the 2002 San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

Above: Three layers of silver leafed moulding and hand-painted chinoiserie panels were used to add architectural balance and subtle color accents to this glamorous Art Deco-inspired bedroom.
Interior Design:  Paula McChesney
Photography: David Duncan Livingston

Note: I especially love the marriage of Chinoiserie and Art Deco in that last photo! If you’ve read my previous post on Art Deco, you can easily recognize the Art Deco influences in this space.

If you’re not blessed with an artist’s hand, there are myriad stencils available to help you create this look. Here are a few samples for you…

Source: The Stencil Library, Made in England

While gathering photos, I came upon the most FABULOUS installation of Chinoiserie that I just had to share with you! This amazing artwork was done by the talented Metall-FX. They were commissioned by interior designers Alex Kravetz Design to create this outstanding series of Chinoiserie doors and panels in the Grand Ballroom of the Dorchester Hotel in London. Prepare to be amazed…

Here’s a close-up view so you can see the detail of their work…

Sort of takes your breath away, doesn’t it? (Next week I’ll be bringing you more of their remarkable artwork and share with you how they create it.)

Chinoiserie is such a versatile style that plays well with others. It can be classic, modern or a little of both. If you’d like to learn more about this fanciful style, Lynne Rutter did a wonderful indepth post that you really must read!

Have you used this style in a space or done any work with it?

Cheers to all!
Peggy

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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 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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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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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.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

“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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Now back to the subject at hand… Ikat fabrics are not only popular in fashion now, but they can be found in everything for the home from furniture and accessories to walls and window treatments. Though it’s hot at the moment, thus making it very contemporary, ikat fabrics are nothing new. The exact time of origin is hard to determine because woven fabric usually doesn’t last more than a few centuries, but let us just say the process used to create the beautiful fabric designs is quite ancient.

Ikat 101: The word “ikat” in Malay means to tie or bind together. To make ikat fabric, ties or bindings are applied to the threads or yarns before they are woven. These bindings are used to prevent the dye from reaching all of the threads. This process is called “resist” dyeing. Different patterns can be created by alternating the bindings and using more than one color of dye.

Source: Mekong Textiles

Patterns can be produced by either binding the warp threads, weft threads or both. (Weft threads are those that are woven across the width of a fabric. Warp threads are the threads that run lengthwise through a fabric. The way I remember these two is, “Weft goes left…to right, warp goes the other way!”)

It’s interesting to note that the various design motifs of ikat fabrics often have symbolic meaning representing religious beliefs or activities of daily life. Some, however, are only designed to have commercial appeal. Traditionally, ikat was a symbol of wealth and power. Some cultures believe that the fabric itself is endowed with mystical powers because it takes great skill and a lot of time to create. If that is the case, then the amazing antique mirrors that Regina creates have booku powers! They take FOE-EVAAA to make!

Once the dyeing is completed the bindings are removed. Then the dyed threads are woven with threads that haven’t been dyed, thus creating the beautiful and intricate designs seen in ikat fabrics. When done by hand, the weaving is quite a labor-intensive process as you can well imagine. Guess I won’t be adding that to my DIY list!

 Source: Mekong Textiles

Ikat is sometimes confused with tie-dyeing. These are two very different processes. The defining characteristic of ikat is that the threads are tied off and dyed BEFORE they are woven. In tie-dye, the fabric is woven first and then tied off and dyed.

It wasn’t difficult to find photographs showing how ikat brings bold flair to interior design. I’ve chosen a few of my favorites to illustrate this point. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Designer: Kirsten Kelli
Artistry by: Nicola Vigini

 Designer: Kirsten Kelli 

Designer: Kirsten Kelli

Source: Photographer - William Waldron for Elle Decor

As you can see, ikat isn’t limited to fabric. If you’re an artist, you can create your own ikat designs on floors, ceilings, walls, fabrics, pottery… The list is endless. As they say, if you can imagine it you can create it! What’s spectacular is that there are myriad stencils available that make it easy for the rest of us, like these at Royal Design Studio.

Have you used ikat in your house or a client’s? What creative ways have you used ikat? I’d love to see pictures of what you’ve done. I’ll even share my favorites with our readers!

Cheers to all,
Peggy

How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun. ~Vincent Van Gogh

Recently, a cold front stopped by for a brief visit and kept the daytime temps hovering in the low 50’s. I live in Central Florida and I’m a Florida native. I consider this C*O*L*D, bordering on Arctic weather!! So I broke out the down full-length coat that The Husband gave to me for Christmas (according to Lands End it keeps you warm in temps down to minus 30 degrees – just what I wanted!). I then headed over to a friend’s house for a visit. In her kitchen she had the loveliest bowl of lemons sitting on the counter. Just that touch of yellow warmed up the whole room and was like a little pocket of sunshine. Vincent knew what he was talking about!

I now had the color yellow on my mind and knew that I had to write a post about it. Then lo and behold, what starts to happen? Over the next couple of weeks, I begin seeing it popping up on the cover of my favorite interior design magazines, in home design stores I frequent and catalogs I receive in the mail! It seems like everyone is getting into yellow right now. This is the perfect time to explore this dynamic color.

Yellow is a powerful color in that it evokes strong emotions and physiological reactions. Here are a few fascinating tidbits abut the color yellow.

• Yellow is the brightest color in the spectrum making it the first one your eyes pick up on and highly visible from a great distance; therefore, it attracts more attention than any other color. Obviously taxi cabs and school buses are painted yellow for a reason.
•  Yellow is considered cheery, warm, sunny, nurturing and welcoming. That’s why for decades soldiers have been welcomed home with yellow ribbons tied around trees.
•  Psychologically yellow is considered the “happiest” color in the spectrum, because it is shown to cause your body to release more serotonin (the” feel-good” brain chemical) when you are around it, thus making you feel happy, optimistic and lighthearted.
•  Shades of yellow that are too deep or intense, however, can create feelings of frustration and anger. Studies have found that tempers are more likely to flare and babies to cry in a room with all yellow walls. More light is reflected by bright colors; this results in over stimulating and fatiguing  the eyes. If I had to spend a lot of time in a room painted in an overpowering yellow, I’d probably get a bit cranky, too.
•  Yellow is associated with life, food, and energy; hence, it’s shown to increase metabolism and appetite. This makes it an ideal and very popular color choice for kitchens.
•  Yellow stimulates the left or logical side of the brain; thus enhancing creative thought and concentration, and stimulating memory. It isn’t just a coincidence that legal pads are yellow. It’s been scientifically proven that if something is written and read on paper that is a pastel shade, there is a better chance of remembering it.

That’s a lot for one little color!

In the library of the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, California, the use of yellow in this room is inviting and mentally stimulating. The angle of the bookcase is not only visually interesting, but it also promotes a feeling of energy and movement. A great choice for a library, wouldn’t you say?

 Photo:  Grey Crawford

Designer: Kelly Wearstler

 The openwork carving of this headboard is accentuated by the yellow backdrop. I love the yellow lacquered furniture! The use of lots of white and grey keep the yellow from being to intimidating.

Source: Pinterest

The Saffron area rug from Anthropology that is shown in the next picture is a perfect example of how a little bit of yellow goes a long way. A Chesterfield style sofa is one of my favorites; here it looks so chic in green leather. And what about those walls?!

Saffron Rug and Furnishings from Anthropologie

This dark yellow chair is also from Anthropologie. I think it’s deeeeelicious! The linen upholstery has a lovely buttery color to it keeping the look very casual. I’d clear a spot for this in my house in the “flashest of flashes”! The distressed wood walls and chest reinforce the casual tone.

Corrigan Chair and Furnishings from Anthropologie

Yellow is welcoming and these two door are proof of that. The soft yellow of the distressed doors on the left reflect the comfort of an old farmhouse while the vibrant yellow combined with the bright purple suggest a more exotic locale.

Source: Pinterest

The shiny green background of this antique china cabinet gives it a more contemporary vibe. I once painted an old china cabinet in high gloss black with a high gloss bright green interior. Same concept – take something old and give it a contemporary twist with paint. The same thing is done with the uphostered chairs. Notice the pops of yellow in the room and inside the cabinet.

Source: Traditional Home – DC Design House; Design: Camille Saum;
Photographer: Gordon Beall;  China Cabinet: The Great British Pine Mine

The ceiling of the home office in the DC Design House is a work of art by Nigel Cooper. Yellow stimulates the brain, so it’s an ideal choice for a home office. Such delicate work! Love it!

  Source: Traditional Home – Pasadena Showcase House of Design, Pasadena, California,
Artist: Nigel Cooper; Designer: Julie Kays; Photographer: Michael Garland

Why choose only one stencil when you can have them all?!  These stairs were done by New England-based Carol Leonesio and used Royal Design Studio stencils. Read Carol’s blog post on the project here.

This last photo features a STUNNING wall treatment that made me go weak at the knees! It was designed by Rauber and Rauber Interiors.   I’ll let the photo speak for itself. Make sure you have something to grab onto…

Source: Rauber & Rauber Interiors

See what I mean!

Though the shade may change, yellow is a color that never seems to go out of fashion and is always in style in interior design. Don’t be afraid to use this color. It’s a fun choice and immediately brings life to a room. You just need to consider the shade, intensity and placement when considering how much yellow the space will have.

Do you have a favorite shade of yellow that you’ve worked with or a special way of bringing it into the design of an interior? Have you done any special yellow finishes? I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time!

Cheers to all,
Peggy

P.S. This has absolutely nothing to do with design or decorative painting, but I thought it was very interesting, so I had to share it!  Have you ever wondered why pencils are painted yellow? Okay, maybe you haven’t, but this is still cool to know…

According to pencils.com, pencils have been painted yellow ever since the 1890s. During the 1800s, the best graphite in the world came from China. American pencil makers wanted a special way to tell people that their pencils contained Chinese graphite. In China, the color yellow is associated with royalty and respect. American pencil manufacturers began painting their pencils bright yellow to communicate this “regal” feeling and association with China.

Please note that credit has been given where known and available.  If you recognize the source, please contact blogger to provide proper credit and/or links.  Thank you!
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Gina Garner

Gina Garner: I was born in a small fishing village by the Baltic Sea, in East Prussia (Germany).  During the war, my mother, sister and I were forced to flee our home and relocate to East Germany.  When my father was released from prison camp in Siberia, Russia, we planned our escape to West Germany.

I have painted since I was a small child, influenced by my father, a master woodcarver and watercolorist.  I would accompany him on painting expeditions to small farm villages in East Germany.  While living in East Germany I was trained as a topographic draftsman.  My first job, after escaping to West Germany, was hand painting greeting cards for a German card company.

After immigrating to the United States, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah, focusing on Anthropology, The Applied Arts, Art History, and in particular, the Italian Renaissance.   Each year, my husband and I, travel to various regions of the world, bringing back new ideas and many Old World techniques.  With the renewed interest in decorative painting finishes, I now devote much of my time teaching workshops at our local college and teaching classes to designers, professional painters and private individuals.

In 2004, I designed a kitchen for a local attorney.  When we searched for hand painted tiles they were not available.  Those from Europe were too expensive mostly because shipping had become prohibitive.  So I decided that I would learn and teach myself how to paint ceramic tiles.  It was not that difficult and with a ceramic shop willing to fire my tiles, owning a kiln was not so important.

I have since traveled to Italy, Holland, France and Belgium and I have made it a point to learn and paint ceramics with several fine maiolica (or majolica) painters of Europe.  For the past 4 years, I have painted with Professor Nicola Boccini and Maestro Romano Ranieri of Deruta, Italy, one of the major centers of Maiolica production.

My husband Gene and I live in a small artist/farming community of central Utah. After many years of travel to Italy and studying the work of Andrea Palladio and his country villas in the Veneto, Italy, we decided to build an Italian inspired small villa in the middle of an alfalfa field.  Here is where we tend our fields and gardens and take care of the many animals that have adopted us. We designed every phase and did a lot of the physical work, such as laying all of the marble and I did all of the wall finishes, including gilding and marbling.  Several years ago, a Hollywood film company filmed our house.  We were awarded first place in International Design an in addition, an award winning Magazine featured our house in a 13-page spread.

Central Hall

Front Facade

The incredible views along their pond.

Where do you see ceramic design heading in the future?

We traveled to Deruta, Italy, only a few months ago. Things have changed. No one was visiting Deruta, one of the major centers for hand painted ceramics.  Ceramics are expensive and because of their weight, shipping is very expensive. U.S. companies are not importing  for those same reasons. The more than 600-year-old ceramic industry of Italy is suffering. Artists are looking for solutions and they are also looking for employment in other industries. I’m afraid, that at least for now, a very old tradition is losing its fine artists.

What are some of your favorite color and/or product combinations you’ve seen?

I’m no Minimalist. I like living with  objects and art which we have acquired from our travels. I love color. Not garish colors. The kind of colors designer John Saladino chooses for his interiors…the lavender that is almost gray and the green that reminds one of the foaming ocean. The charming and warm interiors designed by Charles Faudree hold just about the right amount of  exuberance. I like classic designs and I love to mix the humble with the splendid. Too much is not enough has always been my motto.

What are some of the most wonderful materials you’ve come across?

Italian powder pigments, which I bring back from Italy, provide color and an intensity that is quite remarkable. While taking lessons in Belgium, I was introduced to a product, Peptapon. It is made in Germany and acts as a binder with ceramic powder pigments. It is a product that prevents the smearing of pigment.

What artist would you like to commission to create a work of art for your home?

That’s easy. An Italian artist and mural painter who lives in Calistoga, California by the name of Carlo Marchiori.

What one existing book or movie title describes your life?

Actually it is a piece of Music from an opera by Verdi, Nabucco, the Slave Chorus.  Not because I see myself as a slave but because the music has just the right amount of  highs and lows, which describes my life perfectly.

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Such an incredible life. Her artistry is sublime, no? Speaking of sublime, I’d also love to commission Carlo Marchiori! Interestingly enough, I found out via Art’s the Answer that the architects who designed Carlo Marchiori’s Ca’Toga also designed Gina’s home. Very nice! Gina does have a wonderful, refined and warm way about her — it truly reflects in her colorful work and in the blog posts she writes. She also sells her work via eBay and her Etsy shop, Maiolica, and explains that, “I have found a niche for a product that has not been imported in the last few years.  There are only a handful of  tile companies who will import special orders”. Every year, her town of Spring City, Utah is “open” to the public and they have several fine artists living in the small community with visitors coming from far and wide to purchase art. Sounds like an amazing way to live life!  Thank you, Gina, for sharing your life and artistry with us. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

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Regina and I met several years ago when I called on her to do some work for a client of mine. We had never met before, but I had seen her work and it was just what I was looking for, so I chose her for my project. Little did I know that that call would be the start of a wonderful life-long friendship.

One of the things (and there are many) that I’ve always admired about Regina is her passion for decorative  painting. I share that feeling towards all things interior design and decorating, not to mention DIY. This past fall at one of our marathon lunches (we just can’t stop talking!) we were discussing how both our passions could work together to offer something extraordinary for Fauxology’s readers. To make a long story short, a few long lunches and several amusing Skype meetings later, a new partnership was formed!

I am so looking forward to sharing my ideas with you and hearing yours. Plus, we have some wonderful things planned for you. It’s going to be a fabulous 2012!

So without further ado, let’s get this party started! And what better way than with the beautiful color blue.

I have to admit that blue is one of my favorite colors to work with, so I had a lot of fun selecting pictures for this post. I narrowed it down to about a hundred, but only had room for 4 this time around. Therefore, I was very selective.

• I chose the powder bath in the top left corner as designed by Windsor Smith because the deep blue walls bring such refinement to this small space and I love the sheen. The marble pedestal sink combined with the elegant light fixtures and mirror make this room seem as though it is all dressed up for a swanky party. And who doesn’t love a swanky party!
• In the top right picture, just the opposite is happening. The distressed treatment used on the blue table and mirror frame keep the seating area from becoming to formal. This dichotomy of styles as featured in Canadian House and Home is also what makes the dining nook in the bottom left so successful. Both places look like excellent spots to curl up and read a book.
• In the bottom right corner, the sconce at the end of the blue hallway is actually one large piece. When I first saw it in Traditional Home, I thought it was a stencil with a smaller sconce. When I realized what it was, I thought “Cool! I need to try that!” I really love the idea of doing the sconce with a stencil behind it. Has anyone tried something like this before? I’d love to see photos of it!

For many religions, blue is the color of the spirit and in several cultures it was used for protection against evil spirits. Hmmm…I wonder if that is the origin of the company name, Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

Ask someone what their favorite color is and most people will respond with “blue”. That is probably because it is one of the most comforting colors in the wheel and one of the least gender specific. The sky is blue and so is the ocean; we can always depend on that, so blue represents consistency and dependability. Most blues are relaxing, peaceful and calming; however, it can also be stimulating and exhilirating in brilliant or bright shades.

I hope you enjoyed my first official post. Have a wonderful day!

Cheers to you!
Peggy

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I think she’s amazed at the beautiful walls, no? Via Katie Armour

Seeing as to how we’re thinking walls, that also gets me thinking about finishes. Champagne finishes.

This yumminess is via The Style Files

A lovely metallic on metallic pattern. The interior is by Summer Thornton Design.

Sometimes you can see the remnants of the effervescence a space once housed… (Architonic)

Simply incredible.

 This ethereal dining room is still holding on to its complete beauty. (Segreto Finishes)

Contemporary, stylish and effective mural elements. Via Freshome

You can always mix the versatile champagne with other colors. Via Delights by Design

All these finishes can be had SO easily! All you have to do is use this little button…

And Voila! The finishes appear on your wall! Or so I’ve been told…

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Ms. Ricci is based in New Jersey and she is also part owner of the Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ.  She received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and a degree from Sheffield School of Interior Design.  She works primarily in mixed media on surfaces such as wood and canvas. Please click to enlarge the pics.

If Not Now, a collaboration with artist Porkchop

Vanity ~ Mixed Media on Canvas

Moonchild (above left), W-03 (above right)

Mixed media on canvas. Amore (above left), Dark & Lovely (above right)

Cherish ~ Mixed Media on Canvas

Her go-to materials?

Paper, acrylic paint, wax, Venetian plaster, fabric and leaf. She also likes glitter and glass beads as embellishments and uses them to add an unexpected contrast.

Evoking “an old wall in Morocco, a Renaissance Church, a NYC subway wall and Malibu Barbie all simultaneously existing on one canvas” is her goal and I think she’s succeeded!  Please note that some of her artworks are available for purchase; do check her website to see more of her gallery.  What I like most about her pieces is that each time you take a look, you find something wonderful you had not seen before — and you wonder how it escaped your notice.  Do you see something you like?

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Pantone calls it a “spirited, sophisticated reddish orange”. In a Casa Sugar interview, Leatrice Eisman, Pantone’s top color guru, talks about how this shade will breathe new life into the current color palettes — calling it “an orange with a lot of depth”.  She also explains how they come about the final top color decision – it’s pretty interesting to see all the aspects needed to take the temperature of the zeitgeist. Ms. Eisman does advise that the perfect rooms to use the color are kitchens and dining rooms but to also consider it as a perfect front door color.

(Clockwise from top Left) Bedroom by Kendall Wilkinson, Artist John Baden photographed by Eric Luse, Living Room featured in Canadian House & Home and door featured in Morocco Today.

So, what do you think of Tangerine Tango?  I like it — but then again, I do love fiery shades. It’s always been an accepted color in countries such as Italy, India and Indonesia, but there is no doubt that in the last few years, orange shades have blossomed into a popular option in our interior design schemes. They add joie de vivre to a room, in something as small as accents to as dramatic as walls or ceilings.

For instance, I love the variation in this gorgeous powder bath by Canada’s Barbara Rocha and also the staircase below featured in Slumber Designs…

…and even cabinetry.

 The new Tory Burch boutique in NYC”s Madison Avenue.  Spied the post on Baylor Says but initially featured and photographed by Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic.

BTW, the beautiful collage above was put together by Peggy Pardo — someone I’m excited for you to get to know very well, very soon.  I’ll have more details next week — be sure to look for it!  As to the final thoughts on Tangerine Tango, I do have to say that in years past, the word “economy” and “current financial climate” were part of the description of that year’s color choices, but this year bypasses that altogether and just mentions that Tangie (I’m getting all cozy with the color) has “the energy boost needed to recharge and move forward”.  I’m definitely all for that!  Have a great day!

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Artist Ali Kay

Ali Kay has been an artist from day one.  She started painting murals for  friends  and family in high school and went on to study fine art at the University of Milwaukee Wisconsin.  After her graduation, she spent time in Rome and Florence to not only study but also absorb art history.  She officially started her decorative painting company Positive Space at the age of 19 in 2003 and in 2010, she and her husband moved from Milwaukee, WI to Houston, TX.   The new environment proved to be a valuable change for her company and she has had the opportunity to work with many talented designers and artists in the growing city.  In fact, Positive Space is an active industry partner with ASID and one of Ali’s murals was recently recognized at the Gulf Coast Chapter’s  annual awards banquet under the category of Best Wall Treatment.  While her work has always focused mainly on mural painting and fine art, she is now branching out into the world of faux finishes and decorative plasters.

Peacock Mural - Winner of a Best Wall Treatment award

To see a full view of the barrel ceiling, click here. To get even closer, try this one.

What are some great products you’ve come across lately?

My favorite new product is the artist paint by Proceed. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve been using cheap quarts of wall paint for my murals for years and now that I’ve been introduced to this new paint line, I will never go back.   It obviously costs more but the results are worth it.  It dries so slow it’s almost like oil paint and it blends beautifully to create easy shading.  It also stretches so you don’t need to use a lot of it to cover a large space.

What have been some of the most fulfilling projects you’ve been involved with?

About a year ago, I was asked by a designer I work with if I would be interested in doing a pro bono mural for a local family. The mother had lost her arms and legs due to a devastating complication from giving birth to her daughter. A foundation had been created and the community had helped to purchase a house for the family. After meeting them and doing the mural for her daughter’s nursery, I couldn’t help but do murals  for their other two children as well. The family was so appreciative and kept thanking me. I felt like it was very little what I had actually done. It was so rewarding to be able to do anything to bring joy to someone who had been through so much. It was a much better payment than I could have received from any client.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have received?

I think that the best piece of profession advice I have received has to do with my greatest struggle: pricing out work.

I was told not to focus so much on “How long is this going to take me?” but rather to ask myself “What is this project going to be worth when it’s completed?”.

Often times a project might not take a great deal of time, but may bring an incredible amount of value to the home or business and you should be compensated for that.   On the opposite end, there are projects that seem to take forever and the end product does not show it. Those are ones that I might decide to pass on.

In your travels, what have been some of the most inspiring spaces you’ve seen that had decorative painting?

In college, I took a short art history course in Italy and we visited Pompeii.   I was so amazed at the technical level of the art.   It’s incredible me that these ancient people were using atmospheric perspective beautifully.   When I think about the work of the middle ages and how primitive it was, it seems unbelievable that these people thousands of years earlier were so much more skilled at representation.

This collage includes custom finishes and selections from her Contemporary Cubism series and mosaics with painting incorporated.

What photograph or image really moves you?

I little over a year ago I came across photos on Facebook of orphaned children in Haiti. The images were so powerful that I asked the woman who posted them if I could have permission to paint them.  She happened to be the director of a mission in Aquin Haiti, Haitian Helping Haitian, and knew these children very well. These paintings turned into my “God’s Children” series. These are some of my favorite paintings I‘ve ever done, because the photos I used were so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I think what drew me in most was the look of the children’s eyes as they stared at the camera. About 6 months after I made the paintings, I went to Haiti and got to meet the same children I had been painting.

What is the first work of art you remember creating?

There are so many it’s hard to nail down just one as the first. My mom kept everything I did and I think by the time I was in high school she had filled a refrigerator box in our basement. One that sticks out in my mind though was a drawing I did of my grandparents when I was probably about 6. I had them pose for me at the kitchen table.

One of Ali's first works of art. She was six.

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Her pro bono projct must have been so satisfying — imagine helping bring so much joy to a family that desperately needed it! I’m also glad she was able to travel to Haiti to visit with the children she had been painting. What an incredible experience that must have been! A big thank you to Ali for working with me to put this profile together. Please do stop by her website, Positive Space Art, to see more of her beautiful work. I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s profile and found it inspiring. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Color Blocking in Fashion

We’ve explored the bridging of fashion and home before (see The Beauty of Ombre and Connecting the Dots).  Here it roars again…

Via The House Home photo blog

Via House to Home

I really like how much fun this one is.  Via Remodelista

Blocks of color on walls can create a wonderful focus in a room, if done well using good color theory.  As showcased in a home featured in The Adamant Chic, one can also block colors among individual walls instead of doing the look on a singular wall.  Tell me, what do you think of this technique?

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 An Antoni Gaudí interior.  Seriously incredible crackle.

I’ve shared this image on our FB fan page and thought to share it again. Love the inspired Peter Pan shadow!  You?  (Via We Heart It)

Gorgeous patterns! Love them both so much… Left: My Overlays Right: Fine Art America

Click smaller images to enlarge for greater detail.

Unexpected yet so effective! Left: I believe this is fabric on the ceiling with corresponding painted stripes on the walls. Via HGTV.  Right: Cool patterns within circles on what looks like Venetian Plaster. Via Metamorfaux.

Incredible flooring (and view!) in Lake Como, Italy

The Fromental principals with their design. Love it all. Photography by Don Freeman.

An exhilarating mix of colors, textures and patterns! Designed by Todd Black.

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I find that Orange is one of those “extreme” colors – clients will either love to consider it or steer clear altogether.  There’s rarely any ambivalence.  (…and hopefully, you didn’t feel that towards any of today’s images.)  BTW, did you know that the name of the Golden Gate Bridge color is International Orange? The formula is easily available should you desire to have it.  Fascinating history, too.  Have a great day!

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