I met Valerie Cuzzola, the current President of Florida’s Golden Palette, a few years ago when I joined the organization. I really got to know her when I served as Vice President in 2003-2004 and I saw how much love and effort she puts forth in creating a haven for artists and hobbyists to learn and network. All the current officers work hard as well to ensure that good friendships are created and the ridiculously affordable classes offered every month for members are well-thought out and offer quality information and introductions to new products. They even have a great newsletter every month chock full of great information and pictures! I turned to Valerie tointroduce you (my faithful blog readers) to an organization that is, I believe, vital to our local artisan community.

Tell us a little about Florida’s Golden Palette (FGP) and its philosophy. It all starts with the Stencil Artisan’s League, Inc. (SALI), an organization that began in 1984 to bring together artists not just stencillers but also faux artists and muralists — of every skill level to learn from each other and to honor old world techniques while embracing and refining “new world” artistic expressions. FGP is the Florida chapter of SALI, which started in June of 2000 and has been going strong ever since. In January 2008, we are starting our new chapter. We have grown so much and are so spread out in Florida that we need to reach those that can not drive the 2 or 3 hours (i.e., Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, Orlando) to get to one of our meetings, which we hold in a different city every time. This will result in more members for each chapter as well as SALI national.

What is FGP’s philosophy? I believe that FGP represents all artists. We are a chapter that has:
1. members that are just starting out in business.
2. members that are hobbyist.
3. members that are professionals, full and part time.
We all share our so-called faux secrets, give advice and help each other when we are in a jam.

Where do you see interior design and/or faux finishing heading in the future? I see and read that design is going back to a more relaxed atmosphere using warmer colors, using more of the bright colors in the decorations and addressing and painting the fifth wall, ceilings. Murals also have softer, more muted colors. One of the newer concepts is decorative-finished concrete floors with a few area rugs, which is a great cosmopolitan look.

What are some misconceptions about decorative painting and/or faux finishing that you or the members encounter?? Well, we still get “oh that sponge painting stuff” from years ago that really did look like a sponge dipped in paint. Decorative painting has evolved to express a much more elegant feel. Darker colors are being used more and more in small spaces. The old wives tale that dark colors in a small room makes it look smaller is just not true.? The right dark colors can make a room look larger and also add warmth.

What are some of the most current hot decorative finishing styles you see the members creating? Lots and lots of texture. Metallics. Also, the one-time-use stencils that you can order?or have locally made.

Please describe your monthly meetings and classes. We usually have a 30 – 45 minute chapter meeting followed by a class. The classes can range from stenciling, faux painting, color theory, a 2-day mural class and anything in between. The classes are taught by members or we may bring in a special renowned guest. We meet once a month on the second Saturday of every month. The only two exceptions are in July when most of us go to the yearly SALI convention and in December, when we have a wonderful Christmas get-together.

What are some of the member’s favorite finishes, color combinations and/or products to work with? I think each member has their own favorites. Some love and only do murals. Others like the simple one color faux. There are those that absolutely love the textures nothing like getting out the trowel and slathering product on the walls. Oh, can’t forget the ones that would rather work from home and do beautiful hand painted furniture.

What has been the most positive and/or fulfilling project the FGP has worked on? We have worked on so many fulfilling projects. Two of my favorites:
1.The Russell House: “Grandma Russell” died in 2003 and the daughters and other family members are now running the Orlando home, which does not have government funding and survive only on donations. It was started by the Russell family in Orlando more than 50 years ago. She started caring for children who were mentally challenged and did not have anyone to take care of them. She still has the first child that she took in and the family has grown to 20 something!
2. The Children’s Home (“The Hope House”): A place where children stay when they are in between foster homes. Children arrive at the Hope House with their few personal belongings in paper bags. We supplied these kids with huge canvas duffel bags and taught them how to personalize them with stencils.

Any design and/or finishing books or videos that you recommend for us to read?? I read any faux book I can get my hands on. Even if there is nothing in there at the time I can use, it seems that something always comes up on a project that I can go back to one of books and find the answer. I’m not a muralist but from watching faux videos on murals, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and done some wonderful kids murals. One of my favorites is by Charlene Clesceri. It’s a step by step video and has been a staple in my library.

What design and/or finishing advice would you offer our blog readers? Play, Play, Play!!! Get out in your garage and practice, practice, practice. Practice on a wall in your spare room or any wall in your house. If you don’t like it…….it’s only paint. JUST DO IT!!!!! Join your local SALI chapter.

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Thank you for your insights, Valerie! Both the Florida’s Golden Palette and Stencil Artisan’s League, Inc. (SALI) are very good about listening and anticipating their member’s needs and continually adapting and steering the organizations to reflect changes. This is what makes an organization valuable to its members one that can grow and evolve with the times, design styles and their member’s increasingly savvy and developing tastes. I myself have been remiss in attending the monthly meetings but have made it a point for myself in the upcoming year to reacquaint myself with this wonderful organization. If you have any creative bones in your body itching to get out, I urge you to attend a meeting and class and see how this organization can help your artistry can take flight. It’s an amazing group of people and I hope to see you there!

(Please note that this profile will also be available as an archive in our Message Forum.)

I met Victoria Cerrone in 2005 at the Faux Showcase House when she came to view the home and take our guided tour. We ended up deep in conversation on all things art, design and serendipity…she is truly a wonderful conversationalist. Victoria is the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for BOBOSART, Inc., an art consultancy firm that focuses on high-end commercial, hospitality and residential developments. Some of the public and private art programs the firm is responsible for are CNL Center II at City Commons, the VUE at Lake Eola and U.S. Trust in Miami, Florida. Whenever I spend time with her, I always leave feeling as if I can accomplish anything.? She?is that positive and powerful a presence. Her taste in art is impeccable and I thought she’d be perfect to offer us insights into the Fine Art industry.

Tell us a little about yourself and your style. Having spent a good portion of my youth in Italy, I grew up with very contemporary furniture juxtaposed with classic architecture and art. This combination reflects my style which tends to lean toward contemporary art placed in traditional backgrounds or visa versa, traditional art mixed with contemporary design.

Please tell us a little about BOBOSARTs philosophy. Our philosophy is to create powerful connections through art and provide superior client value. Honesty, integrity and professionalism are at the fore front of our work and our relationships.

Where do you see art design heading in the future? The future of art design is exciting and without limit! With the increase in niche boutique properties, art continues to play an important role in the overall design environment. Generation X and Y appreciate the impact art has in their life and seek design that includes more of this. Sculpture can also be incorporated into the green design movement by creating kinetic energy or an art form that is sustainable and I think we will see an interesting art form developing in this sector.

What or Who are some of your inspirations? Public art created by artists such as Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor and Christo breathe life into large exhibits that force us to stop our daily routine and take notice.

Please describe your ideal space. White walls covered with art with very minimal furniture that is well designed. Also, open air spaces with water elements.

Please share with us some of your favorite websites. I really like ARTINFO, Fast Company and artnet.

What is one of your most fulfilling projects? The U.S.Trust project in Miami is a beautiful, well orchestrated contemporary art collection that includes master and emerging artists from Latin America. I am amazed by how each work relates to the next and how many different forms of art are represented, including painting, photography, serigraph and aluminum works. The client had a clear vision of the space and we were able to successfully translate their needs into reality.

What are some industry books that you recommend? I would recommend looking into Collecting Contemporary by Adam Lindeman and Corporate Art Consulting by Susan Abbott.

What art design advice would you offer our blog readers? Visit museums, art fairs and galleries every chance you get; you may discover a piece that you just can’t live without and don’t worry about how it will fit the space. Then, use the art as the inspiration for the design environment it will live into.

Before & After: Seeing the impact in an office space for the U.S. Trust Project

My siblings and I were recently able to catch up with her at an art exhibit organized by her sister, Maria Cerrone. One thing about Victoria is that she is such a generous person and I’ve never known anyone who has a better finger on the pulse of popular culture, art and events in Orlando. She is someone who inspires me to experience different genres of art and by example, give selflessly to others. ?I cannot say enough good things about her…we should all have a Victoria in our lives.? I hope you’ve enjoyed her thoughts and please be sure to see the website which features artwork photographs of the BOBOSART commissioned projects. As always, these interviews are archived in the Message Forum. Hope you had a great weekend!

When I first moved to the Orlando area in 2000 to continue my business, I decided to work for a faux finishing company to learn the lay of the land and meet other artists. The owner paired specific finishers to work in assigned areas and to my incredible luck, I was teamed up with artist Jeff Huckaby. Not only is he a generous person but his artwork (as you shall soon see) is beyond beautiful. Although we now own our individual businesses, we have remained good friends throughout the years and we have kept each other updated on all our design adventures. Jeff, in addition to being a great finisher, specializes in creating one-of-a-kind ceilings. They are unique works of art and I try to incorporate them in the design plan for many of my residential and commercial clients. In addition to introducing you to design professionals, I thought I’d also introduce you to other wonderful finishers, muralists and fine artists. What a treat for me to have Jeff as the first artist profiled — and I know you’ll love reading about his thoughts on all things design. Please be sure to view his?website — my favorite area is the “Designs & Images”.

Tell us a little about yourself, your style and philosophy. I’ve been painting for 11 years and am still challenged by this profession in some fashion everyday. My personal style and the style of painting that I do could not be at more opposite ends of the spectrum. My style at home is simple and clean. For work, the style is usually something ornate inspired by the old world (although not always). My philosophy with decorative painting is not to go for the obvious. I try to come up with something that is unexpected yet classically inspired. I always steer way clear of “cute”.

What are some misconceptions about interior design and/or faux finishing that you encounter? That it is glamorous and easy….it most assuredly is neither.

What/Who are some of your inspirations? I’m a magazine junkie. I sit down once a month with a stack of magazines that is about 2 feet tall and clip out anything that catches my attention, be it a design or a color combination. I keep all of the clippings handy when I’m stuck for an idea. It is a great resource.

Please describe your ideal space. A neutral palette with bold yet simple furnishings and a few well placed ethnographic accents among an otherwise modern aesthetic. For art on the walls, abstract canvases painted in muted but colorful tones. I love things that have an organic quality.

What are some of the most common design and/or finishing mistakes that you come across? The most common mistake I see across the board is inappropriate use of scale. When designing an embellishment for a space (or anything else), one must keep in mind that the design needs to balance out what is around it. It can’t just be whatever it wants to be. It has to speak to the other elements in the room. Secondly, a tip: When choosing colors from a paint deck, go with the chip that is a shade lighter than the one you choose. The color typically will feel darker and more intense when it is on the wall. This is especially true when choosing yellow tones, I find.

Any design and/or finishing books that you recommend for us to read? My current favorite is 150 Best Apartment Ideas. It is great for the modern interior lover.

What’s the best piece of design advice you have ever received? I was very fortunate to work under a designer when I started out who was not shy about telling me what I did wrong. She actually brought me to tears on more than a few occasions. But she told me over and over again, “You have to step back and look at your work, Jeff!” It is such simple advice…but so helpful.

What is your favorite quote? Undoubtedly it is “Buy the best and you only cry once.”

What design and/or finishing advice would you offer our blog readers? If a potential project scares you, try to conquer it by approaching it in a way in which you know you can absolutely control the materials you will use. A daunting job is no place to be trying out new techniques. Don’t be afraid to recommend your own ideas to a client. I find that clients are open to ideas if the spirit of the outcome is the same. If you can’t do that, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a colleague or simply turn down the job. Sometimes saying no is just the ticket to keeping your sanity. But don’t ever stop stretching your comfort zone either. Use common sense.

Some of Jeff’s work:

I’ve known Jeff for seven years and never realized that we both peruse magazine clippings for ideas! He’s right — they are a fantastic creative jumpstarter. Please be sure to view more of Jeff’s work. He is truly a unique and extremely talented artist…and a valued friend. Have a great day!

I met Sherry Duvall and Peter Petrilli when they e-mailed me about a very unique finish for their home. When I met with them, I was aware that they were involved in the real estate business but as soon as I walked into their home, I knew that they had sensibilities that set them further apart. Since Sherry has strong artistic training and Peter has an architectural, engineering and product design background, they can both conceptualize a space for their clientele and not only create a home that is wonderful to walk into but that will also maximize their investment in the future. They are both involved in the high-end resale market, as well as land sales and new construction. Given this and their flawless design instincts, I thought them uniquely qualified to give us industry insights.

Tell us a little about yourself and your style. As a high-end Realtor, I have seen a lot of homes: the good, the bad and the ugly. When my new husband and I decided to build our dream home in 2006, we committed ourselves to incorporating all of our favorite things. My husband is an architect and industrial designer; we are both artists with similar likes and dislikes. Although Peter lived 25 years in Coral Gables, we love Central Florida. We wanted to create the overall flavor of living in South Florida in our home, including design, features and color.

Tell us a little about your company and its philosophy. Peter and I specialize in high-end real estate, the resale market and land/ construction sales. We have been very successful focusing on our service and professionalism.

What are some misconceptions about interior design and/or architecture that you encounter? In my business, the biggest misconception regarding interior deign and architecture is that each room should have its own personality. The most desired homes have a consistent theme throughout; the flow of the floor plan and design should be present in some capacity in every room.

Please describe your ideal space. Our ideal space is open, light and bright. It has an unassumming elegance detailed with the finest details possible with extra attention to the fixtures, flooring and colors. In our home, our favorite room is a “living room” turned “sun room” that has the ability to be converted to indoor or outdoor space depending upon the weather. On the interior, it has beautifully stained french doors and on the exterior it has 8 ft high pocket sliders. The room is positioned, so that it overlooks the gas fire pit and lagoon-style pool.

What are some of your favorite color, texture and/or products to work with? Because we are both painters, I think we have a great appreciation of color and texture. Our entire color palette was chosen before we started building our home. We did not deviate from that palette in any aspect of the home, which adds to the overall flow and continuity. We chose persimmon, browns, warm golds and citrons/ grassy greens. We complimented all the interior colors by finishing the floors in stained concrete.

What has been the most positive and/or fulfilling project you’ve worked on? I had the pleasure of working with a family that had a grown daughter with MS. They had not been able to afford a universally handicapped designed home until after they received an inheritance. I was instrumental in assisting them with designing the home to accommodate Elizabeth in her wheel chair, slopping thresholds, wheel chair accessible sinks and desks, low pile flooring, wider door ways, etc. This was the first time in her life that she did not have to drag herself up a flight of stairs to go to bed. After her first night in their new home, I asked Elizabeth how she felt and she replied, “I feel like a princess”. After ten years, I still get an invitation to the family Christmas party.

What design and/or architecture advice would you offer our blog readers? I always recommend that my building customers hire an architect, interior designer with experience in new construction and a landscape architect, if possible. Considering where we live, it would make sense to focus on “Florida-style”. I see so many customers relocating from different parts of the country and bringing with them their existing ideas of design and architecture, which could be the kiss of death when it comes to maximizing the overall return on their investment.

Home designed by Sherry Duvall and Peter Petrilli (Dave Brewer Realty)

I completely agree with Sherry’s assertion that a home should flow and not have different themes peppered throughout the house. Picking a beautiful color scheme and incorporating those in different ways is key to successful design. I also love how a home can be tailored to fit the needs of a client, a la Elizabeth’s story. It’s always wonderful when you can make a client feel like royalty. Thank you, Sherry, for sharing your insights on behalf of both yourself and Peter. Please be sure to look them up under their company, Dave Brewer Realty. As always, this interview will be archived in our Message Forum. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend

I met Jim Ross when I invited him and his team to our company’s Grand Opening party for the Faux Showcase Home 2005. I had heard of his company, Ross Design Group, and knew of his stellar reputation as an architect with true creative vision. We recently worked on his home, which is one of our all-time favorites. Jim and his wife Jennifer really love finishes that are clean, quietly elegant yet never boring or mundane. It is a difficult combination to pull off and I’ve reached a higher level of inventive thinking thanks to their singular vision for their home and their wonderful design style. I thought that having Jim share his thoughts and processes as an architect would make for a great Faux-cus on the Pros interview.

Ross Design Group focuses on creating masterful home designs that captivate the eye and function superbly. Jim himself is a sixth generation Floridian and understands the distinctive requirements of designing in Florida. His Beasley-Henley’s Villa Laguna design alone recently won Orlando Leisure’s 2006 Home of the Year award as well as the Southeast Building Conference’s Aurora Award in the category for Remodeling, Rehabilitation or Historical Renovation and the 2006 MAME Award in the Best Whole House Remodeling category. His firm has been featured in special publications for Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, Open House and other media. WFTV chose Jim’s firm as the architects for their 2007 Concept Home. Their beautiful website features a Home Showcase as well as a peek into their design process and concept galleries.

Tell us a little about yourself, your style and your firm’s philosophy. We create each home with the individuality of the owners in mind because it ensures a home that is creative in its concept, exclusive in its appearance, exceptional in detail and incomparable in its performance. We realize that creating a custom home is a very personal and exciting experience and we begin a special relationship the moment we understand our client’s lifestyle and functions as a family. We also use our time and effort to help design and create schools, churches, and communities both locally and in underdeveloped countries.

Where do you see architecture and/or interior design heading in the future? I see custom designed architecture and interior design becoming a more valuable asset for future homeowners. Today’s production builders have entered the higher price range market and brought with them a formula for reproducing the same model design. The custom market will always have an increased value because of its originality; therefore buyers will own a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

What are some of your favorite architecture styles? I enjoy designing homes that pay homage to architectural styles from history such as Spanish Revival, Italianate, French eclectic and Prairie School styles. Contemporary International design styles are extremely fulfilling for me because they allow us to be creatively original in their form and can express a more whimsical modern touch.

Please describe your ideal space. My ideal space needs to function effortlessly while creating enjoyment to its surroundings. Example: home theater spaces function contiguous with recreation rooms; recreation areas function adjacent to family rooms or outdoor living/ summer kitchen spaces.

What are some of the most common architecture and/or space planning?mistakes that you come across? Number One: Aesthetics! There are a lot of unsightly homes out there. Number Two: Traffic flow. I feel many designers create the spaces in conjunction with each other inside the home, but fail to consider the proper traffic associated with everyday life and entertaining. Exteriors of homes should also be works of art. Interiors space planning is like working out the pieces of a puzzle, once everyone thing fits, the end result should be a smooth picture of cohesive connections.

What has been the most positive and/or fulfilling project you’ve worked on? Every project we work on is fulfilling and is evident in the passion we have for architecture. The most gratifying projects I’ve created have to be for those in need such as Habitat for Humanity homeowners.

What’s the best piece of design advice you have ever received? “Limit your varieties. Originally suggested by a Landscape Architect friend referring to a landscape design, but his suggestion applies to any architectural creation.

Some of the Ross Design Group creative works:

2007 WFTV Concept Home

Many thanks to Jim Ross for taking time out of his schedule to offer an architect’s point of view for our readers and to Jennifer Ross and Grayson Merritt for facilitating this interview and information. Please also take the time to look at the firm’s well-thought and informative website, www.RossDesign.com. I found that fact that an architect taking into account the traffic flow of a daily family life was an enlightening idea and incredibly important?– your home can look beautiful but what if it’s not truly functional? As Jim says, a cohesive connection between the both is key. Please know that if you’d like to access Jim Ross interview at a later date, we will have in archived in our Message Forum.

I met Anna Schmidt a few years ago at an interior design function. We’ve collaborated on a few projects and she also introduced me to one of the best team members I have. Some of the more creative and stunning finishes we’ve achieved have been under Anna’s direction. Her firm, Schmidt Design Studio (formerly Silver Leaf Interiors), was launched in 2003 and since then she has worked on such notable restaurant projects as Seasons 52, the ESPN Zone in Baltimore and other restaurants around the country. She also put together the Tuscan Farmhouse and Urban Italian concept for Olive Gardens nationwide while working as a consultant on Darden’s other restaurant properties. Locally, she worked on the expansion design for K Restaurant and Wine Bar, which garnered the restaurant a Zagat’s Design rating of 20 (Very Good to Excellent) and this review: “…and the pleasant, casual recently expanded setting is enhanced by local artwork, leading most reviewers to give this K an A++.”

She has taken time out of her schedule to offer a few insights to Faux-cus on the Pros readers. Please also take the time to look at the firm’s beautiful website, www.SchmidtDesignStudio.com.

Tell us a little about yourself, your style and your firm’s philosophy. I started my company bringing with me 9 previous years in the industry. My company focuses on contemporary, eclectic and clean-lined designs. We have focused on commercial and hospitality interiors since the business opened, but specialize mainly in restaurant design now. Our mission is to provide the client with exceptional service from the initial project meeting to final completion. We believe that every space has a purpose and our goal is to discover and bring to life that final, unique vision.

What are some misconceptions about interior design that you encounter? The most common misunderstanding about interior design as a profession is that we are ‘decorators’. Yes, most of us have the ability to put the final touches into a room with furniture, window treatments and decor, but as a profession we are concerned about the life, safety, and welfare of the public. In addition to this, interior designers must be able to analyze clients’ needs, goals and life safety requirements, prepare working drawings and specifications “in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines and all applicable codes”, and work with other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval. I truly love what I do, but it is sometimes very challenging to help the client understand that to truly become an interior designer, we have to be certified. In both the U.S. and Canada, interior designers are certified through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) after passing an examination. To be eligible to write the examination, you must have an acceptable combination of full-time work experience and two to five years of post-secondary education in interior design. Once this exam is passed, we then must follow through with Continuing Education Units to maintain our licenses.

What is your ideal room? My ideal room is one that feels comfortable and tranquil, with colors that are rich and inviting. I also love natural light designed into spaces – it has a calming affect that I don’t get from any artificial light.

What are some of your favorite color combinations? I love using rich taupes/golds/reds, and also the more trendy combo of chocolate brown with blues/teals.

What are some of the most common interior design mistakes that you come across? Designers not truly listening to their clients needs and requests, which causes communication problems later on. I also see designers not working closely enough with the architect on drawings. Design intentions can then be missed in the field once construction is underway and changes like those can be very costly to correct.

What’s the best piece of design advice you have ever received? “Sometimes the best project is the one you don’t take at all”. I heard this when I was first starting my business. A very knowledgeable peer made me understand that the best clients truly want OUR advice and help, and when a client proves to be really difficult and doesn’t trust our professional advice, it can be very costly for them in the end, as well as for the designer! It is usually better to look to those opportunities where the client wants to understand the design process and work with the designer as a team, trusting who they’ve hired and the advice the design firm is offering. I’ve seen several clients who have tried to dictate the process and then they are very disappointed with the final outcome.

What design advice would you impart to our blog readers? When looking for an interior designer to hire, make sure that the relationship is solid from day one. Make a list of questions that you need answered regarding your project. It is crucial that you understand how the process will work and that you have a firm grasp of costs for your budget. A first-rate interior designer will be very thorough with their explanations and plan for your space, and good communication means there will be no surprises along the way.

K Restaurant (Orlando, FL) and Olive Garden (Philadelphia, PA)

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Wonderful insights and advice from the extremely talented Anna Schmidt, head of Schmidt Design Studios. It is incredible the amount of dedication and time needed to acquire a design license and maintain it.? Be sure to visit the company website: www.SchmidtDesignStudio.com. Please know that if you’d like to access?this interview at a later date, we will have it archived in our Message Forum.

Hello! So, I’m introducing a new aspect of our blog, Faux-cus on the Pros. The series will feature interviews with different industry professionals sharing their thoughts on all things Design. I thought this would give you (my loyal readers) good insight on the behind-the-scenes world of design and just make the reading of this blog a little more informative and fun. The “premiere episode” will go up this Sunday, August 5th and I’ll have a new guest every other week. The interviews will also be archived on the Message Forum. I hope you enjoy the new addition!