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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I thought a quote by Julia Child would be a wonderful ice breaker into the next week-long series announcement: Kitchens.  It is also appropriate because in the time that we’ve had the week-long series events — an entire week dedicated to one area with five chosen studios to profile — so much has been learned.  What works, what doesn’t and which projects help ignite imaginations.

We continually strive to improve and have made a few changes to our submission and selection process — and one change which will make you really happy.

For the first time ever, each of the artists and/or designers in the series will receive a sponsored prize AND five lucky readers will win a prize as well.  Yay!  So, without further ado…

Are you ready for your close-up?

Cabinets with a rubbed finish of black over Chinese blue, lined in gold. Featured in Architectural Digest.

KITCHENS

The heart of the home — and a place where memories become beloved stories.

We help create these rooms that provide an inspiring, fun and warm environment.

Fauxology is looking for these Kitchens — the ones that have something extraordinary. Something unique. Something completely artistic.

The submissions lines are now open — and here are the details:

• Deadline: Friday, March 2, 2012
• E-mail: Submissions@Fauxology.com with the subject line Kitchen Week Submission
• Entries: One project per e-mail. Please send as many projects (and images per project) as you’d like.  E-mail must have your name, company and quick overview of project, including the year completed.
• Surfaces: Any overall design is eligible as well as any surface in the kitchen, including but not limited to cabinetry, counter tops, walls, ceilings, canvas works and flooring.
• Images: Can include before and during shots, but there must be images of the completed room.
• Note: Please do advise us of the publications your project has been featured in. We are ideally looking to feature projects that were not the sole focus of a prior publication, the exception being websites, blogs and fan pages personal to the artist and/or designer.

~  ~  ~

If chosen for one of the five slots during Kitchen Week, you will be sent follow-up info by Sunday, March 11th.  Those chosen will have their own one-day feature on Fauxology during Kitchen Week in April 2012 — and win a prize along with five lucky readers!

Thank you — and I hope to see your project in there!

2/3 UPDATE: After receiving quite a few e-mails with questions, we’ve decided to update two of the areas in the submission requirements.  In terms of the publishing, the actual project must not have been the focus and/or sole image of a prior publication, with the exception of pages and sites personal to the artist and/or designer and in terms of the timeline, we ask that you send us the year your project was completed in.  Thank you!

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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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Such a great idea – one color layered over the other. Courtesy of Minor Details.

Love the bringing up of the singular color and then creating a landscape with it. Via French Knot (above) and Wet Canvas (below).

Designer Audrey Brandt had shadows painted in this room — just as if trees were right outside the window on a great day. I like the effect a lot. Via Home workshop.

On the subject of trees, here are palms on a landing.  I do have to say one thing — I don’t think anything should have covered the lovely work of artist Kristin Moro.  The canvas is wonderful, but it actually takes a bit of the kick away for me.

Finally, a whimsical one to close the post.  I feel as if the objects might come to life at any minute!  Photographed by Simon Bevan and featured in Designers Block.

Did you enjoy these?  I wanted to also leave you with an incredible artist, Rashad Alakbarov, who creates astonishing “paintings” on walls via ordinary objects using light and shadow.  Please do click on the link to see the ingenuity.  May your day be filled with imagination — and seeing shadows in a whole new light.  Pun intended, of course.

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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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THE POP OF STENCILING

Close-up of crushed glass

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

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

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

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

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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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GOING WITH A THEME

Angela Schuster: The mission of Faux Time Design is to be a full service firm, providing every aspect of faux and decorative finishing, including artistically designed ceilings (we are a large consumer of Modello Designs), Old World European finishes, multi-dimensional plasters, metallics and hand painted murals.  We treat every home as it if were our own — that may sound cliché, but it really drives home our desire to create incredible spaces with unique and special finishes, which leads me to our Dining Room submission:  The ‘Haunted Dining Room’…

We have one a client who is a DREAM! He knows what he wants and the confidence in his own taste pushes innovative designs. A relationship based on communication, a little imagination and a great leap of faith and we have pushed the envelope – to Transylvania.

Our journey with this client began more than two years ago when we helped him design his basement to look like a scene from downtown Bourbon Street.  From the Big Easy to 1313 Mockingbird Lane, we recently worked with him to transform his dining room into a spooky, haunted adventure.

The mystique behind the dining room was strategically placed projectors that made head and body casts ‘come to life’ and an Ouija board that levitated above the dining room table.  Marry those special effects with a large mirror that speaks to guests and describes a ghoulish menu.

A FUNNY story: Mike, our client, loved to activate the spooky mirror over and over as we were working in the space.  It included a woman screaming at the top of her lungs.  We became so used to hearing the woman scream that one day, when I was moving the scaffold (and forgot that my production manager, Jill, was at the top), she screamed — and I ignored her!  It took me a few minutes to realize Jill was screaming.  Thankfully, she was fine – just not ready to be moved!

Our first task was designing a stencil with skeletons and bats.  This was then rendered in a traditional damask finish.  It replicates the look of a vintage silk damask wallpaper that you have to look twice to realize it is a skeleton.

Royal Design Studio helped me design the custom Skeleton Damask stencil and professionally cut it for me, too!

Close-up of Skeleton Damask

We also used a patina aging solution and rust activator to create an authentic rusted iron finish on the built-in sideboard, chair rail, crown and base moldings.  Our responsibility was to add the elaborate design elements that made the walls and ceiling compliment the theme without stealing its thunder.  The finished dining room was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

AID TO ARTISANS

Angela shares: I am passionate about giving back.  A portion of profits from every project goes to Aid to Artisans.  Aid to Artisans creates economic opportunities for artisan groups around the world where livelihoods, communities, and craft traditions are marginal or at risk.  They not only provide the mentoring to create new products, but also the resources and strategic partners to develop markets for those products. I truly believe in this philosophy as a successful art business needs both a good product and a leader with smart business acumen.

Recently, I ran a promotion on our Faux Time Design Facebook fan page asking for new Likes or Shares and then donated $1 for each.  I raised over $75 and plan to raise more in the next few weeks!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

I love that skeleton damask — and what a unique, fun commission! Angela started her decorative painting business in 2005 with fellow artist and friend, Jill Hayden.  Jill now works as her Production Manager and she brought on another artist, Doris Acosta, in 2009 to help with the growing work load.  Every year they host an Open House at a local hotel banquet hall.  They set up the banquet hall to look like an art gallery, have it beautifully catered and guests browse through more than 150 finishes.  The next Open House, running from 9am – 4pm, is scheduled for Friday, January 20 at The Clinton Inn in Teaneck, New Jersey. If you are nearby, please do stop by!  Please be sure to see the Faux Time Design website and read their blog, in addition to finding them on Facebook (and help Aid to Artisans!) and Twitter.  Thank you, Angela, for sharing your Haunted Mansion!

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ELEGANT VENETIAN PLASTER

Kevin Connetta:  I typically use what is commonly called Venetian Plaster, both in its original lime and marble dust formulation and modern variations. When I start a project, I spend quite a bit of time studying the lighting, furniture, fabrics and current style of the home as well as the client’s likes, dislikes and the intent of the room. I am then able to create finishes that don’t overwhelm but instead enhance the aesthetic of the space so as to achieve the intended result.

The clients were a great family and all loved art and music.   The home was large, in the “Northern California Italian villa” mode.  They had decided to create a separate dining space from the rest of the house that was more formal as they did a lot of entertaining.  They added an additional room to the rear of the house with a southern exposure and large arched windows and doors to maximize the light.  This allowed them to show off their art work.

One of the challenges on this job was creating a plaster finish that was subtle and sophisticated, one that would enhance and not take away from the artwork they planned on hanging up. They were to showcase one artist who liked bold colors. Another challenge was getting this done in time for a Christmas party since the other trades people had gone over, leaving us only a short time!

In this case, we decided on using an iridescent plaster in a champagne color, which we troweled on in multiple, thin smooth layers on the walls and ceiling. We kept the movement minimal as it would have been a distraction. Next, we skimmed a thin layer of gold highlight plaster to give it some more shimmer, throw the light around and give it different looks at different times of the day.

Everyone – us, client, designer loved the end result. We have used pictures of this on our website and promotional pieces, which has gotten us a lot of work over time — it’s why we call this image our money shot.

There is first and foremost doing a beautiful job, then  figuring out how to actually capture that in a photo. Many times you can do an incredible job, yet the photo looks flat, with no dimension and just doesn’t do the work justice.  Best case is if you have someone who is knowledgeable on proper lighting and photography to stage and show your work.  Failing that, you can do what I did here which was grab the digital, take a ton of shots and end up with a handful that look great. This particular room I happened to photograph in the late morning, which had the southern exposure and lot of natural light coming in at that time.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Kevin speaks the truth about photography — I found myself nodding along as I read his experience with photographing certain techniques.  I think this finish showcases how plastered walls can make such a powerful statement even while letting other design elements take center stage.  Molto Bene Walls (“Very Good” in Italian) has been creating beautiful wall finishes in exclusive homes throughout California and other parts of the United States for well over a decade. They recently opened an office in Sarasota, Florida.  Please do visit their website and also check out their great blog, Scandalous Wall Talk.  Thank you, Kevin (and his lovely wife, Norine), for sharing your gorgeous project with us!

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THE ARTISTRY OF A MURAL

Lisa Cicalese McMillen: My unique point-of-view about painting has developed over 25 years of professional work and actually emerges from my background and formal education in fashion design.  I was trained to design for people– to consider how they live and move in space. For this project, I was chosen by interior designer Sharon Orr, whose experience includes being a decorative artist.  The initial inspiration was hand painted Asian wallpapers but the clients wanted more of a local Bucks County Pennsylvania feel by using dogwood trees for the flora.  Discussions included the details of which creatures would be included as well as how muted the design would be. My original plan was to paint birds and butterflies, which I love to paint.  The client was on board with the birds but she nixed the butterflies.

As the repeat of the trees around the room would be very time consuming if done completely free hand, we chose to have Modello Designs create a custom stencil of the outline of the trees from my scale drawings.

Scale Drawings

I don’t like to use stencils in a traditional straightforward fashion so duplicates were cut and used in reverse.  Mixing and matching the trees around the room rather than repeating them uniformly gave it both a more free hand look while keeping the style of the wallpaper.

Once the stencil outlines were filled in, Lisa went back and handpainted the actual body of the trees and flowers.

The birds painted were chosen with the homeowners as they were world travelers and the husband was a bird watcher. He chose those in their backyard and also from places they had traveled. I like to put details into a mural that have specific meaning to the homeowner. The client was very concerned the mural would be overwhelming if it was painted in strong tones so I painted it as softly as possible for my painting style and then I glazed it over all.

To top the room, we created a glazed tissue paper finish painted with Ronan metallic paint on the ceiling and in the Butler’s pantry.

Original plans were to gild the ceiling but it was decided the look of the squares might be too repetitive over a large area as the ceiling inset was approximately 10’ x 16’.

As the project progressed, timing became critical for a scheduled holiday party. Having a designer who isn’t afraid to put her hands in the mix was helpful.  Sharon got up on the scaffold with me and helped apply the tissue so we could all get out in time for the party. We made the deadline!  A funny ending to the story is that the homeowner couldn’t find my signature on the mural (I try to put it somewhere unobtrusively) and asked me to sign it again — leaving a post it where she wanted it. She also left instructions that it be large enough to read!

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Love that final tidbit!  Isn’t Lisa’s dining room incredible?  Be sure to click on the smaller images to enlarge them.  Lisa is based in New Hope, Pennsylvania and founded her company, Cica Lisa Designs, in 1993.  Please do visit her site to see more of her beautiful work and be sure to “Like” her Facebook fan page to keep updated on her projects.  Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your project 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

Many of us have gone through this: Thinking that we should put a great canvas on the wall but just stalled there.  Well, this post is about those who have gone beyond that point and actually made the entire wall look like a canvas.  See?

I believe these (above, below) were inspired by Rothko.

Pollock wants in on the action, too. He looks to be the inspiration for the fifth wall — the ceiling that is.  This interior is designed by Kelly Wearstler.

Hmm. Vignette or an entire wall? Either way, it works for me! Via Inside the Loop

I gasped when I saw this one. Via one of my new fave blogs, 79 Ideas.

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I think the first canvas gave some good advice. Or, as Paul says…

It’s so fine and yet so terrible to stand in front of a blank canvas.

Paul Cezanne

This is the dining room in the townhouse designer Allegra Hicks lives in.  The wall treatment is a silk wallcovering she designed as well.  Her home was featured in Elle Decor and photographed by Simon Upton.

I mean, seriously. How arresting is this?  LOVE the mosaic effect on the furniture (which I think you could easily re-create via a Modello) and the inspired typography on the walls.  This is for the C. Wonder boutique (hence, all the C’s) and I think they rocked it.  Small Shop gives us more of this yummy boutique to look at via their Shop Talk blog.

Jill Crawford is a designer with a graphic arts background — and both work beautifully together to create the large graphic pattern in a sedate yellow (above).  She has another wall treatment (below) that’s both colorful and effective and does remind me of Jim Lambie’s work, albeit on a smaller scale.  I’d love to see it continue on the whole wall, too.

So, so striking and effective. This beauty was featured in The Glow, a site that gives you a glimpse into the lives of inspiring and fashionable Moms.

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I think I might have to show these techniques more to potential clients because, you know.  I may get lucky one day.  Do you like these inspired spaces?  Do tell…

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Today I have for you a design board I did that was inspired by a beautiful finish created by Sheri Zeman of Chicago’s Faux Design Studio. The finish, with a linen background and raised flower foreground, is called Marcello. I love the way that name just rolls of the tongue. We should all know someone with that name just so we have a reason to say it on a regular basis.

Anyhow, back in November Regina wrote about Sheri and a class she was teaching at The Paint Factory here in Orlando. In her post, Regina showcased three different finishes she learned at the class. Though I thought they were all amazing, Marcello was easily my favorite. When I first saw this design, I immediately envisioned it as the statement wall in a stylish contemporary dining room.

I present to you the Marcello Dining Room:

This dining room had to be elegant, contemporary, sophisticated and inviting. With that in mind, I set out to find items that would deliver on each of those points.

• The farmhouse table was the first piece I selected. I saw it several weeks ago at ZGallerie and fell in love with it.  I knew it would be perfect here because the rustic look adds warmth to a room that has a lot of reflective surfaces and helps to ground things.
• The Marcello decorative finish has a lovely sheen to it. I wanted something to balance off of that, so I selected the antiqued mirror buffet, also from ZGallerie, to sit on the opposite side of the room. It’s substantial enough to be an anchor, but because of the mirrors it doesn’t feel too heavy.
• The green Fresca Accent chairs by Sandy Wilson for Luxury Bedding Solutions bring a pop of color from the wall treatment to the table. I used them only on each end of the table; otherwise it would have been overwhelming. The tufting on the back of the chairs and the overall shape also evoke a sophistication that plays well with the relaxed look of the linen slip-covered side chairs found at ZGallerie.
• The curved pattern in the pale purple area rug (Rug Stop) echoes the curved lines of the wall treatment as do the glass links in the West Elm chandelier. The chandelier was also chosen because of the shape and its contemporary vibe.
• In choosing the artwork, I was looking for something that would bring additional color to the room. The varying palette of purples and blues in this piece I discovered at ZGallerie accomplishes that beautifully. Too, I like the way the flowers in the painting repeat the flower shapes in the wall treatment.
• The choice of using mostly glass in the accessories* – lamp, vases, bowl, and even the napkin rings – was deliberate. I wanted them to be airy and light. The items I selected not only follow the colors in the artwork, but like jewelry, they finish off the room and help bring the look together. Did you notice that the shape of the glass bowl is similar to that of a flower?
• As for the gazelle head from Graham & Green, it just looks cool and makes for an interesting conversation piece!

*Accessories Shopping Guide: Placemats, Napkin Rings, Candlesticks and Vases from ZGallerie; Lamp and Glass Bowl from Lamps Plus; Plate from Crate & Barrel

After completing this board, I was ready to redo a wall, any wall, in my house with the Marcello finish. Okay, maybe not any wall. Not so sure it would work in the Husband’s den…

I think what makes this treatment so special for me is the synergy that is created between the decorative painting techniques that are used in the Marcello design. The silver-pewter background with the look of linen, created with a twine roller, is the perfect backdrop for the raised green flowers created with stencils. The intricate detailing of the flowers is another beautiful feature. (Both the Loft 101 stencils and the twine roller are available via the Faux Design Studio.)  Finally, there is the color choice that keeps it all so fresh.

In this post, I used the finish on an accent wall. How do you think it would look on a ceiling? Do you have any other ideas on where this could be used? I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time! Be creative and have fun!

Cheers to all,
Peggy
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Vinoy Renaissance

The Vinoy is a Mediterranean Revival-style hotel that is on the register of historical places.  Opened in 1926, it enjoyed much success until closing in 1974.  It was a dilapidated property when a $93-million renovation was undertaken in the mid-1990′s.  The Vinoy was brought back to its original glory while honoring the present.

During the restoration, the stenciled cypress beams above were removed, numbered, stored and ultimately replaced in their original location after new ceilings were installed. You can see how amazing they look with the contemporary design (below).

BTW, how gorgeous is this antique mirror? I must make one for my own home.

The spattering makes it so lovely. Love that rug it's reflecting, too!

Painted corbels abounded as well…

During the years it was closed, the property was occupied by the homeless and ravaged by insects, vermin and floods. The expertise of an army of craftsmen, fine painters and old-world plaster experts were required for the restoration.

A decorative painter working on the historic dining room ceiling. (Photo courtesy of the Vinoy Renaissance)

The dining room restoration above and below.

I must extend a huge Thank You! to the staff of the Vinoy Renaissance for taking the time to give me a tour and going over the restoration with me.  What a wonderful experience!  I do have some more finds that I’ve encountered during my recent travels and I’ll be sharing them soon.  Isn’t it great when you can discover something like this beauty unexpectedly? I bet we all love that!  Talk soon, gorgeous ones! – Regina

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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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