Blog - Page 6 of 11 - Leichsenring Studios

Equal Parts Quirky and Classic

by Sharon Leichsenring· July 06, 2016· in Clouds, Furniture, Lettering, Trompe L'oeil·

A request for whimsical lettering? Music to my ears. I met with the fabulous Joanna Farber, no stranger to the world of design. Farber, the former owner of Westport’s iconic Parc Monceau was looking for some lettered detailing. She had chosen a font named Gluttony Man for this location. I was also asked created a rebus that was an homage to her late husband’s career. At Ms. Farber’s home, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Michael Pagett, the owner of Chetwode. Michael has recently opened his new showroom at 318 Strawberry Hill Avenue in Norwalk. Learn more about his exquisite cabinetry at www.chetwodecabinetry.com. Here is a fun trompe l’oeil window I created in the showroom. Have I mentioned that my work is never boring? A call from Virginia Blaker of Room Rescue (www.roomrescue.com) resulted in an unusual request. Virginia asked me to add my painting skills to a “chair-ity” auction for the Center of Family Justice in Bridgeport, CT. Virginia had a sturdy little high chair that had been originally painted by her grandmother in the early 1950s. It was time to give it a new face. Virginia sanded the chair, primed it for me and together we brainstormed […]
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Surprising Spaces in Unexpected Places

by Sharon Leichsenring· June 03, 2016· in Childrens, Closet, Clouds, Floral, Video·

If I had my choice of my favorite places to paint, the list would probably not include a confined space that brought out my heretofore unknown claustrophobic angst or an outdoor project that put me at the mercy of the elements. This first space was a little nook carved out of the unused space under a curved staircase. My client had found the perfect spot to give her daughter a room to construct a Lego City, and keep it protected from her younger brother. Here’s the space waiting for me. The first request was easy. The room would be painted blue. I’d add clouds, a primitive rainbow in solid colored stripes and a few butterflies. Somewhere a few items were added: very realistic jets, helicopters, seagulls and bunnies. What would Lego City be without this? The room went from a cramped 30″ in height around a curved wall to a height of eight feet. Below are some closeups Here’s a picture of the finished space. I’m hoping to be invited back when Lego City is built! So, you would think I’d be ecstatic at the idea of working in a wide open space, under blue skies? Well, to a […]
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Amazing Mica

by Sharon Leichsenring· May 03, 2016· in Artisan Finish, Ceiling, Mica, Powder Room, Video·

I met the mineral mica several years ago. Mica infused plasters have been part of my portfolio for many years now. But recently, I got to rediscover Mica in a brand new way. Great big chunks of it! Glittering in amber, champagne, bronze pearl and gold tones. Let me show you my samples for this outrageously gorgeous powder room I just completed. The ceiling sample shimmers with layers of mineral. The wall finish has treasure pockets of mica buried in layers of mica infused plaster set on a metallic background. Here is a close-up of the ceiling with the perfect chandelier. Below is the finished room. I am so psyched about using mica more in the future. Love to know what you think about it. There was another addition to the studio this month. Some of my favorite murals have been made into scarves and women’s top on a new ecommerce site called Shopvida. You can visit my shop by clicking HERE (www.shopvida.com/collections/voices/Sharon-Leichsenring). If I’ve painted something for you and you would like me to add it to my collection-there are several types of scarves and tops-let me know which you prefer. Lastly, for several years in the […]
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Making a Statement

by Sharon Leichsenring· April 06, 2016· in Artisan Finish, Mica, Trompe L'oeil·

I’m not sure when the trend began, but you’ve probably come across that one wall in a room painted a different color. The design term is “accent walls” or “focal walls.” Bold and dramatic and for sure, four walls of it would be too much! I recently heard them referred to as “statement walls”. As I think about it, a lot more goes into designing the perfect statement than just picking a color. I recently had the pleasure of working with the talented Lisa Fero of Trumbull. Check out her work at www.lisaferointeriors.com. Lisa has a great sense of color and her rooms look fresh yet layered with sophistication. My part in this room was to create a textured wall finish that would indeed make a statement. Here’s a picture of the sample Lisa chose. It has several layers of mica infused plaster as well as a smoky beige metallic paint. Here is the carpet, fabric and parts of the room that inspired this artisan finish. And without further ado, here’s the finished wall that definitely makes a statement. Another way to make a statement in a room has nothing to do with singling out one wall and […]
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When My Worlds Collide

by Sharon Leichsenring· March 03, 2016· in Lettering, Murals, Signs·

This month I’d like to share two related projects. Both have their roots in my first career as a sign painter. The skills I learned as that have served me well. The Art of Lettering has truly become a thing of the past. Computers now supply vinyl cut letters; digital production makes graphics and copy so accessible but there will never be anything as glorious (in my own humble opinion) as the moment when the lettering quill connects to the surface and a beautifully executed piece results. In the decades when I was “Sharon the Sign Painter”, my work was confined to commercial endeavors, my favorite being lettering names of boats on their transoms. Indeed, it was when the decorative painting arena started to include painted lettering (you remember little quotes on kitchen soffits) that I felt the tug to leave commercial sign writing behind and to stretch my aspirations towards what has become the most satisfying of second careers, being a decorative painter. The call from Janie Ellis of Anything But Plain Decorative Painting and Plasters in Houston began this first project. A mural involving the historical collection of Aston Martin logos in a dream garage her team would […]
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This Magic Moment

by Sharon Leichsenring· February 02, 2016· in Birds, Gold Leaf/Silver Leaf, Murals, Powder Room, Property Brothers, Tropical·

So, I finished painting what I’m sure will remain one of my favorite dining room murals EVER! My client was a superb collaborator when it came to the design of this three walled mural (the fourth wall is a fireplace with a surround of classic wood panels and molding.) Studying her Pinterest inspiration board, a theme became clear: a landscape taking its cue from 19th century Zuber panoramic wallpapers, based on a tropical, Eden-like world. I’m going to get right to it. Here are the pictures. Once the palette was worked out, it was just wonderful to come to work each day, making this come alive. Somewhere along the way, the magic happened. The room has a mood as soon as you step into it. There is a peacefulness that borders on being ethereal. Below are my favorite trees. The solemn herons appear on each wall. I gave you a little background about this project in my January newsletter. I first painted a mural in this residence fifteen years ago. The owner’s four children (ages eight to three at the time) were incorporated into the painting. The figures were about one inch in height. Look at them now, […]
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The Second Time Around

by Sharon Leichsenring· January 05, 2016· in Birds, Dining Room, Murals, Tropical·

First of all, let me wish you a happy new year. I started a project the Friday after Thanksgiving, thinking surely it would be ready to show you in January’s newsletter. Alas, even though I worked on it all through December, it’s not ready for viewing. I am going to share a few pictures and set the background for it. I first painted a mural at this home in 2002. Recently, the dining room was renovated, increasing its size and adding a sensational fireplace. The remodel work was done by Tom Mason of SandDollar Development. (superb work and attention to detail. Check out his work at www.sanddollarinc.com). The original moldings in this gracious Fairfield, CT home built in 1928 were preserved and additional molding was created as needed with seamless matching. Here’s a small part of the original mural. I’d like to think my style has developed in the past fifteen years. This current mural has been a wonderful opportunity to push the limits to create a reflection of just that. At the risk of sounding a little less than humble, I think the new mural rocks! You be the judge. The palette is much more sophisticated, and […]
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Rooms with a View

by Sharon Leichsenring· December 03, 2015· in Clouds, Dining Room, Kitchen, Murals, Places, Powder Room, Staircase, Stairwell·

The 21st interior design celebration, Rooms with a View, took place in Southport recently. Conceived as a brilliant church fundraiser under the auspices of the famed Albert Hadley (designer for the Kennedy White House, the Rockefellers, Astors and Gettys to name a few notable clients), each year the show embraces traditional and cutting edge design. Each of the twelve invited designers is given a space of 5′ x 8′ to create a vignette. They have a week to”build” their room, which comes quite simply with three walls and wiring for electricity. Then, the magic is on display for the weekend. This year was personally exciting to yours truly because the design team, Tracy Dwyer and Patrick Briel, from Westport’s Parc Monceau had asked me to paint a floor cloth that would be used in their vignette, The.Diving.Room. Too cool for words, I assure you. First, take a look at the room’s view. My rippling water over sand design painted on a canvas floor cloth is easily seen through the Lucite coffee table. Here is another view of the room. Here is the rug by itself. If you’ve never been to Rooms with a View, plan to next year. I’ll […]
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Coffered Ceilings on Property Brothers job

Thankful for the Side Dishes

by Sharon Leichsenring· November 17, 2015· in Artwork, Brick White Wash, Ceiling, Fireplace, Kitchen, Lettering, Signs·

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and once I got this title in my head, I couldn’t let the metaphor go. Certainly it is the turkey that is the centerpiece of the traditional celebration, but it is those side dishes that add the flavors and creativity. And so it is with my own portfolio. Yes, mural painting is the foundation of my work, but this month was a perfect example of those “side dishes” that don’t come around all that often, but when they do, what a treat! The first project was a brick wall in a red palette that was just completely unacceptable for the marvelous kitchen renovation. My client thought a simple whitewashing would tone the color down. I have her permission to show you her thought to see how it might look. It was ingenious. She used chalk, and literally colored the bricks to check out the effect. Not good. The result was dirty pink and coral tones. Below is the sample I created once the background had been painted. And here’s how lovely it looked when completed. Very believable and custom matched to her granite, flooring and cabinetry. I’ve also been doing quite a few canvas commissions. […]
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They had me at Krakens!

by Sharon Leichsenring· October 04, 2015· in Dining Room, Furniture, Ocean, Property Brothers, Trees·

I love a good challenge. It keeps me on my toes and thinking out of the box. I recently completed two projects that did exactly that. The first was a mural for a dining room. My client made it clear that she and her husband wanted something that truly captured their tastes and personalities. She mentioned mermaids, schooners and kraken. She had me at kraken. This was going to be fun. Kraken indeed! Norwegian mythological sea creatures. Here are a few of my initial sketches. Take a look at the finished painting. Each porthole is 5 ½’ in diameter. Keeping the budget in mind, simple trompe l’oeil planks completed the composition. Below is a closeup of the mermaid porthole. They might not be your cup of tea, but it was exactly what my client had envisioned. They are intriguing, these krakens, are they not? This month also brought the opportunity to be the decorative painter for a one-of-a-kind desk. The Twin Root Desk was designed by the brilliant Patrick Briel of Tripka Design. Imposing and utterly massive, it commands its office. And here you can see the two-tiered desk from another vantage point. Here is a […]
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