Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. This one was huge! I’d already done several projects in this East Texas home of a dear client. We had discussed doing “something” in an oddly shaped space in the TV room. The available working space starts 10 feet off the floor and continues to a height of 24′ on one side, creating an awkward triangle some 16′ wide. What to do? What to do? It couldn’t be a simple solution like a mural. There were already several that I’d painted. It had to something special. My client Jan suggested a bas relief mural. I’d done smaller ones, but nothing of this size, and at this height. Did I mention height? The little voice in the back of my head was screaming NO! at me for just considering this. Height is usually a deal breaker, but… But. The challenge to create this piece was just too tempting. Game on. Usually I show you the finished picture first, but you need to watch this process. Here’s my scaffolding. Ready for climbing, the ladder is strapped securely to the scaffolding. Thanks to Jan’s husband Bruce for making feel so safe! Once I had drawn out […]
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It’s still January and I’m taking advantage of the snowstorm that has cancelled work for the next few days. But being trapped inside can give you a bit of cabin fever. Are there some areas in your ‘cabin’ that are simply making you crazy. It’s a boring area, perhaps, or it just needs that little something but you can’t put your finger on it. And in the back of your head you’re thinking I probably can’t afford it. So here are a few solutions, with their costs. This project was a small add-on. I was already working in another room of the house. The bathroom was having some beautifully designed tile installed, making the plain white vanity suffer in comparison. Here, I painted a simple motif derived from the tile design onto the two cabinet doors. Cost: $225. Visual value? A home run. This second example is a headboard painted directly on the wall. Not only does it do what it needed to do-supply the missing furniture-but it’s fun to boot. Cost $600. What a great way to get a custom bedroom that exactly fits the space and personality of room. I also find myself […]
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Both of these kitchen wall solutions started the same way, with a discussion. Both clients were looking for “something” for the wall, but had absolutely no idea of what that something could be. Sitting in kitchen number one, our talk began. We talked about the interests of each member of the family. We took a walk through the home, and two things became apparent. The window treatments were minimal because everyone loved the view the yard afforded. It was full of trees, nested, as it were, in their very own forest. In almost all the artwork and accessories I saw, there were more trees, branches, leaves…you name it, more trees. So trees it would be. But a little stylized, and make sure I included a special interest in barred owls. The palette needed to be a subtle mix of blue greens, grays and warm browns. Here are two pictures to give you an idea of the results. Here is a close up of the barred owl. The second kitchen wall started with almost an identical discussion. The colors had to be soft; the design, appealing, but comfortable. It’s a small kitchen, and the owner spends a great deal of time […]
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