I recently finished some detailed, painted ornament on a project. It may be my favorite thing to paint. I love the planning stages, sketching out the designs, playing with the colors. I appreciate the mathematical precision necessary to get the repeats correct, the arcs just curved so. My book shelves are brimming with source materials; Auguste Racinet’s polychrome series mingles with the lush pages of William Morris. There are torn out sections from discontinued wallpapers mixed with a seemingly endless collection of Dover catalogs from every historical period. Though the scroll patterns are certainly traditional, the choice of a mica-infused plaster as a backgrounds brings a contemporary edge to my this foyer. Here is a classical scroll, painted on a champagne gold base. The ornament has been painted on a layered, mica plaster. Graceful tracery adorns the front door here. Italian Renaissance Grottesca fills the loggia entrance to the living room in this living room. Grottesca is an ornamental art design combining scrollwork and foliage with humans and animals. A scene reminiscent of an 18th century French tapestry is framed with a simple trompe l’oeil (French, meaning “to fool the eye”) border. The rich chocolate brown walls of this master […]
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I imagine that you are with me in feeling that we have had more than enough winter. Here is the solution that one of my clients had for keeping the wonderful ambience of a favorite vacation place and enjoying it all year (especially during the relentless months of winter). This bathroom is used by the owner’s children, the oldest who is a young teenager. The mix includes 2 boys and one young lady, so it was important to keep from looking too juvenile. The subject chosen is Fort Myers in Florida, a place that has sentimental value for the entire family. The room is literally wrapped with scenes of Fort Myers—the pier, the sandpipers in a single line parading at the water’s edge, the small cottages buried in the palms and finishing with the pelican standing guard at the edge of the beach.. The crisp white of the trim and cabinetry is paired with a charcoal granite filled with glints of silver and blue. The soft cloud filled skies meet the ceiling painted blue. All mural work was executed in fine artists’ acrylics. This project was pleasure from start to finish. Think of a […]
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