I promise myself over and over, not to get too attached to the things I paint. I’ll confess, I know the work is in your house, but in my head, they’re still my walls. That’s exactly what happened after I finished the walls and ceiling in this guest bathroom that doubles as a powder room for company. I simply didn’t want to leave. Humility aside, these walls rock! Here’s a before shot. The owner shared he just kept the door shut. Agreed , it was boring. So, the walls got painted a great shade of grey (Ben Moore’s Pewter). My photos don’t do the colors justice. There’s quite a bit of grey in the tile. The design would be done in monochromatic shades of the pewter. Here is how it began… And, now the finished walls—a quick 2 days of work, with one additional day for the ceiling’s matching medallion. I loved the play the mirror gave the design. Here’s another view showing the tub area. Here is a closeup of the wall connecting to the bedroom. Contemporary scrolls, not too frilly. I want them in my house, somewhere. Soon. I’d love to know what you think.
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This month, I tag-teamed two projects using trees as the inspiration point. The only common thing they shared was the small available area; one was an office measuring a scant 11’x8, the other a powder room coming in at 54″ x 72″. Check out the impact of many, many trees versus one. The office sits on the third floor of a 200 year old home. The client’s wish was to continue the vista provided by the single window in this cozy space. I have to admit, I fell in love with this house-you simply don’t see them anymore. There is such a sense of history. I swear you can hear it calling to you. (Oh maybe that’s just me—that explains a lot about me!) The wonderful color of the wood floor paired with the earthy palette nature provided. It was a little awkward getting use to this space. Each time I stepped off my ladder I experienced a bit of vertigo. Absolutely nothing in the room is straight. The floors tilt in one direction, the walls hove and curve in another. The window sills have relaxed about 30 degrees over the years. My level could not even register with the […]
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Sometimes I truly need to stop a minute to consider which project I’d like to share with you. Sure, part of me wants to impress you with most grand and extensive transformation on which I’m currently working. But this month, I came to a realization. I admit when I’ve rung your doorbell and I’m waiting for the door to open, the little voices in my head (yes, they are there al-l-l-l the time) are chattering away. “I hope there’s a dining room calling for a medallion….I hope when they said a little detailing in the foyer, it really meant a full scale mural complete with lions and tigers and bears, oh my.” Oh, I could go on. But those are the voices in MY head. What about the questions rolling around in my client’s head? “What made me even call her? This is going to be too expensive. What was I thinking-I’m sure she will think this project is too small.” So, the truth . I love those big, extensive, multi-room contracts. But there is huge satisfaction in small, one or two day jobs that result in a great impact. Those are equally as rewarding. Case in point. A recent […]
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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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