Color Consultation

Decorative Finishes, Plasters, and Murals

Life is full of changes. These changes influence the way we look at our surroundings, affect the color and design of our homes and businesses and even reflect our moods and personalities.

Faux art requires an understanding of the affect desired in various spaces. A knowledge of the role that color and texture play on large and small areas is essential. Other considerations such as the play of light on a special object in it's surroundings are important. As a Faux Artist I understand these and other variables and constantly work toward a balance of all elements.

Interior design includes the principles of light, color and texture. Many decorator products are expensive (i.e. Marble, slate, raised paneling, etc.) In order to install many of these products major structural changes may be required. The skilled faux artist can create these affects at substantially reduced costs without major structural changes.

Imagination and innovation should enliven your surroundings and enrich your life! Here are some of the possibilities available in decorative painting and plastering:

Plasters
Difficult to produce images of, the original samples may be viewed at:

Rankin's Hardware,
Union Street, Camden. ME
call (207) 230-0120 and leave a message.

Red Mamarino

Color wash        Tri Color Distressed          Smooth                    Parchment
       Mamarino                 Mamarino

Metallic Snakeskin Stenciled Impasto Stained Suede stone Marble

Distressed Suede stone Cracked Plaster Easy Gold Smooth Antico

Lime Wash Silkstone Terra Tuscany

Wood graining - Creating interesting wood grain simulations as borders, raised panels and trim on walls, furniture, floors and more.

Marbleizing - Marble has an unlimited number of colors and patterns. Faux marble almost feels and looks like the real thing. Use it anywhere - walls, floors, furniture tops, etc.

Antiquing - A method of creating an aged and /or distressed wood graining or color affect on almost anything.

Wall & Object Painting - Includes murals, ceiling designs, trim affects and designs, etc. These methods include Trompe l' oeil (deceive the eye) used on doors, panels, walls and more

The progression on a mural of a Cottage Garden and the two young ladies for whom it was done.
The many bees included with iridescent wings become fireflies by night.

The porch floor which requires little sweeping with its beach scene and the Front door with pets.

Texturing - Including all these popular techniques: Sponging, Bagging, Dragging Rag Rolling, Color washing, Smooching, Stippling, Tortoise Shell and other variations.

With over 25 years experience as a fine artist, my interest in Faux finishing has allowed me to expand my artistic talents to include dramatic interior design creations. For six years I ran my own Faux Finishing business in CT. My clients there consisted of private residences as well as commercial businesses and a medical facility. I have taught Faux in several locations and done numerous demonstrations for various organizations. I am available for Faux Application and Color Consultations in private residences. Please call the Studio (207 230-0129) to arrange an appointment.

Some examples from my former home and clients rooms:

The first photo shows the walls and floor being updated in the Victorian living room at right. The sub flooring was done in faux marble to match the colors in the new wall paper. This treatment also created a border for future carpeting.

The photos on the left show the foyer area with and without the faux flooring. The right picture is of the dining room. All three rooms flowed together and the floor treatment created a unity in an odd shaped space. Notice that the ceiling is painted blue to compliment the wallpaper. The other reason is that the ceilings were extremely low (7'2") and blue makes you think sky/high. A white embossed paintable border has been applied to the ceiling to give the optical illusion of added height.

On to the hallway! Isn't it great how seeing one room evolve inspires you? What could be more boring than a hall? Doors, doors and blank long walls. This is one of the most heavily fauxed areas in the house. The upper walls are dragged white over deep orange to create a soft peach tone. The lower wall was originally sponged in three colors but later changed to a soft green that has been smooched with plastic wrap and a light glaze. The horizontal border is another embossed paper which has been painted in a deeper green and used around the fauxed wood panels on the lower wall. This extends across the hollow core door to create a gate into one of the rooms. The woodwork is antiqued to compliment the border and help to pull the many elements together. The artwork on the door is one of many treatments in the hallway which make it much more interesting than plain wood. Speaking of wood... not only the panels on the wall are faux... the entire floor is also faux in a wide board look on sub flooring. It has lasted for fourteen years now and looks like it may make it for several more. That's right it's all paint!

Just doors, Ha! They can be great expressions of you. Beautiful, whimsical, great fun and what a way to add to your decor. The first one is antiqued green with the panels fauxed with a rich wood graining. Next is and interesting and truly whimsical. This is not meant to be anything but as an interesting example of color and texture. Last an example of Trompe... actually the bathroom door it appears to be the gate to the garden path. All a great deal of fun and wonderful conversation starters!

What can I say? "Before". See, nothing is impossible. Tin ceiling (paper) is used to cover old uneven sand texture. Cabinet doors and woodwork were painted to match revitalized 60's captains chairs.

This bath with outdated blue fixtures has been given a lift by vibrant wall treatment. The large cabbage roses above with a companion border and stunning royal purple paint below and on the medicine cabinet doors. Inside the shower stall is papered too ... the right materials and application and paper will last even with daily showers for up to eight years or more! Add a garden path from the hall for an entrance and a plum shower curtain and even the old fixtures are bearable.

I just couldn't help myself! Bloomingdale's presented me with an idea for the family room that started with a simple chest. Theirs is by mail...mine by brush! My what one idea can do! The walls are color washed to look like stucco and the vine on the ceiling is just the right feel for this "Safari" room. Touches like the faux and wallpapered round table just add to the all over feel.

Exhausted or inspired? There is yet another bath upstairs. Fortunately this one has white fixtures. This is a series of before photos of the bath being prepared for a new look. As you can see there is no window, an advantage. Small windowless rooms are great because anyone who enters turns on the light, so you are unrestricted in what you do. You can go dark, rich, or bright, with color and since most don't spend hours upon hours in a bath boldness and creativity are a must.

Wallpaper with a gold background and tones of burgundy and turquoise seemed to be just right here. The look falls somewhere between English Regency and Victorian. The oval frame has been faux finished rosewood. There is a French Provincial style chair covered in burgundy velvet. A large brass mirror hangs over the vanity and the collection of perfume bottles and painted glass holder etc., add interest. The ceiling border reflected in the mirror is again paintable border. I guess my previous statement should be reconsidered. I don't believe it would be difficult to spend hours and hours in this bath...by candlelight! Relaxation galore just what you need after a long day of mental and physical redecorating.

This whole room was designed around the small oriental lacquered vanity, a auction find that I painted with silver magnolias.

"It's Over Your Head"

As Much as many people think that they can not do faux finishing everyone is usually able to achieve some success with this old and interesting form of art. However one specialty that I do or plan for my customers is literally "Over their heads"! Ceilings are one of the most neglected areas in the home and yet the one place that is unlikely to become damaged even with small children around. This large area can make a subtle or exciting statement of your taste and /or the style that your family loves or aspires to. Sometimes it is easier to start at the top and work down! Below is an example which can be viewed at my home in Camden which will be open to the public at the annual "Kitchen Tour" in August of this year. Please watch it develop and enjoy the additional changes as I post them to this site. It is presently a "work in progress".

The original ceiling from three different views walls will be done first while I contemplate the ceiling.

A good beginning, old horsehair plaster has been color washed to accentuate the texture and the age of the existing walls. The mantel clock is my Grandparents and original to the house.

Now to find a starting point for the ceiling! Let's see...my Grandparents moved into the house in 1910...part of the "Arts & Crafts Era" which is visible on the back plates for the doorknobs (see painting "1890 Welcome") and I love nature so............

Dragonflies in an Arts and Crafts reproduction boarder, perfect! Now that we have the colors to work with and the walls are the soft green color wash made with multiple glazes, it's time to pick the companion paper to compliment the boarder and cover the existing damage to the plaster!

A embossed leaf pattern should do the trick. the texture covers the damage and resembles old plasterwork plus it is paintable and we can choose the faux process that will make it work with our color scheme. OK that works, next it is important to establish a pattern that will compliment the room which has two different ceiling levels due to an addition.

Working from the light fixture to the outside wall is the best way to approach the problem. The leaf pattern will become both our inside and outside pattern and the dragon fly boarder will define the space and pull the two ceilings together. Great idea! Now to do it.

A new ceiling fixture that is round and compliments the paper above it is a good beginning. The embossed leaves in white over a soft green background help to add height and cover problem areas. Keeping the boarder toward but not on the outer edge also works.

Now with the use of another striped embossed paper we have the ability to start making everything come together...with pattern, color, style! Completed photos follow The west wall and the addition at night. What a way to relax!

Meanwhile see how "Stretch" makes out on repairing Nana's cook stove, which has been in storage for over 30 years, before the Kitchen tour. She seems to think the problem starts with the oven, possible...as soon as I get the ceiling finished I'll check it all out!