Painter Girl

Family Room: Wakefield

Monday, I showed you the Kitchen in this house, which is open into the Family Room.  I carried the background finish into this room on two walls, and did an accent wall with a Venetian Plaster.  The stenciled leaves were done only in the kitchen.

The wall on the right, is the VP wall, the left is the same multi-glazed finish that is carried into the adjacent kitchen.  New furniture and window treatments have been ordered for this room, so I will have to go back and get better photos when it is all delivered.

 

 

This Dimensional Basecoat is the first layer of the glazed walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is rolled on and then smoothed out with a spatula.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what it looks like while it is wet, before smoothed out with the spatula.  You have the option of how textured you want it to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the accent wall. So sorry, for another not so great picture! It really looks much better in person!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last piece of this room is the fireplace surround.  I glazed it and added some stenciling.  I used one of my favorite stencils from Royal Design Studio, Florentine Grille.

Next up... the basement Family Room.

Front Entry Hall: Wakefield

Continuing on (finally) with the recently completed projects at the Wakefield home, today we visit the Front Entry Hall. In it's previous life (left), it was a lackluster off-white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's not a lot of wall space because of the large opening to the living room off to the left and the stairs to the second floor, on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started out with a soft, orange/gold toned glaze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I used Cutting Edge Stencils, Anna Damask pattern.  This was a stencil design I had not used before, so was eager to try. What I always love about their stencils is the "topper" piece included with these all over repeat patterns, making the ceiling line much easier to stencil.  This short topper piece eliminates the experience of the larger stencil folding over and resting on your head while you attempt to stencil right up to the top of the wall.  My hair truly appreciates being glaze free!

 

 

This stencil works up quickly, as it is a one overlay.  I used a gold metallic paint, mixed with a little glaze.  Well, to be honest, I mixed it with Bella Magic, which is one of my favorite products.  I have been mixing it in with just about every product I use these days.  I may even try it in my coffee.  No, just kidding... but it does greatly improve the application of plasters when troweling and paints when stenciling.  I buy it from Kathy Carroll over at Faux by Kathy. It does not seem to be listed on her site anymore, but if you call and ask for it, they will help you.

A little side note... While I was stenciling these walls, I was very, very close to running out of the gold paint.  I kept thinning with the Bella Magic because I needed to finish these walls that day and there was no source anywhere near for the gold I was using.  By the time I finished, the jar was so clean it looked like I had washed it out! Don't do as I do.  Buy more paint than you need.  I tend to do this with gas too.  I rarely fill up until the light comes on in my car, and even then, I'll drive for quite a few miles before pulling into a gas station.  I guess I like living on the edge.

This picture really does do the finish justice, as it shows the metallic paint with it's subtle glow.  The glaze underneath is also very subdued, just giving the walls a little depth and movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two large door openings on one side, so I wrapped the pattern around onto the face of the each opening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, when you enter this home, you are greeted by warm and welcoming walls, vs. the previous look.  It makes you want to come in and see what else is going on in this house!

 

 

 

The Wakefield House: Powder Room

Back in the beginning of March,  I showed you a series of sample boards that were selected for various walls in this house in Wakefield, MA.  With the job now complete, I'm ready to reveal how it all turned out.  First, let me say this was just a very fun and relaxing job. The homeowners were a delight to work with, the commute not my typical Boston traffic nightmare... and a very good bakery just as I would come off the exit ramp!  What more can a girl ask for?  I have to laugh when I think back to my wardrobe during this time frame in March.  I believe I started out wearing turtlenecks, gloves and a winter coat.  The temperatures shot up into the high 80's days later and I was in a tank top!  By the time I finished the project I was back to a T shirt and sweater.  That was some insane March weather.

I'm going to feature the Powder Room today.  Here is the "before" shot.  Bad pic, but it was beigey-tan with a, gasp... wallpaper border. I hate using the "w" word.

 

 

To the right is the sample board, showing the finish.  This is a busy finish, but I like it on an accent wall or in this case, all walls in this small Powder Room.  It's done by just troweling on paint, wet on wet with the colors.  Messy, but quick and easy to do. 

 

 

And here it is done.  The room has a much warmer look now.  For this mini-makeover, the homeowners replaced the faucets, towel bar, lighting and medicine cabinet, all with deep toned fixtures

 

 

 

The interior side of this pocket door was aged, along with the door frame and baseboard.  When I saw the new artwork that was selected, I immediately knew I had the perfect stencil to coordinate, one of the Renaissance Tile Series 1 designs, from Royal Designs Studios. I hate to tell you how many years I have had this stencil, but it certainly has stood the test of time!

 

In this close up, you can see I added a little bling with some Swarovski crystals.  The homeowners tell me they love to hear their guests response when they go into this small room and pull the pocket door closed.  It's always a fun surprise!

Next up... the front hall.

Small Changes

Recently, a client sent me this picture of some vines I had done in her kitchen quite a few years ago:

 

 

She had made some changes in her kitchen and now wanted the leaves to be green vs. their current blue-grey.  She also wanted to bring in some wine colored berries.

 

 

While I was up on my ladder working, I came upon a section where I had signed my name and dated and was surprised to learn I had done this work back in July 2000! 

 

 

This was an easy change to make, just overlaying the stencil used and adding some green, and then the berries.

 

Some off white valances are being made and I will add this same vine to those to complete her kitchen make-over.

 

My Dining Room Floor Revisited

I know I showed you my black dining room floor some time ago, but the photos were terrible and did not do it justice.  While these photos are still not the best, they are an improvement.  It's very hard to photograph black, especially with a tone on tone pattern!  The stencil used is Casablanca Allover, from Cutting Edge Stencils.  I really love having a black floor and it is very easy to keep clean.

 

 

 

Small Bathroom Project

Two weeks ago, I met a new client who inspired me to create three new sample boards for her new bathroom wall finish.  The bathroom was just being freshened up, not a major remodel.  Only the existing vanity would be replaced with a pedestal sink.  The pale yellow tile, although old, was in great shape and a neutral color to work with.  This room is narrow, but quite tall, with a slanted skylight in the ceiling.  Here are two "before" pics:

 

 

 

 

My inspiration was a print she wanted to hang on one of the walls, which of course, I totally forgot to take a picture of!  Here are the three sample boards I created:

 

 

    sample #1

 

 

sample #2

 

 

sample #3

 

 

I was very happy with all three samples, and really did not care which one she chose.  Sample #1, was the winner.  The stencil I used is from Cutting Edge Stencils and is a large, single oversized damask. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finish is comprised of a few quick layers: a grey StucoLux plaster, Snowflake White Lusterstone and a pale yellow paint.  All layers are troweled on randomly, so it goes very fast.  This shows the Lusterstone over the grey plaster.  After that, I apparently lost interest in photographing the steps because I see I only have pictures of the completed room.

 

 

 

 

I loved the way this room turned out and luckily, so did my new client!  I am now working on some samples for her first floor powder room and and kitchen. :-)

 

Let 2012 Begin!

Yikes, here we are already at the middle of January so I better get on with posting some new work!  I think I'll start with the most recent job completed and work back. 

My client sent me a link to some wallpaper she really liked and asked if I could do this with stencils instead.  I instantly fell in love with this design and began researching corals.  I settled on six different types of coral and created my own stencil on one large sheet.  At first I thought I might cut the individual corals apart and place them randomly on the wall, but it worked out better to just use them all on the same sheet and stagger the rows horizontally.

 

 

 

A Little Help

So what I basically did for the Peacock and Butterfly room was to stencil the silhouette shapes of the peacocks, vines and leaves.  I created all the large silhouette stencils for this room myself because all I needed was the basic shape, no details.

Here are the 3 peacock silhouette shapes I used:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I had the silhouettes on all of the walls, I knew just who to call to add the details!

Chris Smith to the rescue!  Chris spent 3 painstakingly days embellishing all the peacocks and leaves!  Using a variety of small scale stencils and freehand techniques, the flat silhouettes came to life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't you just love the blue tape all over her top?

Here are some of her creations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I added the gems.  I went all out for the peacocks, but because I had already put about 1,000 (literally!) gems on the butterflies, I decided not to gem the individual leaves.  I just added sets of 3 gems to each stem.  I ordered 1 gross (1,440) of each of the three colored gems I would use  for both of these rooms, so that's 4,320 gems! In the end, I probably had 500 left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

I loved the way this room turned out and truly appreciated Chris's patience with all the detailing!

Tomorrow we will look at the Tropical Room.

Two Girls Rooms

The project I am currently working on is just too much fun.  The entire attic of this large home has been converted into two very large bedrooms with a connecting hallway and Jack and Jill bathroom.  I hope to have these two rooms done by Thanksgiving.  The pink room has a butterfly and peacock theme.  The blue room has a tropical beach and fish theme.

The pink room has some very interesting ceiling lines!  Btw, I don't know why the contractor before me did not clean up his mess.  The nice thing is, there is only a sub-floor down now, so no need for drop cloths and no furniture in the room to have to move or work around!  I had the slanted ceilings painted a dark pink, while the flat ceiling piece and the walls are a light pink.  A soft glaze will be applied over all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the opposite end of the room.  I have already added the glaze to the darker pink slanted ceiling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The blue room has only one area with a slanted ceiling.  I had the entire room base coated in a light blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the opposite end of the room. This will be the sleeping area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using some flex tape, I have taped out a band all around this portion of the room where a wave will be added. I glazed the walls in the entire room starting with a very light blue at the ceiling line, progressing to a deeper blue at the baseboard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Cutting Edge's Fish Scale Allover stencil, I created the wave. I have had my eye on this design for some time now and am thrilled to finally be able to put it to go use!  I love the way Cutting Edge packages their stencils.  The stencils are large and sturdy and come with a topper and a small singe stencil on one scale... all for a great low price!  Having three sizes of the same stencil included in one package makes it much easier to stencil those hard to reach areas without having to cut or bend the heck out of your stencils.

 

The opposite end of the room will be the study area and have a tropical beach scene.  I have taped out the bottom, again using the flex tape, for the beach. 

I have miles to go with these two rooms!

Stenciled Silk Tie and Scarf

I recently stenciled a scarf and tie for a local charity event.  Each year artists are given black or white silk ties and scarves and asked to be as creative as they wish.  The items are then put in a silent auction.  The money raised is used to improve the South End neighborhood of Boston, helping to revitalize and preserve this area that is home to many artists and small businesses.

I used Royal Design's Oriental Floral Vine Elements , which I can't seem to get enough of!  This design is very versatile and I have used it on walls, furniture and accessories. It comes in a set, with 5 different one overlay designs.

 

 

I kept the colors simple, golds and silvers, adding just a fine line of read on the flowers.  It's hard to see, but I do have some clear Swarovski crystals on the flowers for a little extra sparkle. 

 

For the tie, I used another Royal Design stencil, Ikat Zig Zag, small.

I don't do a lot of stenciling/painting on fabric because one mistake and you are in trouble.  I find it too nerve wracking, like glass etching!