"The Process" Part II- How to Work With a Decorative Artist

"The Process" Part II- How to Work With a Decorative Artist

There are many ways to work with a Decorative Artist, and there are many things we can do to help you solve your design dilemmas; from customizing a treatment inspired by a wallpaper to creating a beautiful and original wall finish that acts as the perfect focal point, or backdrop, to set the rest of the room so that your client has a space completely tailored to their style. I’d say that’s much better than picking wallpaper out of a book that everyone else has.

"The Process" Part I - What A Decorative Artist Does

"The Process" Part I - What A Decorative Artist Does

It occurred to me the other day when I was talking with an interior designer I just met that I perhaps I should explain a bit about what exactly we do as “decorative artists” and how one goes about working with us . Its clear as day for me, but when I describe my profession to new people I meet I either get blank stares or confused looks. I think I need to polish my elevator speech! So first and foremost, let me describe to the world what a decorative artist is and what we do.

Modern Chinoiserie- How We solved a design challenge

Modern Chinoiserie- How We solved a design challenge

I was contacted by designer Heidi Dripps to create a finish that was inspired by a wallpaper that the client loved.  The wallpaper was beautiful but there were certain things that didn't work for the client. One, the colorways weren't quite right. And two, the composition wasn't just so. The designer and client wanted me to recreate the feel of the contemporary imagery but create more of a mural.

DC Design House

This year I am privileged to say that I contributed to the fabulous room, "Chic Retreat" by  Barbara Brown Interiors at the DC Design House.

dcdh2-1200x740

dcdh2-1200x740

"The 9th annual D.C. Design House opens to the public October 1, 2016. Each year, one local home has every single room redesigned by local interior designers and architects.

Located at 2509 Foxhall Road, NW, this year's house is a whopping 11,242 square feet, and most recently served as a temporary house for the French ambassador while his real home was under construction. The home has five floors, seven bedrooms, three kitchens, eight full bathrooms, an infinity pool, a wine cellar and sauna.

All furnishings and accessories in the house are for sale -- and so is the home itself, which is listed for a cool $10.8 million, according to the Design House website.

Proceeds from this month-long event benefit Children’s National Health System. The house closes Oct. 30." -NBC4

Barbara Brown Interiors designed the "Chic Retreat" which is on the top floor.  A lady's study/retreat/reading room has been expertly curated with chinoiserie inspired accessories, custom designed and built furniture, and features soothing colors and textures, but not without the occasional surprise.  I was asked to create chinoiserie monochromatic vignettes on the walls as well as verre eglomise surfaces for both the writing desk and built in cabinet top.

img_3263

img_3263

img_3264

img_3264

img_3033

img_3033

img_3032

img_3032

img_3075

img_3075

BSO Decorator Show House 2015

10993443_721634897957303_992965775321036297_n

10993443_721634897957303_992965775321036297_n

I'm so excited to finally share the work I did for Paula Henry of Simply Put Interior's Dining Room at this year's BSO Decorator Show House! The house was located in the Guilford neighborhood of Baltimore City.

BSO 2015 0001

BSO 2015 0001

Paula and I wanted to do something unexpected and so we decided on a unique watercolor design. I painted the design by hand and with the help of Jeff Salava of Archival Arts and Matt Richardson of Indigo Ink, brought the design to life. The colors were inspired by a fabric as well as the beautiful sideboard. Paula wanted a fresh and bright look to bring this room into the 21st century. The room before:

IMG_6304

IMG_6304

I am excited about this new avenue and hope to offer bespoke wallcoverings in the near future! Here are some more photos. Let me know what you think in the comments!!

BSO 2015 0011

BSO 2015 0011

BSO 2015 0009

BSO 2015 0009

BSO 2015 0008

BSO 2015 0008

BSO 2015 0006

BSO 2015 0006

BSO 2015 0003

BSO 2015 0003

BSO 2015 0002

BSO 2015 0002