A first for me

UPDATE: Here are my panels. I can't show you the room because you have to GO SEE IT! But I wanted you to see the whole grouping.

About two years ago I took a class in Connecticut with the amazing grotesca artist Carolina D'Ayala Valva.  Ever since I have been hoping for a project where I could use what I learned.  This is that project!

I just finished 8 panels for this year's BSO Decorator Showhouse's dining room and I feel exactly that. The room is being designed by Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors.  The panels are based on 18th century Baroque and Rococo decorative ornamentation with scenery in each.  I'm not going to spoil the reveal because I really want you to see them in person, so I'm giving you a before shot of the room.  You need to see this and all of the spaces completely transformed by all of the talented designers.

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For more information on this year's showhouse click here.

Being involved with 7 previous showhouses, I believe this one will be one of the best.  The house is in Loch Raven, on rolling acres off Cromwell Valley Road.  The house was built in the 1950's and visitors will be able to relate to the well proportioned spaces and see how they can take elements away to use in their own home.

I will be posting pictures of the evolution of this space along with the process photos of the panels after the house opens.  I hope to see you there and look forward to your feedback! (here's a teaser of one of the panels...severely cropped as to not to give much away!)

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Also, I have updated my website with a new tab under galleries called "Available Pieces" for items that are for sale. If you see something you are interested in, contact me!

Coming up in my next post, my current project which consists of woodgraining beams, some faux and plaster ceilings, and some decorative painting.

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On a Mission

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Yesterday I was privileged to speak at the monthly meeting of the WCAA; the Window Covering Association of America, a group of designers and window covering artists; about the subject of how finishing can solve design challenges. It is part of my campaign to rid the world of the negative perception of faux finishing. (If you read my article about how "Faux is Dead" then you know that Faux is actually alive and well.  And from now on "Faux" will not be synonymous with "bleh.") After I discussed how to enhance architectural features and make the unwanted things disappear ...     

How to create the illusion of more space...

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And how to be green by saving and repurposing what you have;

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I gave a demonstration on how to create the look of wood.  I talked about different basecoat colors (which often freak out the clients!) and the various layers and tools used to achieve the final effect.

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Members got in on the action..

Kris Ozgar and Me at WCAA

Hopefully the next time they're faced with a design challenge they will give faux a try. We had a blast and I hope to be invited back again.

Thank You!

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Thank you to everyone who made it out to Budeke's last night to check out Golden's Proceed(c) line of decorative finishing products. We had a great turn out of about 20 or so people.  Lori Wilson and Pamela Hernandez ;) made the 6 hour trek from New Berlin, New York for the Open House hosted at the Timonium store.

A little history...When I went to college at Towson, it was recommended by my painting teacher to buy Golden's Retarder. I thought he was being insensitive but in fact "retarder" is meant to slow the dry time of acrylic paints which dry incredibly fast.  So fast that if you are blending some brush strokes, the next time you visit your palette the little mix you made has dried to a crisp film.  Then you are doomed to have to mix the EXACT COLOR again.  UGGH! (FYI: They name all of their products in English so there is no confusion on what they're designed to do.)

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Fast forward to my foray into decorative painting. I had heard about Golden's new line of Proceed Decorative Painting System Products and found that they make slow drying acrylics. WOO HOO! Now when Im painting large expanses of spaces I don't have to deal with heart palpitations when Im trying to blend colors. BUT I have to mail order everything.  Bummer!

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Then I met Lori at a class in Connecticut at Creative Evolution Studios. We chatted and struck up a friendship.  She invited me up to the Golden Factory and I took her up on it. And as they say the rest is history.

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I approached Bryan to see if he would be interested in carrying Proceed so that I have a place locally to find great products right off the shelf. We are hoping to have a workshop in the near future for decorative artists who are interested in exploring the Proceed line and how it can be incorporated into their repertoire. If you are looking for more information on what Proceed is and how it works,  check out their "Proceedepedia" site that shows formulas, faq's, and video tutorials.

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A BIG thanks to Bryan Koerber, his wife, the staff at Budeke's, Lori Wilson, Pamela Hernandez, Howard Thaller, and everyone else who made this event happen.  Please let me know if you have any questions or interest in knowing more about future events with Golden's Proceed Decorative Painting System at Budeke's.

Disclaimer: I am not paid by Golden OR Budeke's.  I just like good paint.

Faux Event at Budekes Timonium!

budekes proceed

Designers! Homeowners! Fellow Finishers! You're Invited! Be Sure to RSVP!

Come see the latest in finishes for your client's home or yours! View products that allow for endless creativity and design.  See and play with the raw materials and view samples made with Proceed © that are on the cutting edge of design trends!

Evening to Include:

• Catalogs, product swatches and color charts

• An introduction to Proceed's © brand new Extra Rough Glass Bead Texture

• Plenty of finish boards and the Proceed © Wikipedia (their online 24/7 available resource)

when: Thursday, February 23rd, 6 pm - 7:30 pm

where: Budeke's Timonium 9484 Deereco Rd Timonium MD 21093

RSVP by February 20, 2012:contact@budekes.com or 410-560-1230

light refreshments will be served

Little French Table

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I really love this table I painted for Peyton Home.If you can,  picture it in a greyish beigey white. I forgot to take a before shot. The paints are all Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I mixed some together to create that coral like color in the middle. I think maybe its Pantone's color of the year?? Although I did paint it last fall. Yeah, Im so ahead of the trends ;) And the gold is composition gold leaf. Its still available for sale at Peyton Home...(ask your decorator about it!) (Thats my buddy RayRay waiting to check it out.)