Pretty in Pink and Purple

A repeat client of mine who originally met me through the Ellicott City Decorator Showhouses, asked me for my recommendation for a designer to help redecorate her family room.  Of course I recommended Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors, the designer with whom I've painted countless Decorator Showhouses.  Paula transformed her family room into a jaw dropping gorgeous pink and purple Hollywood Regency-esque retreat! Before: (I had recently glazed the fireplace about 3 months ago...)

IMG_0907

And after...POW!

IMG_1917

A close up of the fireplace I redid and the wall with the custom cut stencils I made that reflect the fabric on the chairs:

IMG_1925

A railing was replaced with a custom-built bookcase by Summerhill Cabinets.  I woodgrained the top in a marquetry design with a black inlay.  The client reads extensively and Paula thought it would be a great idea to have a place for her books.

Here's the before:

IMG_1894

And After:

IMG_1908

IMG_1910

And...

A tiny little update on a very tedious project that I'm doing at my studio, getting ready for my Open House-Grand Opening-Partay!

2012-11-14_16-34-11_918

(Nevermind the paint on my hands.)

Moving In

2012-09-01_09-23-02_916

So last weekend my awesome Dad helped me (I mean I sorta helped him) build a false wall for large scale mural work and four 4'x8' rolling work tables with storage underneath.  It was so hot and humid I think we sweated out more than we drank.  A big thanks to my Mom for packing a cooler full of ice cold drinks, lunch, and beer for the end of the day. I have to say its a little too convenient to be within walking distance of Main Street Ellicott City because I found myself down at the Judge's Bench and the Phoenix a few times after working.  Oops! Materials being delivered.

2012-09-01_17-21-06_254

Mikey and my Dad putting up studs...or being studs...?

Things are progressing and I have moved all of my paints in. (a feat unto itself...I could open a paint store!) My mom and I went shopping at Costco for new shelves.  I was on the fence about bringing my old shelving, it was pieced together...ikea, home depot, dumpster finds...but my heart won out and I got five beeutiful chrome rolling shelves. (They're gorgeous!!!!!) I looove organizing and so I have a place for everything now and everything will eventually make it into its place.

2012-09-02_14-06-14_290

Taping away.

2012-09-03_16-22-04_657

Tables-Done!

I am still hemming and hawing about what to do with the "office". I know I want to turn it into a show space/lounge/client meeting area/paperwork space...I just can't figure out what to do with the walls!!  Its so easy when its someone else's space but when its mine I cant make a freaking decision! I just bought four stencils from Royal Design Studio so hopefully they will "speak" to me.

My neighbors are great. If you are in the area, Jack of Arts (who airbrushes cars, trucks, and anything else made of metal,) is two doors down and Bill Knapp, a sculptor, is in the next warehouse up the street.  Bill stopped in when I was taping my wall to see who was moving in.  And everyone I've talked with says I couldn't have picked better landlords.  The Klein's are the owners of West End Service and have been more than accommodating.  I really lucked out!!

Now if the weather would turn and I could stop sweating!

Stay tuned for when we will be having our grand opening.  It may be a whole weekend I'm that excited. WooHoo!!!!!

...and a big congratulations for my cousin Lauren and her beau Adam for making a commitment to getting hitched!!!  So happy! Lauren started her first year as a high school science teacher in Detroit and Adam is a very talented glass artist.

Signs of Summer

Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend! Just finished this cool sign! I saw something somewhere I think on Pinterest that used flattened spoons as coat hooks.  I thought I could use some of my random spoons that have mysteriously appeared in my kitchen drawer.  I used some scrap wood, ropes, paint, and old letterpress type I had lying around.   Dolled it up with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Voila! I think its purdy neat.  Of course Mikey's first comment was "Will it hold a coat?" Always the left brain of the operation.  I guess I could use some heftier nails and anchored it to the wall better if I were to use it. I think it looks neat!

IMG_1096

This sign was a present for my Mother in Law who has a place at the beach.  I drew up the design and again used some leftover boards from another project.  I also used ASCP but this time waxed it for durability.  It could hang outdoors (under a porch).

IMG_0534

And of course, you can always request one for yourself! The Coat Rack is $75 and the Beach Sign is $150.

Happy Summer!

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.

IMG_0553

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!)

IMG_0742

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.

IMG_0539