Archive for November, 2009
Practical Paint-Based Faux Finishes
Monday, November 30th, 2009
If you have the luxury of time and a huge budget, it’s better to have genuine surface materials. However, if you’re a little low on cash or can’t wait for a time-tempered natural finish to occur (antiquing, for example), take heart, a little cheating won’t hurt. Faux finishes are almost as good as the real thing!
Don’t know where to start? Check out these paint-based faux finishes below.
Antiquing and Verdigris
This mimics the patina that metals acquire over time. The natural greenish-bluish tones of verdigris can be duplicated when a piece of metal or plastic is exposed to heat and combined with acids. The trick is to apply the layers in uneven arbitrary patches for a more natural look.
Marbling
This age-old classic finish emulates various natural marble veins, including carrara marbling which involves dipping a thin brush in black gaze and sweeping a softening brush in light, random strokes to create the characteristic marble pattern. Serpentine marbling, on the other hand, is achieved by rubbing oil paint on a surface using a tissue paper.
Faux Bois (Fake Wood)
The subtle grains and lines of wood furniture or surface can be easily recreated. If done well, you can even replicate the book matching veins and knots of expensive wood veneers.
Paint Spattering
This easy and popular finish employs tiny paint dots in a variety of colors for a rich yet effortless-looking surface accent on walls. The “spattering” effect is achieved by thumping a loaded paintbrush (or old toothbrush against a screen for small surfaces) against a stick to spatter it in different directions.
46ZWQSZD9TF3
Tags: Antiquing and Verdigris, Faux, Faux Bois (Fake Wood), Faux Painting, Marbling, Paint, Paint Spattering, painting, Practical Paint-Based Faux Finishes
Posted in apartment, bathroom, bedroom, design, Dining Room, DIY, Faux Painting, General, Home Renovation, interior design, kids room, kitchen, living room, loft, painting, remodeling, renovating, walls | No Comments »
Do’s for the Client-Designer Relationship
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
A good client-designer relationship is the key to the project’s success. If you have found the right interior designer for your home, remember these pointers to produce your dream interior:
1. Do build a foundation of communication and trust. As in any relationship, constant feedback, listening, and trusting each other pave the way to great synergy. Think of the project as collaboration where the first few meetings will be focused on getting to know each other. As you interact more, you will start feeling more comfortable. Make that extra effort to start things right and ignite a productive chemistry between the two of you. Lay the groundwork for mutual trust, respect and professionalism from day one.
2. Do set your meetings in Advance. So you want the project done in time for your fabulous birthday bash? Then plan your house ahead, too. Meetings between you and the designer are vital to keep things moving at the right pace. Decisions are sometimes delayed not because of a lack of information or indecisiveness, but rather because of a lack of a common time to discuss and decide. Setting these meetings in advance at proper, regular intervals (usually weekly meetings are ideal) allows both parties to adjust their schedules.
3. Do communicate with pictures ad material swatches. Briefing your designer using descriptive words like “modern, soothing and casual” is a good starting point. But don’t stop there; collect pictures from magazines, material swatches or samples, and other visual and tactile references. Show what you like and what you don’t like, as design is subjective and words can mean different things to different people. Do your homework, and provide your designer with concrete visual and tangible references.
Tags: Do’s for the Client-Designer Relationship, interior design, interior designer
Posted in apartment, bathroom, bedroom, decor, design, Dining Room, finances, General, interior design, living room, loft, remodeling | No Comments »