Monday, April 23, 2012

a cozy spot to dream

a cozy spot to dream


How great are these bowler hat pendant lights! (click on the photo to be re-directed to polyvore....links to all items listed will appear)  I knew I wanted to use them in a room set, and I think they look great with my painting, "Sewn".  One of my favorite tricks in decorating is pulling out the least dominant color in a painting to be the main color that is against it, in this case a canary yellow sofa.

 I love pendant lights used in unusual places, like hovering over the end of a sofa. 

I am obsessed with lighting. I admit it.
Here are some of my FAV-O-RITE finds.



These orbs are so gorgeous I could cry. I don't know the original source (this photo has been through the pintrest/tumblr wringer, but the photo is listed as being from houzz.)

From Windfall Contemporary Lighting .  This WILL be in my house someday. One big gigantic one in my foyer. Yeah buddy!

I have lusted over these Parasol pendants in the Wynn Hotel forever!!!!


A collection of Moroccan lanterns is always beautiful.  (again, unknown original source.)  

Remember the gigantic sofa and Moroccan lantern combo from my trip to Florida?  You can find Moroccan lanterns rather easily online, they aren't even expensive!

 

I recently received the latest copy of Restoration Hardware's catalog. Mostly, that catalog scares the hell out of me. But I do love their lighting! Especially this crystal chandelier within iron spheres.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

"Windows" painting in a room setting

"Windows" painting in a room setting


Rust Painting Abstract Original Artwork
pinterest.com



I have been ignorning Polyvore lately, I've just been so busy working. I logged in tonight to find out my 'set' had been featured on their homepage!   That was exciting news!


I do love this painting. And I think it looks great with the tree stump tables, the silk rug and the sleek sofa. When I design, I like a mix of old and new, rough and sleek, and obvious and ironic. It's all about balance, baby! 


Thanks Polyvore, for featuring my little set!



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tutorial for Faux Vintage Sign Letters






I have long been obsessed with words as home accessories. 
In the midst of redecorating my own dining room, I have been searching for old vintage sign letters to spell out something meaningful ( I figured the word would reveal itself through whatever letters I would find.) 
Not being able to find any that were at all right or that could spell anything I liked, I decided to just make my own.
I've seen some tutorials on the intertubes about doing this, however, with all due respect, I think they could have pushed the idea a little further and achieved even more authenticity by using the technique that I'm going to share with you here.

 Just a few products are needed for this project, but be sure and use exactly what I recommend. This process is an actual chemical reaction, substituskies are not allowed ;).



For this project you will need :
* Papier Mache letters of your choice  (mine are from Hobby Lobby)

*Krylon Premium Silver Foil Metallic Spray Paint 
* Magic Metallic "Steel Metallic" and "Rapid Rust"   
*Any patina colored latex paint (blue, teal, aqua, robin's egg, etc.)
*Denatured Alcohol  (also VERY important)
*Sheet of styrene, or a poster board to use as a work surface.

Begin by spraying your letters with the Krylon Silver Foil spray paint. This will act as a basecoat.  Let dry completely.

Now, depending on how rusty you want your letters to be, brush, sponge and dab on the Steel Metallic paint here and there but not everywhere. Let some of the silver show through.  The steel paint has metal filings in it, which will add some authentic texture.  Before this paint dries, squirt or spray on the Rapid Rust. Use alot of the Rapid Rust, don't be stingy.  Also, apply more to some letters than others, you do not want them to be completely uniform.
You really cannot mess up this step.   Flip the letters over so that they are now upside down on your work surface. For some reason, having the steel paint and the rapid rust smooshed together onto a surface really breaks up any brush marks or sponge marks and just makes the chemical reaction look real.  Let the letters sit for 30 minutes or so upside down and then flip over and let air dry.



Now, you should have a very good rusty looking letter. But we're not done yet! 
Here comes the magic part.


Working on one letter at a time, flood the letter with Denatured Alcohol. I usually just pour it on, but you could use a sponge brush to apply it too. Immediately, spray some of the Silver Foil Metallic Spray Paint directly into the Denatured Alcohol. The Silver paint will have nothing to adhere to so it will just start to swim around on the surface. Tilt the letter to move the silver around where you want it. The alcohol dries relatively quickly so you can always add more if you need to.

This photo shows the silver beginning to separate.
I wanted my letters to be quite silver so I added a lot, however these letters look really cool just  rusted too. (In which case, I would use Copper as a basecoat, instead of silver.)



Now you can add a little patina blue or green here and there by dabbing it on and then spritzing with denatured alcohol. I like the edges of my letters to be a bit different from the fronts, so I mainly focus on those areas for the patina.  


                                                 A completed letter!


I guess you have figured out the words I chose: BE STILL.
BE STILL...and know that I am God...
BE STILL...my beating heart...
BE STILL...you crazy kids are driving me bonkers!
BE STILL...and stop worrying!

Here they are hanging in the dining room!