Embracing Gray

It seems like about once a year a new client comes into my life who says to me "Just do whatever YOU think is best..." and then they give me a whole bunch of projects and I do whatever I think is best. These kinds of projects are when I just LOVE my job and I feel like the most blessed person on the planet.

This year, it is J and M   who have given me carte blanche all over their beautiful new home. Most of the projects I have done for them, have been in their black/gray/chrome and MODERN lower level. I have been DYING to do some gray projects after nearly 15 years of beige.... so I was so happy and excited the first time I saw their swanky lower level with it's gray floor tiles and incredible bar area with the chrome pressed tin ceiling!

Here are some of the  gray based projects I have completed. 

In the above shown bar area, I created a finish I call 'Rough Linen' to flank either side of the bar. This finish had to coordinate with the modern lighting, as well as the unusual chrome ceiling. I wanted the walls to whisper, not shout, so I created a silver/gray textured finish that was topped off with rough cut Mica flakes. This is a great transitional finish that would work with just about any style of decor. It's a great mix of rough and tumble and sparkle.

Across the room, in the Poker area...I transformed a 'preppy' cherry wood poker table set complete with leather and studded library style chairs.  Ta Da! 

Using animal skin textures, I created a modern finish for the table top, which was overglazed with silver. The entire set was painted black and the studs were changed from bronze to hologram silver using foils. I am really proud of this finished result and the clients loved it too.  All they need to do is change the casters from brass to chrome and the transformation will be complete! (yes, they plan to do that).

I painted the pool table to match! And added zebra feet for a little extra punch and sizzle.

***While we are on the topic of painting furniture, I just wanted to let potential clients know that I sand and prime and topcoat everything for a very durable finish. I shudder when I remember an article about a home I worked in, in which I was 'quoted'  as saying that I applied my textures with drywall mud! SHOCK AND HORROR!  I use only high quality proprietary products for the most durable and long lasting finishes. I promise. ***

The walls in this area needed to have some 'oomph'  but also needed to be a background for the main focus of this room, which is having fun!  I designed an overlapping squares application of Venetian Plaster. I tinted the plaster to a pale gray shade and trowelled in on in overlapping squares, leaving a raised ridge on one edge of each square. Once the plaster was dry, I burnished it heavily to put a sheen and carbon stain on the raised ridges. 

I love the type of finish that people can't figure out how it was created! The shiny edges and the cool stone feel of these walls really have people baffled.  Love that!

Funny how some projects evolve...my clients  asked to 'do something' about a bad color choice in the exercise room. What I ended up doing became quite the production and granted it would have been 100 times easier to just repaint the room, but my clients trusted me to come up with something really exciting for this large, utilitarian room. And they didn't 'hate' the color, there was just too much of it.

While I like to say 'there are no bad colors'  and I do really love this Tiffany Blue  (the original basecoat) ...but 4 walls of it was pretty eye-ball frying and needed toned done considerably. 

After talking with the clients, we came up with this overlapping squares and rectangles idea. I started this project by painting huge squares of a sheer Pearl finish. Working my way from lightest to darkest, I created smaller and smaller rectangles and squares of metallic colors. This took a very long time and miles of tape, but everyone is happy with the end results.  (the trim has now been painted black).  While in the photograph the squares read brown, they are actually varying shades of a warm silver, metallic taupe, pearl and black metallic.

My final 'gray' project in this home is in their daughter's bedroom. I had applied this finish in their prior home, and the daughter requested that I duplicate it.
This is one of my most popular finishes, I call it the Gum Wrapper Finish.
It's layers of silver foil over crushed tissue paper. Yummy!

A 'new' room for Nina....

My eldest daughter is going off to college in a matter of mere months. I feel the weight of her impending loss daily. "This is the last October 9th we will spend together for awhile...."  "This is the last Law & Order SVU Pedophiles and Puppies Marathon we will watch together for awhile...."  It seems like just yesterday she was asking "Mommy, was there a recipe for this?". 
In honor of her last several months at home, I am re-doing her room. Just in time for it to become a guest bedroom. Poor Nina. She's so patient.

Most of my house is modern or at least retro. I'm not really 'in' to Shabby,chippy or glazed over with brown. But my daughter LOVES this look. But the girl who loves THIS:  
 

  (and unicorns)  Also loves THIS:



(That's her trashcan. On a mirrored table from the 70s.)   Hmm....what's a mother to do?  I personally think Shabby Chic can be rather formulaic, and I am wracking my brain for ideas how to make this room HER with a little bit ME too.

This summer I DID manage to get one wall covered with antique book pages. Her room smelled like a library for months.

For this project, find about 3x as many books as you think you will need. I like the fact that we found books that have some drawings in them. Also, many books do not have chapter titles going across the top of the pages, but I found some that do.  I bought them just for the chapter titles. Some of them are hilarious such as : Pirates and Secretaries  and They Dress for Dinner.
  Initially I had read instructions for creating this look that recommended blue painter's tape. WRONG!!! You need double sided tape. Lots and lots of double sided tape. If you use blue painter's tape, half your pages will we sunbathing on the floor in the morning.   I bought a huge roll of double sided tape  at Lowe's that was in the aisle with the shrink wrap window film. It's much cheaper that way and I STILL have some left over. Another piece of advice, while old books are super cool, if the pages are starting to crumble, pass on the book. No tape will adhere to something that brittle.

I didn't use a level line or any 'method' other than working from the bottom up. My BFF Becca helped me with this project and I must say...while I started out adhering the pages in a rather OCD kind of way, she was rather slapping them on which is not only a hilarious role reversal, but funny because I ended up liking the slap dash look better, so that's what we went with.

I bought Nina an  awesome antique sleigh bed, last November. But it's red. And it needs to be pink.  Since I am the most 'distracted by shiny objects' person you could care to meet, it has been sitting  in the garage untouched since I bought it.(Right next to her piano). This Bombay chest has the look I am going for with the bed, the existing dresser and the new 'antique' dresser and mirror. I was sooo going to jump on the chalk paint craze, then I found out that it's a ton of work. Like a ton more than painting furniture is anyway. I think I'll stick with what I know. 

Anyway, I have a lot to do.
I really need to find some awesome ruffled curtains that don't remind me of  THIS:

 Gah!  I think these will do.

I snapped this photo of a wig shop window when I was in LA this summer. I would really love to have this printed on canvas.  I think it sums up Nina so well, a bit  Marie Antoinette, a bit retro scary movie, a bit long luxurious brunette hair, a bit of family history....

I think I've got it....so we need....old books , antique pink dresser, Shabby Chic bedding, ruffles that won't give me flashbacks, a little bit of disco, a little bit of Seedy Underworld, a couple of loyal dogs thrown in the mix and Voila!
We agree!!!

Black and White Halloween Style

Happy Haloween! It's official, I've gotten out the decorations.  I usually have to sit on my hands waiting for the first of October because I don't want to have my Halloween stuff out longer than my Christmas stuff (it seems like an insult to Jesus.)

This year I decided to keep with the black and white theme in my house for my Halloween decor.   

I found this awesome banner at Target for 4 bucks!  I love it and it adds so much charachter to the sun room!

 
 OOOH!!!! AHHHH! 'Farkles! I love anything sparkely! 


You might also notice my butterfly explosion. I made this out of black construction paper and straight pins.  All I did was print out a page of 'butterfly silhouettes' that I found on google, this was my template for my butterflies.

  I cut out multiples of each butterfly out of plain old black construction paper  and nailed them to the wall with a straight pin. Each butterfly is 'hovering' away from the wall at the end of the pin. That way, they cast a shadow and look like they are in flight.

This was a quick and easy project, I cut out the butterflies while watching TV and spent about 20 minutes nailing them to the wall. I traced around a large dinner plate onto the wall and used that as a guide for placement. All the butterflies 'fly' out from that circular center point. One of my daughters really wants me to swap these out for bats, but I think the black butterflies are 'creepy' enough.

These black and white striped lantern lights were my one 'splurge' this year. Only 14.00 at Target, I'm sure they will stay up year round. I hope to snag some more when Halloween goes on Clearance! (they also have purple disco ball/lights that I am dying for!!!!)

 Have I ever mentioned this "Thank you for your patronage" sign that was in my shop when I bought it? I love it so much it's ridiculous.

My dining room sets the stage for my entire house. It's my favorite room and the most 'me'.  It's the room with the black and white striped table, sitting center stage.   I started 'merchandising' my gray hutch  with this fun "I Married a Dead Man" paperback book that I've had for ages, and added my black hand ring holder and a funky gray pumpkin.

A few clear glass vessels of  dollar store spider rings adds a lot of punch for little bucks.

I swapped out some of my photos for vintage Halloween images, like this fun witch!

I like fun little surprises tucked here and there. In the guest bath, glass pumpkins dance around  the vessel sink. Everyone loves this and wants to know where I got the pumpkins. They are originally from a home decor party and came with a tall vase, which has been broken for year. I don't know why, but the pumpkins just seem perfect for the koi pond sink. 

Not everything has to scream "HALLOWEEN" though... like this little glittered pumpkin on a grey cheveron'd chair.  I have several of these glittered pumpkins that I picked up at the Dollar Store a few years ago. They were originally orange, but a coat of silver spray paint really dressed them up. I was given this chair for free from jobsite where I was painting. A coat of hammered pewter spray paint and a fresh new seat cover jazzed it up and gave it some personality!

I'm not the type of person to , nor am I in the position to run out and buy a bunch of stuff when I'm decorating. I have to use what I have, re-purpose things and hunt for bargains. But that's what leads to the 'accumulated' look that I'm so fond of!  

Happy Halloween! 

Up and over the rainbow

I am a fan of a lot of decorative artists on facebook. There are so many amazing and talented people out there that to be honest, put me to shame. I am so inspired by my colleagues and hopefully vice versa.
 I do feel like one of my strengths is my lack of FEAR for COLOR! I'm tired of so many bronze projects,... come on painters! Let's bust out of the brown box!    I understand that bronze is a metallic that works in almost every situation, but personally, I'm tired of it. Lately, I've had some great clients who agree with me.

Happily,  I got to do the most amazing finish in  a pool house bath last week.
I have 'that kind of client' right now that doesn't obsess about what I'm going to do...they just let me be me and do whatever I think is right! I did not work from a sample board, just from an idea inside my brain.

My client actually had the idea of doing bands of color,  based on the decorative tile in this room ( not shown). It is this beautiful dichroic glass that changes color as the lights hit it.  I wanted to recreate something like that on the walls and I immediately knew that transfer foil is what I wanted to use. Here's what I did....

 Some basic instructions are as follows, but this is not a "DIY" project. If you have never worked with foils before, do not attempt this as your first foil project. This was very time consuming and required several layers of Glue and foil, glue and foil, glue and foil.  I spent part of 8 days working on this project.


1. Basecoat.(Sherwin Williams paints)
I started by basecoating the walls "Jay" blue ( which is about the color of blue tape). The top foot of the walls are painted "June Day" yellow, as is the ceiling.  I chose the dark blue base for the walls because I wanted blue to be the dominant color.  I did not tape off a line between the colors, I just eyeballed it.  Once those two colors were dry, I dry brushed on bands of dark purple (across the bottom 12 inches) and emerald green (about 12" where the blue and yellow met).

2. Glue.
Roll on Wunda Size with a 9" roller, cover the entire wall and ceiling. Two coats is best. Let dry at least overnight.

 3. FOIL! 
I worked from the bottom up using foils from Prismatic in a dark purple, a light purple, dark blue, light blue, celery green, and finally bright gold.The ceiling is bright gold, silver hologram and gold hologram. The silver was added because the light fixtures in this room are silver. The blue band is the largest, but you can adjust according to whatever color you want to dominate.
Foil will not transfer completely, so you are left with sticky areas.  I rubbed over each band with the color beneath it to get that 'bleeding color' effect.  
Because this foiling  requires a layer of very sticky glue, when I was finished applying my foils in rainbow fashion, I rubbed over the entire thing with gold hologram foil, which caught any sticky spots and added this amazing effect that you just can't get with any other product.  However, it does not photograph well.Those splotchy areas on the ceiling in this photo, are actually chunks of silver and gold hologram. *Note. Do not rub silver hologram over the rainbow effect. It is too bold. Gold hologram foil is more subtle.  I foiled the ceiling first (which has knock down texture) and then used my 'used' sheets of hologram foil to go over the walls. You want the hologram areas of the wall to be very small and subtle.

I learned a lot about foil on this project, for example the 'Passion Purple' color transfers really well, whereas the Celedon green -not so much. I used an entire 100'  roll of celery green and it's the least dominant color. I have loads of purple left. Next time I will want to order twice as much Celery and Carribbean Blue (light blue).Something else I learned on this project, bugs of every kind are attracted to Wunda Size (in it's defense, this was an 'outdoor project' as the door has not been installed yet and this is in a poolhouse). I made sure that there are absolutely no sticky areas left anywhere.

I am just dying to see the gigantic Swordfish that is going to be mounted on this wall! (poor fish, but he's beautiful!)

The biggest compliment I got came when the homeowner told me that I had outdone myself this time....that made me really happy!

I've done a few gradient or ombre type finishes over the years, here are a few of my favorites. 

 This was a feature wall in my studio, done with troweled metallics.

 This subtle version of ombre was done with watered down paints over a sky blue basecoat.  The raised leaves have Swarovski crystals added for some sizzle.

 I promise you, this is not a brown ceiling, it photographs that way because of the heavy layer of mica flakes and glitter over the entire thing that are reflecting the light in a way that make this look brownish.  The colors are silver, teal, purple, blue, green...all metallics with a layer of gleaming sparkle over the top.   This is in a man's master bathroom. He requested a stormy sky effect, and I think we got it!

I love creating 'big' effects that can't really be shown on a sample board. I'm blessed to have some really trusting clients!

Stop by my facebook page to see more photos of my work.  (All photos are copyright Punch & Sizzle, and Elizabeth VanHoutan  please do not use photos without permission).

New business venture!

The good news is my absence is indicative of busy-ness!
One of my latest projects is a joint effort with Sarah Jane Photography.
I am so impressed by Sarah Jane Shorthose...what a talent!
We met during one of my art shows, and only found out much later that we share the same hometown in a different state. Small world indeed!

Sarah Jane and I  have teamed up to create some incredible backdrops for photographers.
Just getting started with this little venture, but here's one of my favorites!

(the cute girl is my niece , Jami!)  

This particular backdrop looks amazing with all different colors in  front of it, check out this prom line up!

Can't wait to unveil all the different designs I have created that Sarah will be using in her studio work. 

Corners of my home

Today I was speaking about my Blog with a client when I realized I hadn't written anything in weeks!  It's that time of year, when my actual business is really busy and I don't have much time for much of anything.
I have been trying to carve out some moments to spruce up areas of my own home and I though I'd share some photos  and descriptions of some recent projects in Mi Casita.   People are usually surprised by the lack of 'faux' in my house. But I do love my funky!   (all paint colors listed are Sherwin Williams)

 Welcome, welcome !  this is my front entry.  I love the happy yellow wreath that I learned how to make from Pinterest  (via  the blog Positively Splendid).   I chose this vintage-y shade of green for my front door and shutters because I wanted something that would funky up the otherwise boring color scheme of soft gray and chocolate brown.

 Just on the other side of my "Alexandrite"  green door is my favorite vignette in my house.  The painting you may recognize from my 'Dancing Palms' class postings.  The chair was given to me by a client and I spray painted it and upholstered the seat with a bold black and white print.  The floor cloth was formerly a 9 dollar flat weave rug from Big Lots. I painted over it and varnished it about 200 times- okay, maybe 10.  I like Polycrylic Gloss, it lays down really flat, and dries pretty quickly and doesn't yellow.  It's really easy to clean, just mop it like the rest of the floors!

 This is my living room, which has been sort of a thorn in my side for many years. It is completely set off from the rest of the house, and has brown ....everything. (wall color "Camelback"). I do like the wall color, and I have it in several rooms, but with an almost the same color couch and carpet, it is a bit much.  I started by painting the fireplace wall a bold turquoise blue and chose  a sea of  pillows in  turquoise, olive, purple,lime and hot pink to break up all the brown-ness.  The coffee table was first oak (egads!), then black for several years and now it is sporting a fresh coat of  "Grapey".

The 12 patch painting is one my most personal paintings. I created this when I was going through something very personally painful and it is full of symbolism (communion wafers, band aids, evil eyes, martini olives...)  and catharsis.  Thankfully, when I look at it now, I feel happy!
I am always trying to sell these 'quilts' to my clients. It's a fun and simple way to get a wall full of wow, without the cost of a gigantic canvas. 

Still unhappy with brown walls, I decided to freehand paint some gold and silver circles dancing around the room...I got about half the room done and decided that was quite enough, thank you very much. I like how it looks behind these paintings though.   The centerpiece of this art display is a self portrait painted by my oldest daughter when she was in first grade. I still love it!!!! (the frame was found for 1$ at a garage sale!)
Last weekend when Mike was away running an insane number of miles 'for fun'....I gold and silver leafed the crown mould, and painted this fun little desk olive green. (desk color " Rural Green")
I have to say, the pendulum that swings from silver to gold to silver to gold and back again is beginning to make me crazy!!!! I have a ton of art framed in gold....but right now I am much more of a silver person. I decided to just mix the two and not worry about it! I have gold AND silver in my house.

My favorite make-over has got to be the dining room. It's not much of a dining room, it's more of an extra wide hallway between the sun room and the foyer, just to the west of the kitchen.  For several years it had been bright yellow and awkward. I painted the two side walls Sherwin Williams "Antique White", and created one floor to ceiling chalkboard wall.  Everything else in the room is either black, white or gray. No exceptions. (the Sunroom on the other end, is a color explosion!)

 This is a project I am currently working on. I striped the top of the dining table, but I still have to finish up the legs and the chairs.  Stay tuned for the Striped Table Top Tutorial coming soon!

We've already discussed how much of a green person I am,and in the laundry room it's "Verdant".  My laundry room serves many purposes, it is also powder room and dog kennel. I decided it needed to also be 'art gallery'.   Most everything in here was once somewhere else in my house or shop.  The three piece funky floral set is from my "Under the Bigtop" collection and is currently for sale on etsy.  

 I removed the white vanity top and had a piece of plywood cut to fit. I covered the plywood with slate mosaic tiles and then had  the sink and faucet installed. I found the funky fish sink on overstock.com. 

 I have to talk about the rusted Deli sign...when I bought the building that housed my studio, this was found under layers of siding. Knowing my obsession with rust, how perfect is this for me! ? I can't hang it anymore, the rust is crumbling too much, but I think it looks kind of neat just leaning against the wall.


I

I snagged this cute little cabinet on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  This is just outside my 'studio'  (aka 'my basement') and it stores some stencils and other odd artwork materials.  I got the woman reclining painting from Ebay many years ago and the artist, Julie Fillo customized it for me by adding the "Four Daughters" book in the woman's hand.

I love my home, I hope you've enjoyed the mini tour!