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!

a cozy spot to dream

a cozy spot to dream by chicpaint on polyvore.com

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.

"Windows" painting in a room setting

"Windows" painting in a room setting by chicpaint on polyvore.com

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!

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! 

Make a statement in your foyer!

I create a lot of custom artwork. Which is usually designed to go in a specific room. I love creating work for my clients, especially if I have painted the room.
 I also create a lot of art just for the sheer fun of it. Designed for no one in particular, and with no destination in mind.  I thought it would be fun to create a room around one of my paintings....in this case my mixed media painting entitled "A Crack in the Universe Through Which We Fell".



I imagine this piece to be in a very crisp setting, in this scenario, I imagine a foyer.  Because the piece is pretty chaotic, the rest of the setting needs to be razor sharp and clean.
This imaginary foyer would begin with a coat of  Fine Paints of Europe, Delft Blue. 

It is my personal belief that lighting can make or break a space, and I like to see my clients INVEST in lighting. I fell in love with this modern chandelier dripping with crystals at Victoria Dreste's blog.   The murano glass lamp is an antique, however I have seen lots of blue glass lamps at different major retailers like TJ Maxx and Crate  & Barrel.

The painting as well as the room are grounded by a simple black Bombay chest, this one from House to Home (.uk) To me it looks like a silhouette of a Bombay chest, which adds a little humor to the space.

I love a chair in a foyer, a place to sit and slip on or remove your shoes.  A slipper chair is perfect,  especially when upholstered in a pale neutral. It's an investment piece that can easily be changed with just a pillow.

The 'Bright Stuff" pillow from One King's Lane pulls the colors of the painting into the furnishings. The geometric pattern also mimics an element from the painting.

I am CRAZY over  this "Brooke" rug, by Madeline Weinrib in  Goldenrod yellow. I think the color is unexpected, but it refers back to the painting. This yellow sets a cheery 'welcome home' mood!

I really wouldn't mind re-creating this scenario in my own foyer!
If you are interested in having me create a custom piece of art for your foyer, or ANY room in your home or office, contact me through my etsy shop!