The Ceiling

                                                                

      What would we do without the ceiling? One of the most important structures to keep the elements out of our homes, protecting our lives and possessions is often passed by without so much as a glance.

     Hold off putting another picture on the wall and take a good look at your ceiling. Step out of the box and add some color and bring that ceiling to life. Now, I'm not asking you to paint a ceiling like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel , but recognize that the ceiling is an import part of your decor and incorporating it into your design will enhance the area.

     The photos shown are samples of the options which can emphasize and draw attention to your ceilings. Ceilings can be as individual as you are, designs in countless variety. With some imagination and work you can produce an area which flows in harmony.

   

    So what keeps us from including the ceiling into our decorating plans? One big reason our ceilings have been neglected is fear, fear of the unknown. What color should I use? Where do I start? What are the costs? Who do I hire? Well, here's a few tips to get you started.

    Let’s start with a small step, for those with low ceilings, I suggest applying a color which is a few shades lighter than your walls. This will give the illusion of height to the area and a step out of the common box. This small change has a big impact; I have seen my clients change all their ceilings after one was painted. It is very uplifting!

    Higher ceilings can have darker shades of color to bring the ceiling lower and cozier.

In some of the photo’s there are different levels of faux finishes from basic techniques to more advanced.  Do your homework and try this yourself or hire a professional. In either case you’ll have a ceiling to be proud of.

   What if my project does not turn out well? Remember it’s paint and it can be painted over, which is the beauty of it. But, I highly suggest sample boards of the colors and techniques that will be used before starting. Ask questions, ask for help, this will take a lot of pressure off and you’ll have greater success.

            So, let your ceiling shine and draw attention to such a great focal area in your home.

    Here is a great example of adding a warm color to the ceiling which makes a large room cozier.  In most cases adding color alone will change the area, this is also cost affective, small steps can give big results.

                                      Adding a coffered ceiling is always a show stopper
   Money may be an issue when considering an architectural change, if there's no issue here than
                                                                      go for it!  

        Metallic gold painted crown moldings and faux painted sponge technique adds sophistication.
              This is great idea if there are coffered or tray ceilings in your home.                          

2012 Color of the year!

       If you’re looking for an energizing, sophisticated, dramatic, seductive and warm color for your interior or fashion, I have just the right color. Pantone a world recognized color authority named Tangerine Tango for color of the year 2012.

 

     This beautiful reddish orange color will be used in homes, fashion and of course paint.

Give yourself a dose of energy by adding this color to your wardrobe or painting an accent wall in your home.

     In the photos shown the interior of this home was done entirely with fauxed red orange walls.

I would best describe the technique as a distressed strie. Dragging a brush threw the red orange glaze vertically down the wall and removing some areas with a rag.

Have the warmth of a beautiful sunset every day!

   

Build an entertainment center

       I recently custom built a home entertainment center in my own home. I was looking for a multifunctional unit which I could share with my family and friends. This unit is a focal point in my family room and one which is contemporary in design. If your creative and handy get started on your dream otherwise get someone to help.

      Millions of Americans have had a love affair with their TVs and multimedia for decades and with the new flat screens it has opened up a whole new way to watch, listen and decorate.

  

     Give us a place to sit and a TV and we are in heaven. But for some of us we want more.

 We want the look, the feel and the excitement. For the past several years people have become more creative on their personal entertainment area in their homes. The flat screen TV’s have opened up a whole new line of entertainment furniture and unique ways to enhance your space. Man caves are developing into very complex entertainment areas with very large flat screens and theater like sound, popcorn machines and full bar.

  This past 2011 holiday season, prices for flat screens have never been better, which got me motivated to build this unit. I used 2x4’s and dry wall on this project. I added an electric fireplace for that warm home feeling. Venetian plaster was used to decorate the surround and the mantle. The five square openings at the top have lighting which gives a nice warm glow in the evening.

      Floating shelves are a great place to add your favorite things to display or you can put your stereo system there. There are countless options to choose from to fit the mood you would like to create and your personal style.

     The wall unit is approximately 9.5h x 12.5 ft.w and 2 ft. deep from the mantle. Keeping simple added to its contemporary style. Two colors were used to paint the unit, Benjamin Moore # 1122 flat latex on the shelves and rear walls, #1124 on the center unit also in flat latex. The top moldings were painted with # 1122 flat.

      There are two Venetian plaster colors # 1122 on the fireplace surround and # 1125 on the mantel. The mantel has two colors which I applied one over the other sanded and then burnished. The fireplace is electric and looks so real. Above the mantel is a compartment which holds all my CD’s, cable box and all the wires from the Flat screen and other electronics.

     Take a look at the before and after pictures, what a change.  So turn that boring wall into something special and sit back, relax and enjoy! Well, got to go and watch my favorite show.

Dress up your ceilings!

     Here's a couple of paint ideas to dress up your ceilings. The ceiling is sometimes called the forgotten wall due to all the attention usually goes to the walls.
    If you would like to wake up your ceiling add moldings, color or faux and get instant WOW factor in your interior.
     Keep it simple, choose a color scheme using a few shades of the same color. You can't go wrong!
     The faux rag technique on the wall to the right  is used again on the ceiling surrounded by a beautiful bright white frame. This once timid ceiling is now proud to be dressed up. This is a very simple project that ties in the surrounding area.                                                                                                                 
     On the left this tone on tone faux ceiling has a framed in boarder that adds just the right touch to this kitchen dining area. It's a nice compliment to the crown molding and adds more interest to the room.

     This ceiling has a texture which adds more depth to the rag technique. The total width of the framed boarder is 12 inches and was applied 8 inches from the crown molding. An eggshell finish was used to break up the larger area of the flat white ceiling.
 
     Just by adding some color can change your ceilings from subtle to dramatic with or without moldings.

      Looking up has never been better, use your imagination, plan out your ideas and go for it! Remember it's paint and it can always go back to white. So, Dress up your ceilings!

Faux wood garage doors

     There's nothing like the look and feel of real wood with a deep warm stain, it's so elegant. The homeowner decided that the original off white  painted  doors needed to be changed.

     Do we change the doors to real wood which would cost a small fortune or faux them to match our front entry door. Well as you can see they went for the faux wood, great choice!

     Faux wood applied correctly can give the illusion of real wood and feel real to the touch, that's what faux is all about, fool the eye and everything follows. In the picture above I have the sequence of steps which I needed to take to build up the faux wood.

     The first door on the right I used base paint from Benjimen Moore Moreguard exterior latex # 1110. I applied only one coat and painted with a three inch brush going in the direction of the grain.
The doors were originally off white so I let a little of that come threw to add depth. I like to start the grain pattern right away if I can. Starting with a solid base is satisfactory.

     The middle door - I started to apply the first glaze B.M. Mooreguard Charleston Brown in the panels of the door. At this point my brush strokes were going in a horizontal pattern, side to side leaving some of the base showing threw. Each panel needs to have it's own personality so try not to repeat the same pattern.

     Door on the left shows the grain pattern running left to right. Normally the pattern would be horizontal with this door design and the grain would run up and down on the vertical frame pieces. I felt in this situation I would run the grain horizontally. These doors originally had smooth wood and were spray painted unlike the stamped metal doors that have grain running the same way threw out the entire door. I mentioned this because the grain comes out much better with a smooth base. The faux technique for metal doors is much different.

    Finally, the picture below shows a rich warm color and a nice sheen. I used B.M. Mooreguard #2107-10 in glaze. Take special care to apply the grain to each panel first and then the frames. Don't cover your work completely, let the under glazes show threw. Some areas I added straight paint # 2107-10 to create a more defined grain using an artist brush. Keep your grain random, try not to repeat the same pattern.

Click on to enlarge

    Protective finish - After the paint is fully dried I added a little ultramarine blue oil base artist color out of the tube to Exterior Spar varnish to reduce the orange color. To do this on your first coat mix 50/50 spar varnish and mineral spirits plus a dab of blue. Check on a sample board to see if your satisfied with the results. If your happy move forward apply this coat, let dry and then apply 100% exterior spar varnish.

   Now sit back in your driveway and admire your work!

Create an escape!

                              http://s1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee487/arrayofcolorinc/

                                                                Create an escape!

      Best seat in the house! Every day is a sunny day, no sunscreen needed, no books to read, just your imagination. We spend an average of a year and a half in our lifetime in bathrooms. Now that you know this, why not make this room a place you can really enjoy.

     In this bathroom there are painted blue skies, white clouds and clean sand all around. The palm trees swaying in the calm breeze and a small wooden fence we can follow down to the beach. This bathroom is a small room which needed to be opened up and appear larger. The blue sky automatically opens up the room. The white clouds and palm trees give the room a whimsical affect.

     Why not create a place to escape and enjoy the time there. Adding a light blue color to the walls in a small area gives you the illusion of space. Build on this scene by adding clouds. If you’re up for the task add palm trees and the beach. This is your creation; add all the things which bring happiness into your life.

     Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to paint some clouds or trees, its paint and it can be painted over. There are so many projects and techniques which will create a feeling of space and this is just one of them, one you will enjoy!

First Impressions

                             What was your first impression ? ....Exactly !

  
        Home for sale, not today! In the Real estate market today, you need to look over every single aspect of your home to gain an edge on the other guy. There is a  heated competition of homes for sale in your neighborhood. Sometimes the only thing needed is a fresh coat of paint.
 
       Take a look at your interior and exterior and try to be objective as possible, ask yourself, would I buy this home in it's current state. Ask a friend or relative to give there opinion or even your real estate agent, these people will be honest  and are trained to get your home to sell quickly.
  
       The first thing to look at is your curb appeal, does it look like it needs help? Pressure cleaning, painting the walls or maybe the trim is an easy job for the Do it Yourself-er! It may be in your best interest to hire a professional painter if the job is to big for you to handle.
 
       As your walking up to your front entry door what does it look like?  Make a good first impression with a fresh coat of paint on your front entry door. It will work wonders, it may be the only thing needed to sell your home!