“Florentine Plaster”

The incredible Florentine plaster is an easy, yet gorgeous faux finish technique. Still, after about twenty years, one of the best sellers. FP looks like a multi layer technique, but is not. Production is fast, easy and can not be compared to other textured techniques, due to inexpensive application. Contemporary, modern or electic, take your pick, Florentine Plaster will always be the "talk of the party"

“Croco”

An exquisite crocodile leather look alike faux finish. Designed and created for a famous baseball player. The king size bed, custom made to highlight this faux wall finish. Mediums used: Water Putty, Olive oil, gift-wrap etc.

“Grandeur”

(`granjər,`granˌdyo͝or/) noun: splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style. The dictionary says it all. This grandiose faux finish was created with MM metallic plaster, gold powder and assorted MM metallics.

“There's No Crying in Baseball”

An extremely fast and effective wall glazing finish resembling a baseball. Created with paint only.

“Tuscany”

I found this beautiful faux finish in Florence, Italy in the Orsini Palace.

Welcome to My Home

Hello and Welcome!! My name is Heidi and one of my passion is faux painting. However, there are otherpasions and I live them daily. Take your pick. Interior design, decorating on the shabby side, gardening, herbs, fashion, culture and and last but not least "Style". In my world, the day should have 48 hours and more.

I am here to share some of my adventures with you, because I love to share and teach. I hope that you come by often and stay a while. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Thursday, March 6, 2014

A Paper Floor - Inexpensive and it lasts and lasts!!!

Hello from St. Louis,
Yes, a paper floor lasts and lasts!!!!
 
Approximately 15 years ago, I installed a paper floor. The existing floor was "tile look alike" linoleum. At the time, I did not know, if it would last. Well it did!! Although, I do have a very high traffic home, to say the least.

Recently, I decided that it was time, to give my paper floor some TLC.


 
Shiny and it looks like New


I fell in love with one of my client's antique, wide plank floors. The next morning a box truck arrived, including a carpenter. A few hours later, I had  an antique wide plank floor in my family room. I am in love with that floor. Many compliments after,  I decided that I wanted the same floor in my kitchen.At one time, I even climbed in the dumpster to get all the left over pieces, to see if I had enough wood to lay a kitchen floor. NO WAY!!! 

Well I am a designer and a faux finisher. Wood graining came to mind. However, I did not want to spend money removing  the linoleum  floor. I decided to use plain old, cheap construction paper.

Here is what I did  fifteen years ago!
Step One:

 Cut construction paper into strips.

 



Step Two:
 

Step Three:
Thin VOV (Vinyl over Vinyl) with water and  paste the strips onto the floor. Let dry.

Step Four 
Prime. Let dry. Apply two coats of yellow. I use BM Sunbeam

Now that all the necessary prep work is done, you are ready to "wood grain". Don't be afraid, you are going to simulate wood and it can be done very easily.

Colors used:

Although "wood graining" seems complicated, it's actually not. It's about color and pattern. Once you understand this, you can imitate almost any wood. To make it easy for you, we just simulate an antique floor, with some knot holes and grain.

Step One:

Mix your color glazes. I mix my graining glazes with water, because I work fast. With an acrylic medium you will have a longer "open time".

Step two:
Tape off the first plank. Brush on  the raw Sienna glaze. Wipe off your 4"chip brush. Brush through the wet glaze, until you created a wood-grain effect.Start at one end of the plank, and keep going in a continuous motion to the end of the plank.Continue stroke after stroke.


 


Keep wiping your brush. Let Dry. Care fully pick up some burnt Sienna glaze and create some additional values. Soften with a clean chip brush. Let dry. Add additional darks ( burnt Sienna and Black). Once you are satisfied with the grain, you may add some knotholes and or additional graining.





Now that my floor is completed, I decided to re-vamp my whole home. Is that OCD??? No, it's because of the long winter!!!

Take care and be safe sending blessings your way,

Fondly,



 














Monday, March 26, 2012

99 bunte Ostereier!!!



Noch ganz schnell ein paar kreative Ideen für Eure Ostereier. 


Blümchen herstellen: Mit dem Locher ausstanzen und auf das Ei kleben.Southern Living.com



Sorbische Ostereier sind die schönsten der Welt
Sorbische/Batik Kunst








 Ostergrüße! Eier in Tee färben und dann beschriften.


Süße Blumengrüße


Die klassische Variante Ostereier zu verzieren ist natürlich das Färben. Aber vielleicht wollt ihr  ja in diesem Jahr eure Lieben mit sehr kreativen Ostereier überraschen.



How to ...  Make Leaf Print Eggs


Anstatt des klassischen Färbens, versucht doch mal eine Schablonentechnik.
Werkzeug
  • Kleine Blätter ( Thymian, Farn, Pfefferminz etc.)
  • Gekochte Eier 
  • Nylonstrumpf, in ca 10cm lange Stücke schneiden
  • Wasser
  • Essig
  • Eierfarbe
  • Gummibänder
  • Große Gläser,ein Glas pro Farbe
  • Löffel
Anleitung
  1. How to ...  Make Leaf Print Eggs  - Step 1 Blättchen auflegen und dann das Ei in den Strumpf legen.
  2. How to ...  Make Leaf Print Eggs  - Step 2 Den Strumpf drehen und dann mit dem Gummiband befestigen.
  3. How to ...  Make Leaf Print Eggs  - Step 3  das Ei wird in die Eierfarbe gelegt.
  4. How to ...  Make Leaf Print Eggs  - Step 4 nach ungefähr 5 Minuten wird das Ei mit dem Löffel heraus gehoben und der Nylonstrumpf wird sorgfältig entfernt.
  5. Ich finde diese Eier ganz künstlerisch super. Was meint ihr????