Bloß nicht in den Müll:-))

Meine lieben  Faux Fan's,

ich kann Euch gar nicht sagen wie aufgeregt ich bin Euch meine kleine Story zu erzählen:

Kennt Ihr das auch?

Immer wenn ich meine alten, ausgedienten Messingtöpfe sah, habe ich mich geärgert. "Ihr kommt jetzt in den Müll", kam mir immer wieder der Gedanke. Ich stellte sie von einem Platz zum anderen. Und jedes Mal, wenn ich die Töpfe in die Hand nahm, war ich drauf und dran, die veralteten Dinger auf den Müll zu werfen, weil ich einfach nicht wußte, was ich noch damit anfangen sollte. Kurz entschlossen habe ich mich dann entschieden, eine Rettungsaktion zu starten. 

Was habe ich gemacht?

 

Ich habe sie ganz einfach "verrostet". R-O-S-T. Wunderbaren tollen Rost mit Schwarz. Gerade richtig für den beliebten Shabby Chic und Landhausstil.

Und so wird es gemacht!

Let's go, Ladies!!

Veredelt Eure ausgedienten Töpfe mit einer Spezialfarbe auf Wasserbasis ( jetzt auch in Deutschland erhältlich) und einem hohen Anteil von echten Metallpigmenten. Diese Metallfarbe wird als Grundfarbe für eine Rostpatina benutzt.

1. Gegenstand mit der schwarzen Metallfarbe unregelmäßig bestreichen und trocknen lassen.

2. Die schwarze Farbe wird mit Rost-Aktivator besprüht.

3. "gespannt davor sitzen bleiben und abwarten bis der Rost erscheint":-))

So leicht und einfach.......!!

Es gibt unendliche viele Möglichkeiten, die ich mir ausgedacht habe.

-Kerzenständer

-Urnen

-Gardinenstangen

-Plastiktöpfe 

-und vieles mehr...

alles kann "verrostet" werden.

Und jetzt habt Ihr eine wunderbare und edle Rostoptik.

Schreibt mir einfach eure Ideen und welche alten, ausgedienten Wohnaccesoires ihr verdelt habt!

Ich bin sehr gespannt auf Eure Kreativität!

Viel Spass und gutes Gelingen.

Alles Liebe, Eure 

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It's all about color - How to create your color scheme like a professional

Working as a faux finisher and decorative artist,  I have learned that  some of us are afraid of color, although color is the most important aspect of interior design. Choosing the right colors doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some simple  rules you can apply and hopefully you will be able to step out of the color la, la land.


My last blog  tried to get you started in the  color selecting process. Now I am trying to explain the next steps, so you will be able to make the right color decisions. After all, our homes are full of color and we want to feel comfortable in our homes.

Beside warm and cool colors we differentiate in tone in tone(monochromatic), analogous, complimentary and split complimentary color schemes. To make thing less confusing, I only will discuss the main and most important (IMO) schemes. 


Monochromatic: Use tints, shades and and tones of the key color. Tone in tone or monochromatic is balanced, quiet and visually pleasing. No high energy level in this  color scheme.

Monochromatic, tone in tone using shades, tints and tones of the key color

 

All Images of Paula Grace Designs

 If the quiet simplicity and soothing effect  of the tone in tone color scheme is letting you fall asleep during day, step it up a notch to the analogous color scheme.


Analogous:
The analogous color scheme uses colors which are adjacent to each other 

Analogous cool design

Analogous warm design

Analogous warm design

The analogous color scheme uses one dominant color with punches of sumptuous richness. This scheme is not as vibrant as the complimentary one and one must be careful not to overdo it with lots of hues of too many colors. This color scheme looks much richer then the monochromatic one.

I hope that these tips on color design  selections  make your life a bit easier. Stay tune, more to come soon.


All my Best,

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It' All about color - Creatinng color schemes- Where to start

A few hours ago, I posted the Pantone's color palette for 2012. Immediately, I received some e-mails with the obligatory question " How do I select color schemes for my home"?


For some of us it may feel like a daunting task, but it really isn't, if you follow certain rules.I would suggest that you invest in a color wheel, which you may buy in any art store. This color wheel will proof to be a valuable tool in all your decorating efforts.  I can promise, that this tool will take away any of your fears and will allow you to look at your color scheme with the eye of an interior designer. So, not to worry, invest in this inexpensive tool.With the correct color scheme you are able to set a mood, make a statement or just be energized or if you have lots of stress in your life, you can use color to sooth your soul.

 First, decide if you want to have a warm or cool environment. You may also intermix warm and cool colors


Warm colors ( reds, oranges, yellows) seem to be advancing, moving towards you; thus decreasing the size  and space of a room.  However, if you want to create a warm, comfortable and cozy design style, use warm colors, intermixed with a few cool accessories.

Cool color hues ( blue and greens )tend to recede, they move away from you, visually suggesting a larger and open design style. Consequently, if you are dealing with a small space, use cool colors, intermixed with some warm accessories.

 

Cool Blues 

I hope  that you have gained a little insight into the world of color, and that it will be  easier for you now to select the "mood" for your home.


Stay tune, next blog will be about  how to choose your colors from a color wheel.

All My Best,

xoxo












.

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It's all about color.... New trends for 2012

In March of this year Pantone, the world renowned color authority,  published nine color palettes. Nine distinctive palettes, each with a much thought about name. Don't ask me how they dream up these names or in what relationship they stand to each other, because I just don't know.

Every year I am excited when the new color trends are published by Pantone. I was raised in the fashion industry, so color always has played an important part in my life. For me it's all about color, style and fashion. If you want your home to be trendy, all you have to do is look at fashion fabrics. I guess, I am fashion forward because my PJ's fit the 2012 Pantone "Back to Fuchsia" palette

Courtesy of "Nidhi" Pattern, Colors and Design

My "Fuchsia" PJs

and my blue PJs match the "Indigo Effects" palette.

My Indigo Pj's

Personally I love the "Resilience" palette. Possibly because I always had to be resilient.

Resilience 

The Oil Yellow, subtle and quiet and the peaceful Oasis green are really  fulfilling my color sense. Resilience or stress free? Who knows? All I know is that I felt compelled to buy some blouses in exactly these colors and I am raking in compliments.  

Subtleties

Transcending

Reflection

All color palettes are courtesy of "Nidhi" Pattern, Colors and Design
Maybe you will be inspired with these new colors and are ready to add some to your home decor. You always can pick up a few accessories and change the look of your home.


Until next time.


All my best,


xoxo 

Color is the most powerful way to change and coordinate the look and feel of your home.  

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The painted House.......A Harlequin Patterned Powder Room

My clients love harlequin diamonds. Therefore,  I get a lot of requests to adorn walls with the ever popular design. The Harlequin design,  a repeating pattern of contrasting diamonds or elongated squares standing on end, has been around since  the fifteenth century. It is still a theme which is in high demand. This design can be found in antique fine furniture, marquetry, inlaid boxes, tables, dressers, and even floors.

The Italian-based classical character, the servant, wore colorful diamond-patterned tights and a mask.

Creating harlequin diamonds require lots of patience and measuring, but is well worth the intensive labor involved. If you want to save some time here is a harlequin calculator harlequin diamond calculator courtesy of Silverspoon Murals

Supplies:
Lots of 1"or 2" blue tape.
Soft fine pencil ( I use a mechanical pencil)
White Eraser ( art store or Michaels)
Chalk line 
Chalk in the color of the paint    or 
Pastel Pencils in the color of the paint
Two contrasting paint colors*  or if you like to create a monotone design use Eggshell sheen *

 Level ( if possible 5ft long) **
Ruler (if possible 5ft long)
Drop cloths
Paint roller
Angled paint brush ( for touch ups)
Razor ( for mitering corners)



* If you choose a monotone color theme you may use Eggshell sheen paint and MinWax satin polycrylic. 

** available at the wallpaper section in any paint store.
Step One:

Decide on the size of your diamonds. The rule of thumb is that the height of the diamond is twice the width. Now that you have figured out the the design or size, select a focal point. Usually the wall you see, entering the room. Completed this task you are now ready to tackle step two.

Step Two

Paint the room in the color of your choice.

Step Three:
Having calculated the height and width of

Courtesy of Silverspoon murals

 your diamond theme draw vertical lines onto the wall. The space between each line equals the width of your diamond. Continue around the room until each wall is done



Step Four:
Draw the horizontal lines onto the wall. These lines represent the height of your diamond theme. Continue around the room until each wall is done.

Step Five:
Once you have laid out your pattern you might have to make small adjustments in  each corner so the diamonds match up. You may make these small adjustments with the width only. 

Courtesy of Silverspoon Murals 

  

  Step Six: Find and mark the middle of each rectangle and mark the top, bottom,left and right side. Connect the points, using your ruler, chalk line, pencil or pastel pencil. Be aware that using a chalk line will deposit chalk residue on the wall.

Courtesy of Silverspoon Murals

 Step 7:
Having  your base color applied to all walls (step two) you now have to tape off each diamond. Mark each alternating diamond with a piece of tape, so you will not get confused which diamond to paint with the contrasting color. Use you single edge razor blade to miter the tape corners.

My client wanted a tufted harlequin pattern so I omitted contrasting paint colors, which gives you a subtle effect.

Try this classical design and let us know how you did. Good luck,

 

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