With love from the USA - Möbel bemalen, ganz einfach

All images courtesy of Annie Sloan

Gefallen Euch diese bemalte und  patinierten Möbelstücke?  Obwohl es nach viel Mühe und Arbeit aussieht, ist es ganz leicht diesen Effekt zu erreichen.
 

Vor kurzem habe ich eine neue Farbe entdeckt und möchte Euch alles darüber berichten. Die  Kreidefarbe " Chalk Paint" ist ideal für jedes Möbelstück, ja sogar Holzböden und Küchenschränke können bemalt werden. Diese Farbe ist wunderbar und so leicht zu verarbeiten.

Annie Sloan hat diese Farbe speziell für Möbel entworfen, aber Ihr könnt auch Eure Wände bemalen, da die Farbe sehr umweltfreundlich ist. Mein Kommentar..... Ich habe mich verliebt.

Auf einer Messe durfte ich mit dieser Farbe spielen. Ich war überrascht wie leicht ich eine wunderbare und echte  Patina erreichen konnte.  Viele von uns lieben den französischen und italienischen Landhausstil. Mit Chalk paint könnt Ihr leicht und sehr schnell Euren Lieblingsstil kreativ gestalten. 
 
Kreidefarbe " Chalk Paint" hat besondere Vorzüge:

1. Das Beste ist wohl daß keine Vorbereitungen nötig sind. Kein Abschleifen ….. nichts. Etwas müßt Ihr wohl machen..... Die Dose öffnen und fertig.
2. Die beste Farbe für Möbel und Holzböden
3. Kann mit Wasser verdünnt werden um die Holzmaserung zu zeigen.
4. Ihr könnt die Farbe auch als Pastose verwenden. Einfach offen stehen lassen.

Habe ich Euch überzeugt. Ihr müsst diese Farbe einfach ausprobieren.


Viel Spaß dabei.

Alles Liebe
xoxo

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With love from the USA....... Heisse Blogs

Hallo Europa, 

Viele Grüße aus dem "Amiland"!

Erst mit dem Dekorieren wird unser  Zuhause eine komfortable Oase. Oft wissen wir nicht welchen Stil  wir möchten  und bleiben kurzum im  Dekoland stecken.  Ich weiß wie man sich helfen kann. Es gibt wunderschöne Blogs von denen man sich Ideen  und Inspirationen holen kann. Hier habe ich eine Liste von meinen  Lieblingsblogs zusammen gestellt. Hoffe Ihr habt Spaß und lasst Euch von uns Amerikanern ein bisschen inspirieren.

Dekoriert wie die Profis und setzt Euren Stil in Szene.

Melissa wird sich ganz sicher auf Euren Besuch freuen. "The Inspired Room" (das inspirirende Zimmer) liebt den eklektischen Einrichtungsstil. Sollte dieser Stil auch Euch gefallen, so seid ihr hier an der richtigen Adresse.

 
Anne from " Fiona and Twig" hat bezaubernde Shabby Chic Accessoires die Euch bestimmt gefallen werden. Schaut doch einfach  einmal vorbei. Ihr werdet es nicht bereuen.

Julie von " Belle Maison" war wieder einmal einkaufen. Oben könnt Ihr sehen was Ihr  gefällt. Ich finde die Koffer einfach ganz große Klasse. Diese Koffer wären "Spitze" als Beistelltisch. Vielleicht findet Ihr einige alte Koffer die Ihr anstreichen könnt.

AnNicole vom "Surburban Cottage" liebt billigen Chic. Wir sagen dazu "Shoe string". Wer liebt nicht billig aber schön? Schaut mal vorbei und seht wie man für billiges Geld sein Nest verschönern kann.

So, das wäre alles für heute. Ich hoffe, daß mein deutsch nicht zu schwer zum lesen ist. Seit dreißig Jahren spreche und schreibe ich nur englisch und habe fast meine deutsche Muttersprache vergessen. Bitte um Vergebung. 


All my best

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Nothing to talk about ..... The Idal Convention

A few days ago, I went to  the yearly decorative art convention in  Hampton Virginia. For me it was a great decision to pay the inexpensive registration fee, hotel cost and other incidentals. Just being with like minded artists inspired me. Beside this, it gave me a chance to see and learn what is going on in our industry.

 Although seeing some of my fellow artists and even a couple of old time students, I missed the educational booth of Modern Masters, and many other exhibitors. The past and the ever so present and exciting "buzz" is gone and lots of familiar faces were absent . We missed Martin Allan Hirsch and his fashion sense, in short..... nothing to talk about. The smoker benches were mostly empty. Naturally, I was there and I was able to entice some fellow smokers to have a seat. There were no cocktail hour  escapades and "deep" conversations. All this made me realize how this convention has decreased in size and participation. That is a shame. This yearly convention is important to all of us. It gives us the chance to get inspired, learn, exchange and much more. 
Discussing the situation with a friend, she told me" it's the sign of the times". I can't accept this, that's too easy and too uncommitted. The convention is our convention. We must support it or pretty soon we will not have a convention and that would be a shame.

I will be at the next convention which is going to be in Reno. I hope that you will be too.

Let's support IDAL and show up!!!

All my best,

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Inspiration... or the lack thereof

Sometimes creative right side brain souls suffer from lack of inspiration.
 We all know that inspiration is an important part of the creative process.Recently, that's  exactly what was happening to me. The more I tried to create, the more I was stuck. Utterly helpless, I decided to do something about it. I registered for the yearly Decorative Art convention in Hampton Virginia. If nothing else, I knew I would be inspired just being  in an environment with like minded artists.

 

 As the owner of the Faux Academy and a decorative artist, I eventually decided to take a class. Being a student was totally new to me, but I had so much fun. .  I am here to tell you  that it worked. I am inspired again, happy to go back t my studio and starting to create new designs and finishes. My brain is full of ideas.  A warm thank you to all decorative artists who shared, conversed, told jokes and hugged.

Creative types know that inspiration is an important part of our being. If this should strike, there some things you can do.

1. Create a reference file. Every time you get stuck flip through this file and possibly the creative juices are beginning to flow.

2.Hang out with other creative types, talk, share ideas,  learn and listen. from them

3. Allow yourself to be stuck and create anyway.

4. Allow yourself to create "bad" samples and finishes, eventually you will come up with something you like.

Best of Luck

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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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With Love from Europe

Time is passing quickly and August is fast approaching. In August I will be teaching German faux finishers in Hannover and five other locations.

During l my recent 4 month visit to Germany, beside being involved in an bomb alarm and getting into a riot,

I was invited to teach and demonstrate American faux finishes. I must eat humble pie!! American faux finish artists are the avant garde to faux painting.. Even simple techniques, like tissue paper, packing paper and joint compound textures received the obligatory, "Amazing!" and "How did you do this?" remarks.

Due to the unexpected invitation to teach, I was not prepared. Consequently I had to search 'painfully' all over town for mediums I could teach with. Even tissue paper was not available due to the "Green" craze taking over Europe. I finally begged a store for some sheets and as a thank you I gave them the sample board of this fun technique.

After that I proceeded to "OBI" the German Home Depot to look for mediums I could use. My presence rummaging through the paint and other departments arose so much interest that I again was invited to demonstrate these selected mediums. It was so much fun. From Vinegar to lime paint and Moltofill I used everything I could get my hands on.

Here are some of the finishes I came up with:

Chinatown, done with Lime paint

Louis Vuitton Leather, everyone loved this one!

Old World Plaster à la Germany

Faux Venetian Plaster

Zen - Rust à la Heidi

Germany was very good to me and I am looking forward to teach there again in the near future.

Blessings,

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The painted house

I worked in this home for almost a year. My clients  bought this  home and needed help to add  their personal taste to it. It was my job to bring it back to "Beautiful Homes".

The first item which was obvious,  was all that white washed wood work which had a pinkish tint. Someone whitewashed and did not know how to do it. If you white wash red oak, you will get a pinkish tint.

Countless spindles, a wet bar, two bannisters,  fifty six kitchen cabinets and  seventy five drawers later all the wood work had a soft warm wood tone.


If you are tired of your wood work, whitewashed or too dark, here is a sweet and short remedy.

1. Remove all grease and dust with Ammonia.
2. Sand lightly and use a tack cloth to dust off.
3. Mix a have bodied  gel stain and stain your  wood into an elegant luster. 

Kitchen Island Before

Kitchen completed 

Staining:


I used three colors of stain. Using a 4" chip brush,  apply  each of the stain in a design you like. Soften with a clean brush. Now you can take off some more stain with a rag. Lightly soften again. This type of staining is very fast and easy to do. After the stain has dried, apply two coats of varnish. I like Min Wax Acrylic water based varnish in satin sheen.

Good luck and let us know how your staining project turned out. Naturally we are here to help you, if you get stuck.



My next blog will tell how to create a polished stone look on your walls using copy paper. It's easy and it's fast.


Until then....


Blessings, 

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