A Coastal Cottage Faux Finish for Music and Spirits

A Coastal Cottage Faux Finish for Music and Spirits

A Coastal Cottage Faux Finish is a standard request here in SW Florida. The technique brings in the feeling of waves gently lapping the shoreline, a mild breeze dancing between sunbeams, and the bleached weathered look of fallen tree limbs. I’ve painted variations of the finish over the years on all types of furniture from picture frames, chairs, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, built-in surrounds, to fireplace mantles. But the most recent piece of furniture was a first. It was a homeowner’s beloved cabinet that had been passed down through the years. A family heirloom that was originally crafted as a victrola. Time had won the race against the mechanical parts and some of the intricate woodwork was missing. Since the cabinet could no longer play music, the owner had converted it into a liquor cabinet. (I thought that was quite genius). But the finish didn’t vibe with the casual beach look of their home. So I converted the finish with faux painting and some serious prep work.

Here's the Before and After:

 

As you can see from before shot, the decorative woodwork has large gaps. Too large to just fill in with wood putty.

 I took popsicle sticks and traced the missing curves. Once cut to the shape the pieces were glued in from behind (thank goodness there was just enough space to slip them in from behind). Then wood putty and some delicate sanding evened things out. Next it was primed in Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Then base painted a neutral beige. And then the fun part of being streaked in light grey and taupe with a final color of a light whitewash. The cabinet is then given a matt clear coat for protection:

Here's a close-up of the top:

Have your own piece of furniture that could use a change of look? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

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Happy National Banana Split Day!

 Happy National Banana Split Day!

August 25th

#bananasplitday #nationalbananasplitday #bananasplitart

Faux Painted Sideboard

Faux Painted Sideboard

When a furniture piece isn’t the color you want it to be, a simple fix can be to have it faux painted. That was the request for a recent sideboard. Online the piece appeared as off white. It arrived pale grey.  Rather than return it the homeowner asked for it to be painted off white with a brown glaze added into the grooves.

The new faux finish fits in perfectly with the home’s warm interior: 

Any piece in your home can be revived with faux painting. Here’s a look at some other fabulous pieces of furniture painted in off-white with warm glazing:

Have a piece that needs a change of color? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

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Happy National Rum Day!

 Happy National Rum Day! #nationalrumday #rumday

Stones and Ivy

Stones and Ivy

Stone walls with climbing ivy give a timeless beauty to outdoor walls… and indoors. That is if indoors is faux painted. I’ve had the pleasure of creating several faux stone and rock walls over the years. A recent request was to paint a stone wall with climbing ivy look around a niche mural that was created around 20 years ago. The homeowner still loves the original scene but had always wanted it finished with the stone and ivy look. Extra care is taken when painting adjacent to another’s work. In this case, some of the ivy is painted directly onto the original to give a more 3D effect: 

Stones come in all shapes and shades. Their classic charm can be recreated in any room of the home.

This one was created in a game room:

For a coastal cottage feel these faux stones are painted to appear in wide spaced mortar:

Whatever your choice of stone, Swan Studios Inc can create it as a faux finish, Contact me at  Swan Studios Inc.

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You can find a full portfolio at:

FLICKR

 

Happy National Lighthouse Day

Happy National Lighthouse Day

#nationallighthouseday #lighthousemural #lighthouseart

 

The Timeless Beauty of Marble

 

The Timeless Beauty of Marble

Since ancient times we have loved marble. Its elegant beauty has graced columns of the Parthenon and Taj Mahal. It is equally embraced in historical buildings and interiors an modern facilities. It is timeless. Of course, there is a bit of a price tag for real marble columns. That’s where faux marbling comes in. Painted correctly, it truly fools the eye and brings the exquisite nature of marble into your home or building.

For a recent series of columns, a faux finish of light marble with warm overtones was created. 

This look happens to be the most popular request here in SW Florida:

There is no limit on the style that can be faux painted. Perhaps you prefer a bolder look:

Whatever your interior needs, Swan Studios Inc can change your plain white columns into a thing of beauty:

Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

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