First Impressions

First Impressions

First impressions happen within the first seven seconds of meeting someone. A judgement has already begun to form in one tenth of a second. The importance of making a good first impression can’t be over stated. The same goes for your home. The first impression someone sees upon approach is your front door. Is it immaculate? Is it dirty and covered in cobwebs? Is the front door paint cracked and chipping off? Does it have a gorgeous finish you want to reach out and touch?

As a Faux Finish Artist, I’m often asked to refinish plain front doors into a beautiful wood finish. Real wood is earthy, welcoming, stately, and next to impossible to keep in great shape here in SW Florida. I was formerly the owner of a glorious real mahogany front door. My gracious the upkeep! Every six months the door had to be clear coated. Having your front door painted to look like the real thing is a much better choice here in SW Florida. Faux painting allows your front door to make a fabulous first impression and you get to maintain your sanity by not spending precious free time on the upkeep of your home’s entrance.

Here’s a few examples of the transformations from plain to fabulous wood faux finish:

The wood look faux finish can be rich and dark:

light and casual:

or even metallic:

A few things to keep in mind when having your front door faux painted:

Have your new hardware selected and available if your having your handles changed.

Your weather stripping will be removed and remain off while the paints are curing.

Weather will need to be monitored especially during our rainy season. Even humidity levels need to be monitored as the humidity can effect some of the mediums used to create the finishes.

Ready to make a great first impression? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net

You can follow our art adventures on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/swanstudiosinccapecoral

#fauxpainting #fauxwood #woodfauxfinish

Cabinet Refreshing

Cabinet Refreshing

Sometimes you just need a change. Rooms need to be refreshed periodically. It keeps things interesting and gives new energy. You can change a room from dull and boring to enticing and vibrant. As a faux artist, one of the things I hear repeatedly is “I’m tired of my dark cabinets “. But the cost of replacing cabinets isn’t always in everyone’s budget. The answer – Faux Paint the cabinets.  Changing dark wood tones (and in SW Florida more orange/brown wood tones) to a white or cream base faux finish instantly lightens and brightens the room.

Here’s a look at a recent before and after:

Take a closer look: the base color has dimension with a faux glaze:

Or perhaps you're going the new gray color palette:

Driftwood tones for a "beachy" bathroom:

Crackled and antiqued:

or maybe a bit of light teal:

Faux Finish doesn't stop at just paint... add some sparkle with glitter !

Clear top-coats make the faux painted cabinetry durable and long lasting.

Ready to give your kitchen or bath a refresh? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net

Follow Swan Studio Inc's art adventures on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/swanstudiosinccapecoral

#fauxpainting #cabinetfauxfinish #paintedcabinets

I Love You from Paris to Paradise and Back

I Love You from Paris to Paradise and Back

Southwest Florida is loved for its beaches and laid-back lifestyle. For those that love to travel, the SWFL Regional Airport is only moments away. You can jet off to other romantic places like St Maarten, the Bahamas, Cancun, or even Paris. Who doesn’t adore Paris? Croissants, wine, Chanel, and of course, the Eiffel tower. When you’re ready to leave the City of Lights you pop back into sunny Florida to enjoy...screeeeech… a concrete wall! That won’t work! Looking at cement walls reminiscent more of a jail cell than a sunny location to enjoy a Pina Colada is not what most people want at the end of the day. But that’s exactly what one home owner here in Cape Coral had after renovations included a privacy wall for their master suite. They both love traveling to St Maarten and she adores Paris. Painting a custom mural gives them the best of both worlds and is much more relaxing than stucco.

A side by side comparison shows the stark, almost life changing difference a custom mural can have:

The possibilities with a custom mural are limitless. So if you want to see both the beach and Paris at the same time- You Can!

Just beyond the beach umbrella you can see the Eiffel Tower:

And while dreaming of Paris, enjoy watching a sweet little sandpiper on the beach:

Its wonderful creating something unique. In the past year I've had the pleasure of painting a Tiki hut in Greece, a kite flying mermaid, singing corn cob, and a guitar playing popcorn bag. Who knows what's next! Perhaps giraffes on the moon or a spaceship in Rome. If you can imagine, I can paint it. 

Contact me at Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net

You can follow Swan Studio Inc's art adventures on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanstudiosinc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SwanStudiosInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/swanstudiosinccapecoral

and if you into all things photo, you can find Swan Studios Inc on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swanstudiosinc

#custommural #beachmural #muralpainting #EiffelTower