Swan Studios Mural and Faux Finish Adventures: July 2017

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Going for the Gold

The count down begins to the 2024 Olympics! USA won the bid and the world’s best athletes are headed to L.A. As they prepare to go for the gold, we’ve been going for the gold here in sunny SW Florida too. Gold faux finish that is. Since gold is highest on the Olympic winner’s platform, it’s only appropriate that these gold faux finishes are on the ceiling.

This entry ceiling gleams in a metallic gold finish with a duo toned texture overlay:

A dining room and entry ceiling glisten with gold metallic over a molded textured finish:

A wall niche is faux finished to match. The prefect back drop for the client's art sculptures:

Ready to go for the gold ? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net/

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Sunday, July 23, 2017

A Kitchen S-O-S

A Kitchen SOS

I received an SOS call concerning color selections for a home. It seems that the homeowners had spent months trying to select wall colors for a home remodel. The contractor was at his wits end and was willing to paint anything from day-glo pink to blinding yellow if a color could just be settled on. I walked into a scene that was a spectacular rainbow of color choices across five walls. But this is where the artist shines. Colors and coordination are our expertise. Having an artist guide you can save you hours- or in this case, months of anguish. It took mere seconds to realize where their project had gone off the rails. A gorgeous quartz counter top had been selected and installed in their kitchen. It contained deep rich tones of olive, umber, cream, a hint of apricot. Mexican tile had been installed on the floor. I guided them to a neutral tone for the walls and steered them away from the day-glo peach (have mercy!) Then came the big question: what to do with the cabinets. What cabinets? There weren’t any yet installed. To my horror, they showed me a cabinet door that had been made with a white pickling finish on it. Yes, they had thought a bright white wash on top of a yellow based wood would somehow in some universe look good. Sweet mercy! They could tell it was a horrible choice but had no idea what to do. Faux artist to the rescue! I’m happy to report the kitchen has been saved from total disaster.

An aged crackle finish has been applied in neutral tones. The cabinets now have character that coordinates with the feel of the remodel and other finishes. The photos below show the kitchen still in progress and you'll see glimpses of the rainbow of colors that had been splashed across the walls. When completed I'll post up photos of the final wall colors. Meanwhile, the new faux finished cabinet doors look amazing !

Cabinets are now hung in place and awaiting hardware.

Have a color SOS you need resolved- contact Swan Studios Inc http://www.swanstudio.net

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Sunday, July 16, 2017

The View from the Top

Have a piece of furniture that fits just right in the space but you wish the finish was different? Happens all the time. Rather than replacing it, have is faux painted. With faux painting, the possibilities are limitless. And yes, durable when finished correctly. I love transforming pieces. This past week I transformed 3 pieces. They fit in the space perfectly but weren’t quite what the home owner wanted color wise. We’re in the process of transforming the walls too. So, over the course of time, the home will be revealed. For today, here’s a sneak peek featuring those 3 side tables:

The first table is in the living room area. The formerly black insert is now burnished with metallic gold in the appearance of metal that has been scorched. The inspiration came from a background section in the home owner’s Asian art piece.

Here’s another shot showing the high gloss protective clear top coat:

The inspiration piece:

In the bedroom, 2 night stands snug in perfectly but they needed a light top to accomplish the ultimate look the room is transforming into.

Detail view of faux finish:

Let Swan Studios Inc transform your much loved furniture piece that needs a perfect finish:

Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net/

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#fauxpainting #fauxfinish #marblefauxfinish #metallicfauxfinish

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Drifting Along the -Beach Wood

Drifting Along the Beach

The sun, the sand, the almost always perfect weather causes people to flock to Southwest Florida. Even if it’s just for a short stay at first, the lure of living in paradise keeps people returning and investing in a place of their own here. Some come from just a state or two away. Some from our Northern neighbor Canada. Some from even further- like Ireland. This Irish couple, however, had already made the USA their home and still have work ties in Chicago. But the perfection of Naples keeps them longer and longer each year. Previously, I had refinished their kitchen cabinetry their beachside condo. You can see the kitchen makeover at: http://swanstudiosinc.blogspot.com/2016/08/whats-cooking.html

This year it was time to refresh the built in Family Room credenza. It was typical fair of golden mid-tone wood without personality. Now it is refinished to coordinate with the family room coffee table in an ashy gray wood bleached by our glorious sun and drifting along the beach: