Guest Room Make-Over

                                                            Guest Room Make-Over

Guest Rooms are constant to  here in SW Florida. Everyone wants to visit here. Perhaps its beloved family members arriving for the holidays or dear friends who need a sunny retreat from the bitter northern weather. Whatever the case, the guest room needs to be comfortable, welcoming, and delightful. But we can all get a little complacent when it comes to a room not used every day. It’s easy to shut the door and not think about it.  Well, open the door and take it all in through the eyes of your guest. What do they see first? Is it charming? Comfortable? Would you want to stay in there if the rolls where reversed? Does the room look like an afterthought? Is it outdated?  Occasionally this - used once in awhile room -needs a refresh.

Here’s a perfect example: This guest room went from dark to bright. The overpowering headboard surround was replaced with a lighter feeling brass bed. The flooring was updated to an engineered wood look. The bedding is a delightful, charming embroidered pattern of coral in cream and navy. The same pattern was then hand painted onto the headboard wall in reverse.   

Here’s a better look at the wall finish. To create this, I traced the fabric pattern and created multiple templates to trace onto the wall. The spacing was measured out. Since the pattern is painted light onto dark, it took several layers to make it opaque. But a little, well a lot of, patience paid off. The effect is dramatic and yet subtle all at the same time.

So, what does your guest room look like? Is it in need of a refresh? Does it bring a smile to your guest’s face? Let’s create something delightful! Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media:

Face Book  Instagram  Pinterest  You Tube

#handpaintedwalls #custommural #guestroommakeover

A Reflection of Driftwood

A Reflection of Driftwood

Driftwood faux finishes are all the rage right now here in SW Florida. The subtle grey tones mix well with both modern and cottage beach looks. Driftwood offers the wood look men love and the softness women love.  This gorgeous Florida finish shows up on everything from flooring to ceiling beams and, of course, furniture. Sometimes though your favorite much needed furniture may not come in a driftwood finish. No worries, a driftwood faux finish can change that.

This beloved free-standing Amish made mirrored jewelry armoire was formerly dark wood stain. Now it blends in with the rest of the room all done in various driftwood finishes. 

Of course, it’s always easier to paint furniture that can be disassembled. But that luxury is rarely the case. With a little extra patience, painters’ tape, and teeny brushes the look can be achieved.

Priming is key and a quality clear topcoat that won’t yellow.

A fan brush was used to create the veins over the base color. Then a pickle wash applied before the clear coat.

 Here’ s few other pieces created with a driftwood finish:

A dining room table:

A Fireplace Surround:

A Dining Room Cabinet:

Read to have your furniture pieces revamped? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media:

Face Book  Instagram  Pinterest  You Tube

#driftwoodfauxfinish #woodfauxfinish #floridafauxpainter

A Jungle Mural Revival

A Jungle Mural Revival

8 Years and several hurricanes later a jungle mural I had painted was ready for a refresh. It was still adorable but sun , rain, and flying debris from a  recent category 5 hurricane had taken its toll.

The first step was to remove any loose paint ( and some weird earth bits that had been blown onto the surface during Hurricane Ian ). Now this tropical frog is ready to enjoy some poolside cocktails: 

The mural is painted on the lanai bar:

Assuming no more Biblical size storms, its ready for another 8 to 10 years.

Need a mural to liven up your outdoor space? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media:

Face Book  Instagram  Pinterest  You Tube

#junglemural #tropicalmural #outdoormural

Big Mama and Focus Florida

 Big Mama and Focus Florida

SW Florida is amazingly patriotic, and we love the Red-White and Blue! I was thrilled when Big Mama Radio and Focus Florida asked me to paint their logos onto their office entry way and to make it a patriotic Old Glory theme. The results catch your eye and breath as you enter their offices. 

Of course, their logos are front and centered. The mural leaves no doubt where their priorities stand!

The mural is bold just like Jason Jones ( aka Big Mama ) and leaves no doubt the focus is on America ( just like Focus Florida Consulting)

On the practical side, the mural is clear coated in Modern Masters Supreme Satin for protection:

Need an eye-catching mural for your own business? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media:

Face Book  Instagram  Pinterest  You Tube

#patrioticmural #Americanflagmural #bigmamaradio #focusfloridaconsulting

A Girl’s Gotta Have Her Bling

 

A Girl’s Gotta Have Her Bling

I have to admit, I’m a girlie girl. I love anything sparkly and shiny. I have an entire section in my dressing room dedicated just to sparkly shoes. So, when a client wants to bling out her own home area spaces , I’m all in. It’s so much fun to create finishes with megawatt bling. Here’s one of the latest featuring oversized scroll designs painted in metallic silver and silver foil:

Typically, I create my own template designs so I can manipulate the design to the wall space. 

Once the design is sketched onto the wall, you’ll want to use a good quality metallic water-based paint. Silver can be tricky since its inherently sheer. ( I mixed deep steel with metallic white so the silver would be opaque. But you can also achieve this with an opaque metallic by Modern Masters ) 

I still stick by Wunda sizing when it comes to transferring foil. It sets up quickly ( a must in our SW Florida humidity) and has fabulous adhesion. There are a few ways to apply the foil. Traditionally, I crumple the foil before placing it. However, this particular wall finish was already bumpy giving good variation. I found it best to lay the foil full on and gave it a deep rub for maximum transfer. The end result is glamorous and oh so shiny. The foil on the textured wall sparkles like diamonds when the light hits it:

Ready to Sparkle and Shine? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media:

FaceBook  Instagram  Pinterest  You Tube

#silverfauxfinish #foilfauxfinish #scrollwalldesign

 

Happy Easter

 

Metallic Bronze, Gold ,and Green Faux Finish

 

Metallic Bronze, Gold ,and Green Faux Finish

The classic look and feel of  metallic finishes remain strong. Metallics give a sense of depth and richness. The color choice of metallics decides whether the finish is contemporary or timeless. In today’s case it’s timeless and matches the homeowners art pieces.

Many homes throughout SW Florida have hallway niches. The perfect spot for artwork to hang and the perfect spot to accent the space with metallic faux finishes.

Today’s niches feature deep rich bronze, antique gold, and a hint of green metallic paints. The effect is created using chip brushes and rags.

Here’s a close-up view of the faux finish:

The options for niche finishes are endless. Here’s a few more inspirations:

Burnished Silver and pewter:

Metallic Teal with flecks of silver mica :

Of course, niches can be muraled as well. But that’s a story for another day.

Have a niche that needs a specialty finish? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc 

Follow all of Swan Studios Inc's art adventures on your favorite social media :

Face Book   Instagram   Pinterest   YouTube

#metallicfauxfinish #bronzefauxfinish #goldfauxfinish