Ablaze with Copper

Ablaze with Copper

I’ve been painting a lot of faux finish front doors lately. It seems all of Southwest Florida is tired of their plain white front doors. In this case, however, the door started out as a Poggenpohl style high gloss maroon laminate overlay. The original inspiration for the change started out from the client’s love for the color copper. The Home owner’s association required any changes incorporate their new standard for a wood look front door. So, the two concepts of burnished copper and wood were married. I created sample boards for the HOA and got the green light to make the changes. The result is gorgeous!

A few different angles:

Ready to change your front door into a stunner?! Contact me at Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net

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#fauxfinish #fauxwoodgrain #metallicfauxfinish

It's Red Hot here in Florida

It’s Red Hot here in Florida!

Yes, we are breaking our historical average temperatures here in Florida this month. After all we are the sunshine state. This month I was able to work on my tan while painting out in this record breaking heat because there’s a new restaurant opening soon. It’s called – ever so appropriately- Red Hots! Located on the East side of the intersection on US 41 and Sanibel Blvd in Fort Myers. They will be offering Burgers, Hot Dogs, Hand-Cut Fries, and Soft Serve Ice cream. Of course, their main corporate color is Red! So- I painted with Red at Red’s while getting Red in Red Hot heat--- you can see a theme going here.  And with over-sized adorable characters greeting you on the North Side of Red Hots and their over-sized logo blazoned across the South Side you’ll be able to see Red Hots no matter which direction you’re driving on US 41. They’ll be open in just a few weeks. Stop by and tell the owner, Matt, Hi and give his Red Hot’s a try!

Own a restaurant ? Contact Swan Studios Inc to make your business stand out !

http://www.swanstudio.net/

You can also reach Swan Studios Inc at:

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You'll also find artist Marty Wisher on Twitter and LinkedIn

#custommural #outdoormural #restaurantmural

The Simple Pleasures of Life

The Simple Pleasures of Life

Life can be complicated. In one single day we can experience everything from joyous elation to compete devastation. Or we juggle a dozen “to do’s”. I know I’m guilty of what has been termed “cramming 10 lbs. into a 5-lb. bag “- and no I don’t mean my jeans. Occasionally, we need to unwind and just enjoy a sweet simple moment. Nothing complicated, nothing outrageous, because sometimes simple is truly best.

The same came be said for our homes interiors- sometimes, simple is best. I don’t mean plain Jane, and certainly our homes interiors shouldn’t be boring. Boring is worse than outrageous. A boring interior doesn’t bring joy. A boring interior sucks the joy out of our lives and makes us depressed. Although I’m a true advocate for colorful interiors, sometimes simple is best.

Keeping the color pallet simple, a taupe metallic glaze over warm neutral beige is the perfect simple solution for this homes entry and dining room. The dining room ceiling is low compared to today’s standards, so it was important not to have the walls be too dark. The metallic glaze gives the area a soft light reflection. At the same time, this simple solution keeps the area from being plain Jane boring. The soft faux gives the home owner the perfect backdrop for her art pieces.

Ready to enjoy the simple pleasure of beautiful faux treatment for your interior? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc: http://www.swanstudio.net/

You can follow Swan Studios Inc at:

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

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

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

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

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

You can also follow artist Marty Wisher on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/martywisher

#fauxfinish #fauxpainting #metallicfauxfinish

Age of Aquarium

Age of Aquarium

What do you do when you have a built-in piece of furniture that’s just about 8,000 lbs. and you don’t like the finish? You have it faux finished, of course.

The client had a “ginormous” aquarium right in the middle of the formal sitting area of the home. It can be seen upon entering the home, from the lanai, and from the second story of the home. They inherited the aquarium at the purchase of the home. The wood finish was in need of TLC. But the finish was stained very dark and added too much weight, so to speak, to the room. Their own décor taste is much more open and contemporary. I faux finished a horizontal wood grain with metallic bronze that gives it a more contemporary finish and not quite so heavy. The door insets have also been faux finished in duo tone metallic that work with other silver and bronze metallic finishes in the room. Because of the weight – even without the fish and water- the aquarium was painted in its spot. To assist in making the finish more contemporary, I used a light layer of wood fill to fill in the original rustic wood grain.  Sanding the fill had to be done gently by hand so as not to disturb the fish inside. A clear gloss topcoat serves a dual purpose. It makes the finish contemporary and protects the faux painting from the handling of chemicals necessary when the tank is tended to.

Here's a close-up look at the new faux finishes :

Have your own heavy built -in weighing your room down ? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc http://www.swanstudio.net/

And follow our painting adventures at:

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

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

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

and catch artist Marty Wisher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/martywisher

#fauxfinish #fauxwoodgrain #fauxmetallicfinish

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

A new accent area was created this week showcasing faux white-washed weathered grey bricks with white plaster decay look. It was an extension of the faux weathered beach wood board look featured in the article 

http://swanstudiosinc.blogspot.com/2016/06/todays-weathered-report.html

The latest faux finish is painted for the bar area between the dining room and the kitchen.

The space was first faux painted in grey and taupe brick tones. A chalky white wash was then applied. Once dry that was followed by a white plaster peeled paint effect.

It's the perfect accompaniment to the previously painted faux painted beach board look.

In this shot you catch a glimpse of the faux beach wood board wall:

Love that beachy look! 

To have your own created contact me at Swan Studios Inc

http://www.swanstudio.net

You can follow along with all our painting adventures on your favorite social media sites:

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SwanStudiosIncCapeCoral

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

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

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

and now on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanstudiosinc

Twitter fans, you'll find artist Marty Wisher at https://twitter.com/martywisher

#fauxbrick #fauxfinish #fauxpainting

Electrified Sunbeam

Electrified Sunbeam

We are to let our light shine and shine brightly! Ironically, I live in the sunshine state. But even in glorious sun flooded SW Florida things aren’t always bright. A recent storm came roaring in and took out not only the sun but all the electricity that turns on the lights when the sun goes down. That same electricity lets us enjoy the sun-bathed outdoors from the comfort of our well air- conditioned homes. However, when the electricity goes out so do the lights and that most marvelous invention; air-conditioning. Even my solar panels couldn’t kick on after Hurricane Irma blasted through because she decided to take out the main circuit boards during her whirlwind tour of Florida. By day 3 of intense heat, high humidity, and lack of sleep that accompanies the novelty had worn off. I try always to be a bright spot in my darling husband’s life. I’m his sunbeam. We discovered that my sunbeam apparently runs on electricity. Happy to say dear friends rescued us as their electricity came on first and on day 5 ours delightfully came back on. I’m back to my sunny self, his little sunbeam- his electrified sunbeam.

Only days before the storm came through I had had a request to paint a saying on a lanai lounge area. The client’s husband calls his wife his sunshine. Out at dinner one night they saw a sign that said” You are my sunshine”. They had been searching for something to adorn the walls of the lanai lounge and this was the perfect solution. So, a sunbeam painted for sunshine – see what I did there?  (He also calls her buttercup. But, ” You are my Buttercup” doesn’t have the right ring to it )

For all you Sunbeams and Sunshines out there, here are a few more ways I've painted our favorite luminous star:

Whether you want to say it or see it, contact me at Swan Studios Inc and I'll help you Light Up Your World ! " Shine-Shine-Shine "  http://www.swanstudio.net/

or contact me at :

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You can also follow Swan Studios Inc on :

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

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and yes, now on :

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

#custommural #outdoormural #muralpainting

After the Storm

After the Storm

Hurricane Irma has left a path of destruction throughout the south. Florida and the Caribbean have taken a major hit. One week later here in Cape Coral (SW side of Florida), there are still places without power. The same goes throughout the state. My own parents still don’t have power in central Florida. Nor does my uncle In Ft Lauderdale (the East coast side).  Below us… I can’t write this without crying. It’s a nightmare. Marco Island, the Keys- destroyed.  Citizens are being allowed back in under the condition they can bring their own food and water for an undetermined amount of time. The medical facilities there aren’t even fully operational. The Lower Keys and into the Caribbean will take years to recover- if they even do. Barbuda- empty-totally destroyed. All the people living there had to evacuate and now they have nothing to return to. The out pour of assistance has been amazing. Neighbors helping neighbors. My husband and I were taken in by friends for several days. That was truly a saving grace to our sanity. Linemen from every state it seems have been arriving to help. Texas linemen are responsible for getting my street up and running. Local churches and clubs are coordinating with churches and clubs to help in the daily distribution of food and water. This will be a long coordination process since many just within an arm’s reach are expected to be without basic needs for months ahead.  And that’s just for the human side of life.

Animals are in great need of assistance to. Several friends are still trying to locate the pets. A local no kill shelter that houses high energy abandoned and abused Belgian Malinois and shepherd breeds. They have rescued hundreds. But their main kennel had the roof peeled back and they are in sincere need of help in relocating and all the other vet and food needs that go along with taking care of these wonderful creatures. To contribute go to the Bo Nose Facebook page and click "Donate". https://www.facebook.com/TeamBoNose/?fref=ts

WolfHounds Legacy is a non- profit organization that rescues 2 lives at a time. They rescue dogs from kill shelters that can be trained & certified to become assistance animals for Veterans with PTSD. The current dogs in training had to be relocated during the hurricane and help is much needed to maintain their housing and food needs. To assist them, please go to their website http://www.wolfhoundslegacy.com
You can also follow them on Facebook.

There has been so much devastation that it seems no end is in sight. But the human spirit is strong. And there is nowhere to go but up from here. So stick by stick, brick by brick, neighbor with neighbor, with both friends and strangers we will rebuild.

You can also assist by giving or volunteering through the Red Cross:

https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-irma-donations?scode=RSG00000E017&utm_campaign=irma&gclid=CjwKCAjwuvjNBRBPEiwApYq0zuhWuQwcX-YZrpYg-CrKP9dc3Ll4rVfkxhWWbmABNbjylQRyPyh5IBoCBQwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMiusf2irNYCFQ4bhwod7UYGGQ

#hurricaneirma #irma #afterthestorm