Survey Results - Vinyl Wood Grain Cut-Outs!

Looks like contemporary vinyl wood grain cut-outs are the winning selection, unless there's another surge of voters looking with interest in decoupage. So... next week I'm going to get crackin' on a finish inspired by these.


Thanks everyone for visiting and helping me make the selection. It was my choice too.

Survey - Refinished Furniture

This small cabinet needs help. It needs your help. Please help me decide what type of finish I should create. This will be fun. You help me choose, and I will take you on a step-by-step journey through its makeover. Are you game? Browse through the inspirations below and select your choice in the survey.

Keep in mind the cabinet has some challenging lines in the front - it's not completely symmetrical in design. The two small drawers on the top left don't align in the center of the cabinet like the doors. The top is enamel so it will remain white, with the black edge dictating the color choices.

Here are the inspired finishes. Click on the photos to enlarge.

A. Contemporary silhouettes with vinyl wood grain cut-outs

B. Stenciled silhouettes birds, people or landscape

C. Decoupage
D. Painted with highlighted trim

E. Crackle
F. Distressed painted finish with stencils in the center of the doors

G. Distressed metallic finish
H. Contemporary bold graphic all over design

Thank you for participating. I'm looking forward to your answers.

Picture sources:
A. Domino Magazine
B. Creative Home & Flickr (Workclothesband)
C. Martha Stewart
D. Domino Magazine
E. Country Home
F. Country Home
G. Metropolitan Home
H. House Beautiful

Unraveling, Self-Discovery, The Story Continues

Hi! I'm dropping in to say hello. I'm here. I don't want you to think this is a "shop" left unkept. I've been busy; reinventing, growing, finding anew, creating and living.

In May I started Unravelling with Susannah Conway which took me on a journey of self-discovery in a way that I did not anticipate. Before starting her 8-week course I was already at a crossroads. Wondering how to revive my business during this economy. Wondering how to reinvent myself professionally and artistically. Wondering if I should stay put or venture on. I've been stuck in a rut of comparison. The journey of unraveling took me on several highs and lows. Then of course when the work got tough I found a distraction and started purging. It all started when the course asked me to relive a memory and I went searching for a particular picture in my belongings. I cleaned out my entire storage space then carefully started to purge while spending time with all these material possessions which I had not seen in five years. There are now 18 boxes sitting in my living room and studio space waiting for next week's garage sale. I'm excited about having more space. Not space to fill with more belongings... I just wanted to feel lighter. During that exercise of purging I realized that many of the belongings I adore were tucked away and not visible for me to admire. Well, that has changed. My Suzy Root pieces are hanging up. My Tonka collection has been dusted and photographed. Now the purging is done, the unraveling continues...


So, just after I started Unravelling I signed up for In The Fish Bowl, an e-course offered by Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday. I'm finishing up an intense self-journey. I'm about to embark on reinventing myself and figure out how I can become an online artist, and the phone rings. It's a former client that wants to have their large master bedroom transformed. I was off working on that project for two solid weeks; painting their ceiling, skimming out the textured orange peel walls, and applying a LusterStone finish.

Well, I'm back and as I said before - I don't want you to think this "shop" is left unkept. I've got a few ideas for posts. Is there something you'd like to see from me? Have you been wondering about how many finishes I can create with LusterStone? Did you miss me talking about LusterStone and how much I love it? Is there another product or finish you'd like to hear about?

For now we have some celebrating of independence to do here in the States. I'm going to spend the weekend celebrating with friends and try to stay cool during our sunny, 90 degree heatwave. I'll have something to share next week.

Thank you for sticking around. And I'm serious... if you want to ask me anything, request some kind of finish, or need to know how to patch your plaster wall - just ask!

Portland Artist, Musician, & Philanthropist - Ryan Dobrowski

I just wanted to take a moment to share the works of the incredibly talented Ryan Dobrowski - an Oregonian native. I met Ryan's painting before I met Ryan and I was completely blown away. I was attending a crowded house party and entered the basement to use the bathroom and saw this incredibly expressive painting that took up an entire bedroom wall. That was around five years ago.

Fast forward and now you'll find Ryan evolving in many different directions at an incredibly fast pace!

Ryan: Artist currently exploring encaustic mediums.
Ryan: Owner of PiP Gallery in Old Town.
Ryan: Drummer of the up & coming band - Blind Pilot.

Photo courtesy of NPR Music

Ryan and Israel Nebeker started their two man show a year ago on a West Coast bike tour. That's right they toured the entire coast on bicycles hauling all their equipment with the bikes - no van driving behind them, no rescue car to provide shelter or snacks. And now, now they are in the middle of a full blown tour - just finishing up in the UK with the Counting Crows, and currently touring the U.S. with The Decemberists.

I love this song and video. Enjoy!



Keep your eye on this young man. He's a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations on all your successes Ryan - you're an impressive individual.

8 Steps to Hiring a Decorative Painter (Faux Finisher)

Never hired a decorative painter (faux finisher) before? Not sure what to expect? Here are 8 steps to familiarize you with the process and what to expect when you work with us:

1. THE DESIGN

If you are an interior designer you should have an idea of the design you want to achieve for your client’s project. If you are a homeowner start with some reference pictures - ideas you've cut out of magazines, pictures of rooms you've taken on vacations, etc. If you don’t know the exact decorative finish, then know what rooms you want worked on. Prioritize them if there is more than one room.

2. THE BUDGET

Having an established budget makes it a lot easier to help you achieve your desired goals. Understanding your budget allows us to offer you several options that fit that price range which eliminates surprises when we present the final samples with costs. You can expect to see several options within the budget. If you don’t have an exact budget but have a range in mind we can help you select treatments within that range.

The cost of decorative painting varies widely. It depends on such factors as the technique/application you choose, the artisan’s experience and training, the complexity of the technique, the cost of materials, and the location of the painting.

We will always want to see the space before we provide you with any costs.

Be prepared to pay more than a few hundred dollars to have custom wall treatments in a powder room. Don’t be surprised if you are charged more to work in awkward spaces like two-story rooms or ceilings, which sometimes require scaffolding. There may also be additional costs due to size of a space, tight deadlines or crew requirements required to complete the job.

High-end finishes like gilding, wood graining, Venetian plaster, murals, and tromp l’oeil cost more because there are more steps involved. Some of these finishes may involve five or more layers to complete, or a highly detailed mural may take months to finish.

3. THE FIRST PHONE CALL

During the first phone call with Shakti Space Designs we will discuss the project briefs and set a date for the initial meeting with all the decision makers (the designers involved and homeowners). There is no fee for the first consultation.

4. THE FIRST MEETING

Expect us to ask a lot of questions about your project and request a full tour of the home or commercial space. We will review your designs, and take necessary measurements and photographs for reference. You will get the opportunity to review our portfolios and possibly select a finish from the samples. Have fun, relax, you should feel comfortable – we are developing a professional relationship and may be spending several weeks working within your the space completing the project. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long-term relationship.

5. THE SAMPLE BOARD

Before Shakti Space Designs begins any project we create a custom sample board (unless it is something you've chosen from our portfolio). Once the sample board is completed we set a date to present the sample with the final proposal. Architectural finish samples cost $100 per sample. Mural and trompe l’oeil renderings costs vary according to level of detail. It is not uncommon to be charged several hundred dollars for a full color rendering for mural designs. These costs cover the time and material to create samples you or the client you will sign. Sample boards may sometimes take a few weeks to complete, depending on our schedule.

All sample boards remain property of Shakti Space Designs.

6. THE PROPOSAL

Once all parties agree on the final samples, then a contract is signed.

7. BEGINNING THE PROJECT

Once the contract is signed we set a date for the project to begin. Before the project commences we will review the project and make a few requests; removal of furniture, electrical, other contractors deadlines and schedules, etc. But we'll go over all those details with you in person.

8. MOST IMPORTANT - HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE PROCESS!

We are professional artisans creating a custom finish to enhance your design. We want you to enjoy it as much as we do.

Hiring Shakti Space Designs to create architectural finishes that will enhance your designs is a great choice. You are hiring an artist with years of experience and training, an artist who understands the chemistry of color and the modern, industry materials available. Many artisans specialize in different styles and mediums. We offer expertise in various techniques, ranging from trompe l’oeil, murals, marbling, wood graining, stenciling, and specialty plaster finishes like Venetian Plaster or LusterStone (a specialty plaster).

Shakti Space Designs is licensed, bonded and insured to work in Oregon - CCB#: 154545

Old Fireplaces Are New Again - Part 3

Here is another renovated project. This fireplace is in a home that was built in the early 80s. The original fireplace was floor to ceiling red brick. I'm sure you're familiar with this type of design. Most people consider it an eye sore.

What can you do with an outdated fireplace? Rip it out, patch the walls with drywall, redesign the surround, the mantel and the hearth? Sure, but that's a lot of work, a lot of mess, and can get expensive.

We plastered with Marmorino right over the brick on this fireplace. No more grout lines. Smooth stone-like feel and texture.

What do you think?




Thank you Michelle @ Whirlygig Designs for making this project possible and making the rest of the room look so fantastic.

Interior Designer, Frank Roop - Master of Texture

I'm continuing the search for class act interior designers that understand the value of using decorative painting and plasters incorporated into their designs.

Meet Frank Roop. You may have seen his work highlighted in the May issue of Metropolitan Home. Frank is a young designer based in Boston. His style is fresh with a mix of antiques, incredible vintage pieces, various textures, and an ending statement with just the right punch of color. He states it is his goal to create environments that stir his client's senses.

Enjoy his work.

photo courtesy of Met Home by Eric Roth

photo courtesy of Met Home by Eric Roth











All other photos courtesy of FrankRoop.com