Showing posts with label faux finishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faux finishes. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

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

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Concrete Finishes For Loft Living

Loft living in Portland has been on the rise since the late 90s. One of the hip areas to live is an area coined The Pearl District formerly full of old warehouses, industrial buildings and railroad yards, and now is said to be an award-winning, internationally recognized leader in urban renewal. Many that live in the area consider it a great mix of live, work, play. You'll find many new condo/loft buildings, expensive restaurants, art galleries, spas, shopping (including Powell's Books -the greatest bookstore), mass transit, and a few sculpture parks.

Is part of the draw of loft living the concrete posts that exist in so many? I guess it is for some.

Our latest client came to us wanting one bedroom wall to be transformed to match an existing concrete pilaster that was in the middle of the wall. Not only is it in the middle of the wall, but it is off-center - therefore, throwing off the symmetry of the bed.

We did not use concrete, but used a mix of plaster and glazes to mimic the look of the concrete.

In the main living space there are three existing concrete pilasters, so they requested that two walls of drywall be finished in the concrete technique to match.

The design of the loft is not yet complete. The bedroom is transitioning and the palette has yet to be selected. The client is in the decision making process and wants to remove a lot of the mono-toned browns and brighten up the space.

The bed is staying, and obviously the concrete finish on the wall. What colors would you choose to brighten up this space? Turquoise? Orange? Please share! I'm curious.

Bedroom before

Bedroom after

Living space before

Living space after

Living room after (closer look)

Living space after (up-close study)

Real concrete pilaster (our muse)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Glamorous Lusterstone Dining Room

Finally I get to show you after pictures of a project I worked on last May. Seeing this finished room took my breath away. This dining room turned out so amazing!

I used a contemporary Lusterstone finish on the walls. The bronze and gold are a nice compliment and change as the light moves through the room. In some areas the gold is highlighted, in others the bronze really stands out. All-in-all its a subtle metallic effect which is one of the reasons I love Lusterstone. The designer didn't forget the fifth wall (the ceiling) which was painted a blue-gray to pull it all together.

The original chandelier was moved to the entry, and the new chandelier was installed a couple of months after I finished the room. It is divine... and available at Horchow

What do you think of the transformation?

Before



I think the Elise chandelier looks far better in my client's home than it does in the Horchow catalog.


I couldn't resist taking pictures of the living room. Throughout the house the client and Garrison, the designer did a fantastic job mixing sophisticated glamor with masculine pieces. A successful transformation in all the rooms. How can you not love a cashmere couch with a velvet revolver pillow?!? This client's aesthetic is so similar to mine, I could move in tomorrow.


Saturday, February 7, 2009

Kendall Wilkinson

Since my post regarding Michael S. Smith, I'm obsessed about finding designers that incorporate decorative arts as part of their design process.

I recently discovered Kendall Wilkinson, based out of San Francisco. She collaborates with elite craftspeople in the overall vision of her designs, and it shows. I just love her elegant style.








photos courtesy of Kendall Wilkinson Design

Friday, January 2, 2009

Contemporary Decorative Finishes

Happy New Year!

Let's hop back on this decorative painting bandwagon and share some projects with you.

This is one area of the Lee/Eastman Furniture showroom before I was introduced to them.

Here is the same area of their showroom after I applied a contemporary LusterStone finish.


This is one of my popular finishes which I think it looks a lot like dupioni silk. It's also a great example showing that you don't have to have an entire room of decorative finishes, this finish would look fantastic on a feature wall; an entry, a powder room, a master bedroom.



Last August/September I participated in the 2008 Street of Dreams. The designers of the 'Suede' home won the Best Home Furnishings - Professional Choice Award. Most of the award winning furnishings came from Lee/Eastman Furniture.

Lee/Eastman opened their doors in November 2006 and welcome you with a beautiful 10,000 square foot showroom full of a variety of furniture under the contemporary umbrella.

If you venture into Lee/Eastman ask for Annette or Kathleen, two talented and knowledgeable designers that can map out a plan for you based on your style and budget. They will bring your vision to life, and you will probably have money left over for decorative finishes to enhance your design.

You won't sacrifice style and comfort for great design with their selections. I was a like a kid in a candy store when I was working on this wall - so many pieces I wanted to take home myself. They even offer several designer lines of sustainable, green furniture.

I'll be back this year to complete a finish on their back wall. It's a blank canvas right now, and they want a chic, urban finish. I'm brewing ideas.