While she makes her living as an artist and interior designer for affluent homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area, Shannon Kaye draws inspiration from her humble beginnings. She is third of seven children born to a mom who enjoyed the challenge of solving decorative problems with fun and thrifty ideas.

Shannon began her career studying interior design and industrial design at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. While working at a furniture boutique to make ends meet, she met Page Kelleher, a well-known decorative painter in the area. A year-long apprenticeship followed where Shannon honed her artistic skills and gained the experience needed to start her own business. She has painted for Pottery Barn Kids catalog and an episode of Designer Finals on HGTV. Her work was featured in the 2005 San Francisco Decorator Showcase House and has appeared in such publications as California Home & Design , Home Companion and Gentry Magazine .

Although Shannon's finishes are based on traditional decorative painting techniques, her style has evolved far beyond what is now popularly called "faux" painting. She uses textures, layers, and patterns to create rich, deep surfaces that complement her personalized design schemes. "A finish should be subtle, sophisticated, and somewhat mysterious," she says. "And the overall interior should speak to the unique qualities and belongings of those who use it."

Before tackling your next project, brush up with some of Shannon's decorating tips on DIY Network's Fresh Coat !