Category Archives: Projects

Getting Started… sort of…

The light blue frame you see here belonged to my grandfather who was an oil painter…

That's my grandfather, Rosel, sitting with my grandma. My dad is standing on the far left. He has two of his dad's paintings, but there are several more divided among the other seven- count 'em- seven siblings

For years I’d hang the frame on the wall then for fun tack a postcard or snapshot in the center or lean a few on the ridge of the woodwork.

Then, one day…

My friend, Dave Mendez, gave me a photo he took at Versailles. (Dave is one of those rare creative types who can manage a camera, marketing for a multi-million dollar start up, film development, and other creative and business endeavors- all with a smile on his face. He's my idol!)

I ran down to Aedicule Fine Framing (they’re the best in the city!) where they framed it for me with a scrap of silver raw silk they had lying around. Love it!

It happened again about six years ago… I was minding my own business at the Alameda Flea market…

…when I saw most perfectly delicate and wondrous mirror frame ever. Treasure! Without negotiating, I paid top dollar and took it home. I used the same method for displaying this open frame but upgraded to larger artwork hung in the center. Like this…

My super creative, talented, amazing brother, Lane, designed the poster years ago. He's amazing too...

It looks good but I was getting tired of the look. I needed a fresh way to display this gorgeous things.

One day, Bethany Nauert, photographer for Apartment Therapy (among other super cool sites and mags!), contacted me to photograph my home. Yikes! I had a wall in my dining room that needed serious punch and I had this frame and two weeks… hm… maybe something could be happening here…

Stay tuned for more of the story… see you tomorrow!

 

But Besides Paint… Rooms from Your View

We’ve been talking a lot about paint lately, but there’s so much more that goes into decorating a room. And while paint and color are my passions and inspirations, using your passions to create a plan for your home is a great place to start. Here are some rooms (on my fav online shelter mags- Rue and Lonny) that might get your started…

Whether you love flowers, floral prints, or just happen to fall in love with a quirky floral chair like this one, bring your passion to the center of the arrangement and keep the surrounding elements simple and clean.

Even a crazy collection like this one, of magazine flowers and dogs, can work if it's done well like this hilarious water closet.

If you have a sense of humor, collect stamps, or just to have a little fun, an attention grabbing piece like this mkaes the rest of the room easy to dress.

Who knew a hunting theme could be so elegant! Check out the animal quilt on the bed, the antler, and other nature details on the side tables... Gorgeous!

If you fall in love with a major statement piece like this headboard, put a strong color behind it to show it off. This navy paint color is amazing, but any color would look amazing here!

Why not show off an amazing collection of shoes! If you can keep them tidy and create a cool display, they can be a major element in a super cool room.

 

If what you really love is pattern- then use it, embrace it, celebrate it... and to really make it a successful theme, vary t he size and color for rich interesting layers that will all go together.

If it's a color that always captures your attention, then play with variations of that color- lighter, darker, more yellow or more blue- and put together a whole room in your favorite hue.

 

Basic Painting; part deux

Yesterday, I showed you my zen patience through painting a wall really really well…

Remember, here’s the room before…

 Here’s the after show… so far…

Mmm, my paintings look so bright and the room actually looks larger- love that!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

I kept this wall tidy until the other wall was done

Then I grabbed one of my all time fav tools- these mini foam rollers- and started sketching with the paint...

I just kept filling in around my flower mural until I liked it. Each layer blends the sketchy marks with the more solid areas for a look that's spontaneous without being messy...

And there you go, sketchy, fun, easy... the best way to really make this look effective is to carry it to at least one other room in the house... you know you'll be seeing that soon.

‘Til then…

…Happy Painting!!!

 

Basic Room Painting 101

I was so inspired by Philippe Model’s Paris Apt in Vogue Living (see yesterday’s post) that I jumped up and had a little fun in my bathroom. Check it out…

I love white bathrooms, have always had them... but Philippe Model's spontaneous approach to his serious walls got me thinking... why not do something unexpected?

People moan when they think about painting a room, but with a few tools and organization it's really no big deal. It takes effort yes, but it doesn't have to be a sloppy mess- even if it is a spontaneous project! Start by removing all the siwtch and outlet plates...

Take everything down and out, but keep it organized (I put all of the picture hangers and switch plates in one handy pile on the cart) and out of the way so you don't trip over it and get frustrated while you're painting. There's no need for cussing in painting, people!

 

I mean it, take everything down! I'll put all my art back in the same place so need to fill any holes (I'll admit that is kind of a relief!)

 

I tape off everything that can't be removed. This yellow tape (Frog Delicate Surface tape) is my latest fav. It resists paint on it's edges (keeps the bleeding to a minimum on smooth walls) and has enough flexibility to get in tight corners.

Time to cut in! I always use a paint can visor to keep the edges of the paint can clean. Angle brushes are great for cutting in. Dip the bristles just an inch or so in the can and wipe one side. More paint doesn't mean better coverage- trust me on this...

I use tools and drop cloths to fit the job. I keep this large dishrag handy for small areas...

And little rollers for the nooks and crannies...

Between layers I rinse my brush (I use a new dry one each time)...

And put a damp rag over my paint can to keep the paint fresh...

You’re in the zone now. Just take your time through each layer allowing at least an hour or so between coats (depending on how hot, cold, humid etc.). When the paint shows no shiny wet spots, you can jump back in. Work on small tasks in between like say, laundry, dishes, blogging… that way by the end of the day you’ll have a beautiful new room AND a tidy house- win win. Now, back to the paint…

I took my time through three rounds of cutting and rolling for a rich dark color change. I could've used a tinted primer and/or a better brand paint- but like I said, this was a spontaneous decision so I lived with the extra work.

When you take your time preparing your room and moving through each step with care, you get the sheer pleasure of pulling the tape (always pull at a 45 degree angle back towards the tape, and keep your hands close too the wall to minimize tugging on the unpainted wall)

Here's a great tip: for the those little bits of paint slip under that tape (dagnabit!), pull a damp rag tightly over the blade of a putty knife...

Carefully get in those corners and rub the paint away without touching the wet stuff... et voila! beautiful paint lines restored.

Okay, that’s just the basic stuff. Tune in tomorrow to see the fun part…

Paint, the Great Experiment

The other day, I was in my favorite magazine shop, Juicy News, on Fillmore Street in San Francisco (tell me where you find your favorite mags!). The awning says Barron’s but everyone I talk to still calls it Juicy News, the old name for this cubby of a store packed with big inspiration! It’s where I first found design magazines that are still my favorites today- Objekt, World of Interiors, …

Tell me this doesn't make your heart sing just a little...

Anyway, on this visit an issue of Vogue Living caught my eye…

Notice the molding painted in random unfinished washes of color... I'm in love...

I picked it up and swear I heard angels singing… on the cover is a Paris apartment that’s home to French milliner turned shoe designer, Philippe Model. I flipped through pages of his paneled rooms washed in patches and brush strokes of bright spontaneous color.  It took me back to the years in San Francisco when I was discovering my passion for paint…

I painted every surface of my little studio in a different finish- several times! I was practicing, experimenting, playing really as I honed my craft and aesthetic…

Where Philippe painted his moldings, I was actually painting my walls to look like they had moldings and panels. It became a signature style I recreated for several clients in many different colors and styles...

Notice this wall behind the sofa? Same wall as above, different treatment...

I painted the harlequin pattern in three different color schemes. The hallway later became red with a rustic rough finish (with some orange and red harlequins of course!). Recognize the chandelier sans the bottom ring and center drop? (it's in my bedroom today) Even with those pieces removed most everyone had to duck under it to get by... ah the good ol' days

Even my doors got painted... notice the writing on the wall in my bathroom...

This also became a signature treatment. To the left I partially stripped the window trim revealing layers of color beneath a heavy coat of white semi-gloss. I made the little towel holder from the railing of the crib I slept when I was little.

Of course, I was always rearranging my furniture and eventually incorporated interior design into my services, but this is still my first love. I can’t image design without paint or paint without design. I feel grateful to have found my passion. It drives me crazy in the best (it makes me sooo happy) and worst (I never feel like I’ve learned, practiced, or pushed myself enough) ways. I wouldn’t trade that drive for anything.