Adventures In Styleland!

If you really want something special and unique in your home than decorative painting is the way to go. In many Designer showhouses you’ll find the work of talented artists that use decorative painting techniques.

The origin of decorative paint is unknown, it has been seen as far back as cave paintings. The greatest influence has been the early Christian or church art, frescoes that were first found in roman catacombs. Folk art then started and decorative painting began to have a revival in the 1940’s and 50’s. It has also been popular in countries like Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, has a rich history of painted interiors and furniture. In England and France, the country tradition was less strong but, it is from here that some of the finest works in the classical tradition emerged.. Chinoiserie lacquer work, gilding, hand painting and faux finishes on walls and furniture all carried out in grand country houses and châteaux.

Chinoiserie

Here is a step by step process of a Grand Damask Pattern I did in a clients 2 story foyer.

This space originally started with a Waverly Wall Paper that was a colorful paisley pattern with blues, greens, pinks, and yellows. Quite bold and the home owner loved it for many years but remodeling her kitchen and updating the family room off the foyer, called for something more elegant with a transitional twist.

We decided to do a Stencil with a metallic layered damask and this was the start of our adventure:

Upper Foyer Landing, first layer BM af-305 Ylang Ylang

Supplies needed for this finish are:

Base Coat: Ben Moore Ylang Ylang AF-305

Ben Moore Metropolitan AF-690

Ben Moore Cotswald AF-150

Premixed Joint Compound

Modern Masters Metallic Paint: Silver (add an 10% Extender)

Lamp Black Acrylic

Faux Effects Aquacreme/Mastercreme

Faux Creme Colors Van Dyke Brown and Dark Brown

Tools: Japanese Trowel, Stencil brushes (large), chip brush and spray bottle

1. Create 2 separate mixes of 1 to 1 ratio of paint and premixed joint compound using Ben Moore Aura Cotswald AF-150 and Metropolitian AF-690.
2. Trowel Paint colors Randomly, with a vertical pattern, don’t overload your trowel with mixture.

Step 3: Joint compound mixed with Aura Cotswald AF150 and Metropolitan AF690 Second Layer

3.   Trowel second layer, using both colors again and working wet on wet. Use a spray bottle of water to spray surface, then apply causing mixture to drip lightly. Let dry.

4.  Stencil Grand Damask Motif randomly over the surface first with Modern Masters Silver.

Production Stencil, 2nd floor foyer, modern masters Silver metallic

5. Stencil additional Grand Damask motifs with Lamp Black, adding silver again over black here and there.

Adding Lamp Black with touch of silver, over Stairway, Whew!!

6. Thin the Metropolitan Joint Compound mixture 1 to 1 with water, using a chip brush apply this in  vertical drips from the top of the wall. Do this by loading the brush well and pressing it hard onto the surface to release the paint mixture. Allow to dry.

7. Mix Aquacreme glaze at a rate of 1 cup Aquacreme to 2 teaspoons each Vandyke and dark brown creme colors. Thin this with 1 to 1 water and apply in drips from top of wall to bottom with a large chip brush. Allow to dry slightly and spray with water, using the chip brush and additional glaze on spray water here and there to keep glaze open and make it drip more.

The glaze and van dyke brown mixed with dark brown push the stencil back and create a great strie on the walls giving an aged look to the walls.

The finished Foyer was Spectacular!! It had an aged appearance with a modern feel. Loved the look, and transformation! Just another adventure in Styleland, hope you enjoyed this one!

Stay tuned as always,

XOXO

M

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