August Design 411 Show
Segment 1: Design Dilemma Email and Calls
Once again it's our monthly installment of Design 411 where Christopher answers all your design questions.
Segment 2 -Design Dilemma Email and Calls
I have a very long outside patio that is not covered, and I am wanting
to create a more intimate setting w/ a Tuscan flair. To make things
worse, it faces the Western afternoon sun, and in Texas it is a bad
combo!! Help!
Call from Jo Anne from Colleyville, TX
The space is long and has a formal feel. There is a half wall on one side and a wrought iron gate on the other side with the beginning of a Tuscan feeling. Get large terra cotta pots placed on stands with wheels so they can easily be moved around. Plant them with lemon and orange trees, a theme that's popular in Italy. Collect pottery that reflects a Mediterranean look and mount it on the wall using plate racks. Companies like Smith and Hawkens and Frontgate sell containers you can use for planting box hedges. Between the box hedges and pots with the trees, you can move them in just about any configuration you'd like. Get three umbrellas all the same color and use them as a canopy. With the new fibers today, outdoor area rugs can be hosed off for easy care. Use three fabulous outdoor area rugs to anchor the furniture groupings.
My bathroom is bad! It's a yellow and black tile combo that needs
updating. I would like to paint the tiles remember you having a method
in the past that involved 8 coats of paint.
Michelle from Hamilton, OH
The marbleizing technique would work on the tile. A DVD showing how
to do the technique is available at joann.com.
It is also described in the latest book, One of a Kind Decorating available
at Amazon.com.
If you don't want the marbleizing effect, use a solid color paint.
You can use decals to add decorative elements.
Paint Your Way Out of the Past
We often feel that we can't afford to move forward with our decorating due to inherited eyesores, such as ugly kitchen countertops. Here, using the wall, trim and accent colors already in the room, we faux marbled the countertop to blend beautifully with the new décor.
MARBLEIZING
If you've ever looked at some of the marbleizing kits available on the
market, you know that you can barely pronounce the names of the ingredients,
much less know what to do with all of them. And they cost a fortune!
Well, I've developed an easy, easy, easy marbleizing technique that you can do using ordinary latex house paint, masking tape, and a paintbrush. Follow these easy steps and you'll be marbleizing in no time.
This project can take anywhere from an hour to a few days. It all depends on the item being covered. Our counter was done over two days because the paint needs to dry thoroughly before the polyurethane can be applied.
MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Stain-blocking primer (such as Bin or Kilz)
Latex house paint in 3 shades of one color family
3 small containers, for holding the paint
Wood panel to practice on
Pencil
Masking tape or painter's tape
4-inch wide paintbrush
1 small artist's brush, for painting "veins" (optional)
Water-based non-yellowing polyurethane
1 roller, paintbrush, or foam brush, for polyurethane
Fine-grit sandpaper
Here are the basics as we did it on an existing laminated countertop:
The paint store has made it super simple for you to choose the colors
for this technique. You'll see a display of paint swatches, and all
you need to do is choose a color you like. On any paint swatch, take
the darkest color, the lightest color and the medium color, and that's
all you need to get started. Purchase semi-gloss, eggshell, or satin
paint. Don't use flat or high-gloss paint.
1. Prime the entire surface of the countertop using a product designed
for nonporous surfaces. Coat the underside lip of the counter as well.
Let dry.
2. Pour small amounts of each paint color into individual containers.
3. The seams are the most important part of the illusion of marble.
(You might want to practice first on a wooden panel.) To divide the
counter into even sections, draw a pencil line down the center horizontally
and vertically. In each section, draw diagonal lines to indicate the
direction of the grain pattern. Alternate the direction of the lines
in each adjacent section. At the seams, the direction of the painting
will change to look like blocks of marble are positioned next to each
other.
4. Mask off one of the sections using masking tape or painter's tape
along both sides of the quadrant. Be sure the tape is stuck onto the
wood really well so no paint will seep through the edge. Work in only
one section at a time.
5. Dip a 4-inch paintbrush into each color to begin. Load up a little
bit of each color. Painting only in the direction of the lines you've
drawn, use a combination of front-to-back and stippling motions. Continue
to "grab" colors to add contrast within the section. Add a
little more of the lighter color to contrast with the dark. Blend the
edges of the colors with the brush. You don't want a line of demarcation
between the colors.
6. As soon as you've finished the square, immediately remove the masking
or painter's tape.
7. When the paint dries, tape off the next square by positioning the
tape just slightly beyond the paint line of the adjacent square so there
will be a little overlap of the paint in both squares.
8. Load the three colors on the brush and work in the opposite direction
of the first block so the illusion is that the grain is creating a seam
between two marble blocks. Keep picking up colors of paint onto the
brush and remember to work only in one direction, "pouncing"
and stippling.
9. When you are finished, immediately remove the tape. Let this square
dry and move on to the next.
10. If you like, you can add veining to the "marble." Dip
a small artist's brush into the darkest and lightest colors. Use a random
pulling-then-turning motion to create the vein. Dip the brush again
and add an offshoot of the vein from the first stroke. Blend the vein
slightly by pouncing over it with the 4-inch brush. Remove the tape
while the paint is still wet.
11. Apply the polyurethane. This adds that layer of luster that makes
the marbleizing look very convincing. I have found this works best when
the painted surface is allowed to dry overnight first, and when you
apply at least two coats of polyurethane. The first coat is usually
rough. Lightly sand the surface - just enough to roughen it a bit so
the polyurethane will adhere. Apply the polyurethane in one direction
only, from top to bottom, using either a roller, a paintbrush or a foam
brush. If you're applying polyurethane to a wall, choose a stropping
point to make a seam halfway down the wall. Then apply the polyurethane
the rest of the way, always working from top to bottom. Let dry. Lightly
sand and add additional coats. I've found that three to four coats usually
works best.
There you have it. Quick and simple. Now think of all the things you
can marbleize - from wooden candle holders to countertops to columns
to walls and floors. Use your imagination and add a rich look for a
fraction of the cost.
Segment 3 -Design Dilemma Email and Calls
On May 4, 2007 an F-5 tornado hit my hometown of Greensburg, Kansas, and destroyed the entire town (population 1300). My beautiful, 110 year-old Victorian house was demolished. My family was in the basement, which caved in on us; but we are thankful that we were able to crawl out without serious injury.
Happily, we bought a new home in Pratt, KS, 30 miles from Greensburg.
It is a brand new home, and we are very happy in it. However, I have
absolutely no idea how to decorate it. I was wondering if Christopher
Lowell could give me any tips or help on how to make this house look
like a home. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sandy from Greensburg, KS
Sandy described the experience of being in the tornado as it destroyed her home. They went to the basement and were pinned in when the house was shifted 8 feet off its foundation. They fortunately lost no family members. Now they are living in a new modern home. Since the walls are white, paint is the first place to begin. Introducing rich wall color will warm up the rooms. Area rugs are muted blue and tan. Use Huckleberry Dust, Misted Thyme and Crème Brulee. The Sherwin Williams colors Contented, SW6191 for the walls, pale blue for the ceiling called Tradewind, SW6218 and the trim in fresh white. Keep the trim the same color throughout to add continuity around the house. Add crown molding for architecture and paint it white as well. Cluster the furniture toward the center of the room leaving the walls for storage pieces, wall art and creating focal points. It will make the room feel so much more intimate.
Segment 4 - You Did It Call
Robert from Agoura Hills, CA met radio show producer Ellen while was she was doing research for the show. As they talked, Ellen learned that Robert was a big fan of Christopher. Robert shared his You Did It story with her and she booked him on the show.
Robert used many of Christopher’s ideas in his own home, but as
a gift to his neighbor’s newly adopted child, he made a boat bed
from the Seven Layers of Design book and created a seaside-themed
room around it. Both he and the neighbor were thrilled with the results!
In his new home, Robert is painting a mural above a chair rail in a
hallway, with a marbleized look below the rail.
Segment 5- You Did It
After listening to a prior show, a listener decided to take action and sent us this email:
I just joined Soldiers Angels because my son is a US soldier. While
I was looking at the website, I noticed the support you have given the
troops! WOW!!! Thank You for your show and for being a truly remarkable
American!
Heidi Lynn
Thanks to Heidi for adding her support to our troops in a tangible
way through Soldiers
Angels.
Segment 6 - Design Dilemma Email and Calls
Linda from South Bend, IN called in to share her accomplishments in decorating her home, thanks to Christopher's shows and books. Space by space over a period of five years she decorated her 15 room home and then went on to help decorate her daughter's wedding. Linda is especially proud of her living room which she painted a deep mauve.She painted her kitchen a dark blue with white beadboard wainscotting and spruced up her laundry room. Her current dilemma is a 16' x 20' family room off the eating area which has very dark paneling. Linda is not sure which color to paint it to go well with the other rooms.
Using the paint strip from the color chosen for the kitchen walls, a deep blue, select the color that is two shades lighter than the kitchen walls and paint the family room that color. It will give the room a seashore feeling and will coordinate with the attached kitchen.
WIND! I was listening to your Outdoor show--we're working on developing
our outdoor space. What ideas do you have to combat wind, besides waiting
impatiently for trees to grow in our new lawn? We have a couple of nice
spaces--a back deck overlooking a pond, and a patio behind the 3rd Garage
area (it has the house on two sides and the neighbors house on the third
side, but it still stays pretty windy!).
Teresa from Wichita, KS
Teresa has a gazebo in her outdoor space, but she is worried it might blow away. Since there are six poles, purchase six big terra cotta pots. Place each pole in a pot and fill them with cement. Leave about 6 inches on top for soil so you can plant them with flowers. The cement will make the pots heavy enough so the gazebo will not fly away. If you will be storing the gazebo for the winter, you can fill the pots with soil so you can remove the poles, then re-insert them again next season. Something else you can do is to make a frame from 2 x 4s and use Plexiglas inside the frame. This will help stop the wind without blocking the view. Add legs or terra cotta pots. This can be moved around at anywhere you like.
The painting above Teresa's sofa caught Christopher's eye, and Teresa was delighted to say that her mother had painted it.
My mother just remodeled her whole house. It's a mother in-law suite
that is attached to our home. She used all your fabrics for window treatments,
recovering couches, pillows, framing. She also is an awesome painter
from faux finish, marbleizing, sponging, and painting furniture. Honestly
she is amazing but very modest. She knows nothing about me writing you
I will send you some before and after shots, thank-you for your time.
Donna and her mother, Marie
After receiving this email, Christopher called Donna and Marie together and they talked about all the beautiful work Marie has done throughout the house. Marie used Christopher's fabrics and trims from Jo-Ann which she loves. Marie painted and upholstered, added crown molding and many other touches which created a first class and beautiful renovation.
Christopher described a mother-in-law suite he designed for his family several years ago before he had his own design business. Here's how it turned out.
Laura and her young son in Christopher's mother-in-law suite.
Segment 7- Design Dilemma Email and Calls
I have a deep red sofa and loveseat, my living room is accented in black
Asian style tables. My curtains are black satin with an oriental trim.
Is it okay to leave the walls white?
Bernadette from Las Vegas
Paint the walls Golden Waffle, a buttery gold color which will soften the mood of the room as well and fit in with the Asian theme. Paint the ceiling Peas and Cream and the trim in Horseradish. These color combinations are in Christopher's Color Courage Matching System on strip number 49. Try painting the recessed area of the ceiling with Ralph Lauren gold paint.
I have wood columns in my home and would like to make them look
like they are marble.
Bobby Martin from Grand Saline, TX
There are marbleizing instructions in Christopher's new book, "One-of-a-Kind
Decorating Projects", as well as on the DVD "Savvy Surfaces
& Merchandising the Home" available at JoAnn Fabrics. A good
tip to remember in marbleizing is to work diagonally around the column,
just like a barber pole. You need three colors to work with; the primary
color, go up three shades on the paint strip to the next color and then
add the very lightest color on the strip which is almost white. You
can add black sparingly if you wish. Don't overdue the veining process
or it will start to look fake.
Gianna and her husband are originally from Italy, and now live in Naples, FL. They created a beautiful home together - in fact it was recently featured in an article in the Naples Daily News. Gianna credits Christopher as her inspiration when decorating and faux finishing her beautiful home.
For more pictures click here.
Seven Questions to ask before starting a project.
- Do I know enough to move forward with confidence, knowing I've done my homework to the best of my ability?
- Do I have the time to complete the project all at one time?.
- Is this a job I can do myself or do I need a partner?
- Skill-wise does this project utilize any skills I already have or is it too ambitious to expect success?
- When the project is finished, how will it add to my quality of life?
- Am I flexible enough to go with the flow as the project unfolds?
- Am I doing this project because I feel I have to or because I can't wait to start?