MacGregor's Designs

MacGregor's Cottage Sunroom: a work in progress

2011-11-05T00:37:00.000-07:00

I have been searching Craigslist for a loveseat. That is the perfect size for my
cozy sunroom. Ok it is small like 14 x 17 but it suits me just fine. Last month I
lucked out and found this little beauty. Actually there were two pieces the sofa
and this loveseat. Got a friend to take the sofa and I made off with the loveseat.
It took me four 9x12 dropcloths. I washed each one 3 times to and dried them with
6 or 7 sheets of fabric softener. I am in love. Sometimes you just have to wait for
right piece. And I must admit I have to thank Shannon Bowers for the inspiration.
So hey Shannon "thanks".

The Yellow Guest Room Part 2 The Photos

2011-10-18T12:40:00.001-07:00

The Yellow Guest Room

2011-10-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

At the same time I was working on the Green Guest Room at Nancy's place I was
also tossing ideas around to rework the Yellow Guest Room. She still had the
furniture in there from when she was child. Two darling Jenni Lin twin beds
with a nightstand and chest of drawers to match. There was a built in desk in
a medium wood tone and the Queen Ann chair that used sit at her Father's desk.
I so should have taken before shots.

Now there is a custom upholstered bed with matching box pleated bedskirt. The built
in desk has been painted as has the Queen Ann chair. We replaced the childhood dresser with a traditional chest of drawers by Hammary. All the lamps were her Mother's except on the new Hammary chest. The nightside tables were distressed and painted a soft blue the same shade used on the chair and the back of the bookcase.

She has been blessed with wonderful inherited accessories Hummels, art and all kind of porcelain. Still cannot figure out how to get the photos below instead of above the post so they will be on the next post.

Nancy's Place Part 3 the photos

2011-10-17T19:11:00.001-07:00

Nancys place part 2

2011-10-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Every designer has their own method of creating a space. Many designers/decorators have what is referred to as their "signature style". I try to leave a home looking like a designer has not been there. Instead I prefer it to look like the client has a gifted eye and it has all come together quite naturally as they have collected items, selected fabrics and furnishings that appeal to them. I am into warm and cozy spaces that say "Nancy lives here". (insert client's name)To start I like to find out how they want the space to feel.

When last I posted I was waiting for the delivery of a couple of custom pieces: a green velvet end of the bed bench and a linen wing chair with antique brass nail heads. When I was asked to begin this project the client requested I use the custom draperies she already had in place. She also loved the wall color so I worked within these parameters. The previous post shows the fabrics and furniture that were selected.

We went on a couple of accessories buying trips and we were lucky enough to find the perfect group of botanicals for this room. They actually looked as if they were waiting for us to take them home. The bench and the chair have now arrived and are in place. We are currently looking for a couple more pieces of blue and white for the chests other than that we are officially done in this room. And I hope the words that come to mind when you view it are tasteful and serene.

For whatever reason tonight I am unable to upload the photos as I wish. They will
follow in the next post.

Talk Greenville Magazine

2011-10-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

I was trying to do a post today and realized we have about ten posts in draft form.
Yeah I am not what you call real computer literate. Understatement.Anyway my dear husband did this lovely faux stonework in a kitchen it is the part where the art is hanging.This is from fall 2010.It was also published in the local Talk magazine. It was for a designer in the Symphony Tour here in Greenville,SC. I think it is too good not to share. What do you think?

Nancy's Place

2011-08-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy summer with several projects going on at once. A one time client and now dear friend consulted with us to freshen up her guest rooms. One of them which shall be named the "Green room" is nearly done. There are only a couple of pieces not in as of yet: an end of the bed bench and a lovely linen upholstered chair. Nancy had some wonderful emerald green lamps which belonged to her mother and those were about all we used from the previous reincarnation save a couple of accent pieces. All the current furnishings were found new homes where they will continue to be loved. Since we basically started with a clean slate we thought we would share our progress. All the furniture was selected especially for this space. We worked with the existing window treatments and chose fabrics to blend with those. So without further adieu here's Nancy's place.

Mother's Day Gift

2011-05-14T07:27:00.000-07:00


Ralph Lauren photo Delores Arabian- Vignette Designs

When I saw Delores' photos of her visit to the Ralph Lauren store in New York in April I knew I had to have these chargers. I found some similar to those on the table in the photo at Pottery Barn. Since Mother's Day was approaching and I have four children all on their own now I knew this would be the perfect gift so I sent out an email with a request for one from child. And here they are.

Lady MacGregor's Office

2011-05-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

I dropped in to visit Carol Spinski's Raised in Cotton blog a few days ago. She mentioned her favorite morning spot where she has a cup of coffee and greets her day. I thought what a great idea for a post. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I am copying Carol by showing where I greet the day. It is a former bedroom turned design office/meditation space for moi. As I explained in my comment on Carol's blog I filled with consignment store pieces for the most part. It is a work in progress....window treatments not yet,artwork not yet. I am not in a rush things have to speak to me for me to bring them home but I have dreams of how I want it to look and feel for now here are the beginnings.

before

I know I know lousy photo but it is the only before I have. The consignment store took with it with their phone and emailed it to me I printed it out and failed to save the photo so hey it is what it is. What you cannot see is the deep scratch in the top of the console where the bookcase was set down and pushed into place. I got this baby for $200. It is cherry and very heavy. It has two deep file drawers and plenty of storage.


After

It has been painted and somewhat styled for now. I purchased some very heavy crown/dental moulding for the top. I like the way Habersham Plantation paints their hardware on their furniture my husband's observation so he copied that feature. I love it. I have a reproduction french dining table with a parquet top as a desk and a reproduction bergere chair as my chair, both primed and ready for a distressed finish. They are awaiting his touch when he can squeeze me into his schedule. Currently I am behind a sleigh bed, a dresser, an armoire and fabulous eastlake chest, and a sheraton sideboard. Hmmmm which is the same reason said credenza is painted but not glazed. I hope to share the rest of the furniture on my next post.

Oh the horns on top are a graduation present for nephew at the Citadel just resting for now.

MacGregor's Salute to National Tartan Day

2011-04-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know this interesting tartan fact?

The world’s first colour photograph, made by the Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell in 1861, was of a tartan ribbon.

click to enlarge

The weather has cooled considerably since the weekend. It was 36 last night the perfect temperature to sit by the fire and wrap up in this vintage tartan Pendleton blanket which resides on the back of Mr. MacGregor's leather wing chair in his office. This blanket was handed down to him from his late Grandfather whom he reveres.


Mr. MacGregor's tartan office Samuel Berry Godbold

For some serious eye candy visit Scott @ http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/

and Delores @ http://vignettedesign.blogspot.com/.

Peter Rabbit comes to Mr. MacGregors

2011-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Peter dropped by this morning

MacGregor Cottage

He just wanted to visit Mr. MacGregor

What a handsome fellow

The commentary to this post disappeared somehow and it took me 3 days to realize it. Peter Rabbit came for a visit because he had a slight mishap, while it remains a mystery, we think he must have tripped running in the garden. He broke his ear and he needed mending. Mr. MacGregor fixed him up quite properly and now most unfortunately for MacGregor Cottage he has returned to his own home with the lovely Betty Farr. He will be missed.

Boxwood hedge

2011-04-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

after

before: boxwoods after 4 years never grew into hedge

another before

another before 4 years of growth

still before the fig on the steps however is doing well

4 years old

after just love the results

just a peak of the lady banks rose blooming in the lower right corner

another shot

after from a different angle lady banks gone wild

We took a weekend a couple of weeks ago and transplanted 52 dwarf boxwoods. Initially we had lined a couple of beds and spaced them according to the directions from the growers tag. To my dismay after 5 years they never got anywhere near forming a hedge. I was going for an English cottage look. I finally convinced my husband to helped me out and move them to line our walk to the front door instead. This was no small feat as after 5 years there was a considerable root system. He did most of the labor due to the strength required. It probably took 14 man hours to accomplish, which he did in two consecutive days. He dug up each one up and then dug two trenches one either side of the walk to situate them in and insure they were now close enough to form said hedge. He did a great job. I am delirious I love it so. He paid a price for all this manual labor. The arch of his foot was bruised in the process. He will survive but he is off duty in the transplanting department for 2011. A well deserved reward for a job well done. I then put pine straw mulch around all of the beds another two hours. Almost forgot to mention he also divided four lavender plants and we are trying our hand at propagating. Will share the results if we are successful. He likes to tell anyone who will listen that when I say "we"need to do thus and so in the yard "we" indicated him and his shovel rather than he and I. I think he's got me there.

New Hampshire here we come

2011-01-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

Just kidding! But if I ever get the opportunity I am on my way. What has prompted this post after an unreasonable amount of time. A blog I ran across called FOR THE LOVE OF A HOUSE. I am smitten.
An antiques dealer from Dallas moves to New Hampshire buys an old farmhouse/barn and turns it into heaven on earth. Her latest accomplishment the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. It is classically traditional but in a fresh new way. This kitchen has it all: wide plank floors, custom creamy white cabinets with old wavy glass in the doors, soapstone and honed marble countertops ,bead board back splash and ceilings, a Shaw farmhouse sink with Perrin and Rowe faucet that sits under three windows which bathes the space in light not to mention the view through the windows. The she adds a brick fireplace using the bricks salvaged from another in the home. Finally she has impeccable taste every piece of ironstone, hotel silver and topiary perfection. So I am either moving there to be near it or dying eventually and ending up there(hopefully)
because it is heaven or at least heaven on earth. And if, by chance, you have not seen it you must.
http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/

European plaster is always a classic

2010-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

A new and dear friend of mine, Judy, who is also a very talented designer wanted the foyer of her home to have a strong and welcoming presence about it, something with a history, something elegant but comfortable at the same time! The foyer walls turned out so well that we decided to use the same effect on the kitchen hood.

Here are some during and afters shots

Charles Faudree and Cashiers, NC Showhouse

2010-03-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

A couple of summers ago we were fortunate enough to attend a Show house in Cashiers North Carolina. Many very talented designers participated in this show house which was originally constructed to be a hunting lodge/summer home. A most interesting fact to me was the architect was a woman somewhat unusual for 1928 I believe. Bunny Williams, Charles Faudree and Ainsworth-Noah played supporting roles . Being a true Faudree devotee I persuaded my DH to take me. Loved it. Took a whole bunch of photos. I have decided or should I say I have been prodded to share said photos. I have a Kodak easy share camera so bear with the photos as the quality of the camera and the skills of the said photographer are definitely amateur. It is a chance to see some of Charles work that you otherwise might never catch a glimpse of. One final word this event took place the summer prior to Charles new fabric line for Vervain and he has used these fabrics in the great room. Hope you enjoy.

office makeover

2010-01-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

We thought we would share a glimpse of Jeremy's office. He is of Scottish ancestry and loves the patina of objects with age. In a previous home we created a library/office with a leather loveseat, chair and faux leather walls. The purchaser fell in love with this space because it

was handsome and masculine. He owned a

company that does combat training for the

government.

We wanted to once again create a space with a

masculine atmosphere. We found the plaid

wallcovering a perfect fit for where we were

trying to go. Very Ralph Lauren we think.

There is still some tweaking to be done covering

the books and window treatments but so far he

is quite pleased with his office makeover.

Painting old picture frames to look like wood

2010-01-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Jeremy first painted the metallic frames a french red. I held a hair dry over it while he painted the second frame, when he was done I dried the next one while he gave the first one a second coat. When both frames are dry to the touch he scraped the glass clean with a razor then touched up and scratches and dried them again.

Now comes the fun part. We used a water based wiping stain to match. Wiping stain is a wood tone glaze, we used one that matched our preexisting wood frames.

First brush on the glaze, then dry brushing it off creating a wood grain effect. Go light with the first coat of glaze, letting it settle down in to the cracks and groves, blow dry, then apply the second coat even lighter or as needed. This technique will fool any art critic. Use a small brush to make any corrections to blend in with the parts that look good.

We found these signed prints by the artist Athos Menaboni (1895-1990) they were part of a collection owned by Cason Calloway of Calloway Gardens. Calloway Gardens is located below Atlanta and Mr. Menaboni lived in Atlanta. Calloway Gardens was the beneficiary of Mr. Menaboni's estate and several of his pieces are displayed there. He was born in Livorno, Italy but after the First World War came to America met the girl who came to be his wife and made Atlanta their home. Because I am a Georgia girl, an Atlantan to be exact, these have special meaning to me. I also love to find older pieces with a story. The well known Atlanta architect Phillip Shutze was familiar with Mr. Menaboni's work and commissioned several mural projects from him.

The backgrounds of these pictures had the same aged looked as the vintage florals below them but the picture frames were a silvertone much too cool to compliment the aged paper of the prints. To paint the set to match the preexisting wood frames took us about an hour that includes set up and dry time. The frames have glass over the pictures so we didn't have to remove them.

Recreating your old mirrors with paint

2009-12-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

What did all of these mirrors have in common? Their home owners didn't like the way they looked anymore. One of them had been under a bed for several years another one was on it's way to be stored in the closet of no return, the last one was on it's way to a consignment shop. We gave them a new updated color and back on the wall they went!

Chair transformation

2009-12-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

Feather Your Nest is a consignment shop in Greenville, South Carolina that I frequent. I love the challenge of taking someone's castoff and turning it into a treasure. I picked up four of these babies for a song. Jeremy did his magic then we recovered the seats in a french black and tan check. Voila!
They will make a lovely addition to our breakfast nook and just in time for Holiday guests. Don't you just love 'em!

Nyberg's Rough Luxe Hotel

2009-12-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Homeowner Denise Nyberg and Residential Contractor Shirley Curry needed to find old wooden beams for Denise's home add on.

Otis the Job Super, told us "Finding old wood shouldn't be a problem. Right? Wrong, they called everybody. You can find it on the west coast but not here!"

Then Denise remember us from a project we had worked on for her a year ago! We went over and looked at what they wanted.

Denise and Shirley decided it would be best on installing new cedar beams and having us distressing them.

Returning a few days later with a heavy chain over my shoulder, a pick sheathed into my belt, a tomahawk in one hand, and a brick in the other.

Curious? How many of us can go whack on someone else stuff with a brick, and chain, and or a tomahawk for several hours and not get into trouble!

Check-out the plaster job next to the faux beam support by the light switch. We distressed it and cracked it to give that Rough Luxe Hotel look, as our good friend Denise would say.

http://www.roughluxe.co.uk/

Shirley Curry
President of Curry & Co.
can be found at Tel: (864)370-2644

Happy Holidays from the Greer's 09

2009-12-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

(click on photo to enlarge)

This year we wanted to add a few more lights to the tree. While we were out looking, we found these old timey cinnamon brooms. We wanted to add some texture to the tree, so we bought three of them, I broke them apart and stuck them into the tree like pheasant feathers. Looks and smells great!

We would like to take this moment and thank everyone, who helped make this year, another success! We could not do it without our clients, designers, builders, and our suppliers!!!

From our house to your house Happy Holidays!

Brass Medallion Installed

2009-12-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Here it is installed, our faux brass medallion, hard to believe its white foam. The medallion weighs around three pounds or less and the light fixture weighed over or close to three hundred pounds. Pat the homeowner had to have a special pull installed to support the weight.

Faux Antique Brass

2009-11-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

Here is something we have been playing with for the last couple of nights. This medallion has four different colors of gold painted onto it with a blackish brown glaze pushed down into the crevices giving it an antique patina. Pat Jordan a good client and friend of ours went shopping and found the perfect light fixtures for her foyer, she needed a large medallion to help set it off. When the electrician installs the light fixture we'll get a picture of the whole thing together.

Updating your built-ins

2009-11-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

(Please click on photo to enlarge)

Just finished painting these two built in wall cabinets. Heather Baughman wanted something special. These cabinets were originally painted to look like dark wood. They looked like they were right out of the 1980's. The walls had a terrible sponge paint job, so Designer Carol Waters had the walls painted a light gray to soften the room that will coordinate with the fabrics and rugs to come. After some creative consulting we came up with a look that was more out of the 1880's and much easier on the eyes.

White ceiling medallions on a white ceiling are beautiful, but rarely seen.

2009-11-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

(Click on picture to enlarge)

White ceiling medallions are great if the ceiling is painted a different color, other wise they get lost up there. Often designers will send us a piece of a light fixture with a medallion to get it painted to match. The lighting manufacturers will do it for their own fixtures, but they won't do anything custom or any custom sizes they believe one size fits all.

Here are a couple that we custom painted for our designers.
The gold one we gilded with gold leaf with a brown and black glaze to give it a aged patina that matched. The bottom one we painted oil bronze very popular.

Happy Halloween from the Greers 09

2009-10-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

Copper painted pumpkins and little black kittens, yep it's Halloween at the house of MacGregor!

From Pickled Poplar to Belgium Gray

2009-10-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak preview that many of you have been asking to see!

Click on pictures to enlarge them for close-ups.

Here is Karen Dobson's kitchen that we've been working on! Now it is still a work in progress the ceiling needs to be painted, the new lights installed as well as the tile back splash.

The wood table top that you see is painted knots and all. The cabinets are painted with two different grays and a wood tone coming through to match the table top. The cabinets were a pickled poplar that were in great shape just out of date. More photos to come as we get closer to finished. Thanks to Mike L. and his crew, Sandy Terry with her design consulting and everyone at the Dobson house.

Paint colors are Sherwin-Williams
Stardust & Silver Fox
Ferret Brown

2009-08-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just got the news about showing the gray settee! It sold before we could get it re upholstered. One of designer Brain Brigham's clients saw it and wanted it. I planned on showing you the whole thing when it was done, but no picture is available.

Old world in the office place.

2009-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

(click to enlarge pictures)

Dr. Wenderoth wanted something special for his waiting room so Designer Jones and MacGregors came up with using a monochromatic Capella finish. This finish is tone-on-tone multi-layered peeled paint wall finish that adds a sense of drama and wonder.

For those that like country french, English country or BelgianThis finish looks great in foyers, dining rooms, and powder rooms.

Please comment if you like the walls!

Hey guys, how about a "little leg"

2009-07-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in business it is necessary to show a little leg. This settee was originally painted robins egg blue with white edging. It is in the process of getting a make over in the current hot trend of Swedish/Belgian style. Jeremy has painted it a dark gray followed with a black glaze. Next he does a wood rub and the final step a distressed gilding. Soon as The Galleries of Brian Brigham get it recovered we will show you the updated picture of the whole thing, but for now just a peek!

Painting the fifth wall can make all the difference

2009-07-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

Today the ceiling has become one of the most requested surfaces for decorative painting and plastering. We thought we would show a few that Jeremy has done in the last couple of years.

Above is a barrel vaulted faux brick ceiling done for clients wine cellar. This is not just a painted on faux treatment. It is Jeremy's secret formula and it is hand plastered and has grout. You can not tell it is not really brick. The clients and the builder were amazed.

A coffered ceilng in the library/home office with a custom sized stencil by Modello. It always rewarding when we can accommodate a client by giving their home something this unique.

Pictured is a barrel vaulted ceiling in the master bath. We suggested a product called lusterstone which is composed of crushed metallic stone mixed with pigment to create a soft glow that is truly stunning. Click on the pictures to enlarge

The same product in a slightly different color enhances an already lovely chandelier and creates ambiance and drama.

This is a soft statement for a dignified space.

Another dining room with a tray ceiling has a custom mixed metallic bronze application. This client loves to entertain and was looking for the unexpected something that would still be appropriate for her traditional yet formal space.

While the homeowners were away

2009-07-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Victoria requested an antique faux tile motif as a subtle layer to enhance the plaster and glazed walls in the powder room. The tile colors were chosen to blend with the existing tile on the floor and back splash. A pale gray plaster was given a light coat of antiquing glaze for an instant aged appearance.

The making of a wine cellar

2009-06-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Before picture
Click to enlarge pictures
Take 3oo pounds of plaster and a couple of gallons of paint and you can create a master piece along as your structure has good bones. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves let’s start at the beginning with the call from one our favorite designers. Susan Peace-Vernon with Dillard-Jones Builders called and asked if we could help her clients Kitty and Paul with their new wine cellar. In order to recreate a space that seemed centuries old, we put our heads together and this is what we came up with, a barrel vaulted ceiling was already in place, so MacGregors painstakingly handcrafted faux brick to cover the barrel vaulted ceiling then our artist custom colored each brick to ensure an aged look. Sheetrock walls were turned into plastered walls which reveal patches of crumbling bricks in select places where the plaster has chipped away. Clients and designer feel this mission was accomplished. Cheers

Faux brick before we plastered over the edges.

before of plaster walls and bricks being painted

laying out the bricks and plaster

HGTV showed some of our work again

2009-05-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

It was fun to see some of our work show up on HGTV last week again!

Here is a little black powder room that we did, with its chipped plaster exposing the gilded ceiling underneath.

The wood trim on the staircase was painted to match the Brazilian cherry floors and stairs. The walls and columns were hand plastered to create the look of cut travertine stone.

Designer Marie Dunn wanted to create a look that was cutting edge yet still keeping the old prominent look of this grand house.

Venetian Plaster Walls FAQ

2009-05-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Plaster walls are something that are often over looked by homeowners and designers. These two different rooms both have one thing in common and that is the feeling of warmth! Sure the walls are plastered but they have depth and history, something flat wall paint could never achieve.

Some of the oldest traces of plaster walls reach back 9,000 years found in Anatolia and Syria. Some 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians used plaster on the blocks of the Great Pyramid Cheops. It wasn't until the 1550's that the Venetians re-invented it and mastered it giving it more possibilities.

We put together a list of the most often asked questions on Venetian Plaster.

Q: What is Venetian Plaster?

A: It is an interior finish used mostly on walls and ceilings first made popular in the 1550's in Venice, Italy. In recent years it has become one of the most sought after wall finishes.

Q: What are the ingredients?

A: Aged slaked lime, marble dust and pigment.

Q: How durable is the Venetian Plaster?

A: Very. More so than paint. It is dent and scratch resistant. It has some flex to it so it tends to resist cracks that would otherwise mar a wall.

Q: Can I wash it?

A: Yes, after the sealer is applied. Jeremy uses a sealer that doesn’t change the beautiful look of the Venetian Plaster, matte or polished.

click on pictures to enlarge

If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done

2009-05-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

One evening Jeremy received a phone call from one of his favorite designers around 6pm. "I need a favor!" "Sure" says Jeremy "what can I do for you?" "I need a medallion painted but I don't have time to bring it to you, it's at the client's house." "No problem I'll just pick it up first thing in the morning before I go to my next job!" "Well that's the other part of the favor I need to ask you, it's being installed first thing tomorrow morning by the electrician's at 8:00 am can you do it for me please!!!" "What do you want it to look like?" asked Jeremy. "Oh I don't know for sure make it look like the chandelier if you can." Jeremy drove across town pick up the medallion and a piece of the chandelier and brought it home and worked on it in his studio until 1:00 in the morning mixing paints and holding a blow dryer over it to speed dry each layer.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Southern Living Show House 08 with Dillard Jones Builders

2009-05-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Last December Jeremy was asked to once again work with Dillard Jones Builders on the Southern Living show house here in Greenville. He did a 5 layer Tuscan Plaster treatment for the wine cellar pictured here.

He used Sherwin-Williams paint in ginger with a dark brown glaze to achieve the rustic patina shown.

Please Click on pictures to enlarge.

This is a view into the powder room the finish is lusterstone

in brown suede. It's decor was executed by Brian Brighman.

This shot is the Master bath. Once again Brian Brigham is the designer. Jeremy did a faux bois treatment on the cabinets. He has no idea what combination of colors he used to achieve this look he was given a small sample and asked if he could recreate it and so he did!

Next is the master bedroom which unfortunately we only have shots of the piece itself so you do not get the view of the room. This was an old

1970 stereo cabinet which was not painted. His challenge was to take this piece and make it compatible with the tremeau above it. What cha think? We think he did okay.

To see the more of the house click here http://www.dillardjones.com/

A faux leather study that's sure to work!

2009-05-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Click picture to enlarge

Homeowner Judi Carney and designer Christy Johnson with Fowler Interiors got together to discuss that special something she wanted for her husband's home office. Christy came up with a palette of colors that were soft and comfortable not stuffy but masculine..

Christy and I where on the same wave link when we saw the room and said "Leather, it's got to be leather!"

I used a tissue paper to get the leather texture and Sherwin-Williams Rosemary as our base coat and Army Green as our glaze.
Now that the room is finished they love the feeling of calm that prevades the space that is their home office.

Judi was a blast to work with and a very busy lady as she is a Creative Consultant for Creative Memories. Check her out at www.mycmsite.com/judicarney

Designer Christy Johnson can be found at http://www.fowlerinteriors.com/

Click on picture for close-up

Kitchen Oven Hoods

2009-05-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge

This faux limestone oven hood was so well executed it even fooled the general contactor. He knew she wanted the real limestone but due to budget constraints it just wasn't a option. So the homeowner brought us in and showed the photograph of what she was looking for. We delivered a stunning likeness using plywood, trim and MDF corbels.

We used Aqua Stone for texture, went to Sherwin Williams and color matched a piece of slate found on the property. Sealed the stone and glazed it and then sealed it again.

Homeowner thinks its priceless. What's in your kitchen?

Turning ordinary sheetrock into stone

2009-05-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Before MacGregor
& Inspiration Fireplace

Brian with the Galleries of Brian Brigham in Greenville, SC gave us the challenge of turning ordinary sheet rock into stone. So we looked for a fireplace that gave us the inspiration. We found it in a cabin in Cashier in NC. It took less than a week to complete.

The homeowners house was being renovated upstairs, we were working downstairs. The lady of the house and I were standing there admiring the finished piece, when the general contractor walked in and says "Wow that's beautiful" he knocks on it with his knuckles, "where did you get the stone imported from!" She and I looked at each other. Smiling I said, "I guess it passes the real looking test then."

After MacGregor

Please click on picture to enlarge

Modello designs

2009-05-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

It is amazing as to what a litte paint and glaze can do for a ceiling. Our clients Brent and Emily, who have now become great friends, found this cool design at Modello Designs that Jeremy told them about.
Before Picture

Modello makes all sort of decorative masking patterns designed for all types of surfaces. Modello made this one custom for us. Using it like a stencil to paint, emboss, etch, inlay. We found the possibilities endless.

So for the ceiling Jeremy took a leather sample to Sherwin Williams and they helped us choose the topcoat glaze to go with Emily's Nomadic Desert base coat.

Jeremy then used a Aqua Bond french red paint for the ceiling medallion with a black glaze to give it depth an added drama.

Giant faux stone fireplace

2009-05-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

Check out this mantle. Not only looks but feels like real stone as well. Wenger Custom Home Builders commissioned us to turn this wooden fire place into an old world limestone fire place. Many of the pieces of lumber were left over scraps from the homes construction.

Wenger is really big into saving his clients money and the enviroment.

Please check out his website at

http://www.wengercustomhomes.com/

Painted Faux Bois Cabinets

2009-05-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

These kitchen cabinets were painted white. Designer Sandy Terry with SMT Insights, felt that the kitchen had to many white cabinets and that they needed some additional weight to this side of the room. So she commissioned us to paint them to look like wood that matched the kitchen island and blend with the fireplace in the keeping room at the opposite end of the room.

Here is a fireplace mantle made of MDF. With the help of Suburban Paint, we painted it to look like a deep dark rich wood to give some weight to this room.

www.suburbanpaintco.com

Farm house fireplace

2009-05-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Jeremy has been asked to do more and more fireplaces recently. Here is a picture of one that was found in a salvage yard by a home owner. Parts of this fire place mantle are over 2oo years old. Other parts were just added and modified by a carpenter to make it fit. Jeremy was asked to give it an old farm house feel. I think it works. The worn wood you see coming thru in the pictures is faux. He has painted the wood grain and put several colors of glaze on the green paint to give it an aged and distressed feel.

Victoria's fireplace mantle

2009-05-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

This is a before picture of our home. The mantle was small and sad. So we thought to turn this ugly little eye sore into an asset. By building it up to the ceiling we were able to draw the eyes upward creating a sense of drama with a bit of history. I had seen a fire place in Scotland that I liked drew it out for my husband Jeremy who is my faux artisan. The walls are faux limestone. They give the room another texture for the senses. Jeremy is always saying life is to short for flat paint.

2009-05-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is the after picture of our little fireplace mantle. I love to sit by it in the winter drinking tea or coco, while planning next years garden.

Last winter when the ice storm knock out the power for a week. Jeremy and I cooked over our working fire place he cooked steaks, hot dogs, chili, and I made smores and drank hot apple cider.