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Being the only one of three painters to return this client’s
call, it truly brought two amazing people into my life. Even while
the home had literally been reduced to a shell, they knew exactly
the final path their home would take. Transforming it into a Tuscan
Villa was the force that drove us all. My contribution would add a
kitchen that is entirely a mural, faux painting on all walls in the
main living area, and a master bathroom that has faux painted drapery
and a mural. Finally, I faux painted the garden room, adding stylized
flowers and birds. This process would set me off on a five-year adventure,
returning off and on to finish each new piece.
The first phase was painting the kitchen walls terra cotta and faux
painting 6 colors over that base coat. Reds, greens, blues, rust and
ochers were applied then sanded off over and over again until the
walls looked like rock. The veining and distressing were added at
this point to create shadow and detail as needed. This kitchen was
only about 8’ wide and 12’ deep after all the cabinets
were installed. I was fortunate to work prior to the cabinet installation.
The original ceiling was removed and extended to 12’ with the
finished peaked ceiling opening it up and adding this perfect space
for the mural. The mural actually starts at the 8’ mark. The
entire kitchen took three months to complete. The clients wanted to
be transported to another place when they were in the kitchen--Welcome
to Italy...
The old thick twisting grape vine set the tone of the mural and goes
around the perimeter of the kitchen. Michelangelo was the inspiration
for the man bringing food to the woman with his majestic goose. My
client was the model for the woman and her husband looks surprisingly
like the man.
The shutters around the insets are real, as are the terra cotta pots
made by the client’s daughter. I distressed the shutters and
they can be moved in and out to create different looks.
The doves and Benvenuti con Amore (welcome with love) greeting were
added to welcome you as you enter the kitchen.
Continuing down to the pocket door of the pantry I painted the chickens
living on the property, they are pecking their way up the steps. Unfortunately
one of the chickens died later and I added a halo over her head evoking
the bright light of heaven for her to walk into. Rest in peace Eleanor...
This mural included a distant view of a vineyard.
The floor was painted with a thick leaf border and roping to simulate
a rug. The installer painted one coat of varnish on the new wood and
then I painted the rug, which he later sealed with three additional
coats. The rug took approximately 30 hours. There are two messages
painted into the leaf border from each of the clients to the other.
We move now into the hallway leading to the master suite, showing
the faux on the walls and the painted inset that matches the kitchen
faux. The flowers are real. This is the faux that covers all walls
in the main living area.
Now entering the beautiful master bedroom and bath area. It is very
private and we created a romantic softness in the bathroom to take
the chill out of all the stone. There is a domed ceiling with a skylight,
which is where the faux drapery starts. It tumbles down onto the walls
and wraps the occupants in warmth. The woman is approaching her bath
after leaving her private villa and pool. Her transparent gown was
a wonderful challenge to paint.
The spout at her feet is really a $12 synthetic challis purchased
by the client at a discount store. It was faux painted to resemble
stone, sealed and installed over the water pipe. The water appears
to flow out of an ancient fixture.
Exiting this bath area leads you to the master bedroom, which is decorated
very simply but beautifully in soft neutrals and rose tones with beautiful
lighting. Just off the bedroom a glass door leads you to the stone
steps of the garden room then out into their peaceful yard. Faux painting
the walls in soft corals and neutral tones first set the stage for
the mural of flowers and birds. Many of the flowers used in the mural
were photographed on the property.
This home was built in the 70’s and after the clients purchased
it they first built a guesthouse to live in while the main home was
re-built to resemble a Tuscan villa. Most of the fixtures and some
of the furnishings were carefully sought out in salvage yards around
the country. This attention to detail both inside and out is a great
testimony to the vision of these clients.
I consider myself very fortunate that they opened their home and hearts
and allowed me to contribute to this amazing project. I feel as if
I am a part of the very soul of their home and consider them friends.
My wish would be that you all could see the end result of this very
real treasure that is their home.
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