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The idea of reuse and recycle is not new. It’s as old as the hills. It’s just that it is more in keeping with my grandfathers generation than my own. So we get to discovery it all over again and claim it as ours. It really doesn’t matter whose idea it is or was. It’s just important that it gets done.

In my neighborhood they gave us a green garbage can for the recycle stuff and one for regular garbage. The first month we used it, we were shocked. We had way more in the recycle can than the regular trash by about 5-to-1! It made us realize just how much recycled stuff was going into the landfill that didn’t have to. Then we started to think about the years of this behavior and how we were adding to the world’s litter. YIKES, Scary! So now, before we dispose of something, we go through a moment of… “#1 Throw it Out” or “#2 Recycle Bin” or “#3 Throw in the Charity Box“. It ain’t much but it’s a start, right?

So we were in that frame of mind when the people at LiveWell Network called us to ask if we would do a segment for their “Deals” show. I had seen something recently on the net that I thought was darn clever; “Ways to recycle kids old toys.” (I’d like a penny for every time I stepped on a plastic “Star Wars” figure laying on the floor of the family room.) Although my sons are grown and married, I still had large popcorn tins full of all kinds of plastic characters that my kids have long forgotten. So I got functioning old lamp destined for the dump and gathered my toys and a hot glue gun and I was set for “Recycle Creative Battle”!

If you watch the segment on “Deals” this Saturday you will get the full step-by-step, but I’ll give a quick run-thru here.

Depending on the shape of the lamp you will need to create some sort of base that is attached to the lamp to build your tower of toys. I had some heavy paper plates but a disposable plastic plate or lid works just fine. I cut a hole in the center of the plate with scissors and slipped it over the lamp and down to the base and hot glued it in place. Now I’m ready to place my toys.

The toys should be clean. Dirty hands have touched and loved on them a thousand times so clean them up with a little soap and water. Make sure they are dry.

We started with the larger toys at the bottom. We glued them to the lamp and the base and then to each other. The higher you go on the lamp the smaller the toys get. Also, I discovered that we needed a lot of little plastic toys to fill small holes. I made a quick run to the dollar store for a bag of tiny dinosaurs.

Once they were all glued on, we spray painted it. What was so funny was, after we got all the toys glued on and before we painted it, people came into the studio to see what we were doing. I have never seen adults so tickled by the sight of something so silly as this “toy lamp.” It was amazing to see everyone identify their favorite cartoon or movie character. They inspected it like it was lost treasure! See, there is still a kid in all of us!

Well, half of the people that wandered through thought we should not paint it. It was cool enough on its own. I was from the “Let’s Paint It” crowd, so we painted it.

After that was completed, we added a light bulb and a new lamp shade. Ta Da! A fabulous new lamp! I have to say it is a pretty cool. Painting it gave it an entirely different look. It became art.

First, you saw all these unusual shapes and then you start to realize what created the shapes. Toys! Talk about spreading happiness twice around…that’s the ultimate recycle!

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Antiqued Inlaid Mirrors with Gold Leaf Design

Mirror designs!

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Here there be dragons…

I gave you a little glimpse on Instagram of a theater room that we completed recently in the Memorial area of Houston. Now, we can show the total picture and give you a little of the back story. This was a collaborative project with Interior Designers Jane Page Crump and Laura Litton, sculptor Rod Flower, the artists here at Anything But Plain, and of course our homeowner.

It is so much fun to create something truly unique. From three dimensional dragons, golden Shinto roofs, to Chinese lettering of good fortune on metallic plaster, this room reflects the cultural heritage of the client. I’m going let Rod tell you about the conception and creation of these spectacular dragons!

“In Chinese culture, dragons represent prosperity and good fortune, and are lovers of both music and literature, making them an obvious choice for decoration. For this particular setting, a home theater room, the dragons are integrated with the Asian motifs and décor, blending together cultural elements and symbols. Interior Designer Jane Page introduced the idea of having a pair of dragons running the full length of the theater, their serpentine figures wrapping around the walls and culminating at the end of the room, each head of a dragon flanking the projection screen. Much research and dozens of sketches were produced for the final look, and clay models were created to determine the depth, texture and composition.” says Rod Flower.

“The idea was to depict the dragons, beginning with their tails, as bas relief sculpture, extending into fully dimensional figures that emerge off the walls and are perched on the columns; their heads turning towards the theater’s entrance.”

Ron also said, “The final sculptures were carved from two pound density expanded polystyrene foam, hard coated and painted with metallic finishes. The dragon heads were hollowed out to accommodate the LED fixtures for their eyes, with inlaid stained glass so that each dragon had an amber or scarlet glow.”

Once the concept for the dragon with Rod was in place, Jane Page asked us to create a ornate wall finish that replicates the feel of an Asian temple. Metallic plaster walls, with faded Chinese lettering and a raised medallion created the perfect backdrop for Rod’s dragons. A glaze finish with gold and silver embellishments were applied to roofs, trim, carved doors, and crown. The client loved the end result!

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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Well, the magazine has finally hit the streets!

We had the Luxe magazine dropped at our doorstep this week. It shows the ceiling we painted in the kitchen for the Preservation Show house, “Villa De Luxe” in all its glory. If you didn’t get a chance to visit this beautiful home located in the Shadyside subdivision of Houston, please pick up the magazine. The pictures are lovely! I showed you a couple of shots on instagram but it certainly didn’t do the house justice.

When the house was open for the preview party I was a docent in the kitchen (kind of like a glorified tour guide). I pointed out different features of the room to the people touring the house. In the butler’s pantry there was a closet with a large safe that only the owner and those working on the house had any knowledge of. One older lady and her husband walked directly to the closet, opened it up, and using a high intensity flashlight, started to read the inscription on the front of the safe. I was a little shocked that someone would come into a home on tour and rifle through their things. Well, I found out that the lady had played in the house as a child and knew all the hidey-holes and secrets of the house. Her husband was something of a “safe buff” so she wanted to show him the manufacturer’s marks and dates. The safe was more than 150 years old. I thought, how wonderful that someone knew the history of the old house and had such happy memories of the place.

We painted a mural on the ceiling of the artist’s study in the house as well. When you came up the stairs you saw an open sky with white doves. The whole theme of the room was wings. Very cool! It was Interior Designer Margie Slovack’s room. Well, the magazine showed the room but not the ceiling. It was a little disappointing not to have the work accompany the article, but the write-up was really good. Such is life in the big world.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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It’s spring! Are you getting out the mops and brooms? This is the time of year when our clients call to find out how to clean the scuff marks, dirt, or grease from surfaces we have faux finished. Are you having the same thoughts? Here are a few ideas that may make the process simpler!

If your decorative painter or faux finisher used water based products, such as acrylic or latex to create your finish, you want a water based solution to clean them. You would be surprised at how easily a little water and a light touch with a rag can take care of most of your problems.

If the marks or dirt are a little more stubborn or it involves kitchen grease, we suggest a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Always use a clean white cloth such as a terry towel or white t-shirt material to clean your surfaces. The dye from colored rags can transfer their color to your surface so stick with white. Dampen your rag with the mixture and lightly go over the spot to see if this does the trick. You might have to repeat the process a few times.

If the dirt is still not budging, try a little diluted dishwashing liquid and a clean white cloth. Notice how our cleaning products are getting stronger and stronger. Start with the simplest first and slowly get more aggressive until you resolve the problem.

These rules apply to your cabinets as well. I know cabinet finishes look stronger because they are on wood. Treat them as you would good furniture. Remember: No Scrubbies, No Soft Scrub.

If your surface has a metallic leaf, foil, iridescent, pearl or metallic finish, beware! They are very sensitive to everything. If water doesn’t work, stop there and call the artist to resolve the problem.

If you are like me and have a love affair with the “Magic Eraser,” be very, very careful! It can take off your finish or dull your shine. On flat finishes it will make a shiny spot. So if you must, use it sparingly. Beware of any product with bleach or an abrasive as an additive. They destroy finishes!

All finishes need to cure out before they can be washed or cleaned. The surface maybe hard but the entire finish takes longer than the surface to cure. Once the artist has completed their work please allow 6 to 8 weeks for it to cure before cleaning.

Hello Spring, Summer is almost here!

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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I like to be fooled as much as the next guy (meaning not at all), unless I’m in on the joke. Trompe L’Oeil (pronounced “tromp loy“) is a French painting term that means “to fool the eye.” It is a painted illusion. It appears as one thing but it truth it is something else. It may look like a fly on the wall but upon closer examination you see it’s only painted on. Or you reach out to pick up a dollar bill off the floor only to find that it’s really a painted part of the floor. It only appears to be 3 dimensional.

These are small examples, but in decorative painting we can do them on a scale of any size. In some popular finishes you see walls painted to look like stone blocks or marble slabs. That’s trompe l’oeil. Add gaping holes where you see a room beyond or where it opens up to a painted sky, that’s just fun! Trompe L’oeil can give the illusion of texture, space, dimension and depth. All the things that make objects appear real.

I’ve always been fascinated with Trompe L’Oeil painting. I think it’s because the artist needs such exacting skills to pull off something so realistic. Years ago I was in Laguna Nigel at an antique store. I stepped out the backdoor of the shop to see some yard art. With my first step out the door, I scanned the floor quickly to get my footing, and I instinctively jumped back to avoid stepping into the goldfish pond. It took a second to figure out it wasn’t a real pond I was about to step in, only a painted one. I laughed at myself for being fooled. I distinctly remember thinking what a great sense of humor the owner of the shop had and how well the artist had pulled of the illusion. Then I waited to see who else would fall for it!

I like to incorporate trompe l’oeil into our decorative painting and faux finish projects. It can be a little added surprise to the room, or even the main focus. You know it’s done really well when everyone assumes it’s the real thing!

Here’s a ceiling in a bedroom we are doing for a current client. That’s not fabric on the ceiling, it’s a hand painted illusion. The client’s room has a green and purple color palette. We used those colors in the stripes. To make it a little easier on the artist’s neck, this was hand painted on canvas and then installed. I know – the room isn’t complete – the light fixtures, drapes, and furniture need to go in. We were so pleased with the outcome I just had to show it off. We’ll post the final project when the room is finished.

This is an entrance to a temple. We painted the arches and columns to look like they were carved from stone. They seem to go on and on. It was painted directly on the sheetrock. It was a great project to create. It was something so unique and it was nice to know it would be seen by so many.

The sky ceiling was done in a child’s bedroom. This was painted directly on the ceiling. (No, we don’t lie on our backs to do it.) This was a simple solution for a small room with few windows. The sky gave the room an open feeling. The birds added a sense of motion.

Illusions, illusions, I just love them! Oh, I just realized that April Fool’s Day is coming up. Don’t be fooled unless it’s by great trompe l’oeil!

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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Villa de Luxe Show House

A few weeks ago we were invited to participate in the Villa de Luxe Show House that was to benefit Preservation Houston Association. We were thrilled to be asked. One, because it is such a great organization. Preservation Houston educates the public about existing architectural treasures in Houston and those that need to be rescued. Secondly, we were humbled to be a part of such an illustrious select group of Interior Designers. We got to work in a beautiful 1920’s house in a very exclusive gated area of town. A 1920’s house might not sound old to some but in Houston it is practically an antique. For those of you who aren’t from our area you need to know that Houston is a relatively new city. It big and spread out and we tend to tear down rather than repair when it comes to anything old. So to be able to work on this beautiful old girl was wonderful.

The house will be featured in Luxe magazine where you’ll be able to see the entire house and gardens. The magazine has just gone to press and they have exclusive rights. But I did want to show you some snippets to give you an idea of the grandeur of this house. Every Interior Designer was given a room to design. I had the opportunity to create a ceiling finish for Margie Slovack of Slovack-Bass in a small space on the second floor upper landing. You might have seen previous postings of our sky ceiling with doves in flight. Margie and her team came up with the concept for an artist library. They had a great mix of acrylic, mirrored, and leather furniture along with textural elements in the fur pieces and the existing grass cloth walls to give the room a very layered organic look. Wings and feather symbolism played a big part of the design. The soft grey blues and whites in the ceiling continued the theme as well as giving the space a sense of openness and infinite height.

The kitchen concept was a co-operative effort with Steve Addiego of G&S Custom Draperies, and Julie Koch of Elegant Additions, and my crew at Anything But Plain. As the home is still a residence we were limited by the homeowner as to what could be changed. Like any job, the client has the final say so, and we go with their wishes. We could not change the appliances, granite, floors, or cabinets. This meant it would be a decorative update rather than a remodel. New drapes, new hardware and plumbing fixtures, and something grand and colorful was needed for the ceiling. There was an existing tile backsplash so that became our starting point. The tile, the beige walls, and stain cabinets made for a very beige room. We wanted to add life! You already know I love color. To me this was the easy part. In keeping with the “Italianate” style of the home we created a colorful Italian pottery feel to the ceiling. Then we had the room accessorized by “The Accessory Place”. They played up the Italian influence with white pottery, greenery, silver candles, and added some mercury glass that co-ordinates well with the shiny hardware. The end result was everything we had envisioned!

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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I love color. I embrace it. Psychologically, I need color to make me feel alive. As with most people (whether they’re aware of it or not) I get an emotional response from color. It can also create a mood in any room where it is used.

When I first started my business as a decorative painter, I thought I would be surrounded by people who, like myself, were wildly enthusiastic about using color. What a shock! Most people are intimated by color. They tell us how much they want to use color but mostly they are terrified that their color choice will overwhelm them or their rooms. It doesn’t have to be scary. It should be great fun and something to experiment with. So let’s talk a little about some colors and how their use can impact you.

Red is a great color for love, richness and warmth. It also works as a stimulating influence to make you feel excited or prone to increased intensity. You tend to act quicker in a red room. Restaurants use red so that you eat quickly and with gusto, making room for the next patron. Bordellos use red too. I assume for similar reasons.

Pepto Bismol Pink can zap your strength. If I have you lift a 5 gallon bucket of paint, it might be heavy, but most people would be able to do it. If I have you stare at a wall painted hot pink for 5 minutes and then asked you to lift the bucket, you might not be able to. Why? It plays with your brain and measurably weakens you. That’s why it is used in “drunk tanks” in jails where people can become violent. (I wish I knew about this when my kids were little!)

In our last blog we talked about how pale yellow can make babies cranky but primary yellow can raise their intelligence.

Blue can convey a feeling of serenity, calmness and a sense of order. I always thought men choose blue for rooms because it matched their clothing, i.e., blue suits, navy, ties, etc., but maybe it’s the other way around. It gives the wearer a business-like appearance. Blue is also the most popular color, but you’ll notice it’s not common in food. It can make food items appear unappetizing. When I think of blue food all that comes to mind is blueberries and that weird blue frosting on birthday cakes.

Green just screams nature. It’s tranquil and is a sign of fertility. When you think about it, green goes with everything. Visualize flowers and leaves. No matter what the color of the flower the green leaf is going to match. Some people refer to green as the new neutral. No matter where you put it, it looks great.

Orange is a real statement color. It’s warm and energetic so it gets people’s attention. Right now we are seeing really hot orange colors in design. It can infuse a room with a real liveliness.

Purple is regal and very formal. Royal crests and exotic places are what comes to mind when purple is used in design. Eggplant is one of the few foods that is purple and for some, pretty exotic.

I like gray but mostly as an accent. Grey can be sad and sterile. The same with beige. Beige can be warm but mostly it’s neutral. It doesn’t say much. It’s a safe color. Most people use these colors in reverse order. A lot of beige and gray with a tiny bit of color instead of a lot of color with accents of neutrals. Color doesn’t have to be super strong to impact your design. Soft hues and tones of any color can work just as well.

When I’m working with homeowners, I take note of what color clothes they wear, especially women. Women know what looks best on their skin tones and they tend to choose those colors for their rooms. Smart on their part. You always want to look your best in your own surroundings.

When I know a client’s favorite color but they haven’t used it in their home, I encourage then to create an entire room with it. Doing a large sample of the final finish helps them make that leap into new colors. Ultimately, they surprise themselves with how much they enjoy these spaces. After that, having them incorporating color into their home is a piece of cake.

Color can transform a space so quickly. I know it can go either good or bad, but by playing around with color you’ll get an opportunity to create a setting that is truly yours.

Sincerely,

Janie Ellis, RID, ASID-IP, CF,
Master Artisan
janie@anythingbutplain.com

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