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See Janie's work in this newly released book, "Designer Faux finishing" by Victor DeMasi!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANYTHING BUT PLAIN
12539 Duncan, Suite D
Houston, Texas 77066

Phone:
(281) 444-2070
Toll-free:
(800) 444-1170
 
 
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 nything But Plain, School of Decorative Finishes is Texas' largest, and Houston's only faux painting studio and faux finishing school established and taught by working and commissioned faux finishing artisans.

"...The tips, tricks, and techniques I have learned this past week were truly remarkable. I have invested in many things: college degrees, husbands, real estate and the stock market but the money I invested in your school is by far the best money I have ever spent.  I am throwing out all of my old archaic methods and products. I can’t thank you enough for providing me with your valuable experience and knowledge." -Susan Wishlinski


The Anything But Plain School is a complete resource of classes and workshops for faux finishers, decorative painters, muralists, stencilers, and those who like to do it themselves. Located in Houston, Texas, Anything But Plain is truly committed to teaching professional faux painting artisans of all levels of expertise, as well as home owners. We take great pride in offering new and exciting faux finishes and decorative painting workshops in our classroom setting. We provide students with the necessary hand on training for a solid foundation of time honored faux finishing techniques and decorative painting principles.

At our school of decorative finishing, we have created an environment that is spacious, comfortable and creatively stimulating, perfect for our comprehensive classes in the art of faux and decorative painting. Our students accomplish remarkable results through our proven training, creating the sophisticated painted finish looks that grace the walls of the most elegant of homes and magazines.


See our list of classes and workshops to view all of our current and upcoming classes.

Read More ...
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Aug 2007 Class



Students of our most recent Go Pro Class

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New Class Schedule for 2008



New and exciting Faux and Decorative Finishes, using the latest techniques, with the finest product, in a creative and lively atmosphere, for the professional and beginners.
 

GO PRO
The “Go Pro” class is our most popular class. It is a comprehensive 5 day workshop that emphasizes the foundation and principles in the art of faux finishing and the faux finish business. This unique hands-on approach was specifically designed for the student, with little or no experience, who wants to get a jump-start into the faux finish business or for the home owner who would like to learn a wide array of faux finishes to replicate in their own home. We complete a variety of samples, from simple processes to intricate multi-layered finishes that will enhance any portfolio, plus time tested methods for getting your faux finish business off the ground.


FURNITURE AND CABINETRY FINISHES
To compliment our beautiful faux finished walls, we offer our advanced students our “Furniture and Cabinetry” workshop to enhance the trim, crown, or cabinets in any room. Whether new or used, we take a step-by- step approach in transforming wood or formica surfaces into elegant, high end furniture quality faux finishes. Be astounded by the results of these detail specific techniques that add glamour to any surface with gilding, embedded pattern, and imprinted artwork.

TEXTURES
For our advanced students who have previously taken our “Go Pro Class” and have fallen in love with the time worn effects of textured surfaces; our “Textures, Venetian Plasters and Italian Walls” class is for you. Rich palettes, vivid hues, and sun drenched colors of multi-dimensional faux finishes incorporates Venetian Plasters, with their rich multi-sheen colors, as well as, the classical feel of rough distressed Tuscan Walls, and dazzling metallic of contemporary Italy. Using an extensive repertoire of textural products you will produce believable detailed illusions.
 
StucoLux™ and LimeLux™ Class
These are the hottest new plaster products from Faux Effects™ International. LimeLux™

is an authentic tintable lime-based plaster. This creamy, smooth material glides on easily and provides maximum undulations of color, depth, and polish. Stucolux™ is a mineral-based plaster that easily polishes to a high gloss finish. Good news! These are green products! 


MURALS
Mastering the Mural with Sharon Leichsenring
We are honored to present a national award winning muralist, Sharon Leichsenring. Her mural painting class is lively and fun yet truly grounded in the traditional concepts of decorative painting. This class explores both landscape and Trompe L’oeil elements in the mural we will be completing. “Our success is measured by the confidence and skills with which we endow each student,” states Sharon. “Our goal is to provide our students with the ability to design and execute their own mural once they have left the classroom”

TROMPE L’OEIL
You ask for it and we are delivering the goods! The subjects of our "Trompe L’oeil" class were hand picked by past Anything But Plain students. Our award winning instructor, Sharon Leichsenring, was asked to share her signature style in a variety of techniques that makes the painted image pop right off the wall. The students even picked out what illusions they wanted to create. Come join us to see what they chose and how to add dimension to your work!

MODELLO™ and WALL PATTERNS
We are thrilled to show our students the fabulous ways to use the highly innovative Modellos ™ created by Melanie Royals of Royal Design Studio. They lend themselves to be used on an eclectic array of surfaces like glass, sheetrock, wood, paper, even concrete with all of our great Faux EffectsProducts, Wait until you see the eye popping samples made with Modello™ and our own Lusterstone™. Modellos™ are a one time use pattern that allows the artist an opportunity to create the most intricate multi-layered designs that can’t be achieved with stencils. They can be intricate or simple, positive or negative!

RS SERIES™
There is always something new here at Anything But Plain! We just love trying out Faux Effect ™ Inc. latest new products. Gary Lord, from Prismatic Painting Studio, in Ohio, will be teaching advanced texture methods with Faux Effects ™ newest products! They are really sensational!

Ja Decor
Looking for a unique "green" product, that offers acoustical qualities as well as beauty? Ja Decor is a new cotton product that can be customized to create soft textural finishes with or without sparkle! It's troweled on and easy to apply and repair. Let instructor Tim Bell show you how to measure, mix, and install this wonderful contemporary product. We use Ja Decor in the restroom at the school and we just love it.
 
 
BUSINESS OF FAUX
You want to be successful in your faux finish business no matter what level you are in your career. The "Business of Faux” is a 4 hour class that helps answer that basic start up questions of marketing, sales, networking, the bidding process, and making a profit as a faux painting artisan. Make this small investment of time and money that will pay for itself many times over.
 
 
CLOUDS
You won’t look at clouds the same way ever again after our 2 day “Clouds” class. In “Go Pro” class you learn a basic cloud finish. Now, as you advance, we’ll show you other techniques, some for production work and some much more painterly, but all of them beautiful!
 
 
SPRAY CLASS
Spray class
is a necessity for those students who wish to increase their profit margin in their faux painting business. Let us show you a quicker, more economical way to achieve those fabulous faux finishes in half the time. This spray class will take the scare factor away in using an HVLP spray gun for applying base coat, top coats, glazes, and textures. We make it easy and non-intimidating. 
 
Mirror Class
Antique Mirror is highly sought after by interior designers and homeowners. Until now you had to let time create this elegant look. Thanks to the Antique Mirror Patination system you can acheive the aging process and even put in any pattern. Using Modellos™, mica power and metallic leaf, you will get excellant results that are very salable in todays highend market.

WOODGRAINING and MARQUETRY
Gary Lord is back again with a great new class. This traditional art has never gone out of fashion and right now it is red hot. A working knowledge of woodgraining is a necessity for the professional artist! Let Gary show you these money making techniques!

SKINS AND STONES 
Our students asked Trisha Collins to cherry pick their favorite finishes from 2 of her classes to create this compellation of her best selling finishes in exotic stones and animal skins. 
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See our work in the HDR

 

 
65 Anything But Plain School - 12539 Duncan, Suite DHouston Texas
Go Pro - The Foundations of Faux Finishing
This fast paced 5-day class is specifically designed for the student who wants to get a jump-start...
Nov 17 - 21, 2008 
79 Anything But Plain School - 12539 Duncan, Suite DHouston Texas
Business of Faux - 1/2 Day Class (No Prerequisite)
This 5-hour seminar gets right to the heart of a faux finish business. How Much Do I Charge? By the...
Nov 22, 2008 
61 Anything But Plain School - 12539 Duncan, Suite DHouston Texas
Textures, Venetian Plaster & Italian Walls 5 Day Class ( Prerequisite GoPro Class)
Artistically textured finishes continue to dominate the home decor industry. The reason is simple....
Dec 1 - 5, 2008 
87 Anything But Plain School - 12539 Duncan, Suite DHouston Texas
StucoLux and LimeLux - 2 day class
You will love the easy workability of these high shine plasters. Mineral-based StucoLux™ comes...
Dec 6 - 7, 2008 
75 Anything But Plain School - 12539 Duncan, Suite DHouston Texas
Go Pro - The Foundations of Faux Finishing
This fast paced 5-day class is specifically designed for the student who wants to get a jump-start...
Jan 12 - 16, 2009 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
FULL SCHEDULE 



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