June 1st, 2013

Stencil Showcase Showoff!

The Saint Paul Bed and Breakfast

It’s Showcase season! That time of year when local houses of interest all over the country are transformed by teams of designers and talented artisans for a brief run of walkthroughs by local interior design enthusiasts. Showcase Houses are always so fun to tour, not only because the designers pull out all the stops to impress you, but there is generally a deserving charity involved, and often the chosen homes feature fabulous architecture and features that have seen better days. Artist Crista Maree Bartholomew, based in Minneapolis, MN,  recently became involved in a Showcase project near and dear to her own heart.  A historic building in her hometown, the Frank P. and Anna Shepard House, was in danger of being destroyed. The home is located in the Historic Hill Heritage Preservation District, which is characterized by the largest concentration of nineteenth-century architectural examples in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the last minute, the home was rescued by a couple who planned to convert it into both a private residence and a warm and comforting destination, The Saint Paul Bed & Breakfast.

The home has now been thankfully transformed by various designers for a premier interior design event, the ASID Showcase Home.  This historic 15,000 square foot brick Queen Anne Victorian mansion boasts 22 spaces, including four public suites.  Prior to the renovations, the home included 13 bedrooms, 14 baths and 6 fireplaces! This building has been an icon in St. Paul and Crista was honored to be chosen to work with designers in two separate projects and we are SO THRILLED that in both areas, she incorporated stencil patterns from both Royal Design Studio and Modello® Designs. Let’s take a little tour of our own through Crista’s painted spaces….

Chevron Stencil Pattern on Floor | Royal Design Studio Stencils | Project by Crista Maree

CRAFT ROOM & LAUNDRY FLOOR

Interior designer Kristen Sheikh of Bruit de la Mode, envisioned a fresh, youthful space with a little bit of quirkiness to help inspire creativity. She designed separate “zones”: the Laundry Room, Craft and Sewing space and a special area with access to the roof.  Challenged by the small room with three angled walls, Sheikh embraced the uniqueness of the space and its fantastic window feature. Crista was able to connect the spaces visually (and dramatically!) by stenciling the floor with a bold black and white chevron pattern.

Chevron Pattern Stenciled on Staircase Flooring | Royal Design Studio Stencil | Artist: Crista Maree

She used the large Modern Chevron Wall Stencil from the Allover Modern Stencils Collection in a two-tone finish. The floor is original to the home and was very uneven with wavy boards so when so after completing the bulk of the pattern with the stencil, she cut in to the edges using tape, and finished the work by hand. Now, who wouldn’t love to have a craft room like this?!

Fabulous Chevron Zig Zag Pattern on Flooring | Modern Chevron Wall Stencil by Royal Design Studio | Project by Crista Maree

PARLOR

The Parlor is a comfortable space where guests of the Bed & Breakfast can relax in multiple seating areas near the fireplace.  The designer, Karen Soojian of KSID Studio, LLC, selected a fresh, modern palette of white and off-whites with splashes of aqua to infuse the room with light, while warm cognac and sienna tones retain the elegance and honor the storied history of the home.

Contempo-Trellis-Stencil-on-Feature-Wall

The parlor walls are treated with Crista’s hand-tied Linen Plaster finish, which creates a subtle yet stunning backdrop for the Contempo Trellis Stencil from Royal Design Studio which she stenciled over the plaster in a subtle two-color palette.

Modello-Stencil-on-Ceiling

The gorgeous paneled ceiling becomes even MORE gorgeous with the addition of a large-scale decorative pattern. This is a Modello® Designs masking stencil, designed especially for this special space. It features five colors with metallic influences that coordinate beautifully with the wall stenciling, drapery and up0holstery fabrics.

Stenciled-Walls-and-Ceiling

The seemingly effortless mix of old, historic architecture and contemporary stencil patterns and design details works so beautifully here, it makes me long to see the rest of the house! This ASID Showcase Home will be open to the public in St. Paul, Minnesota, through June 9th, 2013 with The Saint Paul Bed & Breakfast officially opening on August 1, 2013.

You can find more of Crista’s beautiful work on her company website, Crista Maree, as well as her Facebook fan page.  We hope you’ve been inspired by her incredible use of stencils, finishes and color combinations! If you’d like even more inspiration, be sure to stop by our Royal Design Studio/Modello Designs Facebook fan page, Pinterest boards and Twitter stream for daily doses of pattern and design ideas!

 

December 2nd, 2012

Stencil Star: Lauren Gaines

Our Stencil Stars™ series  featuring artists around the world who use our stenciled designs and decorative paint techniques in unique, wonderful ways — and North Carolina artist Lauren Gaines is no exception. Her love of ornamental patterns shines through as she frequently uses our Royal Design Studio stencil patterns and Modello® masking stencils in her many fabulous design projects. 

INTRODUCING LAUREN GAINES….

Lauren has been interested in color, design and texture throughout her life.  She was first introduced to faux painting approximately 20 years ago in the age of the dreaded “sponge painting”.  She initially learned many of her skills “on the job”, as this was pre-internet age when not every bit of info could be found at the tips of googling fingers.  She began her professional studio, Designs in Paint, 17 years ago and worked with a local artisan who opened her eyes to the many possibilities of decorative painting and helped further her love of painting.  Since that time, Lauren takes an average of two decorative finishing studio workshops per year to bring cutting edge products and technologies to her market-in addition to creating and developing her own signature finishes.  Every wall and ceiling is her canvas and she showcases her passion to each of her clients.

Above: Lauren used multi-colored plasters and stenciled in the Modello™ Designs Ornamental Center stencil (OrnCen120) with stained gold leaf to beautifully finish the barrel ceiling. Below: A stylish and elegantly worn plaster finish incorporating our Fabric Damask stencil in a beautiful “faded” colorway! The Fabric Damask is one of the patterns from our popular Allover Damask Stencil Collection. Aren’t these colors divine?!?

What draws you to Stenciling?

I love the effect that both pattern and texture can have on a room.  On most of my more elaborate finishes,  I use a combination of the two.   I create a separate complementary backdrop finish before the application of traditional stencils or Modello™ Designs vinyl stencils.  I also love the ability to create custom looks and alter the patterns easily. More times than not, I will alter the original design repetition to suit the scale of the room, building a finish from the ground up. On a personal note, I actually find the process of stenciling relaxing; the repetition and rhythm focuses the mind away from the daily grind.

A striking allover wallpaper design is achieved by an incredible application of our Modello™ Designs Eastern Allover vinyl stencils (EasAll158) in a bath. Chic and unforgettable!

Please share your top Stenciling tip with us.

My top stenciling tip would be to recommend using a variety of mediums on the same stencil application.  The mix of these products creates a more complex finish overall.  I often have combinations that include metallic plasters with gilt creams, tints or full bodies plasters to my finishes.  Sometimes I will even over-glaze them, adding yet another layer of depth. I love the way the glaze captures the mediums differently.

The Florentine Damask stencil helps complete a creamy, dreamy plaster wall finish above. In the room below, the ceiling has a Modello™ Designs Ornamental Ceiling stencil pattern (OrnCen162a) and the lovely plaster walls are once again stenciled with our Florentine Damask design. Beautiful!

(Lauren cont.) I’d also be happy to share my newest “favorite find.”  After years of wishing and wanting, I located a fantastic 5-point self leveling laser from Bosch (Model # GPL5C) for use on ceiling and walls.  The $300 price tag paid for itself on my first Modello™  stencil ceiling after the purchase by shortening the installation from a few hours to mere minutes. It not only saved me time and money, but more importantly, gave me peace of mind that all my design elements were installed perfectly.

Installing a Modello stencil with the Bosch Laser

 How does Stenciling enhance your creative business?

The use of both mylar and Modello® vinyl stencils has literally revolutionized my business.  Prior to their inception,  I was fond of saying “I can’t even paint a stick figure.”  I would often refer potential clients to other decorative painters or muralists whenever someone wanted any type of ornamentation.  The now endless choices in design and scale ensures me the ability to customize every project for my clients.  The use of Modello’s transformed the industry allowing the application of otherwise “off limits” products such as glass beads and gold leaf to be used effectively in design. Furthermore the availability of the pro-series stencils, brushes and custom-made stencils has allowed me to maximize my time and profits.

With Modello™ Designs vinyl stencils, the patterns can be custom-sized to fit both the shape and size of your surface. Lauren took advantage of this option while tackling both a barrel ceiling (above) and a coffered ceiling (below). They were both stenciled with gold leaf for a luxe effect.

We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing yet another amazing Stencil Star and delving into Lauren’s beautiful work !  Please do visit her website, Designs in Paint, to find more information and projects. You can also find her on Pinterest and of course, we invite you to pin her wonderful, inspiring work.

Find more inspiring stencil and paint ideas and projects by keeping up with us on our Pinterest and Facebook page!

September 17th, 2012

Segreto Finishes

We travel to Houston, Texas to meet with Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes.  She heads a large studio team that tackles beautiful decorative paint finishes combined with lovely ornamental patterns and stencil designs.  We’re proud to feature her for our Stencil Star™ series, which seeks to showcase creative artists and feature their inspired work using our Royal Design Studio mylar stencils and Modello Decorative Masking Stencils. 

Leslie Sinclair

ABOUT SEGRETO FINISHES

The world of decorative painting is limitless, ever-changing and richly complex. Finishes for walls, ceilings, floors and cabinetry are crucial to the embodiment of a home’s character. Leslie lives by the philosophy that upon entering a room, your eyes should not draw a distinction to one element or finish but should see the surroundings as a whole. By developing a palette that complements a home’s architecture and design, surroundings are given a new perspective.

Graduating from the University of Texas with a business degree, Leslie left her corporate job in 1995 to start Segreto Finishes, naming the company after her husband’s family. Segreto, which means secret in Italian, rolls up all of Leslie’s passions — architecture, interior design, art, people and business– into her idea of the perfect job. Leslie’s talent for color, bringing innovative products to Houston, hiring and training a quality staff and working with people on their individual needs, built Segreto’ s reputation.

With a staff of 25 artisans, the company has become a premier finish design firm with work featured in numerous publications including Veranda, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Country French, Elegant Homes, Beautiful Homes and Beautiful Baths, to name a few. Leslie also regularly contributes to Antique Shops and Designers magazine.

Inspired by all aspects of artistic painting, she owns an art gallery, Segreto Studios, and writes a blog, Secrets of Segreto, about interiors, art and finishes. She also wrote her first book Segreto: The Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors, a wonderful reference book for anyone interested in home design.

Our Florentine Damask stencil from our Allover Damask Collection shimmers in this elegant powder bath! The palette, stencil pattern scale and design are perfect.

What draws you to Stenciling?

Stenciling is a great way to give a uniform pattern for a wallpaper look while being able to customize colors to the clients decor.

Here is our Fortuny stencil graces the walls in an allover pattern to create a custom wallppaper effect. Such a lovely fabric finish!

How do you determine which pattern will work for your project?

The scale of the room, the fabrics, rug, and the clients personal style dictate which patterns I feel will work best in the room.

Our Moorish Trellis stencil adds just the right amount of pattern and interest to an elegant, neutral design.

Please share your top Stenciling tip with us. 

I typically mix Floetrol in the paint when the client wants a more inconsistent look to the pattern.

Our ever-popular Large Entwined Trellis stencil was the choice by Lucas Eilers Design Associates for this lovely powder bath.

How does stenciling enhance your creative business?

It allows me to cost effectively give a multitude of different all over wallpaper looks or ceiling treatments to clients that are custom in color and embellishment to their room. Wallpaper has exact color ways and each run is exactly the same.  With stenciling, no two rooms will ever be just alike giving each client a one of a kind look.

An inspired take on our Kyoto Allover stencil from our Allover Japanese Stencils Collection finds hand-painted elements over the design pattern. The result is a whimsical, artistic finish for a lovely space.

Leslie and her team do extraordinary work but as you can see, they also do neutral very well!  Please do check out the Segreto website to see more of of their projects as well as their Facebook page.  They frequently share their fantastic projects via their Secrets of Segreto blog, too.

Don’t forget to pin these pics and keep sharing the creative love!  Do see more visual inspiration and other creative projects, you can always follow our Pinterest account as well as keep up with us on Facebook and NOW you can also follow Royal Design Studio stencils on Instagram!

September 6th, 2012

Stencil Star: Bernadette Forese

The love of patterns and stencil designs coupled with beautiful decorative paint treatments have led us to discover  many creative artists worldwide. Our Stencil Star™ series seeks to showcase these artists and feature their beautiful work. This week we travel to Pennsylvania to see and learn about a few lovely spaces created by  Bernadette Forese of The Faux Pro.

Bernadette Forese

ABOUT THE FAUX PRO

Bernadette Forese is the owner and founder of The Faux Pro, LLC and Philadelphia Gilding, both based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She has a BS degree in Business Management and received professional faux and decorative arts training from international master artists in studios around the world. Her work has been showcased in design homes and in national design magazines.  Bernadette opened her business in 2002 and she recognized early on the importance of incorporating pattern and style in to the design.  She relies heavily on her ability to understand the spatial relationship between form, function and purpose of each space.  Bernadette primarily works on entire homes, large-scale commercial and church projects and brings in her talented crew to assist with them.  Although her business is based in Pennsylvania, she travels the country to her client’s homes and businesses.

Bernadette was at an Art of Living event where Barb Skivington and I taught a reverse gilded glass finish. Here, she uses the technique on a gorgeous tabletop with a Modello™ Designs Ornamental Border vinyl stencil (OrnBor147). The how-to for this verre eglomise techniqueis available in the Art of Living book.

How do you determine what patterns will work for a project?

Sometimes there are so many pattern options that the choices can be overwhelming.  When determining what pattern will look great in a space, I take many things in to consideration.  What is the function of the space?  Formal entertainment, casual elegance, etc.  What is the natural light in the space and when does it hit?  How tall are the ceilings?  Is this a commercial space or residential space?  And, most importantly, what is the design dilemma that we’re trying to solve?  For example, if there are two chandeliers over one large kitchen island, then unifying them with a pattern on the ceiling brings the whole space together.  I look through many magazines to get inspiration for pattern but, to be honest, I rely on following Melanie Royals’ blog and her other social media sites for inspiration.  I look at the scale of my project and project what different patterns would look like.

A spectacular kitchen with the design dilemma of unifying double chandeliers in one space. Bernadette used two Modello™ Design Ornamental Center vinyl stencil patterns (OrnCen187) to connect and bring the space together!  Composite gold and aluminum leaf were used to stencil in the patterns.

Please share your top Stenciling tip with us. 

Spray Adhesive or water in a spray bottle! If I’m stenciling with paints, many times I won’t use any spray adhesive; just tape to keep the stencil in place and an off-loaded foam roller.  However, sometimes if I’m getting bleed through I’ll grab my water bottle and spray the back of the stencil (just a mist) and the stencil will stay put on the wall!  If I’m doing a texture through the stencil, however, I’ll use spray adhesive (3M Super 77) every time.  And then Simple Green is one of my best friends; it removes everything that gets stuck to the stencil!

(above) The Pear and Plum Botanical Fruit stencil used in elegant, traditional setting. You can see the close-up of the stencil on the right hand side. This was another project that Bernie worked on with us at the Art of Living event. (below) The interior designer on the project, June Shea of Shea Studio Interiors, chose the  Elegancia Allover wall stencil in a 2-story residential entryway gracing all the walls perfectly.  Composition gold Schabin leaf was used to stencil the design and then waxed to seal it with the blue wall color coming through the broken leaf.

What are your favorite surfaces to work on and design for?

I actually love working on floors and ceilings.  Of course walls are fantastic, too!  However, applying stenciled pattern to the floor is creative and fun and, when done properly in conjunction with a flooring company, has the longevity and durability of any hardwood floor because the pattern and paints are nestled under the layers of protective topcoat from the flooring company.  Ceilings, too, are great spaces!  They’re perfect, in my opinion, because they don’t have the traditional interruptions (door frames, window frames, etc) that normal walls have so the pattern can flow uninterrupted.

Custom Modello™ Designs vinyl stencils were used to create the illusion of a rug on the flooring in a residence (above) and incorporate a client’s logo in a commercial lobby (below).

We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the lovely stencil work of Bernadette Forese and I want to second those tips on using spray adhesive and Simple Green to clean your stencils!  Be sure to visit both her websites, The Faux Pro, LLC and Philadelphia Gilding, to see many more of her projects.  She also has a Facebook page where she shares the work of both her studios.

Do be sure to follow us on Facebook to see our fresh and daily stencil and creative inspirations as well as follow us on Pinterest to preview all our fave images incorporating pattern, design and color.  We would LOVE for you keep the inspiration flowing and to pin or share these pics with your friends and followers!

September 4th, 2012

Epic Room Makeover Returns!

Last year, the fabulously talented Mandi Gubler of Vintage Revivals invited Royal Design Studio Stencils to be part of an inspiring project called the Epic Room Makeover 2011.  Haven’t heard of it yet? The Epic Room Makeover concept invites bloggers to submit a very “needy” room in their home with the hope (and hope includes all manner of creative begging and pleading) that they will be in the running to win the prize of a very merry whirlwind Mandi makeover.

Epic Room Makeover with stencil

Moroccan wall stencil Mandi Gubler

Last year’s winner received an amazing makeover filled with clever projects, including this wall stenciling with our Endless Moorish Circles Stencil.

And guess what? The contest is back and continuing to raise the design-blogging bar. Royal Design Studio and our designer stencils are in wonderful company again, THIS time with Lowe’s, HomeGoods, 3M, and Krylon in sponsoring this makeover that will be given away to one lucky reader with a room in major need of a facelift.

Mandi Gubler Vintage Revivals Epic Room Makeover

Do you have a room that could use a Cinderella treatment? There’s still time to enter. Head over to the Epic Room Makeover Giveaway Contest 2012 page to read all the deets and submit your entry. Deadline for submissions is September 6! Even if you don’t enter, you can still have fun perusing the room entries with titles such as “Master Disaster” and “Not Smitten with My Kitchen“. Then follow along with the contest to vote for the finalists and see the results of Mandi’s Magic! We can’t wait to see what this year’s EPIC-ness entails!

August 23rd, 2012

Stencil Stars: Bella Tucker

  Hey Y’all! Are you ready for another Stencil Star showcase? We visit Nashville this week to meet with Dana & Brooks Tucker of Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes.  Dana & Brooks are a husband and wife team that are perfectly matched — he oversees the projects and she runs the marketing and management of the business.  It’s this teamwork that translates beautifully to the creation of outstanding decorative painting projects and inspired applications of stencil design and patterns.  

Dana & Brooks Tucker

ABOUT BELLA TUCKER

Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes is based just outside of Nashville in Franklin, TN. It is a collaborative partnership of husband and wife team, Brooks (artist) and Dana Tucker. Brooks is a 6th generation Texan who was born into a Navy family. He has lived all over the world including two moves to Italy. It was in Europe that he developed a love of texture, color and decorative paint treatments.  In 1997, he moved to Nashville with Dana, and after seeing the incredible finishes they were creating for their own home, family and friends starting requesting Brooks to paint for them as well.  They launched their business in 2006 and since then, have received many accolades as well as being chosen for a feature in the Nashville Southern Living Showcase Home.

The Chez Sheik stencil from the Allover Moroccan Collection makes a gorgeous impression when walking into the powder bath (above).  Our easy to use  Smoked Oyster Stencil Creme was chosen to stencil the pattern with a lustrous sheen.

What draws you to Stenciling?

We were initially drawn to stenciling as a way to modernize our portfolio and stay on-point with design trends. We were getting a lot of feedback from designers that no one was asking for faux finishes any more. Once we could show them modern applications of faux finishes using graphic stencil patterns, the tide turned. Now, we keep a pretty full pipeline of projects with a lot of designers and clients requesting stencils.

Our Contempo Wall Trellis stencil is a relatively new pattern in our Allover Modern Collection and used within a wonderful neutral scheme above.  The interior design is by Julie Couch Interiors and the photo is courtesy of photographer Caroline Allison.

How do you determine which pattern will work for your project?

Pattern is so personal. It really takes walking through a client’s space and getting a feel for their style. What helps us narrow down pattern more than anything is Pinterest. I always keep active boards and I ask my clients to either send me photos of patterns they like, or comment on the Bella Tucker Pinterest account. Royal Design Studio has an amazing website, too. My clients love to get on there and spend hours looking at the stencil design options.

Bella Tucker uses great stencil patterns for ceilings to flooring and every surface in between!  Our Skylar’s Lace Floral stencil was chosen by designer Julie Couch and is perfectly paired with the beautiful light fixture above. Photo by Caroline Allison.  A custom Ikat Chevron Modello™ Designs vinyl stencil pattern is used with the Skimstone concrete floor below.  The beautiful exterior patio was part of the Nashville Southern Living Showcase Home.

How does Stenciling enhance your creative business?

We were originally drawn to stenciling because we are always try to stay on top of current design trends. We were seeing a lot of graphic patterns in the shelter magazines and we knew that we could work with that concept but extend it to be more artistic and one of a kind while completely customizing the color, texture and pattern for each specific project.

Dana & Brooks had a fun personal project with a  re-purposed vintage headboard, above.  They made a “welcome” sign for their front porch using our Chevron Furniture stencil and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™.  Below, a photo by Caroline Allison shows our Uzbek Suzani stencil gracefully enhancing a guest bedroom.  Designer Julie Couch worked with Bella Tucker to create a beautiful and serene guest bedroom.

Dana and Brooks are an engaging couple and a GREAT team! We love how each design here is done in an neutral palette, but with a fresh, fun twist that makes their finishes anything but boring.  We appreciate their sharing their stencil thoughts with us! Keep up with Bella Tucker by visiting their their website, Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes, and watch their Facebook page for frequent project updates.

Don’t miss a pretty pattern opportunity!! Be sure to follow us on Facebook AND follow us on Pinterest to receive the fresh and creative inspirations and projects we share daily!  Don’t forget to pin these wonderful images too-BIG hint!

Our weekly series on Stencil Stars™ showcases our customer’s use of our Royal Design Studio mylar wall stencils and Modello™ masking stencils on walls, ceilings, floors, and more.

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August 2nd, 2012

Stencil Star: Tom Henman

Another fabulolus  Stencil Stars™ showcase.  Every other week, we are sharing our customer’s use of our Royal Design Studio mylar wall stencils and Modello™ masking stencils on walls, ceilings, floors, and more.  This week’s super STAR is Pennsylvania-based Tom Henman of Tom Henman Decorative Painting, a super talented artisan who applies stenciled patterns in innovative and unique ways in his decorative painting projects.

Tom Henman

ABOUT TOM HENMAN DECORATIVE PAINTING

Prior to starting his decorative painting business, Tom was an Art Director for a direct mail company until 2005, when he lost his job. A few years prior, Tom had attended a decorative painting demonstration given by artist Carol Kemery. He had dabbled in some faux painting in his home after her presentation, but then decided to seek formal instruction due to his job loss. Within weeks, he was signed up for an introductory course and knew instantly that decorative painting was going to be his new career.

Since 2006, Tom Henman has been the sole proprietor of Tom Henman Decorative Painting based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He has attended some of the top decorative painting schools in the country, including a painting trip to Morocco with Royal Design Studio as one of our amazing and intrepid Peacock Painters. Tom continues to explore his new found passion and expand his clientele, which incidentally, includes his last boss.  Sometimes it takes one door to close before a better one opens.

Above, Tom creates a wonderful, well-rounded ambience with a lustery plaster on the ceiling and a Modello Ornamental Center stencil (OrnCen128) encompassing the room’s color scheme.  Below, a beautiful finish walls set off the three Modello Eastern Panel stencils (EasPan105) along the staircase walls.

What draws you to Stenciling?
I love the idea of adding color and pattern to a wall or piece of furniture to personalize it. Wallpaper has not been a friend of mine, ever since I had to remove it from my house. Often it’s difficult to find a correct wallpaper colors and patterns that coordinate with the room’s color scheme, and it may be discontinued. That is where I find that being able to design a custom finish with coordinating stencil colors is a win-win situation. Plus there are no seams that can peel!

Acid etching is a specialty of Tom’s studio, after being introduced to the technique in a class here in our San Diego Studio.  Using the Chippendale Molding stencil in vinyl form, he etches the design onto a Statuary Marble backsplash.  The Carrara Marble below has been acid etched with a custom Modello® vinyl stencil with the center area gilded.

Below you will see two bathroom vanities which have been transformed with a two-layer, two-color distressed custom finish.  The Spring Time in Paris Stencil Set is then stenciled in with our Royal Stencil Cremes. Beautiful and unexpected!

What are your favorite surfaces to work on and design for?
I know that this may sound crazy, but I love to work on ceilings! Clients often forget about adding a splash of color and design to the ceiling. It’s funny how we install huge chandeliers in rooms, but the light bezel is only 6” wide… it just looks out of place. When I can show a client how their room can look with a Modello Design on the ceiling that is proportional to the light fixture, they wondered why they waited as long as they did.  One of my favorite references for clients are Modello by Design Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Melanie Royals.

The dining room ceiling above has an Eastern Motif stencil (EasMot125) in gold and silver leaf while the walls have a modified Modello Eastern Panel Wall stencil (EasPan114).   Modello vinyl stencils are fantastic for areas with unusual architectural features, like the dining room below.  For the ceiling, a Hampton Corner stencil was used with a nice lined design joining the patterns while a custom Modello® stencil was created it to match it for the back wall.

Please share your top Stenciling tip with us.
The obvious answer is that I love Royal Stencil Cremes and Gardz.  They are a must-have for any mylar stencil or Modello® vinyl stencil project.  My real secret, however, is my MacBook Pro and Nikon D90 camera. I love to take before pictures of a wall and show the client how their room can look with a stencil pattern and finish. Sometimes clients just can’t envision the final result. This usually seals the deal or shows us that we need to tweak the scale and design a bit more before the job starts.

A gorgeous plaster finish in a powder room creates a great background for the two ornamental border stencils (Top: OrnBor157 and Bottom: OrnBor163) that were gilded in gold and silver.  The kitchen below has a beautiful ceiling which is set off nicely with a glaze finish and our Modello Ancient Worlds Center stencil (AncCen103) nicely capping off the beautiful light fixtures.

BIG thank you to Tom for sharing is stencil work and artistic inspiration with us. Seriously, we can’t wait to see more! If you can’t wait either, please be sure to see more of his projects on both his studio website and Facebook fan page!

July 19th, 2012

Stencil Star: Carmen Benoit

This week’s installment of our Stencil Star™ series has us traveling virtually to Arizona to see the incredible works of Carmen Benoit of Carmen Illustrates.  She uses Royal Design Studio wall stencils and patterns in creative and unique ways for her murals, decorative paint finishes and her fine art pieces.  Her love of stencil patterns and rich colors stem from her experience as a textile designer, love of design and travels.

(above, below) A close-up and full shot of an entryway. A Modello Eastern Center design (EasCen135) was selected for the base of the lighting fixture and done first.  Then there was glazing followed by hand painting in highlights and shadowing on the stencil design. Carmen shares, “This was the first Modello vinyl stencil I ever used and I have been hooked ever since!  Its ease of application offered many more possibilities over the tracing paper method I was using before.”

ABOUT CARMEN ILLUSTRATES

Her first stop was to achieve a degree in Fine Arts from ASU. After graduating, she created textile art for the clothing industry, working for an Indian company and later for a resort wear line. Exciting as the textile industry proved to be, the direction was not fulfilling enough not where she ultimately wanted to apply her talents.

In 1998, she decided to create her own business, Carmen Illustrates, to apply her talents toward the home decor market and commercial properties. She has since painted murals and created artwork for clients all over the country.  “From the beginning, it has always been about establishing sound technique––drummed into my head every time I dipped the brush…perfect the circle, push the negative space, achieve greater balance. I still remember my art instructors barking orders as they circled my canvas, arms folded.  But in a unique way, it established the foundation of my work ethic.  Art was a discipline and I needed to understand that,” she explains.  “I love to travel and study wall finishing techniques all over the world.  I enjoy life with my “official fan club” – my husband Edwin, and our two cocker spaniels, Bianca and Enzo,” Carmen says.  “There is no greater reward then seeing people achieve a better quality of life through an enriched environment.  I have incorporated Modello Design stencils to help enhance my environments. These products have proven to be a time saver and add a new dimension to my service offering.”

(above, below) Close-up and full shot.  A plain particle board island was given a face lift in a kitchen as opposed to getting all new cabinetry.  Plasters were used to create the embossed look of leather with the help of the Allover Arabesque Moroccan stencil in the central panels. The corner quadrants were created with an Indian block print.  The raised seaming was done and copper tacks pounded in.  On a side note, have to say that the Modello weeding tool that is included in every order  came in quite handy for first creating the holes where the tacks would go!

(below) An elegant pattern in between the beams was desired so the Modello Marquetry vinyl stencil (MarqALL102) was made into a custom mylar stencil but slightly altered so that every other space was left open.  (The client was concerned it might get too busy.)  The ceiling inserts were done on canvas in the studio and then later installed.  To this day I love the pattern and my next vision for it involves an outside umbrella!

What draws you to Stenciling?

Stenciling has become another tool just like a new brush or specialty paint.  I love the ability to create dimensional effects as well as layering looks.  It also is a very cost effective way to transfer a design without using the traditional tracing paper method to create a template and then to elaborate on.  I am learning new applications everyday and love how I can pattern a wall, pillow, drapes or an outdoor umbrella in no time. I find the possibilities are endless…

The images above are all of custom canvases done with the Skylar’s Lace Floral stencil from the Allover Damask Collection.  I absolutely love this pattern and find it quite versatile!

What would be your dream Stenciling project?

Teaming up with an incredible group of talented artisans to work an exotic location like Morocco. The Peacock Pavilions Moroccan painting trips come to mind…or in a church in San Miguel del Allende (perhaps stenciling some beams with incredible patterns of color)…or being ask to collaborate on an Anthropologie retail space to enhance their environmental design. All would be perfectly fine with me!

A master bedroom had two niches that required a little bling and definition.  The solution?  Modello Designs Turkish Emblems stencils, a metallic foil treatment and French upholstery tacking to frame it off.

What is/are your top Stenciling tips?

If there were any helpful tips I could offer based on my experience it would be to keep the stencil moist while working. Also make certain to keep it clean.  I have noticed that especially when working with dimensional plasters that there is a build up of material as you work.  Wiping over it with a damp rag as you work helps keep your lines clean (no seepage) through the pattern and less clean up in the long run.

(above) “My latest ceiling was a rotunda in a dinette area.  Once again the Modello design team accommodated my request of taking an Eastern Border vinyl stencil pattern (EasBor314) and adapting it into a mylar stencil. The finish techniques involve metallic paints and foils as well as glazing and Venetian plaster,” Carmen explains.  For the center, she used a Modello Easter Center stencil (EasCen136) and after the Modello’s removal, hand painted details were applied. Tacks were added as a finishing touch.  You can spy the embossed leather island in the background.

It’s been such a pleasure sharing Carmen’s stencil and Modello pattern work with you! I am also really enjoying learning more about the backgrounds of our artists through this Stencil Star series! Her talent, education and textile design background really show through in her attention to detail  and quality of her work, don’t you think? To see more of Carmen’s talents do check out her website, Carmen Illustrates, and follow her projects on her Facebook fan page.

 

In this weeks installment of our weekly Stencil Star™ series, we feature the hottest restaurant designer in D.C., Maggie O’Neill of O’Neill Studios.  She and her team of artists create some of the most innovate decorative painting finishes incorporating Royal Design Studio wall stencils and patterns in her creative, contemporary projects.  She also weaves in fresh color combinations and stencil designs in her fine art pieces. I first met Maggie when she came on our 3rd Peacock Painting adventure to Marrakech: The Tent Trip! I can tell you that she is even more fun than she looks!!!

Maggie O'Neill

ABOUT O’NEILL STUDIOS

Maggie O’Neill is a Washington, DC based fine artist and the Creative Director of O’Neill Studios, the decorative painting company she founded in 2001. Maggie attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and pursued a Masters Degree of Fine Art at the University of Georgia, enrolling in their Cortona, Italy program. “In Italy, I was moved by the rich art history of the Renaissance and the integration of commissioned fine art during this period,” she says. Maggie focused on drawing and painting (concentrating on portraiture) and the decorative arts, with her studies also including Fresco painting.

After Italy, Maggie continued to travel, eventually living and working in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, where she completed her first commercial exterior mural. “It was at this point that I fell in love with the creation of utilitarian and public artwork that the surrounding community could enjoy.”

Returning to DC, she decided to continue working in the vein of commissioned artistry and opened O’Neill Studios in 2001. In the time since, Maggie has built O’Neill Studios into one of the most well-respected decorative finishing companies in the Washington area. The team’s productions can be seen in some of the city’s most notable private residences, embassies, churches, restaurants and commercial spaces.

A custom Modello vinyl stencil design on a restaurant ceiling.

How do you determine which pattern will work for your project?

There is never just one determining factor of why or what pattern I will propose to a client.  Sometimes we have an inspiration paper or fabric to work from and the project becomes  about replicating the same properties; scale, color, etc.  I typically think about  the following three features of the space to select patterns and stencils that will work: Style, Scale and Palette.  What is the style of the space? Does it require something stylized with a high level of impact or something more delicate and understated? What is the existing  palette working in the space? Do we need to introduce more color or keep it a neutral pattern to create a backdrop for other features or artwork?  What features in the room allow us to play with  the scale of the pattern?

I think to have a stencil custom-made to scale for your space is the smartest thing anyone can do when introducing allover pattern. You may love a pattern on a sample fabric or even an item of clothing but it’s not right for your ceiling or the back of your bookshelves. Any of these things can direct you to the right stencil and technique. I highly recommend doing some research into the style or look you are trying to achieve before purchasing. Also, cutting out shapes to the scale of what your thinking and understanding where they will repeat and run off, measuring the space to understand where it will start and stop is also helpful.

At the OYA Restaurant in DC, Maggie and her team add 3-D elements to the Allover Fabric Damask stencil for both furniture tabletops and walls.  So inventive!

Please share your top Stenciling tip with us.

My favorite technique is a bit messier then the average application. I enjoy seeing the interruption of one color and the introduction of another. I also prefer to see a bit of depth in the application. For this reason my favorite technique is a drop shadow or a “pulled silk” effect.  This is at least a two layer stencil technique. The first layer of glaze or paint is a bit slippery so that it has a longer open time and transparency. Immediately after you stencil, you use your brush like a strie brush and  pull through the pattern lightly. Pulling one direction is important. I prefer to use gravity and pull down. The second layer is the same stencil (cleaned off of course) and place the stencil about 1/8- 1/4 of inch above where you originally set the first layer. Using a lighter more opaque color is helpful to achieve a raised appearance. This creates the look of hand worked fabric or pulled silk or ikat look.

Maggie also enjoys creating fine art pieces and incorporating stencils within.  Here, the Intricate Zelij wall stencil from the Allover Moroccan Stencil Collection supports the supports and enhances the beautiful central figure.

How does stenciling enhance your creative business?

My business is ALL about how creative I can be for my client and how can I work with what they already have. Turning something totally ordinary to something extraordinary has been the cornerstone to my business. Initially, stencils gave me the ability to offer high impact results with relatively quick turnaround and affordable prices. However, stencils have pushed open new creative doors for me as an artist and designer. I experiment with more techniques and applications that include 3D elements and unconventional methods .  I am constantly looking to wallpaper and textiles for inspiration and take note of the techniques used to create nuances in each design.

Maggie working with our one of our Modello Ornamental Center patterns (OrnCen162) in a more traditional space.

Stencils are tools this are just as important as the paint itself, allowing me to explore new methods. I now examine every space and surface  with a different perspective  and understanding of how to embellish or apply pattern.  I realize that you don’t need to stencil everything BUT YOU CAN!  The creative options stencils have introduced have overflowed in to my own fine artwork and now end up in most of my paintings. Stencils have been a juggernaut for my creative business and have opened the doors  of my portfolio to include fabric for window treatments and table runners,  wrapping paper, furniture makeovers, and even clothing.

At the Irish Whiskey Lounge, Maggie mixes both Modello vinyl stencils and traditional mylar stencils to incorporate multiple patterns, textures and typography to create an unforgettable stairway. Pictured is our Endless Circles Lattice, the  Moroccan Arches and Chez Ali stencils — all from the Moroccan Stencil Collection.

Maggie is a creative visionary who designs incredible, contemporary spaces.  Do yourself a favor (and be prepared to spend some time!) by browsing both her sites, O’Neill Studios and Maggie O’Neill Fine Art. For a more personal look, follow Maggie and her painting team via her two Facebook pages, O’Neill Studios and Maggie O’Neill Fine Art as well.