Cave Painting

In the natural world, cave paintings are among the earliest human record; they help us understand how the natural world appeared to humanity at the time. Many cave paintings remain to this day in locations across the globe.

Perhaps your child likes dinosaurs - rather than the cutesy cartoon caricatures, maybe a more authentic theme would be in order.

Combining the techniques of faux, trompe-l'oeil, and simple art can result in a dramatic transformation of your child's room. Instead of merely being four walls of solid color, they can become rock walls on which cavemen of millennia past left their mark. A few accent pieces like a stool-sized rock in the corner, perhaps a hanging vine near the window or door (made to appear as an orifice to the outside), artificial sound of dripping water, a tanned pelt or a used chamois, and dim lighting for sleep-time can converge to make a realistic scene.

No scary monsters or man-eating dinosaurs. Just the echo of drumbeats from centuries past for your child to drift off into dreams. And no scary price-tags to keep you up at night either!!

Want to make it more personal? We'll set aside a special spot where he or she can add their own finger painted animals or hand prints to bridge the gap between art and history. Years from now, you each will look back fondly at how they've grown from those simple hand-drawings. In a way, it becomes your own time capsule recording how they were when they were little. It sure beats saving tons of crayon art on the fridge!

Floors - the Sixth Wall

Patios and driveways have become increasingly decorative as affluence has increased. Stone pavers, stamped concrete, and decorative stenciling are among the solutions commonly employed.

Acid staining (or etching) is becoming increasingly popular. This is a process employed on new (or bare) concrete where a colored acid solution is applied and worked into the surface.

You will often see acid stained concrete in Harley Davidson dealerships, some shopping venues, and high-end restaurants. Unlike paints and coatings, the acid stain permanently changes the chemical composition of the concrete giving it permanent color. Maintaining a clear coat finish is the only periodic maintenance required. This protects the concrete from soaked-in spills and makes regular cleaning easy.

In these photos, this patio extension was bare concrete with a broom finish. It had a few stains that were difficult to remove and while visible after the staining process, they simply add character to the varied tones. The process usually takes about a week from start to finish as it involves pressure washing (if not new), first application, second application, neutralizing, rinsing, mopping or vacuuming, first coat of clear, second coat of clear. By day seven, your floor is ready to be enjoyed.

Faux Finishing

There are many ways to achieve a faux finish, including wood grain (discussed earlier), sponging, ragging, & bagging. In these photos, you'll see a variety of sponging techniques.

Color choices, contrast, the number of colors used, and technique all combine to make a nearly infinite number of results. You can make a wall look like leather or aged plaster or as though it is wallpapered seamlessly.

Bathrooms, small and large, are a perfect place for a faux application. The smaller space lends itself well to being brought alive with color and texture. Even a simple two color finish as shown here can make a dramatic statement. Likewise, a small transition wall is perfect for a faux finish. In the photo with the cross, the homeowner wanted to blend apricot and light green in a great room. Using a combination of those colors to create a transition wall resulted in the look of aged copper complemented by the ornate bronzed cross. Similarly, the faux finished bridge in an entry way achieved the goal of blending two colors in the foyer as well as tastefully introducing the variety of eclectic decorations in the home.