Faux Finish for Hallway Railings

Is your home all white? In the 70s it was very trendy to paint everyting in the house white – the walls, the bathrooms, the railings, the windows – just everything.

I figured it is a lack of contrast, right? So where do you start in changing it?  Sure you can paint the walls and the trims. But what about the railings and doors and windows?

I was hired to refinish the hallway railing in a “white house” and suggested an espresso brown for the railing.

First you would sand the wood and paint it with a primer. When it is dry you add the first color:  a chocolate brown. Let it dry. Mix the glaze, it needs to be one tone darker. Add the glaze and let it dry. Mix another glaze and add some water to it, it should not be very thick.  Use the glaze until all white spots are gone but the wooden  structure would shine through. Finally seal it.  Does this sound complicated? I hope not. You always have the chance to contact me, in case you have a “white house” and need some contrast. Happy painting.

Iron wrought firedoor

Fire doors are usually ugly but are a must in commercially used buildings, right? I got hired by the company Personal Court Reporters in Van Nuys, near Los Angeles to create a Trompe L’Oeil for the fire doors and the entry. The wine cellar door I did some time ago was the actual reason why my client contacted me. He really liked this style of  the wrought iron door  in front of a wine cellar.

I found and adjusted a design for  thre fire doors, one in front of the elevator and the office entry door.

The background is a transparent greyish white, and creates the illusion of matte glass behind the iron doors.

One good thing is that the firedoors are made out of metal, so I just had to imitate the color of the handles.

Tuscany Mural

This beautiful mural was done for a showroom in a furniture store in the basement . There were no windows and the Tuscan Mural brought some light and life to the space.

Basically every room which is dark, has only small windows or is too small can be lightened up with a mural.

The faux finished arch and the balcony create an extra space which is creating the illusion of being able to walk outside.

faux finished hallway railing

This railing was white as almost everything in this home.

To add some contrast my client and I decided to faux finish the railing and give it a warm espresso brown. This was a great idea. The hallway looks completely different now! It is very stylish!
If you are thinking of remodelling your hallway but don’t want to buy a new railing, this is the alternative.

It is less expensive, not messy at all and can be done in a short time. No annoying construction delays and errors – it will be a smooth transition.

Call 818 470 2932 for a free estimate.

The restaurant had a small and long room which they used for private parties but it was not booked as it should.

Wine Cellar Door

This breath taking mural is in the basement of a private resicende in Granada Hills and is on the opposite side of the wine cellar.  The walls are faux finished and add a nice rustique look to the staircase which is leading down to the wine cellar.

Yes, it is painted!

What can I say – click on the picture to see more!

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest Hollywood Stars.  At a time when sound was not an option in the movies, and where black and white were the only colors, his artistic abilities were indeed outstanding.

It was an honor and a pleasure to paint him in life size as a mural amongst other Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

The mural is from a scene of the movie “Goldrush”. I am not sure if this is the movie where he ate a sole of a shoe instead of a steak…?

If you like some of your Hollywood stars painted on the walls, send me an email
or go to www.artcomm.us

It is a great addition for a game room or office spaces.

sleeping angel

The sleeping angel is part of a very romantic mural featuring one of greatest  European ballerinas.

In-midst a French old world landscape the angel has no intentions, no interference – it is pure - it is a forgotten part of a world which was full of detail, romance and love.

If I could go back in time I would go back when life was easier and you could find the love for details everywhere. If you see the Ballerina  on my website you will understand…