Murals by Los Angeles Muralist Gabrielle

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.

Tropical Rainforest

I did this mural on a door which was the entracne to a store. The store sold reptile food and all kind of exotic animals.

As you can see the entrance is completely covered by the mural. Even the door handle is included; a scorpion sits on it.

Quite  a while after the mural was finished, there was a robbery nearby and several stores got broken into. Not the one whith the mural though. The robbers could not see the entrance!  

That’s how a mural can get also some functional purpose. If you like a mural for your commercial space call 818 470 2932 for an estimate.

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.