By AGENCE WATCOM December 17, 2012
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When you work with a professional in home design, whether it’s a decorative artist, interior designer, or architect, you need to communicate your vision so they can design for you. But how do you do that? When I work with clients or interior designers, projects fall into one of two categories: You know you want something done but don’t have specific ideas. You already have very specific styles, colors, or finishes in mind. The majority of clients I work with have projects that fall into the undefined category. In this blog, I’ll discuss how to generate ideas. In further blogs, I’ll talk about developing and communicating ideas you already have. Before you call me or any other professional, do some detective work first. You’ll be able to better communicate your style, preferences, and make the design process smoother. Budget Think about how much you want to spend. This might seem like putting the cart before the horse, but budget drives what finishes are available to you. If you see a finish you love but you can’t justify the price, it can be a frustrating experience. If you’re new to decorative art, you simply might not know what to expect. General budget categories are: $800 - $2,000 $3,000 - $6,000 $7,000 and up For example, if you want a finish in your living room and your budget is $2,000, I would suggest a beautiful glaze treatment and not mention plasters, or suggest solid color on most walls and focus on one accent wall with a more elaborate finish. Colors and Textures Pay attention to the colors that are already in your home and closet; these are the colors you are most drawn to and flatter you the most. Also pay attention to texture. Do you like quiet solids or do you like patterns and movement? Look through some magazines and design books to see what appeals to you. Pictures are better than words. Note what you don’t like, which is just as important. Restaurants, hotels, and boutiques are also great places to gather ideas. Now What? You might have a better idea of what appeals to you or you might still need help with a direction. Give me a call, and we’ll discuss all these issues so I can get a sense of your style and preferences. Then we can jump into the design process, which I’ll cover in more detail in upcoming blogs. Questions? Give me a call: (831) 419-2748 ...read more
By A Fine Finish June 06, 2011
I am often asked where people can see my decorative art work. Internet photos are great to get a general idea, but nothing compares to seeing a real decorative finish in a real room. Many of my clients hire me to enhance their private residences, so viewing in a convenient location can be an issue. Now you can visit Poppleton's Showroom in Monterey on Lighthouse Ave. to see my work in person. I worked with the Poppleton's visual designer to develop the custom accent wall featured in the photo. The wall features an elegant champagne color scheme with embossed, floral paisley designs sprinkled throughout. The paints and plasters are all eco-friendly products. Go with a friend and see what's possible with decorative art and let them know Katie sent you. While you're there, browse through the wonderful furnishings. Poppleton's outstanding staff will take care of you. Then call me for a consultation! If you're in the north San Francisco Bay Area, you can see my work at Polarity Post Productions in San Francisco on Green St. Questions? Give me a call: (831) 419-2748. ...read more
By A Fine Finish March 16, 2011
Modern culture likes to think it comes up with original ideas, but we know most great ideas are recycled. Think "bling" originated with hip-hop? Not so fast! Gilding is the ancient decorative art of taking precious metal beaten into thin sheets and applying it to objects. The use of gilding can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China. Gilding was so popular in ancient Rome that citizens of all classes were known to use it in their homes. Rapper bling has nothing on these folks. Objects commonly gilded include ceilings, the capitals (or tops) of columns, picture and mirror frames, wood, glass, fine pottery, statues of all materials, and furniture. Gilding is still used in all of these applications. With gilding, people typically think of gold leaf, but silver and bronze were also commonly used. While precious metal is still used today, composition leaf is more typical – leaf made of composite materials that look like precious metals but cost much less. With the decrease in cost of materials, decorative artists and designers have been freed to make modern gilding contemporary, more whimsical, and fun. The leaf can be a decoration in itself, or can be combined with other techniques such as plasters, stencils, and painted designs. I recently had the pleasure of studying with a world-renowned gilder, Tania Seabock, at the International Decorative Artisans League Conference. Working with leaf is notoriously finicky – the slightest breeze can blow the thinner-than-tissue material into tatters. With Tonya I learned many tricks that make working with these materials much easier, as well as seeing how this ancient art can be updated for modern tastes. So go ahead and have something "blinged!" It's the new, ancient cool. Question? Contact me at: katie@afinefinish.com ...read more
By A Fine Finish November 20, 2010
Modern decorating style is sleek and clean, with a trendy flair. This particular decor is found in modern urban lofts and celebrity homes. The modern interior decorator knows what's edgy and stylish without losing the great feeling of a home. Tried and true decorating techniques are used in... ...read more
Small living is spreading throughout the world as a way to reduce expenses and to be more Eco-conscious. Small living spaces require a designer to make every bit of space functional. There are several decor ideas for small spaces that incorporate functionality, proper use of space and still maintain a... ...read more
