Decorating with Stencils

Patina is much easier than you think!

 Carol Wallace, our resident sort of "everything" expert also does "faux finishing" (if I ever figure out where she gets the time I'm going to bottle it!) She did a faux patina finish on this outdoor lamp that looks so incredible!

Patina can be done in many ways. My favorite is to create a faux metal effect on the surface of my piece using rust and brown sponged together and blended quite well, then allowing to dry and mixing aqua with white for a pale look, wiping it on the piece then immediately wiping it off just to leave natural streaks and the patina effect in crevices. Try it!

It's fun! Do an old lamp from the thrift store and see what you create when you're finished! Then give your plant pots outdoors a "pick me up" with the same technique. Searching the internet for sites on faux finishing is fun and you will find a treasure trove of ideas, finishes and techniques that will get your brain overflowing with things you would like to do to your own home

If you have not yet tried faux finishing, start with something easy like simply sponging two coordinating colors together. Don't allow them to be simply "blotches" of paint, but keep sponging until they begin to blend "slightly" together and watch a beautiful vision appear before your eyes. Scope out the internet for faux finish websites that are more than happy to teach you the step by step processes of just about any finish you would like to achieve. Then get your wits about you, brave the sponge and paint and go for it! It's fun, it's easy and it's an art that has been around since the Victorian days and before.

Purchase this stencil

Purchase this stencil

Purchase this stencil

Exciting News!
Victoria's husband Dana has finally released his fabulous "Smooth Jazz" CD that includes Victoria's single "Gravity".

Give a listen for free at
cdbaby.com
today!
Click here!