March 9, 2015

Finishes with Amy Howard Home


 My head is spinning, in the best of ways............
First the Design Blogger Conference in Atlanta where many of today's design stars imparted their wisdom freely. The leading professionals on business strategies, social media, photography (has not helped yet) and so much more inspired us to think beyond our comfort zones. 
Much to my husbands dismay, I have arrived home with a gazillion ideas and I can see in his eyes and sinking shoulders as he thinks how much will this cost?

From Atlanta onwards to Memphis for more inspiration at AMY HOWARDS master class for her retailers. Can one's head actually explode?

The creative process begins the moment you step inside







When the goal is replicating patinas with the look of history, allow yourself the time to study original finishes via museums, books, antique shops and the internet. The beauty of the imperfections, wear and style can guide us in recreating these finishes of age. Amy Howard has provided the tools.



 What joy and wonder lies ahead with the goodie basket before us!

Let's move on to all the techniques learned
 A new gild, a water marked copper, is applied to a surface with a stencil over it in a darker finish to great effect
Excellent patterns are becoming available
A stencil with two colors from the line, over wood or fabric and mounted as a piece of art
 Just arrived is the 2D embossing cream. Excellent on furniture for dimension and depth of interest


The relief is gilded in gold
Pitted Italian Silver

Real sterling and gold leaf is aged with her Zinc and Antique Mirror Solution. Interesting on the top of a small chest, on door inserts or framing a mirror

STUNNING!! This technique of creating Tiger Stone is ridiculously easy and fool proof! Am dying to try this on a small chest


New techniques with her Toscano Powder Paint. So much easier. The Toscano powder paint is the one utilized for a gesso aged finish with pits and cracks.
 Still loving the effect of Liming Wax over rough grained/heavily textured wood. Would love to re-do my kitchen floor in this


Malachite, a beautiful stone long replicated in furniture and objects. A classic. Some of my artisan friends painstakingly create this look by hand with carefully crafted brush strokes and patterns. As you can imagine this is very expensive........until now
During
After

With very simple techniques you too can create this look. As in the Tiger Eye finish, this is so easy and foolproof. 

Watch for our class list as I cannot wait to teach these techniques. To be added to our workshop list, email me here

And if this was not enough, my next post will be on another process Amy taught, authentic Venetian Plaster, oh my, oh my!


Lastly, that's me (see my hand?) with you know who. The photo was snapped after we shared a funny story. I look like a freak, hence, this version.

Have a great week, the sun is shining here!
Debra

10 comments:

  1. Debra I would be in heaven! The water gilded copper and the Malachite finishes are gorgeous!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  2. AMAZING!! OMG my head would be swimming with all kinds of idea and projects, I would want to turn my house into a decorating lab!! How fun...thanks for sharing, now you have me thinking too:)

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  3. Hello my friend! I remember your post on Amy Howard paints the first go around. I was/am in love with the antique looking finishes her paints allow you to achieve. I cracked up at your comment regarding the photography...I knew we were kindred spirits. I even took a class and still cannot achieve the photos I aspire to publish. :-)
    Is Nate Berkus as nice as he seems?
    xo,
    Karen

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  4. Debra, I am seriously envious! Sounds like a week in Heaven! You are too funny with the hand photo and Nate...a girl I can totally relate to! Made me laugh early this morning...yes, the sun is shining here too! N.xo

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  5. First you could NEVER look like a freak!! Fun finishes, loved the stencil with the embossing cream, had to pin that one for sure!! Thanks for sharing your discoveries with us.

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  6. Oh my gosh - those finishes!!! Incredible! The malachite finish looks divine. This is all very exciting - can't wait to see more. Cheers

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  7. Love all these finishes...it sounds like you had a great week!

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  8. I can't wait to attend this workshop! Thanks for sharing!

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