The purchase of a new television set was the catalyst for change in this keeping room.  It became apparent that this cabinet would need to be adapted to accommodate  the new electronics.  Once that was done,  a lot of repairs would be necessary.  The initial request was to return it to the original cabinet finish.  Based upon all of the changes that were going to be made, this cabinet was destined to be completely repainted.  With some imagination and creativity, we decided to go in a whole new direction.

The design process:

This cabinet is the largest architectural detail in the room.  Yet, it didn’t stand out as a focal point.  Contrast was the answer.  A faux finish using a wood grain technique (faux bois) was the obvious choice.  Tones were chosen to blend with the hardwood floors and bar stools in the adjoining kitchen.  The painted  illusion of wood was extended out to the drywall on the sides.  Since the new TV was so large, the additional width made it appear more in proportion with the cabinet.

The deep colors of the faux wood grain  flow effortlessly where it meets the flooring.  Then it carries your eye all the way to the tall ceiling to emphasize the height.  This painted cabinet has become the feature attraction of the space.  The addition of the rich faux finish of wood offers warmth and an unmistakable  perception of quality to this home.

For more detailed information about this project, watch our new video on YouTube.

To see endless creative ideas for interior design and decorating, visit our website at www.kasswilson.com

OUR SPACE BEFORE

Nothing speaks of creative artistry more than James Cameron’s Avatar.  This became our very ambitious theme for an exhibit at The Next Cool Thing event. Rather than copy the mega-blockbuster movie, the concept was to create an “Avatarization” of Atlanta.  It soon became known as “Avatlanta.”  Who wouldn’t want to travel to the magnificent land of Pandora?  We decided to present a living room that might be found in this fascinating world.  To create the illusion, there needed to be a blending of both 2 and 3 dimensional elements.  Here is the result. . .

COMPLETED EXHIBIT

Here are the 8 elements that made it come to life:

1)  The mural.  A beautiful room begins with a beautiful view.  A huge 10 foot by 20 foot canvas mural stretched on a curved wall offered the perspective of a vast vista for the background.  Details were carefully scaled and designed by muralist, Megan McKeithan to give the illusion of looking over the edge of one of the Hallelujah floating mountains.  Familiar landmarks of Atlanta were incorporated like the King and Queen building of Perimeter Center and the Chattahoochee River.

2)  Dimensional Branch.  The transition to a 3 dimensional experience began with a textured faux tree branch on the mural.  This element was complete with the appearance of twisted bark and knots.  It was fitted into the mural at the studio but actually attached when we arrived at the exhibit space.  As a final touch, moss and botanicals were added for even more dimension.

3) The path.  The exhibit space had concrete floors.  Large stepping stones were created on pieces of laminate.  Additional shadowing was incorporated for the illusion that they were dimensional.  This provided a durable path to lead visitors through the environment.

4) Custom Furniture.  Rafael Fernandez of Upholstery House Plus designed and created innovative furnishings that were consistent with the theme.  Once fabrics were selected for the seating, the details of the color scheme were fine tuned.  He also fabricated the graceful leaf table that was finished in  textured bronze to compliment  the trim on the chairs.

5) 3D Leaves.  The innovative craftsmen of Malone’s Design and Fabrication assisted with more of the custom 3D elements.  The basic concept was, “If they can build it, we can paint it!”  The large graceful leaves brilliantly set the scale for the exhibit and camouflaged support columns in the front of the space.  Special touches were added to each of these 49 leaves (some over 5 feet long).  Three colors of  reflective texture were tinted and blended to replicate the colors of the seating.  They had the appearance of shimmering silk that everyone wanted to touch.

6) Flying dragon.  Malone’s talented sculptor, Frank Yokulan, was also responsible for the hanging mountains, the illuminated fiberglass cypress knees and the flying banshee that came to be known as “Fred”.  This element made a dramatic entrance as it broke through the picture plane of the mural into the exhibit.  The 3D and 2D elements of Fred were painted  to combine an effect that every visitor wanted to examine. Mounted on a fulcrum behind the wall, it came to life as his head moved in the breeze.

7)  Foliage.  Anything that sat still long enough was fair game to be painted!  Andy Schwartz of Labs Inc. provided all of the foliage and custom flowers.  This was the finishing touch that gave the appearance of an exotic tropical forest.  He graciously allowed me to scavenge through his warehouse to create fantasy flora and fauna.  Armed with cans of spray paint, metallics, multiple colors of interference and plenty of hot glue, my mission was to use parts and pieces of botanicals to create fantasy flowers that would only be possible on Pandora.

8)  Floating seed pods.  Paint brushes and trowels aside, what would Avatlanta be without those mystical seed pods from the tree of souls?  Simple elements were engineered and assembled in a not-so-simple way.  The process took over my dining room!  Illuminated with fiber optics, over 200 of these wonderful little creatures floated gently throughout the space.  Catch one if you can!

I have never worked so hard but had so much fun.  We had an incredibly talented team.  It was an opportunity to utilize our skills and travel beyond what we are traditionally asked to do for our clients.  Imagine what we can create for YOUR special projects like a theater room, wine cellar or play area?  My mind is already exploding with  ideas for next year’s event!  But for now, all elements of Avatlanta are safely stored and available for purchase.  Contact me for more information.  770 777 7020

My Partners:

Megan McKeithan of Visionary Mural Co.  www.VisionaryMuralCo.com

Rafael Fernandez of Upholstery House & Plus  www.upholsteryhouseplus.com

Andy Schwartz of LABS, Inc. botanicals  www.labsinc.com

Frank Yoculan and Geoff Markiton of Malone Design/Fabrication  www.maloneinc.com

Special thanks to Barbara English of To The Trade Only  www.tothetradeonly.com for creating and organizing The Next Cool Thing.  For more information about this event visit: http://www.nextcoolthingevent.com/

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Upon first glance, it is apparent this home owner loves color, has sophisticated taste, and an appreciation for things that are unique.  Our goal was to create a sense of warmth in this space through the innovative use of artistic finishes. The mantel is the largest architectural detail in the room.   Enhancing this element provides a prominent design statement and offers a spectacular feature to compliment the art collection.

The design process:

As you look at the mantel, the first observation is that it is wider on the top.  This makes the ceilings appear low.   Fluting was added to the lower portion of the sides to create straight vertical lines.  This simple addition gives it balance on the wall.

We also wanted to draw attention to the interesting architectural features within this piece.  More than just one faux finish would be needed to accomplish this. The deep rich color of the hardwood floors visually grounds the space.  Painting a faux wood grain finish (faux bois) on the sides and along the ledge offers a seamless connection and a bold outline to the mantel.

For the interior surfaces, we looked to other artistic elements in the room for inspiration.  The metal framed mirror stands prominent on the adjacent wall.  This was our guide. But, mirrors are tricky.  It is important to consider the image you will actually see as you walk by.    As you enter this space, notice how the mantel appears in the reflection.  That image now becomes an important part of the design.  Therefore, we chose to incorporate a subtle faux finish that gives the illusion of textured tin similar to the mirror frame. This unifies the color palate.  With the help of the mirror, it has now become art within the art!

In the end, it is the innovative use of artistic faux finishes on the mantel and clever placement of the artwork that gives this space a sense of intrigue.  It is an innovative way to “reflect your personal style”.

Special thanks to the creative talents of Joann and Kelly of Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs:  www.kandrac-kole.com. It is always a pleasure to be a part of their vision.

View more decorative painting enhancements by Kass Wilson of Wallstreat Studio, by visiting www.kasswilson.com.  We welcome your comments below.

This project was located on top of a mountain  in  Colorado .  It is an inspiring place where there is a deep  appreciation for the beauty that nature provides in it’s pure state.  The previous owner of the home had painted all of the cedar beams  chocolate brown.  First on the priority list for this remodel was to return these majestic architectural details to their original splendor.  Faux wood graining (commonly referred to as “faux bois” ) is one of my passions.  It didn’t take much “arm twisting” to convince me to take on this challenge.

The Design Process:

Since these beams are structural, it was not feasible to replace them.  With the rough texture of the cedar, “refinishing” would have been messy, time consuming and  potentially damaging to the natural appearance.  A painted faux finish offered a cost effective solution with more predictable results.  It also provided an obvious advantage of controlling the tones within the wood.  In every room  we were able to blend  hues to unify the existing elements and compliment the future color scheme.

Artist’s Secret:  When applying any wood grain technique,  the composition of the artistic finish is critical.  I begin by trying to imagine the tree in its original state.  Every brush stroke should magically reveal the  story of its life . . . a year of drought, a season of plenty, a limb that sprouted.  In this case, the rough texture offered many clues.  Each layer of the process is like exposing a hidden treasure of time.  The long wavy grains were enhanced, existing knots were celebrated and then  more embellishments were invented for added interest.

In the end, painting the beams throughout this home  is a reflection of style which honors its dramatic surroundings.  The best compliment is when no one can guess that I was there.   It is always a privilege to be able to mimic the greatest artist of all . . . nature.   It is my gift that I am honored to share.

I welcome your comments . . .

For more transformations visit www.kasswilson.com

How exciting!  An investment was made to upgrade kitchen cabinets from white to wood.  But one piece of the puzzle was missing.  The doors to the pantry and  entry to the garage remained white.  This abruptly interrupted the visual flow of the richness of the new wood cabinetry.  A  gap of white remained as a daunting reminder of the past.

The Design Process:

When remodeling a kitchen it is important to recognize that doors are visually a part of the cabinetry.  One obvious solution is to have them painted to appear as if they are a part of the new wood in the space.  This can be tricky.  They are usually right next to the other cabinets.  It requires a perfect match of both color as well as the grain.  Even if actual wood doors are purchased, it may be a different wood species.  The grain will be different and may not accept the stain the same as the cabinets. An additional challenge is that one of these doors is a simulated wood texture and the other is metal.  Unless it is done well, the end result will be a “near miss”.

A faux finish of  precise graining on doors is an added detail that completes the beautiful and seamless line of exquisite wood cabinetry.  Guests walk right by these doors never noticing that they are a painted finish rather than real wood!  This is yet another example of attending to ALL of the details when upgrading or remodeling.   Do you have plain white doors in your kitchen?   Filling in the blanks is essential to an end result that adds value to your home.

Special thanks to designer, Michelle Nettles , 770 356 5814,  www.mjninteriors.com

For more ideas on how to enhance your home, be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com.

Call me for help with your next project:  770 777 7020

Beginning with a blank canvas can be extremely challenging.  Where do you start?  What is your inspiration?  In a kitchen, it begins with defining FUNCTION.  Once the layout is determined, we  move forward with how it will look from every vantage point.

Start by selecting the items that have the most limited options for color, size and/or price.  This is often the main focal point or “grounding” element of a space.  In a large room, it can be an area rug or piece of art.  But, in a kitchen it is usually the granite.  This is your initial inspiration that will drive all decisions about colors, style and where you want your attention to travel.   Next is the tile back splash and the cabinetry.  They will follow  as a backdrop that surrounds these important features.  But, don’t stop there . . .  now comes the challenge!   The basic selections can be wonderful and “go together”.   But it is the added attention to details that will give you an opportunity to enhance all of the beautiful features within a space for a “WOW”.  This is where you can “go the extra mile”.

Faux finishing offers infinite technique and color solutions that will work to unify all of the  elements within a space.  Ideally, this is explored early in the design process.  Teaming up with a talented designer is a great way to create and utilize innovative ideas that you may have never thought about.  Together, we work to identify unique ways to make all of these features come to life.  Developing a complete plan from the beginning allows the freedom to incorporate many great ideas BEFORE construction starts.  Trying to add them later can be very costly, time consuming or even impossible.

The Design Process:

In this scenario, we focused our attention upward.  Imagine how this kitchen would appear if the large ceiling was allowed to remain flat.   Since it is not very high, there is a tendency to believe that leaving it a light color will make it appear taller.  Instead, notice how the addition of  bold trim in the center works to define the space.  It adds balance and interest, draws your eye upward and eliminates the appearance of vast emptiness.  The frame was painted with a faux wood grain technique that matches the cabinets to perfection.   The inset is a softened metallic finish that compliments both the custom tile on the back splash and the light fixtures.

In large kitchens, even the beauty of wood can become overly repetitious.  Adding distressed black on select door fronts and the back of the display cabinets offers an unpredictable but subtle detail.   Notice how it draws attention to the dimension of the doors, outlines the accessories and emphasizes the curved arches in the cabinets.

This kitchen remodel is candy to the eye.   Using multiple but subtle faux finishes allows all of the features to stand out.  There is a delicate and unique balance of details that encourages your eye to glide across the room to appreciate the architecture and accessories.   Going that extra mile gives an unmistakable statement of quality and  design sophistication.

Please take a moment to send us a comment.  OR, call 770 777 7020 for information about where to begin on YOUR next project.

Special thanks to designer, Christine Barnes for this wonderful kitchen remodel  .  .  .   770 241 2302

Visit www.kasswilson.com for more transformations.

A formal parlor is a Southern tradition.  This intimate space is usually located immediately off of the foyer as a place to invite a guest for conversation.  These rooms are filled with attention to detail .   They are embellished with opulent window treatments, beautiful furnishings and personal accessories that welcome a visitor into a home.

The Design Process:

We began with a blank canvas.  Even though the mantel is in the center of the room, it was not intended as the primary focal point.  In this case, it needs to serve as a grounding element but not over power the other furnishings and accessories yet to come.  The goal was to create a cozy and elegant setting suitable for an intimate fireside chat.

A soft faux wood grain technique painted on the mantel adds to the warmth of this space.  Inspiration for color  came from the furnishings in the  adjacent dining room.  For added interest, a burl pattern was incorporated to emphasize and add interest to the horizontal line.  This detail mimics the same wood species found on the doors of the china cabinet and dining table in the adjoining space.  Keeping the tones subtle allows all of the other furnishings to share the attention.  This mantel now compliments the room from every vantage point.  It elegantly blends with the flow of color and style throughout the home.  A crackling fire is all that is needed to complete  the invitation.  So, bring a glass of wine,  sit down and enjoy the comfort of a fireside chat.

Special thanks to Joy McLean Interiors for this design.

404 237 8555 ,   joy@joymcleaninteriors.com

To view more transformations visit, www.kasswilson.com

A vast great room ceiling would be cold and lost without proper attention.  The beautiful details present an opportunity to enhance the architecture within this home.  A combination of finishing techniques draws the eye upward and allows each feature to stand apart.

We started with a blank canvas.  The interior designer presented the fabrics that were chosen for furniture and window treatments.  From this, it was easy to visualize the color story of the home. This room was a central location.  It was open to the foyer, kitchen and stairway. All of the finishes needed to blend and be consistent with the adjacent spaces.  Being so open, this room had very little wall space.  All of the interesting architectural details were in the ceiling.  That became our opportunity to create something special.

The Design Process:

Textured wallpaper was applied inside the coffers.  A pattern was chosen that would be consistent with the scale of the spaces.  Once applied, it was treated with a 3 layer faux finish that incorporated multiple metallics.  This enhanced the  dimension of the raised pattern.  A soft wood graining technique was applied to the beams.  The contrast of dark next to light acts to outline and draw attention to the architecture within the ceiling.

The finishes that adorn the ceiling are consistent with the design of the columns.  This further invites your attention to move upward. By adding color and texture to the architectural details alone, this room takes on an impression of elegance.  The faux finishes make this ceiling rise to the occasion by offering a crowning touch to this regal space.

Special thanks to Laura Bloom of Home Expressions. 678 242 0480  www.homeexpressionsinteriors.com Be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com to view more transformations.

Over time, styles change,  color trends change and the purpose for a space will change.  But one thing that seems to remain the consistent is the timeless beauty of exotic wood and the elegance of traditional craftsmanship.  This project represents the transformation of a space into a sophisticated gathering place that will be enjoyed while relaxing with a glass of fine wine.

The Design Process:

Plans for the future of this area include the addition of a wine cellar.  The theme will be changing to reflect an elegant pub setting.  Look closely at how this designer has skillfully re-directed the color palate and style of this space.

The “visual weight” and “balance” of this room has been shifted with the clever use of color.  Applying a faux finish to the cabinets transformed their harsh white appearance into elegant dark wood hues.  The beauty of a painted wood grain technique creates the illusion of fine crafted flame mahogany.  This outlines and draws attention to the stackstone in the mantel.  The colors were chosen to blend effortlessly with the tones of the fabrics.   A clean lined, neutral sofa acts as a quiet backdrop to all of the other design elements in the room.  As a result,  your attention is drawn upward and flows around the room to embrace the rich colors, tailored patterns and warm textures.

This space now has a new attitude.  It honors the luxury of traditional elements yet remains a relaxed setting for comfortable entertaining.  It is a reflection of a mature and sophisticated design style that will be complimentary to a lovely wine cellar.  Cheers!

Special thanks to Karen Davis of KD Design Studio  770 346 9494  www.karendavisinteriors.com .  Also, be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com to view more transformations.

He wants the richness of wood.  She wants an updated color.  How do you keep everyone happy?  Creating a kitchen that accommodates both personalities requires creative planning.  One solution is to look at how you can incorporate more than one finish in a single space.  During our first meeting, we looked through a large portfolio of cabinet finishes.  Two options were identified as possibilities.  A soft stria glazing in a complementary tone of gold offers a casual yet tailored elegance.  The beauty of wood grain is rich in tradition, but the concern was that it would appear too dark if applied to every surface.  Careful studying of the lines within the cabinetry revealed the answers.  The division became obvious.  Both finishes could be used and a unique kitchen was born!

The Design Process:

In a kitchen, the cabinetry usually covers more than 60% of the wall space.  It can be very repetitious.   We often create drama in a room by adding an accent wall of color.  This same concept can be used on your cabinets.  Utilizing two complementary finishes will add character and give your kitchen a personality all its own.

Look closely at the original kitchen.  The cabinets are perfectly uniform and symmetrical.  They were painted the same color as the walls and lightly glazed.  This offers a quiet sophistication to surround the new focal points. . . the two large towers.  A wood grain technique was applied to give them the illusion of freestanding furniture.  Designing with an odd number of elements is more pleasing to the eye.  So, the island was number three.  The pantry doors were then treated the same as the surrounding cabinets.  This allows your eye to gently float around the room without interruption.

The custom tile on the backsplashes and the front of the counter introduces a dramatic pattern into this space.  Painting the trim around the bar in the same wood grain technique provides an outline of this feature.  It is a finishing detail that helps to emphasize the importance of this design.

This kitchen now offers versatility.  It provides an invitation for warm family gatherings.  But with a few fancy accessories, it is easily dressed up for formal entertaining.  It readily adapts as a pleasing environment that will fit any personality.

To view more cabinetry transformations, visit my website at www.kasswilson.com.