Outside In

We've all noticed the trend in home design of bringing garden accessories, plants, and other design elements from the yard into our homes, and conversely, furnishing our decks and patios as if they were interior rooms. We're blurring the lines between in and out. Not surprisingly, this trend is starting to arrive in the field of decorative painting. I recently painted an entire half bath with botanicals resembling cottage style English wallpaper. No measureing, pasteing, stripping, and above all--no seams. The design can be changed and adapted to odd angles and architectural oddities with no "drop" or repeat in the pattern. The artist can make certain areas less obvious or draw the eye to focal areas of the room. I paint using glazes which offer a lively handpainted watercolor look without the buildup that regular paint would leave. Should the owner ever tire of the look or change decor, a simple coat of paint eliminates the work. No fuss, no muss.

For an upcoming job, I'll be painting overscale tropical botanicals in each of the corners of a dramatic formal dining room. Each will be original and designed around the furniture, windows, and arches in the room. Should be fun!

A TOTAL 180

Many of us in the field of decorative painting share many similarities. whether we're pounding walls or finely painting furniture or murals, we're totally immersed in paint, glazes, and their by-products. What we do in our limited free time varies immensely, but I have found that many of us share a common hobby--gardening. Back to nature, the green movement, in many ways the total opposite of what we do in our daily lives. No matter how long, tiring or frustrating the day may have been, it's always nice to enter a totally different world at home. This spring, though late in arriving, was one of the best I can remember for gardening. Cooler temperatures and regular rain made for a beautiful season of continuous bloom. So for a break from the stifling heat of the past few days, and a complete change from the paint-speak, here are a few pictures of my garden- a work in progress.