Another week of painting has produced a couple of 'snazzy' rooms! And who better to share them with than you. Again, Midland, Texas is the setting for the dazzling decor I'm about to display. Midland is a cultural oasis in the midst of a west Texas desert and needless to say the price of oil has given alot of folks some extra cash. Although the terrain is quite barren, the sunsets are breathtaking (the lack of trees provides an unobstructed view, horizon to horizon). But the most important thing I want to mention is the warm, friendly, generous people that live there. Midland, Texas is unique in many ways!

Now, let me introduce you. This is Sid.

This is Sid's house. Sid is staring, in disbelief I might add. Sid is speechless! Let's get a closer look at what has got this west Texas girl's tongue...

What started out on Tuesday morning, as a plain solid black wall has made a dramatic transformation! Sid, eventually able to speak one well chosen word says, "Masterpiece"! It couldn't agree more! And the truth be known no one is more surprised than me.

The design pattern is the same one I used in my dining room (see previous post). This time an overhead projector was not an option so using painters tape I formed a grid on the 5' X 8' wall. Then with ordinary white I sketched the design onto the wall while looking carefully at the fabric. This step is VERY IMPORTANT and took several hours. Next came six coats of Ralph Lauren metallic gold paint (I used a bright brassy gold). I'm sure a base coat of something would have greatly expedited this step, but unfortunately I just don't think like that. (I'm often a ' work hard, not smart' kind of girl) Oh well, then on Wednesday afternoon came the silver highlights, plus alot of visual and mechanical distress. Topped off with a liberal drizzling of dark walnut stain and seal. Yummy!

The overall effect...Wowser!!!

Thursday was devoted to one of the powder baths. I didn't have as much time to spend on this little room, so I shot from the hip and free-handed everything using the same palette as above, including the stain. Very nice!

As I left, Sid was staring once again, in a speechless gaze

but a close inspection of her face revealed the one thing I needed to see...a smile!

This old house...

This week I've been 'plastering' and painting two bathrooms in our house. I wished I had thought to photograph the process step by step but nope!...it never occurred to me until just now. Darnit! The 'mud' is all gone. The trowel is clean....double darn! But if you have ever wanted to have that 'old world' , 'not perfect' stucco kind of look on your walls, I'm confident I could walk you through it. It's alot like frosting a really large cake with a trowel that looks like a pie server.

Our house is a 1937 Tudor Cottage. I call it the 'Robin's Nest' (someday I'll tell you why). It sits on a tree lined boulevard in the historic part of town.It is such a cutie! We really enjoy living here. Old houses are so special and full of character and charm. Unfortunately, they frequently require upkeep and repair. It can be a little frustrating and expensive, but if you are an 'old house' kind of person a new house, just never feels quite right.

We have alot of projects going on right now but one that is completed can be found on the dining room walls. A couple of years ago when we bought this house, I was constantly looking through magazines and gathering ideas. One thing that really grabbed me and made me want to run down the street screaming was a room that had a 'large scale' damask wallpaper on the walls! I was determined to get that look. I never really considered going to the trouble or expense of wallpapering but quickly decided I would paint the 'look' I craving.

Typically, I free-hand everything I paint, never using stencils ( too tricky for me). Yet it occurred to me that this method would be extremely time intensive. So, I tried something I had never done before .... I used an over-head projector! Remember? The kind we used in school?

First, I found a design I liked. Your design can be on fabric or paper. note: If you choose a fabric, later you can increase the WOW!!! factor by using them in drapes and(or) upholstery.

I walked into Kinko's with a yard of fabric in my hands and asked them to make me several transparencies that would show the entire pattern. I bought two shades of latex paint. Borrowed an over-head projector and painted 4 long days. I couldn't be happier with the results!

It did take alot of time...like coloring in a gigantic coloring book, but it didn't cost much and requires no artistic ability. Below are a few helpful tips I learned during the process:

*Keep the projector a consistent distance from the wall, so the design will not GROW and shrink as it moves around the room. (I made this mistake but fortunately, it was not noticeable after the room was decorated)!

*For the lower half of the wall, sit the projector on the floor. For the upper half sit it on a tall bar stool. The outer edges tend to get a little fuzzy, so you may have to turn the projector off, to blend the edges and transition the stops and starts of the design. If in doubt refer back to the original design.

*You may want to quickly chalk-in the outline, turn-off the projector, and then fill in with paint. The replacement bulbs are very expensive! ( I did not do this! I left the bulb on for long periods of time and painted directly onto the shadow cast onto the wall.. Eventually the bulb burned out, delayed the project and shocked me that a little light bulb can cost over $50).

* Experiment with the scale! The larger the design scale, the more simpler to paint.

Once you complete this kind of project, you'll realize that the possibilities are endless because you can project anything onto a wall and paint it! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Just click on Comment, ask and I'll answer ASAP.

random thought: This is me holding Carter(in front of the wall we've been discussing, perhaps that makes it less random). She is my first, favorite and only granchild. She calls me Roxie, or Roxy, or perhaps it's Roxi? Anyway, I'm absolutely crazy about her! ...and guess what?Carter thinks I'm adorable. Which makes her all the more precious to me!!! ( wouldn't it be a wonderful time for the 'blog fairy' (you know who you are) to swoop down and drop a little video into my blog with Carter saying, "Roxie, I think you're adorable!"? Yes! It would be so nice...just precious...oh, please, oh, please! drop it right in here>

Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother is an amazing woman! Absolutely, amazing! She grew up on a cotton farm, the youngest of four. Had dark curly hair and was completely adored! Her memories are treasured. The stories are good....'the adventures of Vida!..and her exciting childhood'! She grew up and graduated at the top of her class, married Prince Charming and moved away fast.

Life in the city was quite an adventure, good jobs gave hope for a promising future. They worked hard, made friends, went home once in awhile and before you knew it they were expecting a child.

I was born on May 14th, their 1st bundle of joy. Three months later they were expecting a boy!..or girl(?) they would know soon for Lynnette was born the following June. Two baby girls, 13 months apart would keep her quite busy. What a wonderful start! Cooking and cleaning, washing diapers alot, sewing and saving, and watching two tots! How could life get any better than this? Well, it would, 2 years later, when she 'popped out' Chris! Three beautiful children... what joy to behold! ...a hardworking husband with a heart of gold!

The years flew by quickly. She made everything fun... consistent as the mailman, in rain, snow and sun. Nothing could stop her from doing her best. Decorating, gardening or sewing a dress. Her active involvement helped a community to grow, she made 'the difference', many said so. Life was good for this family of five. A growing business, that was sure to survive. A lovely home in a great neighborhood. Almost perfect, like she hoped it would. Then one Christmas, without any warning, something went wrong with her beloved prince charming. He had found someone else, didn't love us any more-so he said goodbye and walked out the door. I was 13, my sister was twelve, Chris was 10, our world felt like 'hell'.

She went to bed for a very long time. Her heart was broken by this unexpected crime. No one came to save us, we were invisible...dying one tear at a time.

When she got to the bottom of her sadness, she looked into her children's' eyes and decided then and there to choose truth, love and life. It wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all! It took along time, to brush the dust from that fall. Years, I'd say, before she'd ride again tall.

But you should see her now! A rose in full bloom. Captivating beauty of vibrant hue. Intoxicating fragrance. A sight to behold! A 'delight' to all who meet her, no matter young or old. She has so much to give and she gives both night and day. Rarely stopping to catch her breath, read a book or simply play. No one can out work her. She's irreplaceable, without doubt....and if you ever need her just give a little shout. Quickly she'll come running, do anything at all, to help someone who needs her, whether big or small.

Mom, you've taught your children much, and loved them well. You are blessed.

I love you, dearly.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

P.S. Have fun at the White House this week! Tell the First Lady, I said 'hi'!!

note:My 1st cousin Ron Hall and Denver Moore(a friend and brother in Christ), wrote the New York Times Bestseller, SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME. They have been given the honor of reading from their book at the "A Celebration of Reading", a major fundraiser for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Find out more about the book @ http://www.samekindofdifferent.com/

Way Out West!

The past two weeks I've have been painting 'way out' (in more ways than one) in west Texas for my friend and favorite designer, James VanStavern! James is a creative genius, talented artist, successful designer and the pied piper, all rolled into one. Years ago, it was James that encouraged me to make a career change from teaching elementary Phys. Ed. to full-time Artist. He gave me my 1st paint job and at least 100 since. Just the attempt to thank him brings tears to my eyes, for James has called out the artist in me time and time again. Challenging, sharpening and all the while validating "the gift" God placed within me. It is always a thrill to work with him. Thank you James. You have made a BIG DIFFERENCE in my life.

He's a 'man on the move' and has certainly kept me hopping. The first stop was James' house to paint in the fabulous Cantina he and wife Debbie, have added to their home.

Pictures cannot capture the fun and fresh air this room exudes! Add Debbie and her sense of humor, 3 dogs, 2 talking parrots, and beautiful pool and you've got the makings for a memorable day!One whole wall, is floor the vaulted ceiling, covered in old doors. By request, I painted a plump senorita on one of the doors and... "Van's Tavern by the pool" on another.

The perfect place for lot's of fun. Where's Margarita?

Next stop, Becky and Randy Young. Their gorgeous home decorated by VanStavern Interiors was featured on the Parade of Homes Last weekend. The powder bath is small but smashing with metallic gold walls for a background, I drizzled a few acanthus leaves around the room, complete with drippy glaze and 'wah-lah!'

I really like the drips!

Next, I moved to their awesome front doors where I painted a decorative embellishment up above.

And from there to the kitchen....

...a beautiful home full of family and love.

Next stop, the Johnson's where I painted 'recycled' doors that lead to a great game room.

Painted a bench 'chippy and red'. Refinished a huge heavy fire screen, and painted above the coat closets on either side of the front double doors.

Very colorful! Well, thats all for now but check back soon. There's more to come....

the little French chest...

Debra, my neighbor and friend, recently found this little beauty at Stokes Chic Antiques, http://www.stokechicantiques.com/ . Everyone in town knows about this hot spot, where you can affordably purchase, Dalia Stokes' fabulous finds! (They even ship in the U.S. check out her site...)

The french chest was wearing a fresh coat of white paint and was wonderfully shabby and chic.
I don't have a before picture but it was painted in a stlye similar to this lovely piece....
you get the idea.

Anyway, it was love at first sight!

Debra quickly bought, hauled it home and called me to repaint it gold. Yes, gold. Bright and shiny, for Debra loves all things beautiful, 'French' and fancy. The girl can't get enough gold!

First of all, I brushed the entire piece, with several coats of Modern Masters gold.

Next I painted three of the door panels black and free- handed a botanical/bird motif in shades of green, red and gold.The final step was to brush on and wipe off Minwax Stain and Seal (special walnut).

The original hardware when back in place, embellished the chest like pretty earrings for a stunning effect!

Debra is a happy woman!