HoldenArt Studio

What's Hot This Week on Pinterest

2012-02-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Thought it might be fun to see what is popular with furniture on pinterest. I have posted a few pictures that reflect the work I can create.

I love the stencil on the ceiling. The big bold design is very eye-catching and really makes a statement.

This next piece mixes the old with the new. The antique table is distessed and paired with the distressed chairs. I love that they do not match but add a great accent.

The darkened beams in this kitchen work well with all of the white and stainless steel. I do a lot of beams. Clients are either adding them for interest on high ceilings or changing the color to give it an updated look, even if that is a distressed look!

This table has been painted and distressed. Although I don't really like the top of the table, I think what people love about this is the fun color mixed with the distressed base. This is a great example of taking what your already have and doing something great with it.

Fun, weathered door that adds interest to the kitchen.

Pinterest had a lot of great ideas. Take a look and get inspired!! For more inspiration check out our new site www.fauxfurniturerehab.com

Marc

Introduction of Faux Furniture Rehab

2012-01-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

HoldenArt Studio Introduces New Service

We are thrilled to offer our new custom paint finish service and our new web site www.FauxFurnitureRehab.com HoldenArtStudio has been in business in the Dallas area for over 17 years. We pride ourselves in our professionalism and our ability to create beautiful specialty finishes with true artistry. Now

you can take existing cabinetry and furniture, and we will transform it into something fresh and modern with our extraordinary painted finishes!

From Modern to Organic, you can have the look you want with the furniture you already have!

Take a look at some of our before and after pictures followed by a few of our sample finishes.

Before

After

Details

Before

After

We can save you money and time.

Instead of replacing cabinets or buying new furniture...rehab it! And while you are at it you can create a look that you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.

Are there modern applications?

Is your taste contemporary? We have some beautiful polished looks that will add the perfect modern touch to your home. Check out our samples below.

Applications for our work:

Eco-friendly painted solutions to mimic natural wood, bamboo or stone

Economical in that you can create fabulous looks for a fraction of the cost.

Less mess completed in less time.

Personalized with your colors in mind.

Natural Wood Designs

faux zebrawood

faux bamboo strie

Modern Glossy Designs

Pattern with a smooth glossy finish

FauxfurnitureRehab

www.fauxfurniturerehab.com

214-207-4521

Marc Holden - owner/artist

www.facebook.com/fauxfurniturerehab

www.facebook.com/holdenartstudio.com

https://twitter.com/

@holdenartstudio

Serving the DFW area

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Fall in Love with your furniture all over again!

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Eco-Friendly, Low VOC paints

Re-purpose what you already have

Achieve the look you want with a painted finish!

* Modern

* Distressed

* Weathered

* Traditional

* Shabby Chic

* Antiqued

* Organic

Re-Invent Your Furniture!

2011-06-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sign up to follow our blog by June 30th and you will be entered into our drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Blue Mesa Restaurant!

For some reason our "follow" button does not always appear. If you want to be entered into the contest send us a quick email at marc@holdenartstudio.com and you will be entered.

Re-Invent Your Furniture

Fall Back in Love with What You Already Have!

Our latest project involved re-finishing a king-sized four poster bed and matching desk from Henredon. The furniture was good quality, but was finished in the "whitewashed" oak stain that was popular back in the 80's...great look 20 years ago, but it needed some updating! The finish had yellowed somewhat, which is typical for lacquer and oil-based finishes. Oftentimes, people don't think of the application of a "faux finish" to furniture or cabinetry, but it is a wonderful, economic way to "re-purpose" and update what you already have!

Here are the bed and desk before. Both are in great shape, just in need of a facelift!

When it comes to furniture, there are really only 4 options:

1. Buy a new piece of furniture. Great option unless your budget is limited; or maybe you love the piece, but the finish just doesn't work. Many people just hate the thought of scrapping a "perfectly good" piece, especially if you are talking cabinetry, which can be a messy, not to mention expensive, ordeal!

2. Paint it. Though this is the easiest option, it may not give you the look you want.

3. Strip the old finish and re-stain it. Though viable for small, simple pieces, stripping is a toxic and messy process that is best done outdoors. The gummy residue is difficult to remove from grooves and corners, and all the digging and scraping can result in scratching the wood. When it involves cabinetry, believe me that you don't want this in your house!

4. Faux finish it. This is where we come in. By layering glazes over the original finish, we can achieve whatever look you want without the mess of stripping, or the expense or waste of buying new.

In this case, our client wanted a simple stained wood look, changing the bleached oak to a darker, mocha color.

Here is the approved sample showing the new custom "stain" color, which is really a faux finish, imitating a wood stain.

Jesse Reyes of Reyes Movers delivers the bed and desk to our shop. Jesse does great work, plus he's not nearly as scary as this picture makes him look!

First things first. We clean and hand-sand every piece to ensure good adhesion. Here my 16-year old daughter Madeline earns some extra summer money while learning the finer points of the "grunt" work!

The glazes are applied by hand to ensure a quality result.

Here is the desk in progress. Each inlay around the perimeter of the desktop was finished individually. The sample is always nearby to ensure accuracy.

scroll design in progress

2011-05-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Sign up to follow our blog by June 30th and you will be entered into our drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Blue Mesa Restaurant!

Scroll Design on a Vaulted Ceiling

I just finished this project, in which the client wanted me to create a scroll design on this vaulted entry ceiling. The ceiling is about 15' high, and measures about 15' diagonally from corner to corner.

The idea began with a pencil drawing for the client to approve.

The next step was a painted sample for the client's approval. We decided not to incorporate any metallics, but to accent the bronze tones with a faded blue reflected in her fabrics.

Once the design and colors were approved, I made a full-scale image of the scrollwork that could be transferred to the ceiling. With a few quick measurements and chalklines, I was able to layout the design relatively quickly. The ceiling isn't exactly square, so I had to "pinch" and "stretch" the design here and there to fit symmetrically.

Here's a shot of my work platform with the design halfway complete. My neck was angry with me for several days!

Up close. The design has varied light and dark areas to give it a worn feel. The blue accents bring in a touch of color. The thin outline helps to give it definition.

The completed painting...just need to install a matching fire sensor cover and hang the light fixture.

American Clay Plaster

2011-02-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

American Clay 100% Natural Earth Plaster:

"Quite Possibly the World's Most Beautiful Wall Finish"

The understated beauty of American Clay's Natural Earth Plaster and their stunning line of earth-rich colors are the perfect backdrop for any room.

What is the future for interior wall coverings? While the 80's and 90's "more is more" mentality witnessed the dominance of the faux finish, the 21st Century has taken a more minimalist approach.

Savvy homeowners want simplicity and comfort. They want innovative products that push the boundary between art and function. They want softness and texture, while using natural products that enhance their homes.

So, are homeowners limited to the choice between paint and wallpaper?

Though low odor, low-VOC paints have made significant advancements and wallpapers have made a dominating comeback, are there other options that allow them to bring texture, softness and color into the home without becoming "fussy?"

The answer is yes:

The subtle texture of American Clay's Loma imparts a softness to the walls without being fussy.

Here at HoldenArt Studio we offer a beautiful solution. American Clay's 100% Natural Earth Plaster, applied by our certified applicators, is an organic wall plaster made from natural clays and reclaimed natural aggregates such as sand, mica and seashell.

The organic clay plaster's natural matte finish is simple and beautiful, adaptable to most any design style. The plaster's luxurious texture is irresistible to touch. Because the organic clay "breathes," it improves the air quality of the home and resists dust and mold. Best of all, it is easy to clean and touch up. I believe that it is the most innovative wallcovering product on the market today.

The clay plaster is versatile, allowing for all sorts of artistic applications. Here is an example of a floral wall design and background texture using American Clay Natural Earth Plasters.

Why American Clay Earth Plaster?

100% Natural
beautiful finish
non-toxic
mold resistant
absorbs odors
easy to repair
temperature and humidity buffer
contributes up to 10 LEED Credits
zero VOC's
non-fading
easy clean-up

Why HoldenArt Studio?

certified American Clay applicator
16 years experience in the decorative arts
professional and dependable
designer references

Furniture

2010-12-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

I have realized that one of my favorite things to paint at HoldenArt Studio is furniture...any kind of furniture...from armoires and chairs to vanities and kitchen cabinets. Even chandeliers! Each piece takes on a character of it's own, and can bring an entirely new look to a room. Create a focal point with a beautiful antique finish. Do you have the perfect piece, but the wrong look? Transform it with a painted finish! I wanted to share a few pictures with you. Of course, you can check out more at http://www.holdenartstudio.com/.

The antique green painted finish on this TV built-in provides a splash of color in this living room. The built-in was originally darkly stained (along with the floor and trim), so the designer wanted to create a focal point of color that incorporated the greens in the new fabrics in the room. Charlotte Comer, by the way, is a fantastically talented designer; check her out at http://www.charlottecomerinteriors.com/.

here is an up-close of the cabinet drawers.

Don't want to go through the hassle or expense of replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets? Transform them with a painted finish. Our finishes are both beautiful and durable, and suitable for kitchen and bath. Most of our finishes are done with low-odor, low-VOC paints, so we won't drive you from your home with noxious fumes. That protects our health, plus the environment too! Check out some examples of cabinet finishes below.

Remember the '80s and all the lovely whitewashed oak cabinets? These cabinets looked that way before we put a mahogany faux finish on them.

We painted a rustic blue on this island to add to the Country French feel of this kitchen. Karen Dawson at Interior Images in Arlington is the designer; she's not only a terrific designer, but also a true West Texas gal who is a lot of fun!

This bathroom vanity has a distressed, hand-rubbed finish in a light grey, bluish-green (is that vague enough?) hue. The whole feel of the house is a rustic Tuscan country estate. The walls are done in American Clay which adds to the authenticity of the place. Karen Dawson is also the designer on this one.

Here is a contemporary kitchen. Often, people don't associate "faux finishes" with sleek and clean. The finish on these cabinets actually has a subtle strie'd (is that a word?) texture done in a soft silvery grey. They are exquisite! Anita Priest with Priest Interiors is the designer; a very talented woman who has a great eye for color and style.

I painted this table for a friend of mine, who gave me carte-blanche to do what I thought was most appropriate for the piece. After several iterations, I settled on a faux mahogany with gold leaf accents.

This antique armoire has beautiful lines, but had a darkly stained wood finish on it, which dominated the room and felt out of place. The designer, Charlotte Comer, wanted it to feel lighter and to have a sense of place within the room. I painted it with this silvery, pale oak finish that fits nicely within the soft blue hues and delicate bed linens.

I don't know if a cast-stone mantle qualifies as a furniture piece, but I paint a lot of them. This one has a honed Carrera marble faux finish on it.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. We have plenty more pictures of furniture, walls and murals at