Last week I returned to The Southern Institute of Faux Finishing in Brandon, MS for a second class. This one was on furniture finishes. I loved every minute of it.
This Institute is close to Jackson, Mississippi.
Our beautiful instructor, Virginia, who is not only extremely knowledgeable with 15 years of experience, but also an excellent teacher who makes every second a fabulous event.
Here are my photo collages of the six furniture finishes we did.
The finish names from top to bottom, left to right are: Veranda, Arabesque, Chalk, Chinoiserie, Versailles, and Delicato.
Making the Veranda finish. This finish is named after the cover of Veranda magazine's Jan/Feb 2007 issue of a room in the Belgian residence of couturier Edouard Vermeulen. The console table is 2die4 also. This cover is probably the most talked about cover Veranda has done. Another cover in similar blue-greens is the September 2009 issue. I love both of these.
This is the gold-leafed Arabesque finish which uses Aquastone for the raised dimensional look.
This is the Annie Sloan chalk paint finish. The Annie Sloan brand is a new introduction to the United States from England so is all the rage lately. The texture sets it apart from other paints. It is now being manufactured in the US giving better access to it than ordering from England. Virginia will be teaching an entire class on Annie Sloan chalk paint the end of August at the Institute. Unfortunately, I have to be in Seattle but purchased several colors and am testing them on furniture pieces now. The cabinet in the lower right portion of the collage was done for one of Virginia's clients. It is the same finish we did in class.
Here is Chinoiserie in black and red as a plaque with the symbol for "home" made with a stencil and Tamise gold leaf.
This is the making of Versailles named for the motif found in the French castle Versailles. It is one of my all-time favorites.
Here is Delicato which is stunning with the aqua against the black.
We also learned about antiquing mirror.
Students having soooooooooo much fun.
These paint finishes arranged by 12 colors are done on small sample mouldings. Each one is uniquely fabulous in it's own right. It would be so hard to choose just one.
These finishes are done in the cabinet class. Looks like another fun one to take.
And, here are some inspiring wall finishes to intice faux finishers to take that class. So many wonderful classes are offered at the Institute. Is it possible to quit work and just go here full time?
I plan to hang some of the samples on my home office wall. Here is Versailles and Delicato displayed on my office console table.
I hope you have enjoyed being a student with me.
All the best,
Summer
Photo Credits: Swede with the exception of Veranda cover by Francis Amiand.
