Tracy Lund Creations

Gilding is the methodical use of thin metal sheets (like gold leaf) to create decorations and imagery on surfaces. This fine art has become something of a lost art, at least among mainstream craftspeople, remodelers, and building owners. And that's a shame. Let's bring it back! 

  The Dawn of Gilding

In past centuries, gilding was used to publicly “preen” -- that is, to demonstrate to the world that you had means and wealth. In fact, gilding became so prominently used that an entire era became known as the “Gilded Age.”

  Today, gilding still denotes excess or extravagance – and therein lies a peculiar challenge. When you create gilding effects in modern homes, buildings, and business, how do you strike the right balance of craftsmanship, skill, and subtlety?

  Many items can be gilded. These run the gamut from sculptures to manuscripts to furniture to ceilings and walls. Two main traditional types of gilding include oil and water gilding.

  Analysis of the Process

  The gilding process can be quite involved. The best designers invest years of study into their craft, perfecting the ability to create subtle details and minimize errors and sloppiness.

  What equipment do you need? The answer depends on the project. Most artisans use a specialized pad and knife to manipulate and cut gold leaf. A “gilder’s tip” allows you to delicately move the material from the pad to the surface being decorated. Burnishers rub against the gilding to bring out colors and luster.

  Water gilding is a process generally reserved for inside surfaces and architectural elements. During this process, you first apply a specialized glue and material called “gesso” to the object, then apply a kind of clay called "bole." Next, you apply a mixture of water and alcohol known as "gilders liquor" to the gold. The artist then burnishes the materials to create lustrous effects.

  Oil gilding is typically used for more diverse, outdoor projects. Varnish gets the gold to chemically bond with the surface. The oil gilding process is not compatible with burnishing, so your artistic options are slightly more limited.

 Connect with us today for a free consultation about your gilding needs or to learn more.

http://www.tracylundcreations.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TracyLundCreations

Ph: 407.963.6527

Trompe L'oeil is a time-tested French technique that creates three-dimensional imagery.

 In French, "Trompe L'oeil" literally means “to deceive the eye.” Craftspeople for millennia have employed various versions of this technique to create beautiful spaces, inspire awe, and have fun. Historians believe that Trompe L'oeil as a movement dates back to the Baroque period. That said, you can find diverse examples of similar types of artistic manipulation (such as forced perspective) dating back to ancient Roman and Greek times.

Extravagant examples of Trompe L'oeil also abound. Artisans have used precious metals and other exquisitely layered and shaped materials. But you can create a stately product without having to cash out your 401(k) to afford genuine gold leaf and exotic materials imported from remote countries.

A Trompe L'oeil wall mural can be created using regular flat or acrylic paint. To start, clean your walls and it is best to start with light colored primed walls. Sketch your background images first and then paint them making sure the mural matches the proportions of the room. Using shadowing will make the mural appear more realistic. Once, the background images are completed, sketch and paint the foreground images. Use darker colors for the foreground colors. Once the painting is complete seal with a clear polyurethane to preserve the mural.

The art of Faux Trompe L'oeil is, effectively, an art within an art. After all, you are trying to fool the eye into believing that it's looking at something three-dimensional. Likewise, you want to give the impression that the Trompe L'oeil scheme, itself, is layered.

 When done effectively, Trompe L'oeil design can be effective, gorgeous and a joy to create. Whether you're looking to learn the skills of the trade, so that you can apply the ideas in your home or business; or you'd like to hire someone to add flourishes and ornamentation to a new home or building, connect with a decorative artisan today to discuss your needs.

Some examples of Trompe L'oeil in can be found at

http://www.tracylundcreations.com/murals.asp

http://www.onextrapixel.com/2013/12/09/stunning-examples-of-trompe-loeil-murals/

Who says furniture décor has to be drab, conventional, or overly simple?

For hundreds of years, furniture artisans spent hours – sometimes days – crafting ornate, intricate,"for the ages" finishes for their pieces. They elevated furniture design to a high art. Our modern, assembly line world then “de-elevated” furniture design into a kind of commodity.

You can reclaim that fine art and zazz up old furniture (or new pieces) by applying time-tested, metallic makeover processes inspired by the imaginations of America’s most respected decorative artisans. Whether you want to reinvigorate a bland or damaged wooden chair or reimagine the entire architectural landscape of your beachfront home, options abound. You can leverage high fashion metallic makeover techniques – using platinum, copper, gold, and pearlescence – to create intricate designs that add value and a “luxe” feel to furniture ensembles.

Here are two very cool applications:

 1. Create inspired cabinetry.

Home improvement studies suggest that kitchen remodeling is one of the most lucrative (not to mention fun) types of remodeling to do. Boring, “bleah” cabinetry can easily be overlooked. But a brushed metallic finish can rework your cabinetry in thrilling ways. Opt for an Asian inspired minimalist design, or use baroque stenciling to add an air of regality and festivity.

 See how this boring cabinet was transformed by using copper accents.

2. Hone your craftsman skills.

Perhaps you're interested in redesigning and refinishing furniture to sell or give away to friends as gifts. It doesn’t take too much effort to learn basic techniques. With some deliberate practice -- ideally guided by an experienced decorative artisan -- you can master metallic refinishing, stenciling, and other trusted methods to compose beautiful, intriguing works.

Whether you want to hire someone to refinish your furniture or learn the craft yourself, choose the right mentors, materials, media and equipment. There's no need to reinvent the wheel with respect to decorative artisan techniques, many of which have been trusted for centuries.

Connect with us today to explore solutions to your furniture redesign and makeover needs.

http://www.tracylundcreations.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TracyLundCreations

Ph: 407.963.6527

Centuries ago, refinishing a kitchen cabinet or a piece of furniture was a drawn-out, intense, and extremely effortful process. Craftsmen handed down their ideas and aesthetics through generations. By dint of time and perseverance, these craftsmen composed truly extraordinary works of art.

In today’s world, however, efficiency and cost often trump aesthetic concerns. That's a shame for many reasons. But our collective focus on brutal efficiency has not done any favors for the kitchen industry. Many modern cabinets and furnishings range from mundane to simply hideous.

Resurfacing from the Heart and Soul

Resurfacing does not have to be a boring mechanical process. Yes, you still need to concentrate on the basics. You must prepare the wood, sanding out rough spots, and dealing with cracks or damage to the primary material. You may also need to fill the grain, use sanding sealer and stains to protect the piece. These products can enhance natural features, reduce maintenance needs, and prep the material for more intense design work.

But once you've laid this foundation, you then have many choices about how to execute the resurfacing, including conventional/utilitarian approaches and eclectic ones.

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Furniture Resurfacing and Cabinetry Remodeling

A decorative artisan can help you transform an otherwise pedestrian job into something truly special and one of a kind. Browse http://www.tracylundcreations.com/furniture.asp to see examples of styles and design options that you can deploy to beautify your furniture and your space.

Consider opting for a crafty approach, if: 

You're beautifying your property in preparation for a move or sale;

You want to learn new refinishing techniques to apply to other projects – or at least to see what can be done, when you give time and close attention to the resurfacing process;

You're a kitchen remodeler or designer, who wants to diversify your roster of services.

Connect today with a decorative artisan today to explore possibilities for your project. 

http://www.tracylundcreations.com/

Ph: 407.963.6527

Ceiling Ornamentation

Transform a Room into Something Grander and More Enduring

  Perhaps you're remodeling your Great Room and hoping to add personality and prestige to the space. Or maybe you're in search of a time-tested strategy to redecorate your home to prepare it for market. In either case, you might want to consider transforming your rooms using ceiling ornamentation.

Why the ceiling? In design, as in life, subtle details matter. An area may only be peripherally in the line of sight -- few people immediately gaze up at the ceiling when they enter a room -- but it can nevertheless be vital, aesthetically. Ceilings are the forgotten 5th wall. When used well, ceiling ornamentation can make a "blah" room suddenly dynamic, regal and rich, and it will enhance the architectural details of a room. Top architects have understood this concept for centuries. Take a tour of the most storied buildings in Ivy League schools, like Yale, Harvard, and Princeton, and you'll often encounter baroque ceiling ornamentation and flourishes.

Of course, ornamentation done sloppily – or done without consideration of other critical design elements, lighting and aesthetics – can be a disaster. Shoddy craftsmanship on the ceiling, for instance, can make the whole room look sloppy. Ideally, you want to use a decorative artisan who has experience, tools, and appropriate craft skills.

The Path to Gorgeous Ceiling Ornamentation

First, consider the purpose of your design or remodeling project:

  What are you trying to accomplish? Do you hope to make your home more livable and cozy? Do you want to add a touch of luxury and stateliness to a drab space? Are you aiming to fix up a room in anticipation of selling the property or renting it out to guests?

  Next, consider the principles that you want to govern the work:

  Perhaps you need to meet a timeframe or tight budget;

Maybe you have a specific design scheme in mind;

Perhaps there's a room that you've seen somewhere that you'd like to emulate;

  Once you understand your purpose and principles, have fun and get creative:

  Brainstorm possible solutions to your design challenges;

Consult with a decorative artisan, so you know what might be possible (and desirable), given your aesthetic ambitions and the budget/scope you have in mind.

  Whether you're at the planning stage, or you're further along in the process, we'd love to help you discover timeless, gorgeous ornamentation design for your ceiling. Call Tracy Lund Creations today for a free consultation about your project needs.

  Tracy Lund Creations can

Add elegance to a dining room ceiling with a custom fit medallion around a chandelier.

Use metallic in the finishes on the ceiling to cast a glow from the room’s chandelier.

Create interest in a small space with corner pieces and a border frame the room and connect each corner design.

Use custom designs with coordinating patterns that can be used together to create an intricate ceiling treatment.

http://www.tracylundcreations.com/

Ph: 407.963.6527