Home Show Expo 2007

It is time once again for the annual Home Show Expo brought to the Des Moines area by the Home Builders Assocation. This marks the studio's fifth home show and we couldn't be more excited about this year's fantastic home! Fully decorated and professional landscaped, the home is one of six available for walk through.

The 6400 s.f. home includes several intricate wall and ceiling finishes including:
Waxed Venetian Plaster
Intricate Stencil Designs
Handplastered and Glazed Walls
Washed Metallic Walls and Ceilings

Silverstone Development
NW 107th Street, Johnston, Iowa
Show Hours:
July 14th - 29th

Thursdays - 1 - 9 p.m.

Fridays - 1-9 p.m.

Saturdays - 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sundays - 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Seniors Thursdays and Fridays 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Senior discount applies to people 62 years and older
Children 5 and under freeChildren 6-12 years $5
General Admission $10

For more information about the show, please visit http://www.dmhomeshow.com/index.php

Fancy Medallions

Our client had two very plain white ceiling medallions and needed some pizazz added to her ceilings. In combination with changing her ceiling colors and an additional custom handpainted paper treatment--the medallions were the perfect finishing touch.

Ceiling medallions are useful to add additional ornamentation to a ceiling. Another benefit is when a chandelier, or other light fixture cannot be centered. With a medallion in place, the slightly off center fixture will look perfectly in place. Medallions are surprisingly lightweight--and made of a styrofoam material.

The first medallion was antiqued and highlighted in browns and golds to blend in with an entry wall ceiling painted in a similiar color. The second piece has much more of a dramatic flair and was perfect for the dining room. We had so much fun dressing up this very large medallion. The layers include gold stain, an antique mahogony bronzing treatment with highlights added to the medallion in a rich teal to mimic natural patina. Medallions can be handpainted to match lightfixtures in a variety of shades---come back for pictures of the finished ceilings! :)

Thank you!

Thank you to those who supported the studio, and of course Des Moines Animal Rescue League at the recent Raise Your Paw Auction--we really can't say it enough. The final bid for our canvas was nearly $2000. We really couldn't believe it when we heard---it is an absolutely wonderful feeling to give back to a cause that means so much!

Our client saw this whimsical look in a recent magazine. We recently recreated the look for her very own home. The studio can create lettering with embossed plasters, metallic paint--and of course regular paint as well. Any style and most fonts can be used for this creative look on walls, ceilings and more.

A Range Hood Makeover....

We recently completed a kitchen plaster job in Grimes we wanted to share. The client's goals were to add a subtle plaster look added to the area above her stove top--and she told us not to make it "too perfect". She was also looking for an ornamental design to be displayed in the center. After going through several designs, we finally choose a design that fit in the space--we did do some custom work on the stencil to give a little more height to the area. Lisa plastered the area with a durable plaster as well as aged and antiqued the area. The design was embossed with red and chocolate browns. A brand new look!

Three Solutions to handprint Free Walls.

Several times a year clients ask what can be done to fix smudged and fingerprinted walls. Children can’t resist to touch a home’s walls. By following these three tips, your walls will stay fresh, clean and grit free!

Flat paint is used in most residential new construction. Flat paint hides wall imperfections very well because there is virtually no sheen to the paint. If you are in the process of building a home, see if your paint contractor will paint the walls in an eggshell or satin prior to move in. Many times this is discouraged because an eggshell or satin is more difficult to touch up, however an experienced painter should have no problem.

Opt for a scrubbable and more durable wall paint. Many paint companies such as Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are meeting homeowners needs and producing “fingerprint friendly paints”. Two examples are Sherwin Williams' Everclean and Benjamin Moore & Company's Regal AquaVelvet. These paints don’t have a high sheen level, yet fingerprints, scuff marks and smudges can be washed off with water. Contact your paint stores for more information. Many times there will be an in store display to show the versatility of these new products.

The signs of wear and tear are easily camouflaged with a faux finish. Most faux painters have a variety of products that will produce a soft blended look, easily hiding any fingerprints. Not only will the smudges be disguised, but a professional artist will use durable products that can be wiped with a soft damp cloth to clean. A faux finish is ideal if do not want to clean your walls on a weekly basis. Make sure to tell the artist your goals of having washable and durable walls.

Using these three tips will allow you to enjoy a clean smudge free home. Remember to clean your newly painted surfaces with the recommended products; hard scrubbing shouldn’t be required as your smudges and fingerprints will easily wipe off. Enjoy your new walls!

Bringing Tuscan Walls Into A Home

Whether you have just moved into a new house, or would like to add a more rustic appeal to your current abode, old world style walls can add a cozy, and enriching feeling to a home environment. From simply changing the color of your walls, to adding glaze for depth, or hand troweling plaster, the walls in your home can look over a century old in no time.

First decide what color you want to see in your new walls. From warm yellow ochres to rich chocolate browns, these colors are usually based on neutral earthtones. Remember, flat paint will pick up added fingerprints, and can usually not be faux finished over. However, flat paint is ideal if you would simply like to change the color of your walls, and your walls have many imperfections you are trying to hide.

Another option is to add glaze to a wall. Glazing a wall adds translucent color as well as added depth and dimension. From textured walls to smooth walls, a glaze sometimes is referred to as a colorwash. Hiring a professional faux finisher ensures quality products that are durable and will last over the years without fading.

Finally, old Italian walls can be textured with a variety of products to get the look of stucco, crackle and aged crumbly walls. An added bonus is fake areas of stone or brick around the room. The faux architectural stone areas will give the appearance that the walls have been layered with a variety of building materials, giving a very rustic impression.

Changing the look of a room can make a dramatic difference. From color to a variety of paint techniques, your home will feel relaxed and calm—bringing you back in time, as if it was a villa in Tuscany!

Add Paint Appeal to Interior White Columns

Many homes have striking architectural details from elaborate trim to iron work---and who can forget the glossy white columns popping up in many of today’s new homes. Many times, homeowners leave the columns because they are unsure as to what to do with them. Here are four easy ways to add pizzazz to your architectural columns.
1. Most often columns are painted bright glossy white. By simply choosing a different color, your columns will not stand out as much. Changing the sheen level of the column will make a visual difference as well. A flat isn’t recommended because fingerprints will easily be seen, however an eggshell or satin is a lower sheen level than gloss. Make sure that the capital of the column, the top part, as well as the base of the column blend with existing trim and molding.

2. Applying texture materials such as stucco or plaster will add depth to your column. A professional faux finisher will have a variety of textures that can be applied to both round and square columns. Many times a different finish can also be applied to the base and capital of the column to accent the texture or color. Professional artists have a variety of textures available that mimic natural stone. Beware of using joint compound or other “soft plasters” intended for drywall use. These plasters are soft, and may nick and chip over time.

3. Adding a marble look to columns is another option. There are two different types of marbleizing techniques. A fantasy marble looks painted on, and does not mimic a specific marble found in nature. Yet, many times a fantasy marble may look extremely realistic. If you are going for an authentic look, make sure to relay this to the faux finish studios you are interviewing. Be specific with what look you are going for, such as a carrera marble, or yellow sienna.

4. A colorwash can add depth and be visually interesting on a column. A light glaze or stain is rubbed over the column to give a variation of color. The technique can add an aged and historic look to both interior and exterior columns.

Remember, these changes can be applied to both interior and exterior columns. No longer will your glossy white columns be an eyesore. From changing the sheen of paint, to the color, or adding a faux finish technique to your columns, the change will be welcomed in any room.

Design Your Ceilings

The fifth wall, the ceiling, no longer needs to remain a neutral shade of white. From color to dimensional surface design, a paint treatment to a ceiling adds a bit of punch and unexpected color to the area. Find out more by reading Hampton Wall Designs' eight tips on enhancing the ceilings in your home.

Texture:Adding texture to a ceiling can emphasize the architecture of the ceiling, setting the ceiling apart from the rest of the walls as a defined space. The texture can be in the form of handpainted papers, to actual hand troweled on plasters. Texture adds richness and depth to ceiling areas.

Metallics: Metallics are ideal for a ceiling paint treatment because they simply glow. Made up of tiny mica particles, the paint shimmers as light, both natural and artificial, hits the paint from different angles. Whether it is a beautiful chandelier lighting a defined space, or rope lighting around the perimeter of a tray ceiling, the look is stunning. Metallics come in many shades rather than gold or silver. From creams the color of pearls to deep metallic blues that mimic a night sky, metallic ceilings are one of the hottest new trends in decorative painting.

Color: As simple as painting your ceiling a different shade can make a dramatic difference in a room. By painting the ceiling a dark color, the ceiling will naturally descend, making the room feel cozy and defined. Painting the ceiling a lighter color allows the room to open, and feel larger than it actually is.

Hand Painted Papers: Hand painted papers look as if they are expensive multilayered paint finishes that take days to create. The papers are hand painted individually by artists prior to installation. The papers cover textured ceilings and create a beautiful piece of art. Hand painted papers are the perfect finishing touch to a masterbedroom tray ceiling, where a splash of something upscale and defining is needed.

Raise Your Paw ~ ARL Auction

We are pleased to donate a handpainted canvas to the "Raise Your Paw" --The Animal Rescue League's annual fundraising auction--currently in its' fifteenth year.

Description of Painting: Layers of plaster, paint and silver leaf with a defining quote by Mohandas Ghandi embedded onto the canvas, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Canvas 24” x 30”. Color palette includes earthy greens, browns and blues.

The 15th annual auction will be held Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the Hy-Vee Conference Center, 5820 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. The event is presented by Citigroup and Wells Fargo PCS. The evening features a silent auction from 5-7 p.m. followed by a live auction from 7 to 9:30 p.m. More than 300 donated items will be auctioned, including sports memorabilia, artwork, jewelry, vacation and entertainment packages, pet specialty items and luxury services. Appetizers are provided and a cash bar is available. Reserved tables of 10 can be purchased for $325. For more information, please call 515/262-9503, x110 or visit http://www.arl-iowa.org for more information.

The ARL supports many programs for pets--from training to adoption. As a nonprofit organzition, the league depends on the generosity of private citizens to care for the many thousands of animals it takes in each year. Please join us at this very special event.

Des Moines Home and Garden Show

Thanks for everyone who visited us at the show this past weekend. A great five days of meeting all of those that stopped by our display, as well as the many great vendors on site . Our biggest hit was our "Hot New Product" -- our custom made hand painted papers. Many homeowners were very interested in adding these to their home's architectural ceilings---and we love anything that adds just a hint of drama to a room!

Make sure to visit us next year---same place, for another fabulous show. We will have lots of new ideas and finishes to show you...

Elegant and Sophisticated Ceiling

Fellow decorative artist Gina Wolfrum created an amazing decorative ceiling, and we couldn't resist to share this beautiful piece of art with you. This 28' x 18' ceiling makes a stunning impact on anyone entering this room.

Gina and her assistant applied a metallic plaster that has particles of mica in it to reflect light--the plaster was custom colored and applied over the entire ceiling. With the help of a stunning custom decorative masking pattern--composition gold leaf as well as venetian plaster and are also embedded into the design. Taking over 10 days to complete, and working at a height of twenty feet the artists added Swarovski crystals for an added touch.

To see more of the Gina and her artists install this piece of art visit her project blog at http://www.ourlatestproject.blogspot.com/ and see additional decorative ceilings on her website at http://www.finishesbygina.com.

Thank you Gina for letting us showcase your art!

(photos used by permission from Gina Wolfrum)

Strippable Plaster

Clients tend to occasionally shy away from textures---they love the look and feel, yet occasionally want something easy to remove at a later date. While at a recent trip to Chicago to explore new products, HWD discovered a plaster than can be removed at a later date---without much effort. The product is also environmentall friendly with no VOC's, biodegradble, and cleans up with water.
Des Moines clients now have the option of a removable plaster coating. The plaster is even more simple to remove than wallpaper, and the process is very similiar. The innovative product will soon be seen on HGTV's "Decorating Challenge". Call us today to take a look at our portfolio of hand crafted plaster and stone finishes. (photos used with permission from Faux Depot)

A Brick Fireplace---without the brick

We don't have before pictures, but behind the grey plaster is a very dated brick fireplace. The home owner and interior designer needed a very clean lined look for the fireplace. Mission---to hide the brick and create a new surface.
Our team of artists filled in the grout area of brick with several layers of material. Once we determined that the surface was smooth, we began troweling activated plaster over the fireplace. Finally, we tinted the activated plaster a deep shade of grey--and troweled a final coat.
Activated plaster is a professional specialty product that allows better manipulation. It allows the user to "pop" the plaster off in areas for a multilayered surface. Ask to see our "Monroe" board for a closeup of this beautiful look.

Our favorite chandelier...

We just fell in love with this fantastic paper chandelier seen in one of our clients homes in Urbandale. A unique and very different look, yet strikingly elegant. We couldn't resist but share this beautiful paper chandelier design with you.

Textured Geometric Papers

Recently we added Vahallan's textured papers to our portfolio. The handpainted papers are custom made by a team of artists for each specific client. We love the papers because they can easily be used in both contemporary and traditional settings. The papers can be applied over any wall surface, from smooth walls to heavy knockdown. The textures available vary from an ostrich pattern, to a more square alligator design. The papers will be premiering at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show in February as one of the show's "Hot New Products".

The Painted Mansion

Our own Lisa Brown, assistant studio artist, took her third class from master artisan Kelly King recently. Her stay at the new "Painted Mansion" located near Omaha Nebraska--King's brand new onsite studio and training facility, allowed her to create over 25 samples boards. Lisa was able to train with a wide range of product lines including true lime plasters, and a variety of metallic effects. Call today to see Lisa's new samples!

HWD featured in Faux Effects World Magazine

International magazine "Faux Effects World" featured lead artist Julie Hampton as one of the "Bright Stars" in the publications artists' gallery in the spring 2006 issue. The magazine highlighted the award winning Des Moines Iowa home built by Tyler Homes in the 2005 Home Show Expo. The areas included:

• The Hidden Poker Room: Behind a secret bookcase lies a 1920s inspired hallway with faux plaster and vintage posters embedded on the walls. Even the brick was handcarved by Julie and her team of artists.
• The double staircase walls were colorwashed. Additional plaster work was added by artist Jesse Van Gundy, of Iowa Boy Artistry, to mimick an old world Tuscan look.
• The great room was also highlighted with a subtle colorwash in shades of brown.

Faux Effects world is available nationwide and internationally at Barnes and Nobles, Borders and other fine bookstores. Focusing on faux finishing, stenciling, Venetian plasters, murals, trompe l’oeil and gilding--the magazine is a showcase of decorative artisans work around the globe.

The Studio travels back to the "Italian Villa"

Once again, Julie Hampton was back in wonderful Lousiville KY studying under master artisan Martin Alan Hirsch, as well as the extremly talented Krista Vind whom Julie new from her days painting along the Florida Panhandle.

Participating in the first class of the new Reactive Series line, Julie was able to take the studio's faux finish abilities to the next level. While studying at Decorative Finishes Studios "Italian Villa" she explored brand new plasters and glazes. The outcome--breathtaking new samples that instantly impressed clients. These unique systems and patent pending techniques are taught only in a few select programs in the entire world! Martin's famous interpretation of the wall behind Marilyn Monroe's photo shoot with Milton Greene..the "Monroe Finish" is included in this class. See our rendition of the monroe finish in our portfolio of over 300 samples.

Welcome To Our Blog Spot...

Over the years the artists at Hampton Wall Designs have studied the endless possibilities in the world of paint, plaster and surface design. Now, we bring those possibilities into your home through wall and ceiling design. Our blog will include:

• The latest industry trends in the world of faux finishing
• On going projects--both before, during and after
• Hot new products and design samples
• Innovative trends and ideas in the interior design world
• Local news and information to find out the latest and greatest right here in Des Moines and Central Iowa.

The studio thanks you for visiting. On with the show...