to weave a wall

Be Inspired. Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca

DC Design House.. covering of the walls and ceiling

This year I was really impressed with all the color and pattern.  There was a level of detail put on every wall and ceiling that took each room to the next level.  I was surprised at the detail that was paid to the ceiling.  My teachers always tell me to look up when I'm in a new space, and this time I got a nice surprise!

The dining room had a beautiful intricate pattern.  It is bold but this choice of colors, white on taupe, tones down the pattern and lays a beautiful background for the rest of the room.

The ceiling in the dining room had this simple border.  This pattern was repeated in the tablecloth.  This simple detail really took this room to the next level.

The family breakfast room, designed by Victoria Sanchez, had this beautiful hand printed wallpaper on the ceiling.  Who said you couldn't put wallpaper on the ceiling?

The walls of the kitchen were lined with this big piece of white marble.  The beautiful organic lines flow up and around the walls, creating the illusion of height in this small space.

The family room was lined with this great vinyl wall covering that mimicked wood paneling.  It was soft in color yet rough in texture.  One of my favorite wallpapers I've seen.

The playroom was very imaginative.  One of the walls was covered in this colorful image of our earth.  It pays to step outside of the box, especially in a creative space for children.

The master bath was crisp, clean and open which made it the perfect space for this unique tiled accent wall.  The tiles, as you'll see below, are a fossilized pattern of flowers.  Raw and rustic to contrast the clean lines of the rest of the bathroom.

The second guest bedroom had a unique detail that I fell in love with.  Rich taupe walls lined with red.  The architecture of the room lent itself for interesting shapes and slants of the walls and the designer highlighted them perfectly with this bold pop of red.

The guest bath four was a real show stopper.  The walls of this little bathroom were lined with this bold, colorful textile.  Yes, the walls were lined with fabric!  This designer took a chance with a bold pattern and it worked.  Don't be afraid of pattern!

Be sure to check out the DC Design House for yourself, open until May 11th.  All the proceeds go to Children's Hospital.

Be Inspired. Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca

A Bold Transformation

This library went through a great transformation.  From formal, red and wallpapered to fresh, clean and a bold pop of color.  I was excited to work with a fellow design student on this project.  She had a great vision and wasn't afraid of color, and it payed off.  Check out this bold transformation.  I hope this inspires you to go crazy with colors!  

Removal of the wallpaper.

Patch up the walls and paint the trim.

Edge out the green for the bookshelves. 

Fill in bookshelves and edge out the muslin for the walls.

Fill in the walls.

Voila.  A beautiful emerald and muslin colored library.

A great pop of color.

It pays off to make bold design decisions.  Don't be afraid of color.  

Well balanced use of color in the perfect shade makes for a beautiful unique room.

Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca

Transformation of a Wall Treatment

Start with a blank wall.

Plan it, measure it, sketch it (in chalk). 

Paint it.

This was a challenging and exciting project.  The pattern was based on the textile for the sofa so it was a great piece of inspiration.  I love the curves and straight lines, the balance each other nicely.

Be Bold in your Designs.

peace&love

Rebecca

Painting Efficiency

I have been painting rooms since high school, and over the years I have picked up a few tricks.  Yesterday I completed this 9' x 12' bedroom, ceiling, walls, and trim, in one day.  It is possible.  As for a new painter, this may not be completely possible, but with some of my tips, you can cut down on the time!  

Tips From A Painter.

 First, make sure everything is covered and that you have enough tarps to cover all surfaces.

When painting ceiling, walls and trim, I like to start with the ceiling and trim.  Edge out the ceiling with a brush (1 1/2" brush is my favorite).  This edging doesn't need to be perfect.  If anything it should come onto the wall.  Make sure you get the paint into the crease.  This will allow for more control of a straight line when you paint the walls.

Between layers I cover everything in plastic.  The rollers, pan and paint brush.  It doesn't make sense to clean everything if your about to use it in the next 30 min.  This cuts down on extra time wasted on cleaning everything more than once, and you will conserve water!

To maximize time efficiency, you need to always be painting and the order in which you paint plays a crucial role.  But be aware that the edges need to be dry in order to paint the adjoining surface.  For example if you just painted the ceiling you can't immediately move to the walls because that ceiling edge is still wet.  The order in which I like to paint goes like this.. 1 coat on the ceiling, 1 coat on the trim and doors, 2nd coat on the ceiling, start edging the walls but edge around the trim first then the ceiling, fill in the walls.  Now is when you have some down time because you need to make sure the walls are completely dry before the next coat.  Take a break, clean up the ceiling stuff, eat some lunch.  Put the second coat on the walls then go around one more time on the trim.

The reason for painting over the lines on the ceiling and trim.. it allows you to correct the previous paint job.  The previous painter may have not had a straight line or put the wall color more on the trim than you would like.  This allows you to have full control of the line you make. You also have the ability now to change where that line is.  

Remember its always easier to cover a darker color over white rather than white over a darker color.  Always go light to dark (an artist tip).

Edge out the room using that 1 1/2" paintbrush and paint in a good 2" from the ceiling.  This is just enough space for the roller to not make marks on the ceiling.  If your hand isn't so steady, stick to the tape for now.  And remember you can always go back with the white paint to correct yourself and clean up the lines.

Nows the fun part, rolling it in!  This will seem so easy after all the work you did up to this point.  No matter what kind of paint you use, if it says one coat or includes primer (which is most paints nowadays) ALWAYS do 2 coats.  You will never cover completely on the first coat.  It's the second coat that adds the richness and dimension to the paint.  Don't worry, the second coat always goes on in half the time of the first.

Lastly, HAVE FUN!!  I have been painting rooms for 6 years now and I'm always excited for a new challenge.  Every room is different and needs a unique game plan.  It's also a great workout, you'll be surprised the new muscles you find the next morning.

Check out some of my other project at rebeccazerby.com.  If you read all my time saving tips and would still like a painter, contact me at rebeccazerby@gmail.com.

Happy Painting

peace & love

Rebecca

The Transformation of a Bedroom

Walls are the canvas that our design builds upon, so choose the right color.  

Let's paint with purpose.

The bedroom before.

test your paints first.

 Paint doors and trim.

Edge out ceiling and doors.

Roll the rest.

Voila!

Walls: Misty Morning Dew (Valspar) in Satin

Trim: Ultra White (Valspar) in Gloss

Now that the canvas is prepped and painted, the fun part, putting the room back together.  Mixing and matching new textiles and artwork to complete the space.

Be bold in your next room color.

peace & love

Rebecca