BlogBloghttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2012-05-08T19:46:47ZSquarespaceThe Ride to Change the Futurehttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2012/5/8/the-ride-to-change-the-future.htmlKarenLutz2012-05-08T19:09:53Z2012-05-08T19:09:53ZWith the team captain Kelli Erbar!Enjoyed my opportunity to raise funds for the cure for Ovarian Cancer.  The event was held on Saturday April 21st at the Midtown Athletic Club in Atlanta, GA.  Wall Expressions raised $850 and I participated in the 6 hour indoor cycling event with other members of the Canton team!  Thanks to my clients, friends and family who donated to fight this silent killer.  Karen Lutz

Click pics to enlarge

]]>Holiday Spice! - Don't forget your Fireplace Mantleshttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/12/13/holiday-spice-dont-forget-your-fireplace-mantles.htmlKarenLutz2011-12-13T12:47:10Z2011-12-13T12:47:10ZClick on picture to enlargeBlack Satin Base with DistressingClick on pictures to enlargeWarm Red, Coffee Rubbed!Kitchen Island - Chocolate DistressedJust completed a fun project assisting my son, Heath Sewell - The Faux Guy, transforming ordinary white fireplace mantles into eye catching islands of color!  Many of us have these beautifully detailed mantles in our home and don't realize how dramatic a difference it can make to paint and distress them...and it's so affordable!  This is the place you can add rich color.......blues, greens, blacks and reds!  Like a beautiful scarf or bright piece of jewelry, they accessorize a room and pull it all together.  And don't forget your kitchen island or bar areas....these opportunities are dramatic too.  Otherwise overlooked, when painted and distressed are suddenly a substantial and even ornate anchor in the kitchen and can add warmth and character where plain white is just ignored.  The holidays are a great time to dress up these areas, but any time of year Decorative Art can add layers of interest and fun to your home!  Happy Holidays!!!

]]>A Collaboration of Artistshttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/12/1/a-collaboration-of-artists.htmlKarenLutz2011-12-01T20:08:12Z2011-12-01T20:08:12ZArtists are often reclusive types that have singular vision and need a void in which to work...and then there are those that thrive on the input and thoughts of other creative souls.  I owe much of my success to those creative souls that were patient enough to share their ideas, critiques and energies with me.  A collaboration of work can be so rewarding....synergies released that benefit not only the client, but the artists as well.  Please enjoy the video I've created from work on such a project recently completed in Atlanta.

 

 

]]>Family Fun!http://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/10/7/family-fun.htmlKarenLutz2011-10-07T19:25:44Z2011-10-07T19:25:44ZDining Room before Dining Room after - click to enlargeI just completed another project for a family I had worked with several years ago (when we created custom faux finishes in kitchen, powder rm, mstr bath, son's bath and family rm) ....and although the children are taller, the family is just as fun, playful and open to creative ideas as before! 

Here the dining room is transformed from a casual mood to a warmer, more formal feel.   The gold glaze reflects light keeping the room from being too heavy.  The antiqued technique used to create the painted medallion pulls the eye up and opens the space, while completing the ceiling.

  Bathroom beforeBathroom after - click to enlargeIn the daughter's bathroom it was time to replace the floral wallpaper with something more vibrant and spunky to complement the colorful blue walls of her bedroom and funky artwork.  Here we created jazzy geometric shapes that playfully dance around the room!

 

 

 

     Foyer beforeFoyer after - click to enlargeFinally, the foyer's builder white walls were ready for a remedy.  I suggested a warm earthy color to pull the chocolate and gold of the dining room in with the existing rich red of the living room.  I didn't want to faux paint this area but instead of color alone, suggested we add a bit of interest, mystery, and fun with several tone on tone diamonds placed around the foyer....of different sizes. Notice the diamond pattern on the front door.  Enlarge picture to see two of the wall diamonds!

My clients were a joy to work with and now have a completed look throughout:-)

 

]]>Award Winning project in Atlanta Residencehttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/8/31/award-winning-project-in-atlanta-residence.htmlKarenLutz2011-08-31T15:01:07Z2011-08-31T15:01:07ZClick on image to enlarge

Wall Expressions is proud to announce that Atlanta designer Maria Nutt of McLaurin Interiors is the recipient of the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers 2011 Silver Design Excellence Award in the category of  'residence greater than 3,500 square feet', for Maria's design of a Buckhead Atlanta residence.  Wall Expressions was delighted to work with Maria and provide a custom faux finish on the dining room walls.  Atlanta's Paint Doctor did the painting throughout the home and Bires Remodeling did the remodeling work.  The professional photography was provided by Chris Little Photography.  Congrats to all!

]]>Don't forget your floors!http://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/6/28/dont-forget-your-floors.htmlKarenLutz2011-06-28T11:16:49Z2011-06-28T11:16:49ZClick on images to enlargeChristine Blight of Christine's Creations is opening a new design center July 1st, 2011!  She asked me to provide a finish on the new wood floor as you enter the store.  We decided to create a beautiful checkerboard pattern using a walnut waterbased stain followed by a clear topcoat to seal and warm the remaining unstained wood.  Please come see her latest design ideas, furniture, and accessories at 8838 Main Street in Woodstock, GA!

]]>Maple cabinets become Pecan!http://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/6/24/maple-cabinets-become-pecan.htmlKarenLutz2011-06-24T13:26:20Z2011-06-24T13:26:20ZMaple cabinets before glazeAfter glazingAccented stove mantle...click on pics to enlarge Once in awhile as an artist you get the chance to take what nature has done and enhance it...if that is even possible.  Recently a wonderful couple asked me to transform their red maple kitchen cabinets, island and bookcases without painting over the wood.  I love the beauty of wood cabinets and understood their dilemma...the golden red was too loud for their updated style.  With the assistance of the clients and their designer, Janet Ulrich of Simply Simpatico, we decided to put a rich chocolate glaze over the maple to set back the gold and enrich the wood.  We also further defined the lines of the stove hood mantle by accenting with black.  All together, it worked beautifully!  "I feel like I have a whole new kitchen!" the client told me and asked me to then create a custom faux finish for her formal dining room.  I love when that happens! 

]]>Cabinet Makeover can makeover your mood!http://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/5/31/cabinet-makeover-can-makeover-your-mood.htmlKarenLutz2011-05-31T20:22:06Z2011-05-31T20:22:06ZOak cabinets before and after...click to enlarge

Just before the holiday weekend I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful client requesting a cabinet makeover in her laundry room.  She had great quality oak cabinets but felt the need to refresh the look and loved the work I had done for her sister-in-law (thanks Jody!).    Here are some before and after pics.  The color and chocolate accent really lifted and opened the space.  It's magical what color can do! 

]]>Wonderful 1st week at Marietta Show Househttp://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/5/16/wonderful-1st-week-at-marietta-show-house.htmlKarenLutz2011-05-16T13:10:28Z2011-05-16T13:10:28ZGuest Bedroom - Outrageous Interiors (Moran, Withrow, Young). Guest Bath - Wall Expressions, custom painted pattern on walls. Click pics to enlarge. I really enjoyed my visits to the Marietta Art & Design Show House this past week.  If you have a chance be sure and see it....open through Sunday May 22nd.  The colors and decor give an historical flavor yet rich with innovation, romance and playfulness!  Don't miss the dining room by Jerome Garrison of Interior Design, Inc.  Amazing color and sophistication!  The window treatments are jaw dropping and yet the whole layout is stunningly elegant and simple...what good design is all about.  The master suite designed by Yvonne Portwood of Portwood & Portwood is timeless in it's presentation, warm and inviting and again wonderful colors and depth...a room that beckons you in!  Upstairs don't miss the Bonus/Media room...with clever use of the niches and angles of the room, Designer Tony Whitlock of Acorn Home & Garden created a space that purrs with warmth and hominess.  You won't want to leave, but rather have a seat, don the 3d glasses and watch the flat screen TV artfully installed on an easel!  AND, finally next door to Tony's room is the Guest Bedroom designed by the Outrageous Interiors team of Barbara Moran, Debbie Withrow and Anne Young.  This entire suite is just plain yummy!  Besides the fact that I painted the pattern on the walls of the bathroom, the colors, fabrics, rugs, furniture, more, more, and more are just so romantically wrapped up and presented.  The entire home is beautifully coordinated and all the designers are to be praised for their contributions and talent.  You will enjoy it and I hope I see you there!  Proceeds benefit the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art.

]]>Romantic Pink!http://www.wallexpressions.com/blog/2011/5/9/romantic-pink.htmlKarenLutz2011-05-09T22:13:29Z2011-05-09T22:13:29ZOne of my more adventurous clients who appreciates the many faces of 'Art and Design' contracted Wall Expressions to transform her enclosed porch from a safe brown to an elegant and romantic pink!  And what a transformation it was...space that before seemed smaller and dimmer now feels fresh, yet cozy and shimmers with light.  A well thought out color can work magic in your home.  Notice how the millwork is more present and lifted in the new color.  This project involved priming, painting, and finally a translucent pink pearl metallic glaze to add sparkle and depth.  A wonderful mood in sunlight - just wait until the fire is lit and candles are all aglow!

Porch before and after - click pics to enlarge.With sunshine!

 

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