fauxplusdesign

Countdown to Leesburg, or, It's My Turn to Play with Annie!

Most of you who read this post need no explanation about the title.

Those of you who have been living under a rock need to know about Annie Sloan and her Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The best paint in the world. Girls paint, but boys can use it too! Often imitated but never duplicated.

I am looking around my studio for a painted piece to offer for the vignette displays in Leesburg on Annie's American tour, March 31st.

Oh my. What is Annie worthy? Not too big (to fit in the van.) Not too small (and potentially overlooked.) Just right.

I am pushing the deadline here, dwelling on the just-rightness of what is Annie-worthy, as she will be viewing our pieces showcased only in Leesburg!

I just figured it out. Maybe having my eyes dilated by the eye doctor this morning did it. The world was so bright for a few hours that it was painful to look. Just look. So I just thought.

Annie will touch and feel. Enjoy the coloration. The technique. How the piece spoke to the Chalk Paint and the end result.

But what I do know about Annie from near and afar is that she will look through the piece, into the heart and soul of the painter. And know that the process and execution, the thought and love that went into the piece was more than the sum of furniture, chalk paint and wax.

Amen.

The seats in Leesburg are almost gone!

This opportunity may not come again soon,

so register today at the link above!

Art Ladies Road Trip, or, Leading the Artful Life!

We are the Art Ladies. Full-time artists. Part-time artists. Art lovers. Women who buy art. We have been meeting for dinner, wine and artful conversation monthly for eleven years. Our core group never varies, and, well, we just love each other.

A few weeks ago we piled in a car late on Friday afternoon and drove two hours north to a tiny town in Virginia to visit art lady Nancy Brooks of Sleepin'Dog. She makes art prolifically. And buys art. Prolifically.

Her 200-year-old restored home is beyond eye candy. Every turn lands on a fabulous vignette.

Just look. I don't have the words...

To see Nancy Brooks' artwork and jewelry,

visit

sleepindog.com

Taking the Cake at Cake, or, Decidedly Delicious Vintage & Home Accessories!

Time has flown since the October High Point Furniture Market and have just discovered these photos I took while designer friend Sandra was placing an order at CAKE.

I'm not going to try to explain what CAKE is all about. Just savor these photos. I have never been particularly passionate about silverware and teacups but how I loved what these designers and artisans have done with such things and more.

Know you will enjoy as much as I did!

See much more at cakevintage.com.

Now I must find the adorable young man who delivers his decadent homemade cupcakes around the Mill. Just got this sudden craving.

A Painter Paints for Herself, or, Black Friday in the Studio!

Everyone but everyone was out shopping.

But me.

I was alone in the 600,000 square foot, 100-year-old Mill where I paint day in and day out for my amazing clients.

I'll admit that sometimes I get jealous of those clients.

 

They get the best of me and my work and I just wanted to finish a little project for our living room.

 

A really tiny table that has needed some ooomph for years.

 

Did it!

Well, I did it will a little help from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

 

If you are passionate about doing paint projects yourself, visit my website at ilovefaux.com where you can learn about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and the amazing and addictive workshops I offer!

 

All you need is a little inspiration - a color, a picture, or even a single pillow!

 

Let's paint!

   For more info be sure to visit AnnieSloan.com and AnnieSloanUnfolded.com

 

 

Our Devilishly Delicious Halloween Feast, or, BOO!

Nobody, but nobody puts on a Halloween bash like my friends Sandra, Kim and Sophie.

They plan, scheme, cook like fiends, decorate devilishly and dress up in creative, creepy costumes. And they out-do themselves time and time again.

This Saturday's soiree was a sit-down "Witches Stew" for 30 ghosts and goblins.

Check out some of the evening's characters, the grub and the dastardly decor...

The beatific Beetlejuice couple.

The pregnant smokin' nun.

The Lady Pirate and Frankenstein's Wife

 

 Fabulous finger food...

 Pre-poisoned prosciutto.

Savory skewered eyeballs...

Plump pumpkin soup...

And all of the goulish gourmet goodies imaginable.

Not to mention wiggly webs,

 

quoting ravens,

hand-some candles,

 

witchy beverages,

scullery cornbread,

wee folks with wee appetites,

glamorous glitterati,

powerful potions,

potentially polluted popcorn,

and last year's human sacrifice.

A hair-raising night fit for The Queen of Hearts, pirates, blind referees, performing Blues Brothers, undead Finnish sailors, football players, wanton witches and lots and lots of skeletons.

Oh, and me, Dale Evans, famous Halloween photographer and hubby George the Gangly Golfer. 

 

P.S. Have a scary safe evening!

At home at Aubrey Home, or, a new decor store in town!

Generally I spend my days painting on a ladder in a lovely home, or in my studio conjuring up colorful magic on furniture.

Yesterday I spent the day showcasing my new venture as a mini-stockist with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint at Greensboro, NC's newest decor and design store, Aubrey Home. Created by designer Sharon Nussbaum, it features furniture and accessories in enticing rooms full of gorgeous vignettes.

spectacular florals abound. Never a passion of mine, but I was entranced with the natural arrangements in rustic containers.

Art is abundant. Local artists presented beautifully.

And for the Grand Opening, handmade jewelry to die for.

If you are in the area, make sure you stop by.

Sad to say my favorite picks were sold immediately. Even sadder, not to me!

Oh, what did I accomplish besides ogling the offerings?

Stay tuned for more about painted furniture galore!

 

DESIGN SOURCES:

AUBREY HOME 3500 Old Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410 336.324.9490

FLORALS, BLOEMENBINDER, Debbie Efird, 336.207.7679 theflowermaker.com

FINE ART (Hydrangea oils and more), DEBBI KLEISCH, 336.286.0881

CUSTOM JEWELRY, LE GARAGE STUDIO, Gwyn Dunn, 336.282.7166

 

 

Studio redesign redux, or, here I go again!

There is one thing my dearest friends know about me. I love change.

Design change is uplifting, exciting, motivating and transforming.

Three years ago as I planned my new studio design, I was on the way to Marrakech, so, it became distinctively Moroccan, featuring treasures from my faux adventure there. Citrus-colored rugs and warm layers of color.

Check out the old design here.

Now? Well, see for yourself! I believe I have morphed.

 





 


 



Now it's sort of crusty industrial.

I like it here so much, I want to work 24/7...

 

Redesigning my studio, or, fun with old stuff!

I've been at my current studio location in a 1898 restored flannel mill for three years now. My Morrocan-inspired decor in cheery bright oranges and greens and yellows made me love showing up to work.

But I do love change. Just when I'm too busy to think about a project, I always jump in head first.

So I went to my favorite High Point Furniture Market vendor and scored lots of industrial-crusty-funky new treasures. As designer-friend Sandra and I were unloading our haul, I was selling the old treasures right and left.

Yesterday, while hubby made the coolest ever metal rolling walls, I finished this project:

 
THE NEW DESIGN CONFERENCE AREA:

My old rolling table found at a used fixture store, plus new metal stools.

I COMBINED:

An old piece of frosty glass, plus a new stencil from Royal Design Studio, and some leftover Annie Sloan paint:

Love it!

Stay tuned for a little more studio magic...

DESIGN SOURCES:

Stencil: Royal Design Studio

Paint: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Paint Stockist: Faux Works Studio

Introducing DION HAYES DESIGN STUDIO, or, Here I Come High Point Furniture Market!

 
A spectacular trip to Umbria with Gary Lord and Melanie Royals.

A dusty pile of recycled tempered glass.

A custom-designed wall mount - and my new line of glass art line is born!

Enter my amazing sister-in-law Patricia Chrisley and her fabulous company, P. Chrisley International, and look out world, here we come!

DION HAYES DESIGN STUDIO for P. Chrisley International.

TO THE TRADE at Hamilton Square.

Please stop by during Market, April 2 through 7!

Many designs to choose from. With semi-precious stones and coins, and without.

Interchangeable designs which include the wall mount,

hanging hardware and directions for hanging.

SWEET.

 

Coming soon on facebook

The Ultimate Italianate Man Cave, or, Wine, Booze, and Cigars...

Every once in a while I find extraordinary clients.

They have class and style.

They know what they want and they let me be me.

I have worked in this fabulous 1920s restored Italianate home on an ongoing basis since 2005.

Over the past couple of years we have showly brought the basement to life for the very manly Rodney  - he throws many fine evenings here for his friends!

And, I hear the very lovely Denise gets to play here too on occasion...

The stairs to freedom.

 

A throne fit for a king...

 

And his own shower! No need to leave for days.

 

A very cozy corner for very deep conversation. Complete with custom seven-foot cigar art!

 

And yet another custom design to disguise the business end of the basement.

Another smoking corner.

  
The perfect guy arena for challenges and throwing some punches.

 

 
And who could forget my favorite little princesses!

 

DESIGN SOURCE:

Modello Designs - "Loose Screws" Modello