fauxplusdesign

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.

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...

 

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

Art on Etsy.com

 
Just perusing some lovely art on Etsy.

Especially adore Karen Fields Gallery.

Oh the colors!

They speak to me!

A Fab Florence Design Studio, or, I Want It All!

I fell more in love with design in Florence.

Our hotel in the Oltrarno artist district was just seconds away from the Porto Romano and the Riccardo Barthel studio. Every time we passed by we stuck our noses to the display windows and dreamed and drooled.

Until they had to invite us in.

The experience viewing room after fabulous room was, well, right up there with the wine, food and gelato. We'll never forget this feast for our designer's eyes.

 

 

HMMMM....

WHAT must Melanie Royals be thinking?

A new stencil perhaps for Royal Designs? Why, I think yes.

Check out her newest designs here.

I'm Back from Italy and Still Shopping, or, let Sleepin' Dogs lie...

So, here I am, back from two weeks of EAT, SHOP, WORK, in that order.

And what am I doing?

Why more shopping of course! (Gained three pounds, so no more eating for Deb.)

Saturday was our eldest daughter's college roommate Bethany's long-awaited wedding and only a special and carefully-chosen gift would do!

So off I went to my favorite glass and jewelry artist friend Nancy Brooks' studio, Sleepin' Dog.

Nancy is camera shy and the requisite three cocker spaniels from whence the studio was named were too busy breaking into the little studio fridge for carrot treats to be photographed. But never fear, doggie slobber, head petting and tag wagging were part of the Sleepin' Dog shopping experience. (They were wide awake.)

Here is just a tiny glimpse of my gift choices:

So what did I choose?

Jewelry for myself, what are you thinking! Just kidding, I behaved. Though I have been known to buy earrings right off of Nancy's body!

Honestly I can't say. Bethany is a facebook friend and I don't know if they've opened the present yet...

But you see just how prolific Nancy is and what an amazing variety of gorgeous choices there are.

Word is she is going to have one ginormous studio sale before long. If you are within driving distance - save your pennies! If you're nice I will even let you know about it but I'm not above stealing the best stuff first.

Visit Nancy, Red Dog, Bacchus and Isis at www.sleepindog.com!

P.S. She has doggie bling for sale...

More Chic Chateau transformations, or, I'm going dotty!

I'm still getting revved up to transform more furniture for the upcoming Chic Chateau Designer Showhouse in September!

New pieces are arriving at the studio this week awaiting their turn...

Here is another fun project from last year's Showhouse.

BEFORE with Designer Lisa of SSI Design Group

AFTER in Lisa's Game Room

This desk needed some TLC prior to painting but look how amazing it turned out!

Very cute and very SOLD!

Follow the 2010 Chic Chateau Designer Showhouse on Facebook!

Little big faux, or, fun using up leftover materials!

Sometimes I just crave a weekend project.

Quick.

Free.

Or really inexpensive.

Sometimes I think I just want the challenge - a big bang for very few bucks.

So, recently when I discovered a $200 roll of imitation silver leaf bought in a passionate artful moment, with no ideas in mind...

...this graphic backdrop for the mirror over our platform bed emerged.

 

A little tape. A little leaf size. Zing! Art. It almost looks 3-D but the leaf is actually right on the painted wall. Go figure.

What are those weird stripes up next to the crown molding you're asking? OK, I still have paint touch-up from removing the old Moroccan lanterns. (Never said I really finished!)

Years ago, over the bed I had installed a Modello above one of those not-so-pretty boob lights often used for eight-foot ceilings.

Prettier than nothing, but, with a weensy glitzy fixture, much, much prettier!

DESIGN SOURCES:

Imitation Silver Leaf - Faux Works Studio

Modello - Modello Designs

Tiny Light Fixture - Lowe's

House Beautiful says small is the new big, or, redoing the tiniest powder room!

Quite a while back I mentioned that I was working on the smallest powder room imaginable. Ours.

How small is it?

So small only one of our four kitties can come along while I tinkle.

So small we have to use it before we eat.

So small it has a pocket door... you get the picture...

So, here goes.

THE BEFORE

1970s crummy cabinets. A refinished laminate countertop that our (former) housekeeper cleaned with Tilex. A very brassy faucet. Glazed tissue wall finish.

THE AFTER

  

New wall finish - right over the old glazed tissue. New copper and bronze foil ceiling. Still tweaking it, but I'm making progress.

Refinished countertop - right over the old finish. Smooth as a baby's tushie!

 

The old cabinet box with newly-made doors and fresh paint. A cabinet guy owed me a favor.

New "Herkimer Diamond" pulls. Design source - Faux Design Studio, Inc. Me!

Contact me if you need some!

Newly-framed old lace made by an elderly nun in Paris who was a friend of my aunt. Also a nun. Yes, I agree, the frame needs to be square. Another day...

Newly-framed prints I found in a street bazaar in Italy - architect's drawings for a lovely gentleman's study in Paris during the early twentieth century. Hit the jackpot in the frame clearance section at Michael's.

Still love my custom rusty, crusty mirror and sconces. 

It's almost dinnertime, so excuse me as I run to the powder room while I can still fit...