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Question: What is the difference between synthetic leather and faux …
The previous answer by Lynette El Sherif is an excellent breakdown of the different types of “leather.” To answer the narrower question that was asked, the terms “synthetic” and “faux” are often used interchangeably by the furniture industry. The …
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Question: How does faux leather compare to real leather?
You cannot dye fake leather, it is usually bonded, so it often flakes or peels over time. Although there are amazing faux leather finishes these days that look completely real, it also usually doesn’t “breathe”, as it is lined with some kind on n…
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Correcting Unsightly Brick
A Ladies Couch Throw
Wood Grain and Toner Samples to Match Floor
The floor beneath them is what the clients loved and what I was matching to.
The clients have a young family and were upgrading and streamlining their Mill Valley home. The dated looking stair post balls had to go, which created a bald void in the finish and also the stair railing did not match the floor.
Continue reading “Wood Grain and Toner Samples to Match Floor”
Powder Room Textured Walls
A small powder room with a lot of atmosphere, this jewel of a space was designed by JoAnn Hartley Interiors with the DIY passion of the client’s husband.
The wall finish began with the love of the tile floor.
The tile itself is heavily striated, with shades of gray, silver and pearlescent, all slightly raised in relief.
It was decided to match the walls to the floor but in a much looser pattern – quite the challenge! Continue reading “Powder Room Textured Walls”
Villa Taverna San Francisco – Barbary Coast Speak Easy
One of my favorite projects of the year and a new creative connection with Alice Wiley Associates and Susan Marazza.
The revival of the the club’s back bar was overdue, the paneling outdated and the walls too conservative a hue for what was, in essence, a Barbary Coast Speak Easy.
Colour saturation was essential and the designers and I wanted the space to glow with a luminosity that harkened back to a time when its timbers were firstly a candlelit tall ship, then a sculpture garden and residence to Frida Karlo and Diego Riviera and today the prestigious private club of discerning locals. Continue reading “Villa Taverna San Francisco – Barbary Coast Speak Easy”
Touch-up to a Fire Damaged Wall
The wall finish is a type of caenstone with mica filaments throughout and is not easily touched up. I used custom tinted lime wash and gilding, creating/mimicking the texture by a skip and scratch sponge finish.
House Fire Restoration – Walls/Ceilings/Picture Frame
“After a frightening house fire, our walls and ceilings were black with soot and looked beyond saving. Peta transformed smoked-stained walls to pure beauty, including preserving the porous texture and subtle color variations of unpainted plastered walls.” (Jay Helms)
“I endorse the “magician” comment. I live in a Grade 2 listed building about 400+ years old and Peta worked her magic on the stairway. Also gilded an ancient picture frame repairing the missing pieces. She is my idol.” (Jenny Keehan)