origami envelops for scarves

New origami packaging and extra long linen scarves.

how to create something beautiful so simply.

robot print

well it's been a while! I want to share with you a new design
this fun and eccentric fabric design is a collaboration with Cedric Cenci and architect based in Paris, he is also an avid artist that likes to draw mean robot like monsters called ‘Sreub’ inspired by old video games.
I liked his geeky style and asked him create a damask with his robot silhouettes.
I think the ultra modern concepts works beautifully because it is displayed in a traditional composition of the damask and our eyes accept it immediately.
This particular fabric is printed twice, first with the classical stripe in the background which adds great texture. this print has a lot of potential and I will be adding more examples with different fabrics and colors. Find more pictures in modern prints page.


You can find out more about Cedric and his work on his website: www.sreubbycedriccenci.com

Fabric Match

Featured is a simple and beautiful print in a remodel of a dining room where new hidden wall cabinets were added for additional storage.
Our objective was to disguise the new wall of storage closets with the same fabric as on the surrounding dining room walls.
Because the fabric, that had been used on the upholstery of the dining room walls was discontinued and more was needed to upholster the new closet doors, my job was to create new fabric,in the same colors and design that the homeowner loved.

First I matched the design, which was originally made of a woven silk, but together with the homeowner,selected a linen in a warmer yellow and natural tone.
To give an illusion of a woven print, I decided to add a little pearl metallic to my paint ,and as the fabric catches the light there is a contrast between the print and natural fiber of the linen.
This project was a collaboration with Bradford Fox Construction,who built the custom cabinets, and Carolina’s Custom Window Treatments, who did the wall upholstery..

One way to help Self Esteem of a homeless person

I brought a drawing done with a biro/ballpen from a homeless guy today. Actually I decided to buy his drawing in exchange for new colored pencils, a drawing pad+ $10 to motivate him to draw some more and sell his work. Wouldn't it be great if we all picked a drawing or clever sign from a homeless from each city we are all from and in one year do a show somewhere? I should have had him sign it I forgot and took his picture, next time...

Tiles making for a mural cont...

The first batch was fired friday, we waited 24 hours before opening kiln. If you open it too fast the tiles could crack.
The tile changes color to a light pink. Next I has to sand off any imperfection on the biscuit (tile), wax the back of tile to avoid any glaze to seep under the biscuit.
The glaze is made of glass and titanium for the white, not something to drink, could kill you probably. you pour it on the tile, it has a consistency of heavy cream. The glaze dries fast on the porous biscuit. All the photos of the steps are on my website under news. I also show the waxing of the back of the tile, and mixing colors.
click on title to link to photos

Tile Porcelaine making for a Kitchen

I love learning new technique and especially old ones.

Irene de Watteville is an expert on portuguese porcelaine and is teaching me the ins and outs of making tiles from scratch. There is quite a bit of physics and chemistry involved and I wish I had paid attention in class.

You have to think about the shrink factor while tiles are air drying and then cooked. You cut the tiles, 1,1 times bigger to be exact. Therefore a 6.6 inches tile will become 6x6 inches once it has gone through air drying for a week and cooked twice. You cook it once and I haven't gone thought cooking procedure yet to know how high but in the thousands degrees..first the biscuit (the base) second after adding the glaze and free hand painted design on top.

Painting on uncooked glaze is odd at first because the paint does not glide easily, it absorbs like a sponge, or a very brittle plaster of paris. So you get to know your brushes pretty well. How much paint they can take (or copper oxide for green for instance). again colors are all about chemistry and that I have to figure out too. Depending on how high you cook you colors the color will change. a lot more to learn...to see picture of the process for now, click on the title.

Good day,

V

Distressed caribbean cabinets

This finish is oil base paint and oil glaze on top to age.

The color is vibrant and definitely made a huge difference from the original look.

It is a relatively simple technique and affordable way to revamp cabinets instead of changing them.

click title for on more picture and before and after pictures.