Decorative painting in the wrong hands can be a tacky mess, but when done well, it can elevate a room to the truly sublime. Recently, I’ve come across several really extraordinary resources for decorative painting and I want to share their work to show how gorgeous murals and faux painting can be when tastefully applied.
First, Simes Studios Inc. Located in Chicago since 1988, the studio was founded by a husband and wife team but now employs a full stable of artists working in a range of techniques including eglomise, glazed and textured finishes, trompe l’oeuil and grisaille, Venetian stucco, gilding, faux bois, and faux marbre. Their website showcases a diverse portfolio of beautiful projects including these:
Baroque Dome CloseupFiligree Ceiling Bands
Filigree Ceiling Band Detail
Decorated Ceiling Beams
Decorated Beam Detail
Another local decorative painter is Augustina Droze. Augustina does residential and commercial work as well as public murals. Her website bio explains, “Augustina got her start painting in Cincinnati, Ohio as an oil painter and gradually transitioned to murals. Her studies took her around the world at a variety of universities including The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Art Academy of Cincinnati, The University of Cincinnati, The Universidad de Barcelona, and The Universidad de Desarollo.” Her work ranges from refreshing and youthful to more traditional, depending on what the location demands. Here are a few examples of her work.
Boys' Room Detail
Aquatic Mural
Toile Pattern Detail
Finally, another artist whose work I enjoy is Allison Cosmos, who has been working with residential and commercial clients since 1995. Her portfolio is quite diverse as well, ranging from faux finishes like dragging techniques or faux marble to highly detailed botanical ornament. Here are a couple examples of her work.
Botanical Detail on Silver Wall
Toile Child's Room Detail
These images are just a small sampling of these artists’ work. Check out their own sites for inspiration and a whole lot more!
Erica Smith, ASID, NCIDQ No. 023628, owns Erica Gail Inc., where she specializes in upscale residential interior design, and also frequently posts to her own home and design blog.
Home Photo: Courtesy of Simes Studio
