Well better late than never! I was asked by a lovely couple in Park City, Utah to complete two walls for their “Parade of Homes” home. The dates for the tour is August 22nd and 23rd, August 29th and 30th, as well as September 5th and 6th. So if you should happen to be in the area during these dates please be sure to stop by and say hello!
The finish is an Rs Stone Strie’ with multiple glazes over top! I used a great tool for the combing effect which was executed fairly quick. Once the plaster began to set up, I lightly knock it back down in random places creating some “flattened” areas. (But not too flat, its important to make this very random so that the finish does not look contrived and forced) I let it dry over night and colored it simultaneously with two seperate color glazes. Once I rolled out my section I would pull the glaze tight with the Milano tool! (which is another fabulous tool for textured finishes) My favorite saying for an easy finish~ “Done!!!”
Pros
- A two step finish -Thank goodness! Wait until you see the space I had to work with…cool but constraining!
- Using Rs Stone and an activator, one can thicken the product to give it more body, thus allowing it to hold its’ form nicely without sag.
- Easily able to form shapes and quickly build layers. These are all done in the first pass.
- Perceived complexity, but relatively an easy to execute finish.
- I impressed the contractors and owner even after the first layer was completed! Two thumbs up!
Cons
- Height and ease of movement was definitely a challenge. From curve to curve at the widest opening there was about 5 feet max. From the floor to the highest peak was approximately 20 feet high. I have to say, getting a 24′ extension ladder to the bottom of the house was quite interesting. Ryan who is one of my students helped me hoist the ladder over the spiral staircase and together we gently lowered it to the ground level.
- Creating somewhat of a straight line in the strie’ effect…hmm~ Even though I was not worried about perfect vertical lines, I used my homemade plum line as a guide. My home made plum line basically is a “rope” cord about the thickness of something your grandma used to hang the laundry on outside. Tied at one end of the cord is a weight and in my case this was a two pound pulley. I use a push pin to secure the other end of the rope to the ceiling or along the top of the wall. I let the rope suspend to the floor and created a straight line guide. Note: It is better to suspend the rope from the ceiling when possible if you will trowel on texture. This keeps the rope from sticking to the product on the wall. Even though this is a fast way to create a guide when executing a strie’ finish, I put it in my con’s list because it took up more labor time to execute in an otherwise tight space.
- Having to constantly switch out ladders. Definitely pre-plan for your tools and your ladders when scoping out a job. The “pain-in-the-butt” thing about executing this finish was having to constantly rotate ladders for the space. I only used the 24′ for about 10 minutes when I started to reach the highest point. Next, I had to transition over to my 16′ extension to reach the middle sections and for the bottom of the wall my little giant. And no, before you even ask my little giant extended out to make a ladder was not long enough for the job at hand.
As I said, I’m glad this was only two passes…enjoy the pictures.
The finish is gorgeous, Mindy!
Thanks Regina, I’m really new to “doing” this blogging thing…so any suggestions would be great!
Ok, I left a comment about this finish in the wrong spot. It got put in the IDAL floor spot which by the way is lovely too. Really dig this wall Miss Mindy!
Hi again,
Just read the other post (in the wrong section) and saw that you wanted some colors! Ok, I know you can figure this out~it’s very easy!
1. Base can either be a soft cream color (as done) in the stairwell or over a green as finished on the bigger wall I posted today!
2. I mixed Rs Sandstone and Rs Stone together and tinted with Dk Brown, Ochre Yellow, and a bit of regular Yellow Faux Creme Color. I put a touch of RsActivator in the mix just to thicken but not to get crumbly. You want to be able to trowel on easily. I glazed with Faux Creme clear (two batches) 1st-DKBRN, Ant. Mahogany, Ochre Yellow, some EB. 2nd color- Faux Creme Clear with Earth Brown and Teal
Call me if you want the specific application~
Thanks Tamra, just give me a call if you want the recipe!
Mindy,
I’ve been admiring your work for quite a while. Love your step by step pics. The pros and cons are great too. If only I would think of the cons before I price the job!
Looking forward to more of your beautiful work.
Debbie Viola
CUSTOM FINISHES & MURALS BY DEBBIE VIOLA (NY)
Mindy,
Great finish!!! You must have buns of steel going up and down the ladder. I looked at the recipe and was wondering if you used a notched trowel or something else?
Keep posting love the inspiration!!
Monique Whitfield
Decorative Wall Designs
Thanks Monique, I do go up and down big extension ladders quite a bit. Don’t know about my bum, but my calves sure are rock hard!