That’s right people it is finally here!  A place for us to rest out creative little heads after a long day of blasting color allover the Twin Cities.  LULU Painting Headquarters, aka LULU & LILLY with my dearest designer gal pal Erica Cooper of YOUR Style ReDesigned. We put our wild & color hungry heads together and here is what we came up with:

{pink wall above…to be changed on the regular to showcase a fresh new color, curtain, or design…}

{above is our fab banquette style seating we had built in studio and upholstered by world famous //that’s right handsome!//Cy Winship Design.  I painted those silly zig zag floors in Sherwin Williams Floor Stain, and to the left you can see the shelves in which Erica showcases all of her designer goodies and finds for sale!} {oh oh oh and peep the magic flower cameos by Eric at FLORAL LOGIC//// TO DIE FOR!}

{above is our desks…area… LULU on the left, LILLY on the right…} P.S. All photo’s were taken by the ever so fabulous Amy Zellmer with Custom Creations Photography !

{We are located in the Historic Semple Mansion //above// with some of the Twin Cities very best business’s, including:

Paperista, Floral Logic, Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios, Posh Bridal Couture, Steam Estheticians, and many more!

our address is:

Located in the Historic Semple Mansion

LULU Painting

100 W. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Please call ahead to schedule an apt in the studio: 612-275-6744

Happy Painting!

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Traveled to Morocco with a gorgeous and talented group of Peacock Painter Ladies…and stayed at the ever so beautiful Peacock Pavilions.

and this little LULU helped Melanie Royals and the other Peacock Painters complete this masterpiece, one teeny tiny embroidered “ish” stencil at a time…

This little LULU also slept in the following sweetly stenciled Peacock Pavilions room. 

Lastly, this little LULU fell in love… with the colors, patterns, people, and places that danced through Marrakesh by her side, in front of her, and above! Oh did they ever inspire her so…

but more on these joyous folks some other day…(Maryam and her tales…oh this and oh that…makes me gush just thinking about her)

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Cyril and Gino Stripes Movement

These stripes were found on Apartment Therapy by my client but they are the inspiration for the focal wall!

Recently we did some fun branch like swirls with cute little dotty accents in one of her daughters rooms. Now I get the pleasure of getting my hands on the other kiddos walls. Or one focal wall that is. I’ll be doing an array of stripes, all different widths in about 7 different colors.

Here is where it gets really juicy….the colors are a total mystery.  I wont know what colors Steph has in mind until I get there Thursday to do the project!  Hip Hip Hooray for the unknown!  I’ll be sure to post a picture of the outcome!

In the meantime…Here are some other stripes for you to hype all over!

Coastal Living

I adore these colors together…so calming and playful!

Diagonal Stripes

Delish, Retro, Modern, & Chic Diagonal Stripes

Happy Painting Ya’ll!

cozy kitchen

Sometimes its long after its already grabbed so many others.  I know that the movie  500 Days of SUMMER has been out for a while now, but I really just can’t seem to get enough of all the eye, ear, and brain candy that is placed perfectly throughout this film.

Peep this chalkboard wall

lovely moments

The thing that most grabbed at me was  one of the main characters ‘Tom’s ‘ masculine chalkboard infused bedroom.  The beauty of this part of the film is that his room has one full wall that has been painted with chalkboard paint, but continues to change at various times throughout the film.  For you artsy folk out there, its worth watching just to take a ganders at this chalkboard wall.

Here are some other gems with chalk to get you all inspired…

I'm calling this the mustache look! & I love it

I feel like chalkboard paint is such a fun way to spice things up for the artistically minded DIYer or homeowner.  Give a sense of creative freedom to the owner.  How fun would it be to erase your doodles, or to let your kids run rampant fingers of chalk all over one of your walls?

kids can finally play!

I hope that you’ll watch it, and enjoy it just as much as I did.

Storm by BLIK ony $48 YOWZA's

All I can say is BLIK I love you! no no no…I’ll say a tad more…

I love you for your new line of threadless designs. (see above)

I love how you make walls sparkle and come to life with such minimal effort that us common folk can handle installation.

I love how easy you are to install and how little you take from my pocketbook.

You are a handsome company and I love you!

tis all!

lulu

Flower Power Wallovers Stencil

For those of you fabulous painters out there with busy lives and even busier schedules that could not make this years IDAL Memphis convention but really REALLY wanted to… NEVER FEAR…  LULU and her Patina Designs Painting Posse are hear to give you the scoop on all the hot happenings of this years convention…

Above is a new stencil from Wallovers … Its one of their latest creations and it was flying off their shelves like wild fire… I even bought one myself. If you feel like staying ahead of the game then pick one up yourself…They only cost $48.00!  At the convention Wallovers was having a special that if you spent $100 on stencils you would get their handy dandy Allover Brush for FREE!  I bet if you ask them nicely they will hook you up with the same special because those gals are so sweet and kind!

Foiling Around

Next up…Innovative Stencil Guru Melany Royals is delighting our senses through a new series of affordable Virtual Workshops.  YES folks… this means you can have Melany right there in your very own home now without having to travel to California!  Registration starts: 7/27/09  and for only $150 you can get 6 beautiful finishes that incorporate foils with Royal Design Studios Stencils and Modello Decorative Masking Patterns.  I am beyond thrilled that last night at the auction, one of my partners Terri Roberts one a FREE Virtual workshop so the three of us will be crowding around the computer to enjoy that on October 1st!

Architectural Enhancements

The artist  du jour was without a doubt Cindee from Minnesota’s own Architectural Enhancements.  Us Patina gals know Cindee quite well, and it brought the biggest smiles to our faces to see how well the decorative Industry was responding to Cindee’s booth at the Expo.  There were times when it felt like everyone in the expo center was huddled around Cindee’s booth watching in awe as she turned concrete into elaborate stone fireplaces or counter tops!  We have a whole library of finishes that we offer from training with Cindee in Annandale.  Decorative Concrete is on the up and up and as finishers we need to stay ahead of the trends.

Donna Phelps said something in class Tuesday that really struck a nerve with Terri and I.  She mentioned that the trends are leaning towards regular paint contractors doing simple plaster and glazing techniques.  As finishers we need to really show just how capable we are at the finer parts of the industry, the specialty finishes that no contractor with a trowel or sponge could replicate or dare to try.

Tribal Wall Tattoo

Next up:  everyone was in awe of  WALL TATTOOS… I wish I could find their website right now…but am having a heck of a time.  I’ll swing by their booth later today and more of the skinny for you!

Totem Coatings Marble

And last but certainly not least, if you have a hankering for hunky Italian Stallion men and lime based plasters TOTEM COATINGS is the place for you!  I had the pleasure of monitoring Joe Greco’s class on Tuesday and these Eco- lime plasters are Beautiful, easy to work with and most importantly Affordable!!!!  But here is the biggest and best secret of all that we at the convention were privy to know.  Joe has a talented finisher on his staff named Rose and she has perfected the craft of marbling using lime based plasters… YES, you heard that right.  I saw board after board of what this master painter has created and I am telling you now…. I have never, EVER, seen a marble board that even compares to hers EVER.  Want to be the best marble finisher in your neck of the woods?  Then go to Toronto and take a class with Rose at Totem Coatings!!!  I can’t wait to get up there and learn this brilliant technique myself!

There you have it folks…. I really hope to see all of you next year at Portland Oregon’s IDAL convention 2010!  and if not…you can always come back here and I’ll give you the skinny again!  MUAH painty people!  lulu

Sweet Damask...so soft...so sweet

Inspiration in Color and a little History too…

Junebug Weddings

Damask Stencils sure are GRAND in just about any shape or form!   I find myself constantly drawn to fabrics or wallpapers as inspiration for new stencil recipes.  I love Damask stencils in particular because that they have a beautiful visual flexibility to really make a statement, be it elegant and tranquil or freshly funky and fun, they run the gamut style wise of creating a wonderful feeling…and you can cater them to your comfort and color liking.  I especially enjoy these designs when paired with the certain artists who always seem to take creativity and design to the next level.  Dare I say it ..AHEM …Melany Royals anyone?

Designer Stencils

Damask came to life originally in Florence, Italy in the early 1400’s. The methods were epically intricate with silk and praised for the showing of a reversed satin design.  At that time, creating these detailed pieces was a top secret and anyone who was caught sharing the secret recipe was beheaded.  GAWLS..  Perhaps I should stop writing…You guys wont behead me…right?…right?  RIGHT!

Damask Wall Decor

Damasks later became mainstream in the 20th century…no more heads were lost.  They began by making a statement in the textile linens industry but later becoming so popular that they because a staple for Victorian decorating.  “Typically, in wall decor, a damask describes an all over pattern that completely covers the wall with an offset repeat of the same design. A wallpaper effect.”  Victoria Larsen

Beautiful Grays and Whites

I love a nice clean tone on tone Damask, but like I said I’m really drawn to some radical and funky finishes because of how striking a Damask can make the color.  Try this DIY video on How to Damask Stencil your walls for those of you wanting to give it a go!  would you rather read some instructions vs.  watching a video?  Creative Evolution has a lovely step by step article  for you newbies!

Now… shall we look at some rocking Damasks or what?

Yummy Bold Blue and White

Does it get any better that a bright color with clean white Damask? YUMMY!

Daring elements in Damask design

Damask does not have to be the Victorian style which it most comfortable with… Look how this designer made a Damask by using a really clean allover oval shape.  Or below, how suddenly paisley takes stage with this allover design?  Are we getting inspired yet?

oh paisley

Yes Please!  I would LOVE some pink paisley goodness in my kitchen or office.  Why you may ask? Because I am a total color nut…and colors always seem to have a way of putting the biggest smile on my face!

What are your favorite Damasks?  What do your clients seem to love if your a finisher? Do they tend to play it safe, or do you get the occasional bold color loving client?

Are you working on any new samples now?  Questions, Questions people!!!   I’m currently working on a bumble bee stencil, (think colors black and white only with elements of white for pop) . Where is your favorite place to order allover Damask Stencils?  I prefer Melany Royals or WALLOVERS!!!!

Hope you are all having a beautiful week…and to learn about some of the beautiful things that YOU are doing with Damask Stencils.  Happy Painting!  lulu

Easter may be long gone by now but flirty colors like pink and blue are still going strong.  Here are a few rooms and color combos to help give you a little extra girly bolt this morning!

hgtv.com

1.bp.blogspot.com/…/pink+and+blue+room.jpg

farm1.static.flickr.com

www.polyvore.com

related topics on  color wanderlust:

5 colours to cheer http://lulupainting.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/5-colours-to-cheer-up-your-space-this-spring/

sherwin williams 09 colors http://lulupainting.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/sherwin-williams-09-colors/

majestic blue http://lulupainting.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/majestic-blue-by-benjamin-moore/

painted headboards http://lulupainting.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/painted-headboards/

Steph’s House, Minneapolis, MN

For those of you wondering where this stencil came from that’s posted on my website… (I’ve had quite a few inquiries…)  Its actually not a stencil at all…Its a series of Decals from What is Blik. I suggest making your own stencil out of the decals  for continued use and more flexibility in color selection.You can purchase them at: http://www.whatisblik.com

for a bedroom?

and

I love this clustered look!

If I remember correctly you get about 8 of them, They are pretty intricate so if your cutting your own stencil from the design it will take some time.

enjoy!!!

lulu