DIY Network

Decorating and Moving In: Grapevine Wall Mural From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-123

Paint can add a lot of character to a home by giving it color and texture. Early on our homeowners (Brad and Lynn Oberg) decided to go with a faux painting technique (figure A) that would help recreate the Old World (Tuscan) charm they desired.

In fact, to get a better idea of what they wanted, Brad and Lynn took a vacation to the Napa Valley in northern California to take a look at old wineries to take a look at old plaster and finishes (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

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	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Most contractors don't do artistic finishes, so our homeowners knew they'd need to bring in a specialist, and they decided to hire friend and artist -- Eileen Barron -- to create the feel they wanted. "She does beautiful work," Lynn said.

Here are some samples of Barron's work:

• She did a tone-on-tone stripe in the dining room (figure C). For the stripes in the dining room, Lynn got in on the fun. The first step is to tape the walls where the stripes will go, and this isn't as easy as it may sound. The next step is to paint the area between the stripes.

• Check out this fascinating grapevine (figure D) for the area leading from the kitchen to the four-seasons room. "Typically the Tuscan feel is this glazed or antique stucco look," Barron said. She uses an elaborate system of stencils to create a grapevine wall mural over the antique stucco. She started with the base coat from the family room, added a golden tone to match the furniture and a green leaf sitting on top -- and note that grape leaves have several different shades -- especially a lot of yellow tones.

  To create the stucco (Tuscan) look, Barron applies multiple layers of paint with a lamb's wool pads. The paint is half of the house paint and half of a glazed medium, which allow the paint to thin down in order for the background color to show through. She begins by putting just a little of the paint on the pad and applying on the wall in a circular motion. She works with a small area and doesn't worrying about putting it on in an even manner because she wants to have "highs" and "lows" on the wall.

  Next, she adds a darker pigment to the paint and brushes it on top of the first coat, and then she uses a lamb's wool pad to blend it in -- creating an antique look. Finally, she puts more of the base coat on to give the wall a sense of depth (figure E).

All the coats are on the walls and it's time for the final walk-through in the next segment.

RESOURCES :

Cabinetry (Manor House Kitchens)
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com

Tile and Carpet Service

Best Tile Distributors, Inc.
Website: www.besttile.com

Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Moving Services
Hindman Moving & Storage
Website: www.hindmanmoving.com

Home Financing
Sky Bank
700 Lawrence Ave.
Ellwood City, PA 16117-1932
Direct: 724-758-1722
Phone: 724-758-5568
Fax: 724-758-0279
E-mail: monded@sky-bank.com

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net
Website: hendolhursthomes.com

Debbie Mondell
Mortgage Consultant
Sky Bank
700 Lawrence Ave.
Ellwood City, PA 16117-1932
Phone Direct: 724-758-1722
Phone: 724-758-5568
Fax: 724-758-0279

Eileen Barron
Artist
Phone: 724-443-4209

Ronald Henshaw
Manager, Code Administration
2525 Rochester Rd.
Suite 400
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-776-4806
Fax: 724-776-5488
E-mail: henshawr@twp.cranberry.pa.us
Website: www.cranberrytownship.org