1. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com The Art of Faux Finish Book of Shadows “Architectural Finishes” Part II Winter 2005

2. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com The Book of Shadows Since the dark ages it has been a collection of spells, healing lores, incantations, chants and songs collected by a witch or sorcerer. Like a professional journal or diary, it contained information deemed by its owner to enhance their power to heal, divine truth, speak to spirits and the likes. Serving as a dynamic collection of information, additions were made when necessary to maintain the relevance to the world of changes. Individuals often identified so closely with their living books that they believed themselves to be destined to return to a particular volume through successive incarnations. As a result, such powerful collections of knowledge were often kept secret and held by a high priest or priestess. In recent times, though, the information contained in a Book of Shadows is often made common to a group of people. Their ability to divine the way of things enhances a community of professionals, like yourself or perhaps the person ahead of you….

3. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Cut through all the smoke and mirrors to unlock the power of Architectural Finishes. Like the medieval text known as the Book of Shadows, the following hand-book is specifically designed to help individuals working with architectural finishes to decide on the use of the most appropriate finishes and techniques to obtain the desired results and to painlessly, visually explain the benefits of architectural finishes to customers. Unlike painting, architectural finishes literally open 1000’s of new possibilities of colors and textures. Hence, representing the most important challenge to identify the look and feel that suits the customers’ preferences. Additional challenges lye in the ability to convey the visual impact of the desired styles and techniques to customers without carrying hundreds of samples. The Book of Shadows

4. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com The Book of Shadows Index Index 1.Ancient 2.Renaissance 3.Modern 4.Zen 5.Victorian 6.Medieval 7.Mediterranean

5. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Ancient Theme Dating from Ancient Egypt, Sumeria, Rome, and Greek Empires the ancient pyramids, temples and palaces were adorned with basic but descriptive carvings, wall art and sculptures. With the early discovery of pigments, these once colorful representations are now worn and weather beaten. Modern reproductions of this theme must convincingly reproduce the aged effects of stone, plasters and ancient metals such a bronze and iron!

6. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Renaissance Theme The renaissance swept through Western Europe from the 1500’s and 1600’s. It was a period of unprecedented cultural, scientific and artistic advancements. Spurred by the commissioning of many works by the Roman Catholic Church and by French Royalty much of the work has an ecclesiastic or royal sentiment. Many of the world renown artists date back to that period (incl. Bellini, Botticelli, Bruegel, da Vinci, Durer, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Uccello, Van Eyck, etc. ) The use of deep colors, rich textures and frescos gives a feeling of formality, art and culture as this theme is pervasive in 16 th century French, Italian and British Estates.

7. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Modern Theme Architects and designers are experimenting with new materials and finishing effects to create unique emotional states within traditional architectural environments. Modern finishes are now used to highlight unique elements that cannot be replicated using historical construction and finishing materials such as woods, tapestries and traditional paints. More and more, new metallic and paint effects combined modern lighting systems are used with classical marbles, cements and wall designs in residential and commercial spaces (incl. bars and restaurants) to create an ambiance that is unique.

8. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Zen Theme With its origins from the 1400’s in Japan, the Zen theme gives a feeling of harmony, peace, tranquility using a sparsely decorated and clean decor. German minimalist design and Californian “open concept” designs are inspired from the Zen Theme. Open spaces with minimalist decorative elements make it very popular for hotels or commercial spaces catering to adult patrons. This theme makes use of open spaces while using physical dividers or objects for the visual separation of key areas, white or off-white colors, very clean scenery representations, concrete, stone, dark and light wood finishes, glass, flowing or still water areas with the maximal use of natural lighting.

9. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Victorian Theme The umbrella title given to the period of Queen Victoria’s Reign from 1837 to 1901. The name was given to most 19 th century design through-out the world during this period. It included an eclectic mixture of nostalgic revivalist styles like Neo-Baroque, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Rococo, as well as the avant-garde “Arts and Crafts Movement”. Hence, the ancestral roots of the Victorian Theme lye in the opulence of Baroque, the classicism of the Renaissance, and lighthearted frivolous style of Rococo. The combination of these influences created the “Art Nouveau” where the rooms were much more densely furnished than before, dark woods (such as Mahogany, rose woods, ebony) were preferred, with a great deal of gilding, furniture was simple but robust and rectilinear, carvings kept to a minimum and wrought iron decoration was very common. Spaces were often painted in pale colors, especially green. Leather, marquetry, ivory and brass was also commonly used materials.

10. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Medieval Theme The medieval theme is reflective of the Gothic period that extended through Western Europe from the 12 th to 16 th centuries and greatly influenced early ecclesiastical architecture. “Medieval”, the layman’s version of Gothic, eventually appeared in castles, fortresses and early domestic and university architectures during this period. The medieval decorative and architectural elements include the trefoil and quatrefoil, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses and stained glass. It also inspired a great deal of furniture, textiles and tapestries which repeat the architectural patterns by using rich dark colors and rich textures.

11. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com Mediterranean Theme Architects and designers across the world have fallen in love with this look. The use of bright colors and heavy textures gives a feeling of leisure and warmth as this theme is pervasive in hot weather climates….Southern Europe (incl. Tuscan), Caribbean Islands, Middle East (incl. Morocco), Central America (incl. Mexico), South America, Florida and California (incl. Modern Hacienda designs). Modern designers have combined traditional craft look with modern stylistic elements using brightly distempered walls, unadorned doors, colorful mosaics, arches, fountains, dark wooden floors and trims, terra cotta tiled roofs and floors. Raw metallic copper, brass and gold objects and velvets with colorful fabrics are often used to add the finishing touches.

12. © Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis www.faux-finish.com The Art of Faux Finish The Art of Faux Finish is the oldest Architectural and Decorative Finishing school in Eastern Canada and North Eastern United States. We have trained well over 1500 design and finishing professionals and hobbyists since 1997 coming from all parts of the US and Canada. Using a hands-on workshop environment, the courses and techniques are specifically tailored to instruct the latest decorative finishes and trends to professionals, trades-people, and hobbyists who are interested in architectural finishes! Whether you are an applicator, a design professional or simply have a specific project in mind (home, furniture or object) and need to stay in tune with the latest concepts, designs and trends in the industry, it will certainly stimulate a new creative energy to be applied to your world! If you have a project that needs a unique touch of style but don’t have the massive budgets required for authentic materials! If you have a space and want something unique to escape the ordinary! If you need to attract more people and augment your corporate image! You must visit our web site at www.faux-finish.com, give us a call at 450-229-5858 or pass by our location! www.faux-finish.com “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are busy doing it” ____Ancient Chinese Proverb