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A Home Full of Whimsy!!!

Mar 14, 2016

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week!  It has been beautiful in Houston with springtime weather!!

Segreto Secrets Blog-A Home full of Whimsy!

I first worked on this home in 2006 for the Pink Ribbon Showcase Home. It has been fun working with the current owner over the years and incorporating her artful, whimsical style into this classical French-style home!!!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

Even before you reach the entrance, you know this home is full of laughter and fun starting with the wonderful bronze sculpture of bunnies dancing in the courtyard!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

In her entry, we painted a Swedish-inspired design over the plaster that we had originally applied for the Showcase Home, setting the room apart and giving an arrived presence to the space!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy with designer Julia Blailock

This is a shot of the original furnishings by designer Julia Blailock! See the doors to the right of the fireplace – that is where the new treatment starts!!!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

We took the white painted doors, and refinished them in a pop of teal to look aged!  And now for the room they lead to…

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy with designer Anne Lydick

Here’s the room as it appeared for the Showcase Home!! Designer Anne Lydick has a knack for making rooms feel elegant yet comfortable enough for entertaining friends and loved ones. Originally, we applied a hand-painted paneling directly over the sheetrock. When the new homeowner moved in after the show, we plastered over the paneled finish.

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

Though she still loved the plaster years later, she wanted a new look. In a room filled with eclectic pieces and colorful art, we decided to look up when making the change! I didn’t have a before pic with the white ceiling, but I did snap pic of the room depicting the first step of our treatment…..and what will it be???????

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy with gold leaf

Gold leaf! We opted for Sherwin-Williams Poinsettia as the base for the gold so that tiny hairline glimpses of the red will show though. You see this a lot on antique gold leaf frames.  Gold leaf is difficult to apply, especially on a ceiling, because it comes in 4-by-4-inch sheets of thin paper which falls apart easily.

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

So on a ceiling this large, we lay out a grid pattern first so that the edges of the gold stay perfectly straight.

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

Then we just follow the line one row at a time. Poor Sarah and Alex!! They will have strong necks and arms when this beauty is done!!!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

The finished product was well worth the effort! After three weeks, the ceiling is done. If you can look through to the bar, you’ll see it was plastered in a vibrant teal! The next step is to apply a brilliant gold leaf pattern. The homeowner found a cork circle tile for the ceiling made from wine corks that have been sliced on their ends.

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

The gold of the pattern really ties in the leafed ceiling!!!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

And the frame – I really love how the gold leaf paint absorbs into the plaster!

Segreto Secrets Blog - A Home Full of Whimsy

What a difference this made! After seeing this room complete, I am dreaming about gold or silver leafing a ceiling in my home!!!

Segreto Secrets Blog! A Home full of Whimsy!

When you say your goodbyes, you might just run into her pet pig!!! He was wagging his tail when I stopped for a visit!!!

What’s New at the Segreto Boutique!!! – Beautiful Jewelry!!

It is difficult to make a profit at the boutique because, with my daughter Kirby now taking over the buying, I want to take everything home! Here are a few of my obsessions this week!!

New at the Segreto Boutique – Beautiful Jewelry! New at the Segreto Boutique – Beautiful Jewelry! New at the Segreto Boutique – Beautiful Jewelry!

Mark your calendars for an Easter Event!!!

Valentine's Table Settings! -Segreto Secrets Blog!

On Wed the 23rd all Day we will have Maddie from Maddiecakes at the Segreto Boutique and Gallery!! I bought her cupcakes and cookies for a Valentine’s Dinner Party I was having and they were all the rave!!! Come by anytime on Wed. and pick up your goodies at 1414 Antoine, 3 houses past Westview across from Saint Regis School!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!! Till next week!

xo, Leslie


9 Comments
  • Karena
    Posted at 09:04h, 14 March Reply

    Leslie I am astounded at this glorious and elegant ceiling in gold leaf! Stunning!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:34h, 14 March Reply

      It was well worth the neck aches it caused! Have a wonderful week! xo

  • Design Chic
    Posted at 09:38h, 14 March Reply

    I am speechless over the ceiling…stunning!! Happy Monday, Leslie!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:33h, 14 March Reply

      I am in love with it myself!! I want to apply a silver leaf one at my house somewhere but not many surfaces untouched! xo

  • Gayle Ahrens
    Posted at 08:22h, 16 March Reply

    Leslie …. Viewing your work completely is uplifting to my day …. I only wished that I lived closer to you …. I have so many projects that need your wonder ❤️❤️❤️
    Xoxo
    Gayle

  • Gayle Ahrens
    Posted at 08:26h, 16 March Reply

    Leslie …. Your wonderful work is such a visual delight ❤️❤️❤️….Gayle

  • Lexi
    Posted at 21:40h, 23 March Reply

    So happy to see that blue plaster sample come to life on a big wall!!! And send my applause to Sarah and Alex on the ceiling. It looks AMAZING!

  • Sharon Lewis
    Posted at 01:01h, 01 December Reply

    I love your bronze dancing bunnies! Could i please get more information about them?

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 08:53h, 01 December Reply

      HI Sharon!! I know they were custom pieces but I am so sorry I do not know the artist! Thanks for following along!

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