Monday, January 16, 2012

A Faux Cobblestone Dog House

Every once in a while, I get to do something tremendously enjoyable. I was working in a beautiful and very expensive kitchen which was being revamped. There was a closet in the space that the client didn't know what to do with.  She wanted a bulletin board space for her children - a place where her 4 kids could post their school and extra curricular activities etc. I suggested that we divide the closet in half and have the upper half for the kids...and the lower half...for their beloved dog (who was a rather large dog with the temperment of an angel!).  This is what I came up with!





I had their contractor fashion out a dog house facade shape from sheetrock which I then primed and painted. I wanted to keep the same look as the floor, so I first rolled on a texture (Sandstone from Faux Effects) to mimic the grout.  I let it dry (not...I used a hair dryer and made it dry faster!) then I taped the pattern of the cobblestones with 1/8" tape. I burnished it to make sure it stayed put. Then I troweled on a few tinted layers (some whiter, some with a bit of ochre and some raw umber) of a texture called Quartzstone from Faux Effects.  For getting in to some of the smaller areas, I made my own little plastic trowel from a styrene board.  After it dried (the next day), I toned it (with some of the same tints I used in the texture) here and there to match the floor even better.

I loved doing this project because it really helped keep the look and feel of the kitchen - but it served a practical purpose.  Decorative techniques can really help solve problems.

If you are having any difficulty figuring out any problems with your rooms, just give me a call.  I am sure that I can come up with something unique and beautiful!

I am linking this project to...

Blue Cricket Design

Miss Mustardseed

Between Naps on the Porch

Hope Studios' Tutorial Tuesday

Home Stories A to Z

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Sugar Bee

Strictly Homemade

Cherished Bliss

Coastal Charm

Shabby Nest

Redoux

Feathered Nest

Romantic Home

7 comments:

lyna said...

Creating faux stone/brick is one of my favorite things to do....and I Love this idea for the dog house---very creative!

Thoughts on Design said...

Very creative use of space. I'm sure the dog is delighted with his new home!

Cheers,
John

jan west said...

Hi - great way to keep a dog out from under your feet when preparing a meal...great looking too! Janet W.

Maria @ Craft Crazy Mom said...

Wow! You've got some serious painting talent! Thanks for stopping by and sharing the love.

Linda Leyble said...

Thank everyone for your comments - I appreciate every single one!

Linda

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Thank you for linking up also to BeColorful.
I have to say I want to dislike your client for having a closet she doesn't know what to do with and then for being lucky enough to have you to up with such a splendid and creative idea. The end result is fantastic. High end homes everywhere will want one. :0
Pam

jamaica byles said...

Lovely lovely work Linda.Impressive likeness....

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