Finishing Touches

“Modern Finishes Meld with Cultural Tradition”

Decorative artisan Barb Runyard of Runnier Design Studio paired her contemporary finishes with traditional Indian culture in a 13,000 square foot Chicago area home. The homeowner’s Indian ancestry inspired ornate specialized areas and finishes.

For the prayer room--a sacred place for daily worship-- the homeowner drew inspiration from a religious greeting card. Mindful of prayer rooms, Barb knew what was wrong with the existing area. “My goal was to make this a beautiful room to properly represent the homeowners,” she says. Barb suggested a colorwave of gold to transform the MDF frame altar and highlight the top with copper. Barb’s vision including everything from glorifying the altar to creating ambiance with appropriate lighting.

Collaborating with Baboo Rehal of DKR Interiors, Barb gave this room proper reverence with regal style. She used Metal Glow® and Venetian Gem® and a crackle technique with glazes to create a traditional look to adorn the altar of this prayerful space. “It became one of the nicest prayer rooms I’ve ever done.”

For the towering 25-foot fireplace, she color-matched adjacent mosaic tiles with the Asian Paradise finish using Metal Glow®, AquaWax™, glazed with FauxCreme® Clear and washed with Stain & Seal™. The majestic finishes give the fireplace its intended drama amidst subtle surroundings. In the powder room Barb applied a captivating hologram foil and glaze treatment.

She learned the technique years ago at Faux Design Studio when the home was under construction. “When I’m making up sample boards, I make them with people in mind,” she says. “I knew when I took that class that the finish would fit in this home.” She used Gary Lord’s Micah Knockdown treatment for the bathroom.

Barb and her crew pulled out of the house just in time for a 250 guest party. A latecomer to Faux Effects® products, she applied decorative wall treatments for 16 years before she took Faux Design Studio’s Designer Walls II class in 2006. “After that class, I guess I was hooked on the Faux Effects® products and possibilities,” said Barb. She now shares her knowledge as President of the IDAL Heartland Chapter.

DECORATIVE ART BY: BARB RUNYARD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: BARB RUNYARD

WRITTEN BY: DENISE M. CARNEY

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