Urban Feeling ...

Caribbean Style

Combining an urban feeling with Caribbean style was the latest design challenge of Pedro Oveido, Director of Arte-Faux International School of Decorative Finishes located in the Dominican Republic, a full line Faux Effects® distributor. Using the cool tones of a great city with the Caribbean style and its warm and exotic colors could be an issue in this home, located in the center of Santo Domingo. Putting their creativity to work, the ideas began to emerge, and Pedro and his team from Arte-Faux started the project. “I started working with blue as the base since the Caribbean seas strongly reflect that tone, along with the many colors of the native flowers—orange, pink, yellow, white and purple, among others,” says Pedro. “I went with various shades of soft green to convey the exuberant natural color seen in the vegetation in the valleys and mountains.”

In the living room, Lapis Venetian Gem® was troweled on the walls and then glazed with a FauxCreme® Clear mixture of Violet and Eggplant FauxCreme Color™ to create an amethyst tone. These color glazes were applied randomly and blended smoothly for a soft, even finish. When dry, AquaWax™ tinted with Hi-Lite VioletMicaGlow Powder™was used as the final coat for a brilliant shine.

Pedro finished many accent pieces in the home including side tables and lamps. Applying Deep Blue SetCoat® to the side tables, and then glazing them with AquaGlaze® and Town Silver MetalGlow®, helped transform ordinary rattan furniture to impressive focal points. The lamps were finished with Town Silver MetalGlow®, glazed with a mixture of FauxCreme® Clear and Black FauxCreme Color™, and then sealed with AquaGard™ for added protection.

In the entrance hall, Asian touches were used, adding another element to the design. Local artisans were brought into help Pedro with some of the work. Pedro elaborates, “Being that this style is completely alien to me, local painters of this beautiful and heavenly Caribbean island helped me carry out the finished decoration and the setting in general.” Crimson Red LusterStone® was used on the side wall over Red SetCoat® for a dramatic pop. On the abutting walls, a glaze mixture of FauxCreme® Clear and White FauxCreme Color™ with a touch of Brown FauxCreme Color™ was applied over Neutral White SetCoat®. Brown Suede LusterStone® was troweled through a StencilFX™ Chrysanthemum Medallion stencil to create a wall pattern, which enhances the artwork. The credenza was treated with a clear crackle finish starting with Rich Brown Stain & Seal™ with a hint of Van Dyke Brown as the base, then AquaCrackle® Clear over AquaSize™ and topcoated with AquaGard™ Gloss. “I worked the AquaCrackle® Clear with a trowel while it was a still bit wet, going up and down lightly, to create age and movement,” describes Pedro.

The dining room reflects the style of older farm homes in the northern part of the island. The walls were painted with Deep Blue SetCoat® and later glazed with FauxCreme® Clear tinted with Ultramarine Blue FauxCreme Color™. Metallic Gold Stain & Seal™ was applied randomly, and then the finish was sealed with AquaGard™ mixed with Hi-Lite Blue MicaGlow Powder™ for added dimension.

One wall in the reading room was finished in a striae method with Inkwell Blue LusterStone®. The remaining walls were finished with AquaWax™ tinted with a hint of Pearl MicaGlow Powder™ for a silky shine, while the ceilings in the room were covered with Lime Paint & Wash™ for a soft look.

The studio room had all areas finished, including the floor. RsCrete® was applied in sienna tones to complement the green and gray walls. Green Onyx LusterStone® was troweled on one wall over a base of Green SetCoat®, while the other walls were finished with Gray Skies StucoLux™ and sealed with Olde World Venetian Wax™ tinted with Pearl MicaGlow Powder. After painting the ceiling and moldings with Neutral White SetCoat®, the moldings were tipped with Snowflake White LusterStone® to create interest. This finish was designed to reflect the modern pearly gray tones seen in large cities. “With all the range of color used for the finishes, we kept the ceilings white to expand the space,” says Pedro. The results are beautiful and uniting. “All of these colors let us work off of the warm tones of the décor--the upholstery, wood, decorative details and the artwork.”

In the bedroom, Deep Periwinkle LusterStone® was applied to the walls and Chantilly Lace on the ceilings to create a striking, yet relaxing space.

The rich brown tones in the octagon-shaped foyer ceiling was completed using layers of Charred Olive, Charred Gold and Weathered Bronze LusterStone®. An embossed AquaStone® stencil design was added and then gilded with composite gold leaf.

The boldness of the design is seen, mixing so many tones on the surfaces—some strong, others soft, none overshadowing the other. “It’s a true encounter of colors radiating harmony, peace and charm, creating an environment with a touch of the city in the heart of the Caribbean,” describes Pedro.

Arte-Faux is a full line Faux Effects® distributor and licensed training facility serving the Caribbean and Central and South America. “We have a very deep knowledge of Faux Effects® products, so our creativity flows when developing interesting finishes,” says Pedro. Arte-Faux has over 35 professionally-trained artisans and is known for its professional design and finishing in residential and commercial venues. Commissions include: the Presidential Palace, Supreme Court of Justice, and Enriquillo Park in the Dominican Republic. Other works are inMiami and all areas of the Caribbean, as well as in Panama.

“Your Imagination is Our Limit!”

DECORATIVE ART BY: ARTE-FAUX

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: PEDRO OVEIDO

WRITTEN BY: PEDRO OVEIDO & JOAN SECKINGER

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