Metallic Magic

Amber Kleinaitis of Faux Fantasies in Burr Ridge, Illinois, was not always decorative painter. Born and raised in southern California, she moved to Chicago at 19 to study cosmetology and subsequently worked in the salon and spa industry for 10 years. Having a flair for beauty and design, Amber decided to use her spare time by earning a degree in Interior Design all while continuing to work in the spa arena. Immediately upon her I.D. graduation she left the spa and salon world and went on to work designing space layouts. It was a good job, but “I just wasn’t happy designing spaces that I couldn’t see,” says Amber. Knowing that she desired more but still enamored with the design industry, it was then that she, and a friend, decided to take her first of many faux finishing classes at Faux Design Studio with Sheri Zeman in Addison, Illinois.

Putting her talents to work, Amber creates finishes to express the various styles of her clients. “I am able to use my degree in Interior Design and my education in faux to create just about anything that can be dreamed up,” she explains. A popular finish of Amber’s uses metallic colors of Palette Deco™ or StucoLux™ applied in a swirled fashion to imitate brushed metal. It is a subtle, yet dramatic effect that is currently in high demand.

An example using metallic color is Silver Palette Deco™. It was the choice for the featured spa and workout room. For another variation, the product was applied and pulled in a linear fashion in the gym area yet still resembles the look of a brushed stainless steel. On another accent wall in the same area, Cinnamon and Pewter Gold MetalGlow® were used to create a block-type pattern. Venetian Gem Finish Coat™ was troweled on in the same manner to create a “frosted” softer appearance.

Amber created a luxurious dining room space by applying Tiger Eye Venetian Gem®, Rich Gold StucoLux™ and Stain & Seal™ linearly. Again using a metallicmedium to add that extra pizazz!

In a restaurant project, Amber also used metallics to bring commercially-used doors that needed a durable finish to hold up to high use but they needed to be more than just ordinary. Black SetCoat® topcoated with C-500 Urethane™ was used for durability. The doors then were accented with Rich Gold and Bronze StucoLux™, applied in Amber’s classic swirled pattern. No common doors here, they are now a focal point!

Another facet to Amber’s talents was a request from a Midwesterner to transform their family room into a cozy Southwestern feel. Amber went quickly into a rustic design using a multi-layered finish incorporating a number of Faux Effects’® products. LusterStone®, AquaStone®, AquaCreme® and FauxCreme Color® glazes and True Tint Stone™ brought the “old west” to life in Illinois.

There is no stopping this finisher—mural work was her next challenge! While pregnant with her second child, Amber created a whimsical playroom to fulfill her client’s request. It was a “funny story,” says Amber. My client “handed me a down payment in one hand and asked, ‘how are you going to do this—I thought you couldn’t even draw a stick figure?’ I told her not to worry I was going to make it amazing.” And with her determination and confidence, she did! The client was incredibly pleased and it turns out to be Amber’s most favorable room of all her finishes.

Amber is truly happy being a versatile decorative painter, “since my love for wall design has grown, and everyday I work is a blessing from God. My job is not work to me. I have FUN everyday I have a trowel in my hand,” says Amber. “I am happily married with two beautiful children and a future that has many blessing in store for me. All I have ever wanted was to be good enough to be in Faux Effects World™.” Amber uses only Faux Effects® products for her finishes because of their fine qualities. “I have never used another product line and never will!”

DECORATIVE ART BY: AMBER KLEINAITIS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: AMBER KLEINAITIS

WRITTEN BY: JOAN SECKINGER

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