It’s easy to make safe choices when decorating a home. But an unexpected pop of color or whimsy will elevate your living environment from ho-hum to heavenly.
Often, people think the only way to create a dramatic effect is through wallpaper, which comes in an array of colors, patterns and finishes. But hanging wallpaper feels like a big commitment, because the paper is attached to the surface with adhesive; removal seems daunting. Decorative painting, however, is the marriage of design with ease. Virtually any surface can be painted, and with the right hands, that surface can be transformed into an eye-catching accent or focal point.
H.J. Holtz & Son’s decorative artist, Diana Orellano, has been with the company for five years, learning the special skill set needed for decorative painting from those who came before her. Even if a client doesn’t have a clear vision of what they want, Orellano knows how to begin the conversation.
“An idea can come from something they saw or a memory,” she says. “When [clients] see pictures of things we make, they remember things they like, too.”
Decorative painting can be found anywhere in a house: floors, walls, and ceilings. Entire rooms can be filled with hand-painted murals, or a room’s chandelier can be emphasized with ceiling painting that draws the eye upward. Floors are an especially effective canvas, with bold patterns or faux effects that transform a standard surface. One previous Holtz project involved painting a wood floor to look like marble tiles, complete with veining. In another instance, the Holtz team painted a geometric pattern over concrete in a business office.
Orellana says floors are her favorite projects, because they require attention to detail. “It’s like a challenge for me,” she says. “I’m really picky; I want everything to be perfect. When [I’m told] I have a floor to do, I get happy.”
Floors are interesting, she says, because few rooms have perfectly straight lines, which means accurate measurements are essential. “You have to be precise and patient,” she says, noting that she begins by laying out a plan or pattern to see how it really fits. Once she has made adjustments, she starts painting in the center of the room and works outward.
Orellano assists the wallpaper team by painting light switch plates or other wall elements, like vents, so they become nearly invisible to the casual observer. Whatever the task, she says decorative painting is sure to have an impact.
“You can make a difference, have a happy room – do whatever you want,” she says.