(I am sharing two posts this month, the June Blog. We have a number of Fun Projects that will keep David and I busy with our Trowels for while and away from writing)

Wow, Your New Home Construction or Remodeling Project is Complete… Congratulations!

When you look back on your life, one of your Fondest Memories will be this experience of building your New Home. Every emotion is engaged during this process. You will Laugh, you will Cry, you will be Happy and you will be… Furious! But its all Good…You will Love it!

Every single New Home Construction Project and Remodeling Project, in Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA, Omaha, NE and Minneapolis, MN has a “Building Budget” that requires Contractors, Home Builders, Home Buyers and Home Owners to stay on target. Budget restraints can be seen in the Parade of Home and Home Shows around the country, where lesser materials or effects are used.

Almost every day, you will be asked to make difficult Interior Design decisions that will have you “Bumping your Head into the Home Building – Budget Limits”. You will undoubtenly be forced to settle for Less, at times, to ensure your New Home is completed on schedule and on Budget.

Towards the end of the New Home Construction building process, you will find your Budget Very Tight… with little or no room to add on anything else.

In our company, Bella Faux Finishes, we are usually the last ones to come to a project. As one of the few graduates of The School of Italian Plaster and various Schools around the country, our Speciality, Passion and Interior Design Goals are to create and introduce the “Perfect Final Layer of Effect”.

But final building decisions regarding introducing a Decorative Finishes, Faux Finishes, Faux Painting and Wallpapering are often times cut.  Simply… because there is no budget left to bring in… Bella.

Sometimes a Contractor, to satisfy the Buyer’s wishes, will have a painter apply a common, simple, low cost, sponge Faux Painting technique over the top of an existing texture, such as a Crow Foot, Knock Down or Orange Peel. Resulting in a… Less than Dramatic effect. You may see this in your home.

 ”Now… Lets Jump a Year Ahead” – You and your spouse, will begin to notice things in your home, that you didn’t think of when you were building.  You may have some… Wiring, Floor Plan and Interior Design regrets. This is very common.

The great thing about our Business, Bella Faux Finishes, is that we can bring our Art to a project at any time, Before or After. Today, Homeowners are looking for New Interior Design Ideas on how to create some drama and differentiate their home from others.

Below are some Common “Wow Effect” Areas that are usually CUT from the Building Budget. Visit our Gallery to view more examples.

(1) Columns, Base & Capital - They are often just painted white.  Bella Faux Finishes could add a stunning Italian Finish, Faux Painting or Italian Venetian Plaster Finish to them. Base and Capital could be changed from plain white to an aged patina effect.

(2) Tray Ceilings – Crows Feet Texture is often applied and then painted white or a darker paint color.  Bella Faux Finishes could float the ceiling smooth, then apply a breathtaking Italian Venetian Plaster finish, Italian Finish or Faux Finish.

(3) Niches – They are usually sprayed with an Orange Peel Texture and painted the same color as the walls, Bella Faux Finishes could create a unique Italian Finish, Italian Venetian Plaster, Faux Finish or Faux Painting, that would make your Niche a work of Art and home for a special memorabelia piece or picture.

(4) Accent Walls – These are usually sprayed with an Orange Peel Texture and painted the same color as on the walls.  Bella Faux Finishes could float the walls smooth, creating the perfect substrate for a stunning Faux Finish, Italian Finish, Italian Venetian Plaster or hang an impossible to describe Wallpaper.

There are so many areas in your new home, that have the potential for creating a “Wow”! Bookmark our website and go through our various Gallery’s of finished projects. Don’t miss the Before & After. Read our Testimonials to see comments from previous Homeowners, Contractors and Interior Designers.

You will know, when the time is right to explore new ideas for your home. Just give us a call when you are ready to “Wow” your home. We are working on New Decorative Finishes all the time. You will be surprised at how affordable our Art is. We offer the highest level of Decorative Finishes.

Don’t Forget to “Bookmark“  our Website! Then, you can easily find us down the road again. When you are ready to “Wow” your home, David and I will be ready to present you with New Ideas for Color, Texture & Effect.

“Think Bella for your next Project! Beautiful Painting… Breathtaking Finishes!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and the Midwest, our Winter just kept… Going and Going. A brutal April Ice Storm that hung on for days, ruined many beautiful trees in our city. Everyone is still cleaning up and discovering their Grand Trees, which took years to mature, are not as Majestic as they were before. Two of ours got toppled, hopefully they will recover. Pictured here, David is cutting a tree for us.

Spring is also the time for New Home Construction and Remodeling Projects. New Colors, Freshly Painted Walls and New Decorative Finishes! Are you in the early stages of your New Construction or Home Remodeling project? Would you like to share some ideas for Color, Texture and Effect in you home? We would love to meet with you, see your project and present some new samples of various Decorative Finishes, Faux Finishes, Faux Painting,  Italian Venetian Plaster, Venetian Plaster and the popular Italian Finishes.

I have attached a picture of a Fun Coffered Ceiling.  A Crows Foots texture was on the ceiling before. This is an earlier picture of Italian Venetian Plaster on a Coffered Ceiling, edges are not detailed yet and final Gold Mica Powder Effect has not been applied. But I wanted to share just an idea, of how you can Create some Drama, for a Minimal Investment. The footage is small here and our Decorative Finishes are based on the Square Footage. Since the footage pictured here is minimal, your investment is affordable for almost any budget.

Home Owners Note – we never Forget, that Your Home is Unique and Special. We are always working on New Colors and Samples to introduce on projects. Since 2005, David and I have been fortunate to be invited and trusted with the final layer of effect in many homes. Each one is special and the memories, relationships we have formed, while working these projects, are reflected in the Testimonials we have received. It is alway an honor to be invited to share our Art!

Questions:

(1) Are you Building a New Home or Remodeling an existing Home?

(2) Are you working with an Interior Designer or do need help with colors?

(3)  Have you identified in your home Where your Unique Opportunities are, to create drama? This is not easy to do. There are some areas, you never would have thought of.  Click our Gallery and Before/After photos for Wow ideas.

(4) Is your Contractor or Builder presenting you with samples of Color, Texture and Effect that will “Wow Your Home” and separate it from every other homes?

If not…. then YOU will need to be the one to break out of your comfort zone, explore new ideas.  Pick up you phone and make the Call to bring more Interior Design resources to your very important project.

Sometimes… New Construction can begin to look like every other new home. It is important that you bring Fresh Ideas and Fresh Eyes to look at your dream home. If you would like to learn more about Bella Faux Finishes, you can click our FAQ to view common questions. But please Call Early in your project. We would love to meet with you and share some ideas. Our schedule is filling up fast again this year. You can also reach us on our “Request a Quote” link.

Is your project beyond Sioux Falls, South Dakota? We do travel far for Unique Projects. David and I love what we do,  it is always fun coming to a new project!

At Bella Faux Finishes, we offer some of the Best Pricing in the States, for Italian Venetian Plaster, Faux Finishes, Faux Painting and Italian Finishes. They are the most challenging and difficult to master Decorative Finishes. Our Goal is to create the Perfect Decorative Finish that will create Drama… for Many Many Years.

Here are two articles on Home Building and Interior Design, that I wrote a few years ago, that may help you with this process and give you some ideas. They have been published and posted around the world.  Click to Read or View… “The 7 Home Building Mistakes” and  ”The 7 Interior Design Mistakes”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Are you tired of your old paint colors? Is your home missing “The Wow Effect”? Are your interior Paint Colors, Decorative Finishes and Wallpaper losing their drama? Here are Three Easy Steps, that will change your old home to a… “Wow Home”:

(1) Interior Paint Color – Changing your paint color:  Choosing the new interior paint color is your singular most important interior design decision. Every layer of color, texture and effect will have to blend and compliment this decision. This decision is often made quickly, resulting in a less than dramatic effect.

(2) Identify Where your Interior Design Opportunities are:  There are many unique areas in your home, that present Artisans with opportunities to introduce a unique texture, color or effect.  The hard part here is to identify where these opportunities are. If you have lived in your home for a few years, you have developed Blind Spots and it is critical that you bring Fresh Eyes to your project, to help you identify these areas. You can also visit our Gallery to help you discover these areas.

(3) Interrupt the Sense’s – This is the Key to creating “The Wow Effect”:   Think about it, if your home and colors are looking like every other home, then your Wow Meter is not pointing up. When you see your friends and neighbors standing and admiring one specific area of your home, you know you have created “The Wow Effect”. If everyone that comes over, goes on and on about this area, you know…  You Did It“!  Just by introducing one more unique layer of Color, Texture or Effect, that is not commonly seen, can change your entire project. Trust me… it Works! We have seen it happen so many times.  Read  or Watch “The 7 Interior Design Mistakes”.  Also click our FAQ link to view some common questions.

If you are looking for New Interior Design Ideas for “Color, Texture and Effect” and would like some help, we would love to meet with you! We have Interior Design Ideas and Decorative Finishes that can keep you on budget and still create “The Wow Effect”. If you have heard about Bella Faux Finishes or have seen us on Home Ideas TV, its time to meet. Review our Testimonials to read the thoughts from previous clients and projects.

So… put the Coffee on, pick up the Phone and give us a Call. Lets Share some Ideas, have some fun and create a little magic on your project! We are great Listeners. You can also reach us on the Contact Link. David and I are looking forward to meeting you…

Remember:

“Every Home or Business, Deserves a Room that Quietly Whispers… Wow!”  

                       -  Mark Nordgren – Founder/Bella Faux Finishes

 

 

 

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Are you just starting a New Project? Find your camera and always take many “Before Pictures”, when starting a new project. It is so important to have Before & After picture. When the pictures are placed side by side, you can determine and truly measure the level of drama you have created with your talented team of Artisans and Interior Designers. For some projects, you may not raise the “Wow Bar” very high at all. Which could be disappointing. But for other projects, it may be hard to measure “The Wow Effect” you have created. You will hear comments from family and friends for years to come…

My middle son David, and co-owner of Bella Faux Finishes, has also been working on another project. David and Amber are proud to announce the birth of their new Son, “Owen James Nordgren” on March 26, 2013. We are so happy and proud of both of them! Kathy and I are Grandparents for the first time, which is Very Exciting!

So if you are just starting a new project, whether its a new baby or a New Home or Remodeling project, it is so important to choose your team members wisely. Meet with them and ask many questions. Learn more about their talents, credibility and trustworthiness. View their portfolio of projects and Testimonials. Ask to see their Before & After project pictures. Notice your level of emotion when you are looking at each one them. Are they truly unique? Do you want your project to be different from every other home? Are feeling a sense of Wow or very little drama at all?

If you are interested in learning more about Bella Faux Finishes and what we can bring to your project, please give us call. From New Interior Design Ideas to Decorative Finishes, Italian Venetian Plaster, Faux Finishes, Italian Finishes, Interior Painting to Wallpaper. I think you will be surprised when you see our portfolio of samples. Sometimes, the smallest decision can have greatest impact on a project. If you have never seen the Italian Finishes, you are in for a treat!

As always, there is never… any obligation or even a hint of commitment when we schedule a meeting. We will share some ideas and pricing for your project.  If you choose to work with us, we will schedule your project in. David and I are just honored we had opportunity to meet you and view your project!

Since 2005, we have been fortunate to stay very busy through the years.  Invited to share our Art on some incredible projects. So click on our Contact Us link and let talk about your project. We are great listeners!

Congratulations again to David and Amber!  Owen James Nordgren, “The Wow Effect” …. 9 lbs 4 oz of… Cute Baby!

Below, Walls finished in Italian Venetian Plaster, Pan Ceiling finished in Italian Finishes

Below, Tray Ceiling finished in Italian Finishes

 

 

 

 

 

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Kathy and I just came back from Las Vegas, celebrating 30 years of marriage, last September. We stayed at “The Venetian”, Breathtaking is not a strong enough word to describe this experience. If you have any interest in learning more about Italian Venetian Plaster and the Italian Finishes, I would strongly encourage you to spend a weekend at The Venetian. Here in the states, this may be your best opportunity to see the drama that Italian Venetian Plaster can create on your Walls or Ceilings.

The most important “Interior Design Aspect” to understand about “Italian Venetian Plaster”  is, …. “Italian Venetian Plaster is Not the Show”.

By that I mean, the purpose of introducing Italian Venetian Plaster on a project is to compliment everything else in the room. This Decorative Finish is secondary to all of your other textures, colors and design elements. Wood trim, Flooring, Marble or Tile, Carpet, Drapery, Furniture, Plants and Art Work. The Power of Italian Venetian Paster, is to pull and compliment all of the these design elements together in a way that no other Decorative Finish can do. Go through our Before & After Gallery of Project for examples.

Many Faux Finishes and Decorative Finishes, their purpose, is to gain the spot light and become “The Show”.  Sometimes this works and sometimes it becomes too much.

There is no other finish, that has stood the test of time for endurance and consistently creating this timeless effect, that can last for hundreds of years. It is the favorite of the Best Architects and Interior Designers from around the world. Italian Venetian Plaster truly is the Best Decorative Finish in the world.

Trust me on this, your next trip to Las Vegas, stay at “The Venetian”. You will not see some of these dramatic areas if you do not stay at the hotel. Then spend some time trying to understand the drama of this remarkable finish. Notice how subtle it is, and try to imagine any another decorative finish, faux finish, faux painting or paint color that could compare or create this drama.

Italian Venetian Plaster…. Wow! Every Home or Business, has room that would love to be blessed with this remarkable Italian Finish. Many times, an Accent Wall,  Tray Ceiling, Niche or Columns is all you need. Consider introducing…. Just a Taste of Italian Magic!

 

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At Bella Faux Finishes, we believe that somewhere in every home or business, there are areas that are unique, presenting design opportunities to change a common room to a “Wow Room”.  Many times, it can be achieved by introducing a stunning paint color that will compliment a unique decorative finish. I think everyone we work with is surprised at how easy it is to change the entire drama of a room by simply introducing a stunning Decorative Finish, Faux Finish, Italian Finish or Italian Venetian Plaster.

The most challenging part of starting a New Project, is identifying “Where your Opportunities are” in your home or business. Sometimes, it’s an area that you never would have thought of. That is why it is so important to make the phone call and bring “Fresh Eyes” to your project to share ideas for Color, Texture and Effect. Visit our Before & After Gallery to view examples of creating the Wow Effect.

What part of your Home or Business are you most proud of?  Would you like to have an area of your home or business that your friends and family are always talking about? “You have to see this room, its unbelievable!”

Take a chance and break away from the common, to explore some New Interior Design Ideas. David and I would love to meet you and see your project. Together we can exchange new ideas, share samples of our portfolio of Decorative Finishes and leave you with a vision for your project to think about and sleep on. Click on the Contact link to set up an appointment.

Remember… “Less is More, regarding Decorative Finishes”. To create the most drama, at a price point that is affordable for everyone, you just need to introduce a ….. Taste of Effect.

 

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Christmas is such a fun time of the year, with many party invitations from family and friends. Everyone has finished their new homes or remodeling projects, have decorated and are ready to share their experience. These parties and family gatherings are also great opportunities to View and Capture some “New Interior Design Ideas”.  If you have been thinking about building a new home or remodeling your home in the future, then it is important that you do your homework… Today!

Before you arrive at a party, remind yourself to pay attention to the paint colors in rooms and your level of emotion. What are you feeling when you view these colors? We will share more in future posts regarding “The Power of Color”, but your decision on paint color is critical to the success of your project. Also notice if they have introduced any Decorative Finishes, Venetian Plaster, Italian Finishes or Faux Finishes on their project. Again, what are you feeling when your view these finishes?

Your first impression, will create the “Most Powerful Emotion”. This is where the “The Wow Effect” begins. Your “Senses have been Interrupted” and your mind is trying to understand this new visual effect that is being presented. The Colors and the Texture of the Decorative Finishes have created this new level of drama.

So remember, don’t just come to the party to celebrate, do your homework too. The owners will love your interest in their projects and will share paint colors and names of Decorative Artisans and Interior Designers. Merry Christmas to everyone, take lots of pictures and don’t forget the reason for the season…

 

 

 

 

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David, Michael and I have been honored, to be trusted with the final layer of effect on so many projects through the years.  When we finish a project, it is almost like leaving family. Its hard to describe this new relationship.  Probably because this Art involves so many steps, that the time involved is longer than a common paint or simple faux finish.  The testimonials we have received, probably describe this relationship best.

One final thought, this time of year our “Dining Rooms”  finally get to be used. For most of us, our Dining Room is a special room that rarely gets visited. If you like some ideas on how to create a little more drama in your Dining Room and still stay on budget, give us a call or visit our Gallery of Photos for ideas. The Before & After photos are always fun to look at.

Again, Happy Holidays and takes lots of pictures! We truly wish everyone the best. Hug your family and friends a little bit longer this year, make sure you are the last one to let go. You will be surprised at their reaction…

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One of your most affordable and unique areas in your Home or Business to create “The Wow Effect” is your Tray Ceiling.  A stunning Decorative Finish, Venetian Plaster, Italian Finish or Faux Finish on a Tray Ceiling, can create a new level of drama that wasn’t there before. Everyone is always looking for ideas on how make their home special and a little different than everyone else’s.

If you are building or remodeling, consider adding a little magic to your Tray Ceiling in your Dining Room or Master Bedroom. Because your footage is small, your investment is affordable for almost every budget. Go through our Gallery and click on “Before & After” Photos to give you some ideas. Also click on “Ceilings“. I wish you could see these projects in person. The Home Owners “Testimonials” we have received through the years, express thoughts for our Art. Click on About to learn more about Bella Faux Finishes and their Artisans.

One Important Note – If you are building, ask your builder to “Not” put any texture or Crows Foots on your Tray Ceiling. This will save you some money. If you do have a Tray Ceiling with a Crows Foot Texture on it, that is not a problem. We will just have to float that smooth first.

 

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David and I still come across “Popcorn Ceilings” from time to time. The use of asbestos in the materials used to create a Popcorn Ceilings was banned in 1978, but the health risks still exist. Many homes today, that were built in the late 80′s with Popcorn Ceilings, still may have asbestos in their ceilings. The health risks are serious, if you have an Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling. Before begining any removal of your Popcorn Ceiling, have a sample sent to an EPA Certified Testing Lab to be safe.  Here is a great video by Ron Hazelton regarding How to Remove a Popcorn Textured or Acoustic Ceiling.

 

 

 

 

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