JUST TO CLARIFY .

. . and clear up any confusion. I LOVE wood. It has a natural richness that says "quality". As a result, I am often asked to PAINT architectural details to make them LOOK like wood. These surfaces can be made out of ANY substance. . . drywall, MDF, trim moldings, plywood, previously painted cabinets, etc. I can match ANY wood species in ANY color.

These photos are almost like a game of "Where's Waldo". Try to guess what is the REAL wood and what is the PAINT. The answers are on the captions. If you don't believe me, I will gladly send you the before photos. Have fun.

44 Comments Displaying 25 of 44 comments | See Previous

Murals by Monti Oceanside, CA

This is stunning! I love the arched beams and your faux wood work is just spectacular!

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 0
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

She is the most amazing that I have ever seen. Very accomplished, organized, dependable, and published. She even does this on fabric, it is gorgeous!

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 1
Harold M Franklin, NC

I can't tell whats real wood and what isn't. You should work for the CIA. (Kiddin) Very impressive!

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 1
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

You brought a whole new definition to the word MDF. From now on I will think of it as Must Do Faux.
CP

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 0
Ella R Marietta, GA

Amazing job! What do you charge to pain one full size door like this?
thanks, Ella

on Sep 24, 2011 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Wow ... amazing work! Gives me some things to think about

on Sep 24, 2011 · Like 0
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Ella, It is rare that I am called in to do just one door. Usually there are multiple doors, trim, or even other things that I am painting at the same time. Since I am already at the home doing other projects, the doors are a very cost effective add on.
I would love to hear from some of the contractors here on Hometalk. How much does it cost to replace a white door with a stained and finished wood door? And, does that include the trim?

on Sep 24, 2011 · Like 0
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Time for true confessions: I spent yesterday at the Home Show. . . and had a ball. It was like a big party for all of the Hometalk pros!!! So, slowly but surely, I will be answering all of the questions that you have posted over the past couple of days.

on Sep 24, 2011 · Like 2
Helene C Alpharetta, GA

didn't see you at the homeshow in ATL but i didn't find the show to be all that wonderful, even a bit boring. I was looking for something to WOW me and there wasn't anything there like that. I'm in the kitchen and bath renovation planning stage and was looking for something that would make me really think about some new ideas--and it wasn't to be found.
PS your work is gorgeous!

on Oct 05, 2011 · Like 1
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

Helen, Sawhorse is giving away a free $25,000 bathroom remodel. You can sign up here if you like.Check it out: Atlanta Hometalk Users- Register to win a FREE green bathroom makeover...

on Oct 05, 2011 · Like 1
SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA

Helene- thanks for stopping by our booth at the home show. Here are some pictures of recent projects- a few of them are of kitchens. http://www.hometalk.com/member/2bx3gno6xd?t... I will have one of our designers give you a call tomorrow.

on Oct 05, 2011 · Like 1
Helene C Alpharetta, GA

Thanks for the link to your photos, some of which I really like. As for the bathroom, I've got an ugly master bath that might qualify. I'll go see what I need to do to register. What the heck--you never know. I'll share a joke with you that will inspire registrations: A man prays to God, "Please God, let me win the lottery!" every week for three weeks, day after day, and nothing happens. He begins to lose faith but, finally, during the fourth week of endless praying he hears the voice of ...»
God! "Buy a ticket! Buy a ticket! You can't win if you don't buy a ticket!" OK--so I'll go look-see what it takes to get a make-over in my master bath...

on Oct 06, 2011 · Like 0
Helene C Alpharetta, GA

oh well, my master bath's too big for your contest. I guess ugliness can't be contained. LOL

on Oct 06, 2011 · Like 0
Karianne R Woodsville, NH

This is gorgeous! I love the idea!

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Kat B

Excellent work! Your color matching is superb! I do work like this, only on a smaller scale.

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Ramona D

absolutely amazing !!!! beautiful ....your truly talented

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
The Space Between Key West, FL

Such awesome finishing techniques!

on Jun 30, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Your work is absolutely beautiful Kass. I've read that it used to be quite common for faux artists, (ha ha, that sound funny) used to travel from town to town doing painting such as yours. At that time it was less costly to pay a "starving artist" than it was to have the real thing in ones home.

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Yes, and sometimes I still feel like one of those traveling artists. People move or get second homes. They like what I do and are comfortable with my skills and work ethic. So, they fly me in to do their projects.
Price wise, it is still more cost effective to paint existing cabinetry to look like wood than to tear out the old, rebuild it and HOPE that you can get the color you want. The graining that I ...»
do is so realistic that you can not tell the difference. Also, you can request exotic woods (flame mahogany, burl or birdseye maple). Most of these are quite pricey and some not even available anymore in the "real" thing. I can match any color and any grain. This is possible because of years of study and experience. My only word of caution is that many artists SAY they do wood graining but it is nothing more than a simple stria finish in wood tone colors. Be sure to look closely at examples of their work. Nothing will reduce the value a home more than a cheap imitation!

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 1
Becky Blair, NE

Oh I'm with you there Kass. This is not something just anyone can do. I did an armoire with faux wenge wood, but really it was more the colors and the "idea" of wenge wood. It's obviously not the real thing. But I didn't want to take the time it would have taken to make it look more real. The piece I was working on wasn't worth the effort either.

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
Lori T

Wow you do beautiful work.

on Sep 26, 2012 · Like 0
Judy D Mustang, OK

Beautiful home and beautiful work!!!!

on Oct 04, 2012 · Like 0
Lindsay Johnes

wow awesome work!!!

on Nov 24, 2012 · Like 0
Jean Athens, AL

I would love to paint the beams in my house to look like the ones in photo two! Could I ask for instructions? I have always done my own painting, faux painting, tole painting, etc. Could you send instructions with steps????? THANK YOU.

on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 0
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Jean, thank you for the compliment. I always appreciate when people recognize excellence in my work. I wish it was as easy as sending you a couple of steps so you could DIY and achieve the same results. It has taken me 15 years of study, classes and experience to do this. The best I can offer is that there are some very basic instructions in one of the chapters of my book, "Creative Finishes". It is available on Amazon.

on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 1