north shore news

Decorative painting adds spice

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter deana@nsnews.com

SOMETIMES, all it takes to liven up a dull room or piece of fur- niture is a Touch of Art.

And Martina Taschner ean provide it. The German- born artist has turned her hobby of decorative painting into her own busin called, appropriately, A Touch of Art.

She left an office job to launch the business and said: “Pm happy new, and thar makes all the difference.” And that happiness trans into créarive and ex work for her clients.

Walls, ceiling, floors and furniture have all) come under Taschner’s brush. A quick flip through her port- folio and the range of her abilities is evident.

As well as popular faux finishing techniques to add texture and warmth to walls, she paints colourful murals perfect for daydreamers.

Asmall, windowless room is made bigger with the addi- tion of a. wide painted win- _dow framed by curtains, revealing a sparkling ocean view.

The window is open, to fet in an aflmost-tangible ocean breeze.

Onc kitchen table seems to rest on a sunny Mediterranean terrace, com- plete with a view of white- washed homes clinging to the hillside above the ocean.

And the addition of a gar- den gate covered in climb-

ing plants, painted at the end’

of a hallway, gives the illu- sion of length and invites the viewer to step into the gar- den.

As wel} as walls, Taschner paints furniture.

“[’ve painted a lot of chil- dren’s furniture. | use bright

Heip with home decor

YOUR home reflects your nwn sense of style, so more and more people are look- ing for new ways to recre- ate their space.

Whether it’s a one-bed- room apartment, a condo or a house in the suburbs, Decorating at Home — anew 96-page step-by-step guide from paint and decorating experts at Home Hardware can help you do just that.

The book describes the latest painting techniques and innovative “faux” looks; offers easy instruction for cre- ating clegant accessories and accent pieces; shows pages of ideas for kids’ rooms as well as floor, ceiling and window treatments, and even includes full-size stencil patterns.

Pick up Decorating at Home at Home Hardware and Home Building Supply stores for $12.99.

colours and sometimes | cre ate UNigue pieces To match the decor of the child's room,”

She has also painted pieces for the rest of the home.

Orten, she'll let her intag- ination dictate how she paints the pieces she’s dis covered, Which have includ- ed old dressers, chests, curio tables and chairs.

“But omany customers bring quality furniture they may have had for a while, and it doesn’t mateh or it looks worn our, and FE paint it to their specifications,” she said.

“A tittle paint makes a huge difference.”

Vaschner can give furni-

ture Su s the look of

many types ot wood grain, polished) marble, tortoise: shell, cane, Jeather or other materials requested by her clients.

For more information, call Taschner at 737-4352.

Protect Your Assets

FROM HARMFUL RAYS

Photos submitted

A painted throw rug warms up an otherwise cold commercial bath- room (above), and chil- dren’s furniture comes

' alive with bright colours

and whimsical patterns

Sunday. May 30, 1999 — North Shore News — 31

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