Brass to the Past

Here are KAID, we do a lot of custom pieces because we like things to be PERFECT!  Oddly enough, doing custom pieces is often cheaper and quicker than purchasing from a vendor... who knew?  Anyway, in the process of creating some MAGENTA Louis XIV commode pieces, we needed to find hardware and ormolus for the piece.  Searching all over the internet, we found some great antique ormolu pieces, but finding vintage-esque handles and escutcheons was proving to be nearly impossible.  We did some research and discovered you can age brass...  Soooo, with lots of trial and error, we discovered the most efficient was is as follows:

1.  Make sure your brass pieces are REAL!

2.  Most newer brass pieces have a coating on it.  We got lucky and had the kind of coating that comes off with acetone.  If you have the stubborn coating, you're on your own!

3.  After removing the coating, rinse off the hardware with water and dry.

4.  Once dry, you'll need to submerse the pieces into Brass Darkening Solution J-3499.  Buy it HERE!

5.  It has all the directions on the back of the bottle, so just follow them from there!
6.  If you leave it in too long, all you have to do is polish it up a bit.  We always use Brasso, you can buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot in the cleaning department.

7.  Let us know how this works for you :)

RESULTS 

By Kim Armstrong Interior Design

The Pink and the Gray

Well, this might be a bit premature, but I have to share our most recent work here at Kim Armstrong Interior Design.  We haven't gotten these professional photographed, but you can very much appreciate the design and customizations by my awesome I-phone photos.  Enjoy, and of course, what do you think!??

This photo is actually professionally done.  The chair and vanity are both completely custom, designed by KAID.  This photo was taken by Kim Burnstad (who is AMAZING!)  Please visit her website at kbbphotography.com

Like I said, I-phone photo, but you can see how delicious this room is.  Custom headboard, daybed, bedding, and frames!  All done by yours truly, Kim Armstrong ID

Ms. Wilma's favorite spot in the house.  She blends nicely :)

Wall of custom frames with family photos.  It doesn't get much more beautiful/heartfelt than that.

Wonder Wall

Decorating your walls can kinda be like writer's block.  You know, that empty, frustrating feeling of nothingness?  

People want their spaces to feel special and personal, but not every item can have deep, warm-your-heart meaning.  If you are suffering from the “blank wall blues”, here are a couple of ways to add some oomph to your space.  Even if you don’t decorate with Grandma’s heirlooms or award winning art pieces, at least make it look like it :)

The arrangement of six frames on the back wall are none other than... pages from a book!  This was a coastal themed beach house in Galveston, Texas, so we found a book with sea animals and birds and had a local frame shop frame and matte them for us.
source of above photo

Framed and matted intaglios look super rich and classy.  You can get them made of plaster, which is inexpensive.  Do spend money on good framing, it is soooo worth the look you will get.

source of above photo

Close up of intaglios
source of above photo

Have tons of digital photos?  Alter the coloring to be black and white or sepia tone and print them out at your desired size.  Most frame shops or Kinko's can help you to do that.  Creating a symmetrical arrangement like the one featured above can create such a strong element to any space.
source of above photo

Who loves thrift store shopping?  Check out your local thrift/consignment/and even garage sales to find some old vintage frames.  Paint and distress them yourself, then hang them EMPTY.  Yes, let the frame be the art.
source of above photo