The designer said….

Do you remember the pots that I faux finished for a client that originally looked like this:


And I made them look like this:


I thought they looked wonderful.

However…… the designer said…

That the client said…..

“They look like Hobby Lobby”.

Oooooooooooooooooo-k.

(pause for emphasis……. and for the record- I love Hobby Lobby. I think God will have a Hobby Lobby in Heaven where everything will be FREE!!!!!!)

But… the client is the boss. So if she is not happy…. I have a bellyache.

The designer suggested I add rust, texture and no shine to the sheen. They wanted them “mucked up”… “not so pretty”.

So, after getting over my initial “how could they not like something I did” and “they are gorgeous just as they are” attitudes…. I painted them with Dead Flat Varnish to take off the sheen.

Then, I had a bottle of this rust texture in the basement that I bought from Faux Effects several years ago. It’s rust in color… its says “rust” on the bottle. May as well try it!


I decided to add chunks of it to the pots. It went on pretty cool….. but the next morning I panicked when I saw how it looked once it dried.


Oh crap. It looks like a disease had come on my pots. Or they got a mud bath. I felt sick.

But then…..beauty prevailed! I discovered if I chipped away at the mud-looking rust texture on the pots…. it took the finish back to the original black.



Somehow that rust texture has something in it that makes it eat away to the original layer and truly….it looks like authentic rust.


And FYI…. it was pretty easy to chip off. The 5-in-1 tool I used made it go quick. TA-DA!


I LUV them. I LUV this finish. I think my client was right. (oh it pains me to say it!)

I would love to know …Which do you like?

Exhibit A: Hobby Lobby style?

Exhibit B: Mucked up.

Or Exhibit C: You people should have left well enough alone and left them black.

Many blessings,
Jennifer

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35 comments

  3. may not be popular opinion, but I’m with “Hobby Lobby” look too. I’m with you on the “How can they not like something you did,” comment. ๐Ÿ™‚ I am a Hobby Lobby fan myself, however, i’m more of a “make a creative frame” for an original piece of poetry for gifts. I would LOVE to have your job…it’s gotta be so fun and rewarding. the thought of accomplishment you must feel everytime you finish a piece has to be great! Enjoy your Sunday! (ps I love how you took a picture of the “rust color” paint can – I was giggling a bit outloud at that point!)

  4. I would love to see what the rust on the black looked like.

    And can I say your quote about God and hobby lobby made me LOL!

  6. OUCH! It is hard to have our creative children criticized!!! I actually like them all! I am glad you are happy with the final outcome. I bet we will see that rust in the future on other projects! Blessings!

  9. ok, I prefer the Hobby Lobby over the rusted. I am a crafter so I was attracted to the Hobby Lobby ones right away. I am too hoping that their is a Hobby Lobby in Heaven that everything is free. Think of all the crafts we can do! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Patti

  10. Oh no she didn’t!!

    Here is the thing. Why couldn’t she just say, “the client is wanting a different look…a more rustic and less ‘new’ look. Could you do that for us?”

    Why go there with the Hobby Lobby comment?

    I think all three ways look great. For my house the black would work.

    When did you start working for the Housewives of New Jersey?

  13. You know them words are fighting words…slander against the hobbster! How dare they!! BUT….I do love the final product. It is crazy how sometimes out of a disaster comes beauty!! Gee Wiz I am getting all deep again. Loved the Hobby Lobby ones…LOVE the mucked up more!
    AMEN to a free Hobbster in heaven..LOL, you always crack me up.

  14. While I can appreciate each one – I still prefer the black or your lovely “hobby lobby” one. (But only because I’m not a fan of rust – ’cause it’s rust!)

    Love your work!

    Wanda (At Last…)

  15. I like the Hob Lob with a flat varnish, and could totally feel the ‘What? How could they?!’ with you… never have used that FE Designer Rust, looks interesting…

  16. Oh I loved the second version!!! Whatev Hobby Lobby!! I mean, I like love HB too, but seriously? I get so worked up when I client doesn’t like something too…but it happens. You do beautiful work!!

  17. I thought the faux finish was beautiful… The new Rust finish looks like it has a disease or something.. not for me. But everyone has their own style. I love your work.

  18. I can’t even make a decision on which I prefer. I’m still getting over being aggravated that anyone criticized the first round.

  19. B….B….B!!!!!!! I love them! I would pay BIG bucks for pots like that! You will be the first to know when I win the lotto! Great job, you amaze me! Paula

  23. Exhibit A was pretty, but I do love Exhibit B too! It is amazing what you were able to do, they look 100 years old!

    Great job! The client SHOULD be thrilled!

    Lou Cinda ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. I’m in love with the “Hobby Lobby” version. However, the rust ones are a real close second. As always, great work!

  26. Not sure any of them are my style … ๐Ÿ™‚ Of course, I have no green thumb so NOTHING would look good with DEAD plants in it!

  27. I like both of your versions. Do you know yet if the client like the re-do?

    smiles,
    Angie S.

  29. I love the rust! You have me thinking I may do mine on the front porch like that!

  30. Personally I like the Hobby Lobby look but then I’m not into the rust look. Maybe with plants in them they would look better.

  31. I’ve been lurking for a while but with this post, I had to comment.
    I love them both but the rust would better suit my style. And I understand about your feelings with a client not liking something that you (of course) think is perfect. But in the end, it lead you to something new and that is what faux finishing is all about. Great job! Love your blog!

  33. I like the Hobby Lobby look too. The rust look always makes me think it is neglected. Etched – OK, Burnished – OK. Shabby – OK. Rust – NO WAY!

    Have a great week.

    Charla

  35. Love love the ‘well loved’ look of the rusty pair. But then I have rusty barn tin on my living room wall. Rusty…rustic…well worn…well loved!

    I have just found your blog and am loving every part of it!

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