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Decorative Arts/Questions Answered by Expert Darek Sokol
| Subject | Date Asked |
| repair to broken plaster bust | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: My wife has had a bust of Buddha made from plaster for over 19 years. Recently, one of our ... A: Of course it is repairable but to assure a satisfying result this restoration work should be ... | |
| crown molding | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: I would like to add crown molding in my living room. I have recently installed hardwood floors and ... A: Sorry it took me so long to answer your question. I have tained and painted crown moldings dark (to ... | |
| How to create faux wood grain on plaster frames | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: I have quite a few oval plaster frames that have come down through my family. Several need the ... A: This is not that simple job as it may look. First of all you will need to restore those missing ... | |
| bright gold to antique gold | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a ceiling fan that has bright gold metal on it, I was wondering is there a way I can tone ... A: I recommend glazing the metal parts with a dark brown glaze. Unscrew all the fan wings first. Next ... | |
| preparing previously painted frame for new finish | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: Found a beautiful frame but it is gold and I need it to be silver. It has a lot of detail. What do ... A: First I would paint the frame with a dark gray (almost black) color. Now, normally I don't recommend ... | |
| faux painting | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: I did decorative painting for years, but not lately. A friend wants me to do "something" with a ... A: To make paint durable I would use either oil based primer and paint, or if you want to make it a bit ... | |
| Mirror | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: Darek, I haven't tackled the mirror yet, waiting on your response as to how to start. I'm not sure ... A: I'd try using the materials that you bought first. Paint just a part and see how it looks. Remember, ... | |
| refinishing a mirror frame | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I am currently refinishing an old wood and resin mirror frame with a great deal of scroll work. I ... A: With the brown wall use a very dark brown, almost black for darkening the spaces in between the ... | |
| Mirror | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: I also have a large gold bamboo mirror that I would like "toned" down to a more Oriental feel. I ... A: I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question on time. I was so busy with my work. It sounds like you ... | |
| toning down gold mirror | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I have a large gold mirror in my dining room, I'm getting ready to sell my house. The gold is quite ... A: You will need to glaze it over. Just buy a quart of water based faux glaze in Home Depot and mix it ... | |
| Painted Slate | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: I am painting black slate from my backyard to sell. To fully satisfy my customers, I wanted to also ... A: I would recommend making wire hangers. You can google some websites selling "plates hangers" or ... | |
| outdoor plaster statuette | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: right thumb of subject has been broken and lost.plaster thumb lost is about an inch and a half long. ... A: I'm not sure if the size of the statuette is close to real person's size. If yes, I would try to ... | |
| crown molding | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: Would it look right to have white crown molding and stained baseboards in the same room? I have ... A: My wife would probably say "yes" because she likes eclectic style. I personally prefer one style, ... | |
| proper tape to fasten temporary items to painted walls | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: At our church we have occasion to temporarily fasten paper or poster items to the painted walls in ... A: Have you tried removable poster tacks? I think you can get different adhesive strength. You can try ... | |
| faux ceiling | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: i have some ceiling paper for the kitchen that look like tin need some instruction on how to get a ... A: Normally, if you would be painting on a wall or ceiling directly I would say paint the base coat ... | |
| Painting on a metal decorative mirror | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I am in charge of creating a school fundraiser auction project for my sons 6th grade class. I am ... A: It would look beautiful if you could etch kids names with acid but since you don't have experience ... | |
| painting wall sconces | 2/6/2009 |
| Q: I have shiney gold wall scones I would like to make grayish/pewter with just a little black in it. I ... A: Just recently I've accomplished similar project. I've antiqued a very shiny brass chandelier. I've ... | |
| painting | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: How do I paint over chalk board paint on my son's bedroom wall? Do I need to use a primer & if so ... A: Yes, primimg the chalk board paint is recommended. I would use Kilz or Shellac. You can also ... | |
Darek Sokol
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer many questions about faux painting techniques, especially Venetian Plasters, marbling, woodgraining as well as all questions related to mural painting. Also restoration of historic plaster decorations and sculpture is my favorive subject.
Experience
I have been restoring architectural decorations (mostly plaster reliefs and sculptures) in historic places in Europe and recently in USA. My biggest professional achievement in this area was restoring baroque vaults and columns in one of the most significant buildings in Wroclaw, Poland. I have also worked in Czech Republic, Germany, England and Sweden before I have moved to America. Here I had a chance to work mostly in private homes and mansions. I have done some restoration work in historic home of former Mayor of Oak Park, IL, few sculptures in Phoenix AZ, and historical spiral staircase in Broadmoor Hotel in my town Colorado Springs, CO where I have my own decorating business. You can vist www.EuropeanPainter.com to see most of my recent work.
Organizations
DarCo International - an organization for fine artists and designers.
ISDPM - International Society of Decorative Painters and Muralists.
Education/Credentials
BA in fine art, private Art School in Katowice, Poland;
Faux Design Studio, Elmhurst, IL
Past/Present Clients
Coca Cola Poland, University of Wroclaw, Poland, Rosatti Pizza Troon, AZ, Bed and Breakfast Divide, CO, Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO
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