AboutCyndie Stefanik Expertise Co-Developer/author of the patent pending "Color with No Regrets" Selection System. Just recently her Color Program was featured in Faux Effects World Magazine and a separate featured article for her virtual consultations in House Trends Magazine. Her Color with No Regrets online video Color Class is the first to earn IACET Certification with the Society of Decorating Professionals. Her specialty is the $199 whole house virtual consultation which is especially popular for new construction and remodeling projects all over the country. As a retired award winning decorative artist, she now donates her services on a regular basis to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Experience I began as a decorative painter/artist 15 years ago. My work has appeared in magazines from award winning designer show houses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Architectural Digest. Most recently I have spent the last 3 years creating, developing and patenting a numerical color selection system that takes the subjective nature out of color. Since it is numerically based, color can be chosen quickly and accurately. For the past year, I have conducted training seminars for the "Color with No Regrets" System to decorating professionals around the United States. My background in decorative painting/art, has given me real life experience of how color works but more importantly why it works based on sound color principles. I am also an authorized Aqua Finishing Solutions Distributor and a certified training instructor for the Society of Decorating Professionals.
Organizations The Society of Decorating Professionals
Publications Recent articles and showcase projects appear in Faux Effects World Magazine, House Trends Magazine, WJET-TV for decorative painting set design, as well as local publications in Western Pennsylvania such as Today's Home. I am a regular guest on Good Morning Erie, WJET-TV, an ABC affliate as the Princess of Paint, where I provide decorating, painting techniques and problem solving for viewers.
Question The small front porch section of our home is white brick (abour a 7' wide area). It is not painted white, it's just naturally white. I was wondering if there is any method of faux painting (for exterior surfaces) where I can make this white brick look like traditional red/brown brick, to match our new chimney? Obviously being around the front door of our house, I want to make sure that it looks pretty close to real brick. Any suggestions?
Answer Hi Michele,
Actually this finish is easier than you think. First paint the brick the same color as your grout for the new chimney. Next get a styrofoam plate and add 3 colors next to each other. 1. Red (to match your brick) Brown again found in your brick and this may have a more tan tone which is fine and the 3rd color gray like your grout.
Then take a sea sponge and pull a few pieces out of it so there are a lot of holes. Dampen the sponge, and pounce the sponge onto the paper plate so the colors touch and blend. Don't mix the colors by stirring, just allow them to get mixed a little on their own. Pounce onto the brick allowing the colors to blend very slightly. Once the color turns too muddy. Add fresh red, brown and grey to keep the colors pretty fresh. This is why you need to use just a little bit of color, so you can keep adding a fresh batch of each color to the plate.
This probably sounds very confusing and you may think it's going to turn into one muddy mess, but if you keep the colors fresh (even washing your sponge out on occasion) it really works. Feel free to contact me and I will walk you thru it and give you more information.
Thanks for asking. Good luck with your project. If you get the colors to match the brick...it should turn out just fine. Also, use exterior paint (low sheen) latex, I always recommend a premium brand regardless of manufacturer.
