Starry, Starry Night

January 12, 2013 by guillaume Leave a Comment

Happy 2013, dear readers!  It’s been awhile since my last post, but things have been so busy at Decor by GG- I’ve been working on a new project in Palm Beach FL (perfect timing now that it’s winter!), which sometimes means I literally fly in and out of NYC on the same day! I’ve been blessed with my clients and my projects for the new year, but I wanted to showcase a cool project the G-Team worked on in November in Southhampton, NY.

A client wanted a stunning mural to spread over two ceilings of their new, eclectic-style house, so naturally a constellation theme came to mind!  Armed with print-outs of nautical star-charts, constellation maps, and lots of blue tape and pencils, the G-Team (Brendan and Stef) spent three weeks in the Hamptons putting up not one, but TWO murals on the living room ceilings!

After tracing the oval onto the ceiling and using a glaze to make a tempest-like grey background, Stef and Brendan created a grid on the ceiling using blue tape, then created a grid on the inspiration paper, in order to map real constellations as accurately as possible.  After marking with an “X”, they stenciled a circle with white paint, followed by a shimmery pearl to create an aura.  The lines connecting the dots were traced in silver, and swarovski crystals and silver glitter clouds were added for that extra twinkle!

Art-Deco style mountain patterns were hand-painted on the borders of the oval, and ship motifs were painted in the corner pieces.

The two ceilings we painted were connected with a fireplace in the center, and we chose to paint a section with a gridded nautical map and a large sun and moon.

The Sun on the East side of the room.

After a long week of painting with our necks pretty sore, on to room two- the Illustrated Constellation Room.  This was an exciting challenge for the G-team, as Brendan is a skilled draftsman who happens to love drawing fantastical animals and people!  By the time the room was completed, 30 original drawings were made to fit into another constellation grid on the ceiling!

Each image would be drawn over four times: Brendan would sketch out an image in pencil, then ink it in marker, and Stef would trace the backside with charcoal pencil. She would then tape it on the ceiling to match the stars already painted on, and then impress upon the drawing to transfer the charcoal.  The faint image on the ceiling would then be painted over with silvery-grey paint.

Here are some of the drawings and constellations made:

After a marathon of painting, drawing, and going up and down on ladders, the second room was finished!  Once we put all the furniture back in, it gave a subtle elegance that became interesting upon closer look.  Hopefully, the clients will be able to sit back on their couch, relax, and gaze upon the stars….even during the daytime!

Here’s to a wonderful and lucky 2013 from all of us here at the G-team!