Over the years, in writing our newsletter (which is also posted on this blog) we have interviewed and hosted guest blogs by numerous brilliant and talented Bay Area interior designers and landscape architects, sharing their wisdom on how to make our homes beautiful, inside and out.
This post is an opportunity for us to collect links to all of these articles in one place and share them with you! And if you are not already on our e-newsletter or snail-mail newsletter list, please reach out to us and let us know. Send a message to [email protected] or sign up via the contact form on our website: craftsmanpainters.com/contact. Please include your physical address if you would like to receive the print version.
Over the years, in writing our newsletter (which is also posted on this blog) we have interviewed and hosted guest blogs by numerous brilliant and talented Bay Area interior designers and landscape architects, sharing their wisdom on how to make our homes beautiful, inside and out.
This post is an opportunity for us to collect links to all of these articles in one place and share them with you! And if you are not already on our e-newsletter or snail-mail newsletter list, please reach out to us and let us know. Send a message to [email protected] or sign up via the contact form on our website: craftsmanpainters.com/contact. Please include your physical address if you would like to receive the print version.
The glass art greets one on the approach to her front door, sculptures both vertically and horizontally oriented, in the garden and on the porch. I am at the home of Mary Albert, glass artist, and longtime Arana client. Fans of our newsletter may recognize the sumptuous interior colors she chose for her basement ADU which we’ve featured before in this newsletter, or her kitchen with the art-tile backsplash, included among the many favorites in our cookbook.
We start our tour in the driveway; her mosaic tiles in non-matching designs are set along the two sides. The tiles used to be just laid in the dirt, until somebody stole one, and she took the rest inside to reassess. “Why did they take THAT one? Am I angry or am I flattered?” she mused at the time. (Today, the missing tile has been replaced by a new one, and all 26 are now permanently installed.)
The garage door opens to reveal an inviting mad scientist’s/artist’s lair, outfitted all around with shelves holding pounds and pounds of colored glass and gear; workstation front and center.
Inside the house, our first stop is the dining room table where all of her current for-sale pieces are laid out in piles and wrapped in foam, awaiting pricing for her next show. More of her glass-art dishes, plates, plaques, and organic shapes are displayed throughout the house, sometimes next to pieces made by other glass artists she respects and admires. We visit her kitchen, featured in Arana’s cookbook, and I get to see close-up the mosaic backsplash featuring a fleur de lys; a piece she commissioned mosaicist Gina Domingue to make for her and that they built to be removable, should she ever decide to move.
We retire to the back balcony, surrounded by chirping birds and more of her outdoor landscape adornments, a set of glass and cement stepping stones are visible in a path that meanders down through the garden below.
Our interview begins… Artist, artisan, crafter? All of the above.
Mary explains, “People love the Craft vs. Art discussion. I don’t hold that distinction, necessarily I think possibly the difference is that craft is usable and art is a visual feast; and so many arts are crafts and so many crafts are art.
“When I started, I was making pieces I was really enjoying making, which were very large and kind of expensive to make, and they weren’t selling the way I wanted them to.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do to change that. I started looking at ways to use up scrap glass. Every week I would make small pieces with that; wasabi dishes, sushi dishes, dessert plates for petit fours, and they were selling – people loved them!
“The big stuff, people think, ‘What am I going to do with that? Who can I give it to? I can’t afford it.’ But then, sometimes something speaks to you and you really want that thing. Someone might say to me, ‘I love that! Do you have anything like that, but smaller?’”
Her light eyes sparkle as she speaks. “What’s been lovely is that people come back a couple months later for the larger piece: ‘Do you still have it? I can’t stop thinking about it! I really want it.’
Her voice has distinctive rasp, and a cadence that is almost bubbly but with an underlying intensity, the fierceness with which she approaches everything – from her past experiences as a law school student, a denizen of corporate America, a second career as a voice-over actor, and now her work making fused glass. Her nom-de-kiln is Glass-Vox (glass-vox.com), a nod to her two favorite professions.
Utility and beauty are almost equal parts of her ethos. “I like making things that people can use. Most of what I make is useful – not just art. I believe to my core that art is crucial. And, I like color. I love to set a pretty table! If you have color popping on that table, that’s fun!”
At the time of publication, Albert and other artists like her are gearing up for holiday craft sales. While she is adept at gift-sized art, Albert is not in the business of making multiples past an individual set.
“A lot of people go into production and they are brilliant at it,” she notes. “But I don’t typically make the same thing more than once.” Her plates come in sets of two or sometimes four. “I have too many ideas in my head to do sets!” she laughs. “I love a matched pair and have done things that are similar or could go together; I will use the same color palette to make a serving set – bowl, platter, plates – but they will not be exactly identical.” She doesn’t repeat her mosaic pieces, either.
Albert’s “functional art glass” is also not just for sale. She regularly donates pieces to community fundraisers and rents work out for staging homes.
Her passion for glass art started with a class in the early 2000s, and later, joining The Crucible in 2013 was a turning point, giving her access to a large-scale kiln to make bigger pieces, as well as immersing her in the inspiration and encouragement that comes from being among a community of fellow women-artists.
She says, “What I discovered, working alongside this group of all-women, some who had been doing this for 20-plus years; they were all so generous and kind, offering advice and suggestions and tips…. In the classroom you are making smaller pieces. Once you join a lab, you are sharing molds and other resources. You learn so much in that situation, even just observing, and that emboldens you to try something new.”
The kiln itself is a collaborator and co-conspirator. Albert describes, “A lot of magic happens in the kiln; forgiveness and joy comes out of the kiln. You put something in and you didn’t know it would flow like this and fill in that gap and when it comes out, all the faults I saw going in have corrected themselves; the kiln makes me look good.”
We finish our meeting with a tour of the downstairs ADU. Where the main living area of the house boasts a more subtle palette, the ADU is where Albert let her imagination run a little wilder. With the assistance of a color consultant, and her experience in a painting-textures class, she selected the rich coppery textured wall for the entry and kitchen, and the deep “dark cherry” almost-purple textured walls with glossy chocolate-brown trim and ceiling in the living room – colors that evoke a feeling of “steam-punk” luxe.
Our very last stop on the tour is back out front, admiring more of Albert’s glass art pieces, which are placed amongst the river rocks around a tree in that little patch of garden next to the sidewalk; all of which, so far, remain in situ.
2024 Holiday Art and Craft Shows Shadowlands Holiday Faire & Holiday Teas; Shadelands Ranch Museum, Walnut Creek, November 30-December 15 Oakland Cottage Industry Show; 4101 Park Blvd., Oakland, December 7 GIFTY at The Crucible 1260 7th St., Oakland (near West Oakland BART), December 7-8 (Mary will be there on the 8th)
View Mary Albert’s Work Instagram: @glassvoxbyhand Website: glass-vox.com Private showings on request
The glass art greets one on the approach to her front door, sculptures both vertically and horizontally oriented, in the garden and on the porch. I am at the home of Mary Albert, glass artist, and longtime Arana client. Fans of our newsletter may recognize the sumptuous interior colors she chose for her basement ADU which we’ve featured before in this newsletter, or her kitchen with the art-tile backsplash, included among the many favorites in our cookbook.
We start our tour in the driveway; her mosaic tiles in non-matching designs are set along the two sides. The tiles used to be just laid in the dirt, until somebody stole one, and she took the rest inside to reassess. “Why did they take THAT one? Am I angry or am I flattered?” she mused at the time. (Today, the missing tile has been replaced by a new one, and all 26 are now permanently installed.)
The garage door opens to reveal an inviting mad scientist’s/artist’s lair, outfitted all around with shelves holding pounds and pounds of colored glass and gear; workstation front and center.
Inside the house, our first stop is the dining room table where all of her current for-sale pieces are laid out in piles and wrapped in foam, awaiting pricing for her next show. More of her glass-art dishes, plates, plaques, and organic shapes are displayed throughout the house, sometimes next to pieces made by other glass artists she respects and admires. We visit her kitchen, featured in Arana’s cookbook, and I get to see close-up the mosaic backsplash featuring a fleur de lys; a piece she commissioned mosaicist Gina Domingue to make for her and that they built to be removable, should she ever decide to move.
We retire to the back balcony, surrounded by chirping birds and more of her outdoor landscape adornments, a set of glass and cement stepping stones are visible in a path that meanders down through the garden below.
Our interview begins… Artist, artisan, crafter? All of the above.
Mary explains, “People love the Craft vs. Art discussion. I don’t hold that distinction, necessarily I think possibly the difference is that craft is usable and art is a visual feast; and so many arts are crafts and so many crafts are art.
“When I started, I was making pieces I was really enjoying making, which were very large and kind of expensive to make, and they weren’t selling the way I wanted them to.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do to change that. I started looking at ways to use up scrap glass. Every week I would make small pieces with that; wasabi dishes, sushi dishes, dessert plates for petit fours, and they were selling – people loved them!
“The big stuff, people think, ‘What am I going to do with that? Who can I give it to? I can’t afford it.’ But then, sometimes something speaks to you and you really want that thing. Someone might say to me, ‘I love that! Do you have anything like that, but smaller?’”
Her light eyes sparkle as she speaks. “What’s been lovely is that people come back a couple months later for the larger piece: ‘Do you still have it? I can’t stop thinking about it! I really want it.’”
Her voice has distinctive rasp, and a cadence that is almost bubbly but with an underlying intensity, the fierceness with which she approaches everything – from her past experiences as a law school student, a denizen of corporate America, a second career as a voice-over actor, and now her work making fused glass. Her nom-de-kiln is Glass-Vox (glass-vox.com), a nod to her two favorite professions.
Utility and beauty are almost equal parts of her ethos. “I like making things that people can use. Most of what I make is useful – not just art. I believe to my core that art is crucial. And, I like color. I love to set a pretty table! If you have color popping on that table, that’s fun!”
At the time of publication, Albert and other artists like her are gearing up for holiday craft sales. While she is adept at gift-sized art, Albert is not in the business of making multiples past an individual set.
“A lot of people go into production and they are brilliant at it,” she notes. “But I don’t typically make the same thing more than once.” Her plates come in sets of two or sometimes four. “I have too many ideas in my head to do sets!” she laughs. “I love a matched pair and have done things that are similar or could go together; I will use the same color palette to make a serving set – bowl, platter, plates – but they will not be exactly identical.” She doesn’t repeat her mosaic pieces, either.
Albert’s “functional art glass” is also not just for sale. She regularly donates pieces to community fundraisers and rents work out for staging homes. Her passion for glass art started with a class in the early 2000s, and later, joining The Crucible in 2013 was a turning point, giving her access to a large-scale kiln to make bigger pieces, as well as immersing her in the inspiration and encouragement that comes from being among a community of fellow women-artists.
She says, “What I discovered, working alongside this group of all-women, some who had been doing this for 20-plus years; they were all so generous and kind, offering advice and suggestions and tips…. In the classroom you are making smaller pieces. Once you join a lab, you are sharing molds and other resources. You learn so much in that situation, even just observing, and that emboldens you to try something new.”
The kiln itself is a collaborator and co-conspirator. Albert describes, “A lot of magic happens in the kiln; forgiveness and joy comes out of the kiln. You put something in and you didn’t know it would flow like this and fill in that gap and when it comes out, all the faults I saw going in have corrected themselves; the kiln makes me look good.”
We finish our meeting with a tour of the downstairs ADU. Where the main living area of the house boasts a more subtle palette, the ADU is where Albert let her imagination run a little wilder. With the assistance of a color consultant, and her experience in a painting-textures class, she selected the rich coppery textured wall for the entry and kitchen, and the deep “dark cherry” almost-purple textured walls with glossy chocolate-brown trim and ceiling in the living room – colors that evoke a feeling of “steam-punk” luxe.
Our very last stop on the tour is back out front, admiring more of Albert’s glass art pieces, which are placed amongst the river rocks around a tree in that little patch of garden next to the sidewalk; all of which, so far, remain in situ.
2024 Holiday Art and Craft Shows Shadowlands Holiday Faire & Holiday Teas; Shadelands Ranch Museum, Walnut Creek, November 30-December 15 Oakland Cottage Industry Show; 4101 Park Blvd., Oakland, December 7 GIFTY at The Crucible 1260 7th St., Oakland (near West Oakland BART), December 7-8 (Mary will be there on the 8th)
As the name of our company implies, we (Donatella and Simona) are both Italian, and our interior design style takes inspiration from the wonder that is Italy. Although we live in California, we return to our home country every year – to visit family, source from our vendors and of course, for inspiration.
Drawing from the elegance, history, and artistic heritage of Italy while blending in a more laid-back, contemporary vibe of California we create home designs for our clients that are stylish, classic yet fresh, and beautifully livable. Would you like to bring a bit of Europe into your California home?
Here are a few design tips, along with photos from our most recent trip, this past summer:
Classic Meets Modern: Think of a sleek minimalist living room adorned with a vintage Venetian mirror or a rustic Tuscan dining table paired with modern chairs. This juxtaposition creates a unique and eclectic aesthetic that is both sophisticated and inviting.
Natural Materials and Textures: Italian design emphasizes the use of natural materials like stone, marble, wood, and wrought iron and brass. Consider pairing a marble sink reminiscent of an Italian villa with a modern kitchen; or terracotta tiles to bring warmth and texture to a patio, reminiscent of the landscapes of Tuscany.
Artisanal Craftsmanship: From hand-painted ceramics to custom-made furniture, investing in quality pieces sourced in Italy not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also creates a sense of connection to European artistry and heritage.
Earth Tones and Neutral Palettes: Italian interiors often feature a palette of earthy tones, inspired by the natural surroundings. Warm beiges, soft browns, and muted greens evoke the tranquility of the countryside.
Maximizing Natural Light: Taking full advantage of natural light is a concept that Italians and Californians share. Large windows and open floor plans invite light in; sheer curtains or strategically placed mirrors can enhance this effect.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Taking inspiration from Italian courtyards and terraces, add comfortable seating areas, outdoor kitchens, and lush greenery to the backyard.
Al Fresco Dining: Adding a rustic wooden table, string lights, and potted plants evokes the charm of an Italian piazza and encourages leisurely meals under an open sky – embodying the relaxed, communal spirit of both cultures.
Curated Collections: Europeans, particularly Italians, have a knack for curating collections of art, books, and antiques. Californians can adopt this approach by displaying personal collections that tell a story and add character to their homes.
Timeless Elegance: Choose pieces that transcend trends – quality over quantity, classic pieces, and a cohesive design scheme can create interiors that are both stylish and enduring.
To see more of what is possible when bringing Italian aesthetics and sensibilities into California homes, visit www.florentine-design.com
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Photo info:
Marble and coffered ceilings balance the contemporary feel of the lighting and colors in this completely transformed kitchen in San Francisco. Interior Design by Florentine Design. Photographer: Nadia Andreini | DILUNA Photography
Venice Canal: Colors mirrored by the water are a feast for the eyes. Photographer: Donatella Mazzini
This modern chandelier perfectly fits in the classic foyer of this San Francisco Victorian; Interior Design by Florentine Design. Photographer: Nadia Andreini | DILUNA Photography
Minimalism meets beautiful details in this restaurant interior – with a Murano glass chandelier, rich wood tables and beautiful, original, 1500s vaulted ceilings; in Tolentino, Italy. Photographer Simona Corradini
Donatella Mazzini (left) and Simona Corradini (right), founders of Florentine Design
House Painting Project in Oakland, CA, Grand View.
Rebuilt from the ashes of the Oakland fire in 1991, this grand home with a grand view (on Grand View!) was ready for a kitchen refresh. Arana painted all of the cabinetry, taking it from a dated and yellowy stained wood to this bright and light, more modern design.
About Arana Craftsman Painters
Arana Craftsman Painters is a premier, family-owned residential painting company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They specialize in both interior and exterior painting, bringing the beauty of homes to life with their expert craftsmanship.
Their services extend beyond painting to include plaster and drywall repair, wallpaper removal, wood restoration, waterproofing, caulking, and sealing. Clients have praised their superior workmanship and reasonable project timelines, noting that their homes look as if they were new after Arana’s work.
Arana Craftsman Painters serves the Bay Area, including cities like Oakland and Berkeley, offering professional painting services for both residential and commercial projects. Their experienced team brings years of expertise to each project, ensuring high-quality results that enhance the beauty and value of homes and businesses.
Beautiful home in Alameda we had the pleasure of working on.
We love houses that have lots of decorative details!
These homeowners chose a palette that not only reflects their love of U.C. Berkeley, but also highlights the craftsmanship on the vintage early 1900s woodwork. Choosing a darker gray for below the molding is another creative choice that adds to the curb appeal. And the fact that the houses on either side are gray on the one, and blue on the other, speaks to how choosing a palette can be a decision that plays well with others, and contributes to the beauty of the whole neighborhood.
A little bit about Alameda.
Alameda is a city located in Alameda County, California, situated in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city occupies an informal archipelago, including Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, providing a unique geographic setting. With a population of around 77,600 people, Alameda boasts a diverse community, where 24.6% of residents were born outside the United States. Alameda is characterized by its suburban feel, offering a blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm. The city takes pride in its sense of community and local initiatives, such as the “Love Our Island” campaign, which fosters civic pride and engagement
It is EASY being green… It’s just not easy CHOOSING green
We think this palette is divine!!!👏 Great work on the part of the Designer, Leela Willow. The color on the garage door is just a pleasure for the eyes!
PROJECT DETAILS: Spray application done by our Craftsman Painter Julio Cadenas on this gorgeous custom garage door. Part of a ground-up addition to a rustic former hunting lodge in the Piedmont Hills.
GARAGE DOOR COLOR: Rainy Afternoon 1575, Benjamin Moore in Satin finish
NOTE: While we love Satin for the way that it can render any minor variations in the underlying surface less visible, as well as for its muted sheen, we generally recommend Semi Gloss — which is a bit shinier, yes, but also more durable — for any exterior wood surfaces.
A question we often get asked is: “Do you do color brush outs?”
YES. We do!
What is a Brush Out?
A brush out is when your painter takes samples of the colors you are considering and paints them directly on the surface for you so you can see how they will interact with that surface, and how light affects the color throughout the day. Even light bouncing off the floor affects how a color reads.
We find that sometimes our clients need almost-life-sized samples to get a sense of what the final result is going to look like. This is one way we can help people choose!
How big is a brush out sample?
Often we go with a 2ft x 2ft square.
In the images on this post, as you can see, the colors the client is deciding between are not that far apart from each other in terms of tone. This type of choice can be particularly challenging.
The brush-out helps them compare and contrast, and make a better choice!
And yes, we will prime right over those samples before painting the room, so that the final result is clean and even.
Option B is to do brush outs on a card, which doesn’t give the same surface-interaction, but is close enough, and bonus, you can move it around the room to see the light in different areas.
However (are you still with us? This is pretty nerd-level detail…) we prefer painting directly on the wall, especially in older homes where walls often have a texture to them which causes the color to read a little differently.
How can we help you have the best experience with hiring a painting contractor for your home’s interiors and exteriors? Contact us to learn more about our full-service offerings.
With this recent exterior paint job, performed by Arana Craftsman Painters, this lovely Oakland home went from white-and-brown to shades of blue with hints of green, and gray trim. The color palette was selected by our dear colleague (whose services are included in our whole-house-exterior-paint contracts) Cass Morris.
Cass took in homeowners Kelly and Nat’s lovingly-tended gardens and the neutral tones of existing hardscaping and outdoor kitchen, as well as the palettes of neighboring homes, plus the couple’s general appreciation of blue, to devise this bright, lively, and harmonious exterior paint scheme.
Nat admits that they were initially skeptical. “We didn’t think we’d love having our entire house this color, but we do!”
At Arana, we love when bold risks, guided by experts in the world of color and design, yield such gorgeous results.
Body color (stucco): Benjamin Moore Del Mar Blue #704
“A muted blue-green” that can “quietly anchor” a palette, according to the company’s website
Doors, plus thin rails on front fence: Benjamin Moore Vermont Slate #1673
“Both traditional and modern,” a “cool blue” with “a touch of green”
Porch steps, walkway, plus thick rails on front fence: Duxbury Gray #HC 163
“A unique medium gray with a trace of green”
Door frames, window frames, stair railings: Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments #1563
“A gentle mix of blue, green, and gray… that exudes tranquility and inspires quiet meditation”
