Here Is How to Contact Us

Update: We are back on line and off Google's "naughty list". Our site is safe to visit. There is a link on the right if you want to check it out.

So, I found out yesterday that our main website for Faux Daddy Designs has been hacked. Some low life malicious hacker has accessed our site and downloaded some HTML code that can load some kind of bad stuff on your computer if you visit our site. So, until we can get it cleaned up and get off of Google's "naughty site list" I wanted to let you know how to contact us. You can call us at 615-599-1470 or e-mail us at bdtucker@comcast.net We shouldn't be down for long. I've got some great programmers working on it now. Thanks!

Dana

Walk This Way- Painted Floors

Forgo the big expensive designer rugs and add some pizazz by painting your floor. You can even add impressive custom details as shown in this floor by renowned faux artisan, Gary Lord.

Painted floors when sealed with a good quality polyurethane hold up nicely under moderate traffic. They can be cleaned with mild cleaners and their charm and beauty will be admired for years to come. They even hold up nicely on a covered screened porch. Here are some more of our designs.

Refinishing a damaged floor can be expensive, messy and time consuming. Not to mention the contamination to the indoor air quality by sanding and using caustic chemicals. When considering options for your boring, scratched or damaged wood floor, don't forget to add paint to your list.

Open Sesame- Don't forget the doors

I have to admit when Brooks started painting doors I was pretty impressed. I have never seen anyone do what he does to plain old builder grade doors. With a little imagination and a little ingenuity you can turn this:

Into This

I have also included a slide show for some more door inspiration.

Raised Plaster Stencils

I have been spending time on some very cool blogs over the last week. I have been inspired by some very talented people and have started to list some of my favorites over on the right side of this blog. Make sure you check them out. If you like this blog, you'll love some of those. It's really very cool because I had never met anyone before that did the kinds of things that we do. Yes, I've met other faux painters, but I've never met anyone who used all the decorative accents that we use, or someone who turns pieces of found trash into beautiful treasures or someone who makes over a room on the cheap and then shouts it from the rooftops. I have opened up a whole new universe and I am addicted to the home decor blogoshpere.

So today I want to share with you a simple technique that adds a whole lot of pizazz to lots of different surfaces. Brooks calls the technique "embossed stencil", but I like the term "raised plaster stencil". We have these in between the molding in our dining room, in the corners of rooms, above doorways and light fixtures. I am also including one that Brooks did with an art imprint that he stenciled around a light fixture. If you click on the pictures you can view them larger and see the detail.

How to apply the raised plaster/embossed stencil:

Find a stencil you like. There are lots of good ones on line. We love Melanie Royals designs. Next you take a stencil adhesive and secure your stencil to the surface you want to apply it to. Then you take a Japanese scraper and apply the plaster through the stencil and smooth and even out the top layer. We like to use Pallet Deco, or Aqua stone as our plaster. We have also used drywall joint compound with much success and little expense. Then carefully lift the stencil and you are done. Let it dry at least 24 hours. Then you are ready to paint, gold leaf, age it, stain it or whatever your heart desires. I have included some photos. Have fun creating!

The Building Blocks of Business- Referrals

There is a joke around our neighborhood that you do not hire a contractor for your house without first checking with us, the Tuckers. I have been in the advertising business in the Nashville area for over 12 years. In that time I have worked with every possible combination of small business owner from carpet cleaners to air conditioning companies, to restaurants and car dealers. I know the inside scoop on who does the best work, at the right price, on time and with a smile.

If you need an air conditioning service person you should call Craig Killebrew at 615-414-8816. He works by day for one of the big companies in town. He works nights and weekends to build his own service business. He is honest and full of integrity and always a great price. I respect the fact that he drives all the way home to drop off his day vehicle to pick up his personal vehicle to start his service calls for the evening. When I had to replace my unit last year he asked if he could have the old unit for spare parts to help some people that couldn't afford to replace their units. He could take parts from mine and put some band aids on their units to tide them over for a while. What a needed service he is providing.

I could go on and on about some of the great people I have worked with over the years. I place huge value on referrals, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank one of our clients for what is turning into a long list of referrals. Jeff and Annie Mochrie, owners of the Coffee Shop in Mt. Juliet, TN. They bought this place several months ago. It was formerly, Taylor Made Cafe. It is in a cute little house on Mt. Juliet Road. They wanted to make it stand out from the road and warm it up on the inside with some character. We think it turned out great and I am including some pictures. Since completing their project, Annie and Jeff have sent us several referrals that have turned into clients for us. We can't thank them enough. Did I mention this is a great spot for breakfast, lunch and a great cup of Joe without the attitude of some of those coffee chains. Even though we do lots of advertising and I am in the advertising business, nothing works better that a referral from a satisfied customer, period.

So, if you experience great service tell a couple of friends, twitter about it, tell a few strangers. You will be passing along blessings to both the businesses you refer and the people who call them. And by all means if you need a referral for someone in the Nashville area send me an e-mail. I have a list a mile long.