Jack Alexander - Before & After Makeovers --- for Home and Office

Range Tile & Counter Tops (After)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:07:23 UTC

From rags to riches with nothing but paint!

Here the tile behind the range has been transformed into a sophisticated white and onyx and the kitchen counter tops into an exotic, Gold Lapidus granite. During each step of the application process, a layer of clear, high gloss, concrete sealant has been put on to protect the underneath surfaces and to add realistic depth to the subsequent painted design. At the end of this layering process, 3 coats of sealant were applied as a final layer, each of these coatings being allowed to set-up and dry between 2-3 hours before the following coating was applied.

This layering process gives the finished tile and counter tops an extremely durable, scratch-resistant, spill-resistant surface that is easy to clean. When applied to a horizontal surface and left to dry for 30 days, it can actually support the weight of a car driving over it without causing damage to the surface.

Removal of dirt, spills, grease, paint, and etc. requires no more than a simple wipe up or a light scrubbing. Should an accident occur, resulting in scrapes on the surface, touch up is a simple fix. By brushing additional sealant onto the affected area, the surface can be easily and effortlessly restored to its original beauty. This provides the homeowner with years of carefree enjoyment.

Range Tile & Counter Tops (Before)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:07:21 UTC

The first project on this new homeowner's "To Do List" was to transform the pink Formica counter tops and tile in the kitchen into something more appealing and contemporary.

Linoleum Floor (Before)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

The President of the Nevada Holistic Chamber of Commerce and owner of Angel Blessings Wellness Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada was beside herself when she asked me to look what she called an "ugly, many-years-old, linoleum floor." She commissioned me to transform this 6 1/2' x 13' room into a "Marble Room" in her favorite choice of colors.

The entire project, including extensive floor preparation in advance, took ten days from start to finish.

Artist Applying Faux Marble Finish

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Here, Jack is at work on a detail of the 8 1/2 x 13-foot faux-marble wall treatment. The application process is as follows:

1. With each overlay of paint, he applies a layer of clear, high gloss, concrete sealant to protect the underneath surfaces. This also adds a sense of realistic depth to the subsequent painted design;

2. Each layer of sealant is allowed to dry and set-up for 2-3 hours before additional colors or coatings are applied;

3. At the end of this layering process, 3 coats of sealant are added and allowed to dry separately as a final layer;

4. This layering process gives the finished floor an extremely durable, scratch-resistant, spill-resistant surface that is easy to clean. When applied to a horizontal surface and allowed to set up for 30 days, it can support the weight of a car being driven across it without any damage whatsoever to the surface;

5. Any unpredictable occurrence that results in scrapes to the surface, requires a mere touch up as a simple fix. By brushing additional sealant onto the affected area(s) and letting the realant dry, the surface can be easily and effortlessly restored to its original beauty.

All this gives the homeowner years of carefree enjoyment.

Linoleum Floor with Marble Finish (After)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Voila! The finished "Marble Room."

This photo shows the faux-finished floor and walls with faux-marble surface treatments. In the client's words. . .

"When Jack was first describing his faux artistic abilities, I was having difficulty grasping what exactly he could do. Then he summed it up best with, 'I can make ANYTHING look like ANYTHING else.'

"I couldn’t comprehend this, and so he had to keep repeating this to me whenever I’d ask him if he could do such and such. Then I put him to the test, and he proved that to be the truth. He has an incredible eye as a faux artist. In addition to all the faux throughout my space, what I found most incredible is that he made my ugly many-years-old linoleum look like extravagant marble.

"I was dreading having it all ripped up and new flooring installed. That was solved in no time. People now walk in and can’t believe it’s paint, not marble."

Linoleum Floor with Marble Finish (After)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Ugly Linoleum Gone Forever!

There are no words to describe the relaxing, almost meditative feeling of the completed, yummy "Marble Room" at Angel Blessings Wellness Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. This photo shows the reversed view of completed wall and floor treatment.

Room dimensions: 6 1/2 ft. X 13 ft. with 8 1/2 ft. high ceilings.

Total job time: 10 days (including extensive floor preparation in advance).

Artist Creating Original Artwork

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Jack at work on the floor in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, applying paint to canvas in the process of creating the commissioned artwork.

Wall with Original Artwork in Place (After)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

The completed artwork hangs on the wall with decorative sculpture repositioned to the right.

Blank Wall (Before)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Here, Jack was commissioned by the owner of a luxurious condominium in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to paint an original canvas for the upstairs living room wall. This photo shows the the white wall, with a simple decorative sculpture, as it appeared at the time of the commission.

Original Artwork (Close Up)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Title: "Vallarta Vision"

Description: 80 x 100 cm. (approx 32 x 40 in) acrylic on canvas. Sunset over the ocean at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with the famous seahorse sculpture on the Malecon (seafront) rising up from the water on the right. Bougainvillea flowers can be seen to the left.

Interior Columns (Stage 2)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

The process continues as Jack hand-paints specific details and masterful touches of layered coatings and decorative over-glazes.

Sky Ceiling at the "Le Vullage Buffet," Paris Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas,Nevada

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

In 2007, Jack single-handedly repaired and repainted the 35-foot high cloud ceilings in the "Le Village Buffet" restaurant at the Paris Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Interior Columns (Finished)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Finished column, seen with blue tape still in place, awaiting the final clean up and unveiling.

Wall Mural (Step 1)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Here, Jack is beginning the first layers of a faux-marble surface treatment.

Interior Columns (Before)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

This is a blue-taped white column, which is one of several that were commissioned by a Henderson, Nevada homeowner to be painted with a faux-marble surface treatment of the client's choice.

Interior Columns (Stage 1)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

Here Jack is applying the beginnings of the faux-marble surface treatment, which starts with several base coats and under-glazes.

Wall Mural (Before)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

In Henderson, Nevada, Jack was commissioned by a homeowner to create a decorative mural on the otherwise plain wall behind three paintings. This picture shows the taped-out area that is to become the mural.

Wall Mural (Step 2)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

This photo shows the faux-marble mural in its "almost finished" form. The mural still awaits the completion of each of the homeowners' Egyptian "cartouche" drawings in the borders to the sides.

Wall Mural (Finished)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:46 UTC

This is the finished faux-marble mural, still with painter's tape in place, showing each of the homeowners' personal Egyptian cartouches in the borders to the sides.

Formica Counter Tops with Granite Finish (After)

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 22:00:46 UTC

From rags to riches with nothing but paint!

Here the kitchen counter tops have been transformed into an exotic, Gold Lapidus granite. During each step of the application process, a layer of clear, high gloss, concrete sealant has been put on to protect the underneath surfaces and to add realistic depth to the subsequent painted design. At the end of this layering process, 3 coats of sealant were applied as a final layer, each of these coatings being allowed to set-up and dry between 2-3 hours before the following coating was applied.

This layering process gives the finished counter tops an extremely durable, scratch-resistant, spill-resistant surface that is easy to clean. When applied to a horizontal surface and left to dry for 30 days, it can actually support the weight of a car driving over it without causing damage to the surface.