I met Bernie Forese through Kim Senior at the Decorative Painting Apprenticeship Program workshops being held at St. Cornelius's Church in Chadds Ford.
Why Kennett Square?
That’s a great question! I started my faux finishing business as an amateur in Chadds Ford, however, when my family moved to Kennett Square I relocated my professional business, too, mainly for convenience purposes to be honest. Kennett is centrally located for my customers whether they’re in Philadelphia, Main Line, Wilmington, Western Chester County, Montgomery County and so forth.
What is your favorite thing to paint?
While the bulk of my work occurs on walls, ceilings and columns, I love to paint kitchen cabinets and fireplaces! For my customers, getting a completely new kitchen can be so expensive and overwhelming but for a fraction of the cost the entire kitchen can be transformed using the existing cabinets and some painting techniques. It’s very gratifying because the homeowners are so happy and excited when the cabinets are reinstalled and it looks like a completely new kitchen. Similarly, painting a fireplace can be a very economical solution for many homeowners who want a transformation but can’t afford to have the entire room redone.
How would you describe your style?
Hmmmm … another great question! I guess I’d describe my style as “adaptive.” I’ve been trained by world-renowned master artisans in a variety of decorative painting styles and techniques so that I can produce styles that range from classic ~ to Tuscan ~ to urban using waterborne products as well as traditional methods and techniques, too. So, it depends on the customer, their desired results and their budget and then I adapt to them!
When did you paint your first wall? Where was it?
I painted my very first wall as an amateur in Phoenixville, PA in 1995. Professionally, I painted my first wall in 2003 in a home in Kennett Square, PA. While I continue to paint residential spaces I also work in many restaurants, churches and other public spaces, too.
When did you first call yourself faux finisher/decorative painter?
After I received my formal training I wasn’t comfortable using the title of “faux finisher/decorative painter.” It wasn’t until I did my first designer show house (shortly after my initial) that I felt comfortable with the title of “faux finisher/decorative painter.” I felt as though I needed on-the-wall experience … not just sample boards created in a studio space. I learned many lessons while working in that designer show house where I worked on 3 spaces. Lots of lessons learned! I networked with many other faux finishers as well as designers and supporting trades people, too. It was a wonderful experience and I felt that when I was finished with that home that I had completed my schooling and I was comfortable with the title of “faux finisher/decorative painter.”
If you weren’t painting, what occupation would you be in?
If I weren’t painting I’d probably be an interior designer/decorator. I love the whole space/design/color concepts and history. Many of my faux finishing customers need guidance in the area of color, especially if they’re not working with a designer.
What is your next project going to be?
My next project is to create a faux wood grained barn door on two existing steel doors at a tractor store in Wilmington, DE.
What inspired you to do it?
A friend who works at the store mentioned the “ugly steel doors” that the customer walk through as the entrance to the shop and I suggested doing something to them to make them look beautiful and to clearly mark the entrance of the space (there are other doors on the outside of the building and customers get confused about what door to use). After that I’m wood graining some painted wainscoting at a restaurant in Honey Brook and after that project my next project is to create a faux trey ceiling in a dining room using trompe l’oeil techniques.
Where else can we see your work?
You can see examples of my work on the internet at www.thefauxpro.net or by appointment to see my portfolio in person. You can also see examples of my work in a project that’s just wrapping up at St. Cornelius church in Chadds Ford, PA. In that church we worked on almost every surface that they have as well as many of their connecting spaces (courtyards, hallways, foyers, etc). This building is open to the public Monday and Friday from 7:30a – 6pm or by appointment. Additionally, there will be a formal open house that marks the completion of that project on Thursday, September 20, 2007 from 6pm-9pm. You can get more information on that project at www.DPAP.org (Decorative Painting Apprenticeship Program).
Contact info?
Bernadette Forese www.thefauxpro.net 610-368-3899.
What snack food do you always have on hand?
Good –n- Plenty candy from Wawa! I can never have too many boxes!
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