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September 13, 2009

A Transformation in Faux!

Well… I did it! And I LOVE it!!

What did I do? If you dropped by DesignTies on Friday you would have read my post on leaded glass… and you would have learned that I have (had) three plain piano windows in need of some special character. You would have also read that I was too cheap to hire an artisan to make me some lovely leaded glass for my windows! HaHa!!

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My solution… go faux!

I went to my local craft store and picked up a sticky tape that, when adhered on the glass, looks like lead along with some liquid leading to create the “soldered joins”. I also purchased a product that transforms glass from bland and boring into lovely, crystal-like antique glass.

You’ll recall from my previous post that I put a lot of thought and research into a pattern for our faux leaded glass windows, only to find the perfect pattern in our back yard – the pattern found on our original front door and an interior French door that once lead to our dining room.

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The pattern was perfect – I jumped at the chance to re-introduce this original element of our little old house!

Translating this pattern to our piano window was tricky. But I got it in the end!

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The first few strips of “lead” were challenging… I kept laying it crooked! I got the hang of it, though. It’s all about sticking small sections at a time. That’s the only way to get it straight!

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My poor Brian!

He was working hard on our front yard when I asked him to pull out the ladder and climb up to place a template on the outside of the window :-)  He’s always so agreeable!!  Of course, once he taped it up I could see that the pattern I’d drawn would be too small for our window. Rather then ask Brian to climb up with another template, though, I used this one… it helped me make straight lines and all I had to do was add an inch to the bottom portion.

Here’s a look at the window with all its “lead” in place:

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Next, I used the faux liquid lead to “solder” all the joins.

Just a simple dab was all that was needed to fill in the small gaps at each join… and it really does look like they’ve been soldered!

Next came the creation of the “antique glass”

DSC02549I used a swirly pattern in the long frame sections and, in the corners and in the centre diamonds, I stippled it. It goes on white like this, but within a few hours it dries completely clear. The next morning I realized that I should have put a texture/affect in the centre strips… so I did.

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This time I used a striped pattern… and I put a little more of the product in the centre triangle to enhance the stippled look I was going for.

 

 

 

Ready to see the final result?

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It’s a very subtle affect, but Brian and I love it!

ButterflyI’m sharing this transformation as part of Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday blogparty. I hope you’ll make your way back to her blog, Between Naps on the Porch, to check out all the other transformations shared this week!

Thanks for dropping by!!

sigv

P.S. All my photos are close up, making the neighbour’s roof look like it’s within reaching distance. It’s not! We find that the leaded glass look that we created has really helped to mask the view our our neighbour’s house… really!

23 comments:

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Wow!! So smart! I agree... it is a subtle affect but it makes a HUGE difference! Way to go!
~Whitney

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Wow, Victoria! It sounds like you had a good experience with this product too. I like it; it suits your house and the design was there to begin with. I like that you reintroduced it into the windows. Nice job!

Paul Anater said...

Wow Victoria, that looks fantastic!

susan said...

This absolutely looks like the real thing! You did a great job and it does look tricky to me--What's next--stained glass :)

Fifi Flowers said...

NICE job! Looks GREAT!

qerat said...

You are so talented :) it does not look "faux" at all

The House That A-M Built said...

Oh it's absolutely wonderful Victoria. How clever are you! A-M xx

Kat said...

You did a beautiful job on this! It does not look faux at all. And it's perfect for your home. I just love all of the projects you are doing. I'm especially anxious to see the yard transformation. Have a great week! Kathy

Michelle said...

WOW....what a great idea! Looks fabulous!

Michelle@Spend-a-Buck

mrsben said...

How perfect are these! You would never know they are faux.

Used the faux technique myself a number of years ago (about 11-12 years ago) on the side pane of an entrance door for my dtr.'s Townhouse. She has since moved but the window remains. If I recall correctly, the lead came in precut strips. Wasn't as brave as you were as I did a sample board first on a piece of picture glass, trying different techniques. (Still have it somewhere.)

For anyone else wanting to try it and looking for a pattern, there are now plenty of Windows/Doors resources on the internet. (ie: GIENOW Windows to name one).

I apologize for being so long-winded but I a love a good DYI project. You did a marvelous job!!!! 'An added touch of class to glass'.
-Brenda-

mrsben said...

KELLY: A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and your hubby! Wishing both of you a great day.
-Brenda-

Gayle said...

Victoria, that came out amazing looking!

Unknown said...

Victoria,

Great stuff! I love how all this turned out. Great thing about projects is you get to check them off your list. Soon it's all enjoyment after that.

Bette

Sarah said...

Wow it looks great! It's just the right amount of detail without going overboard. Thanks for sharing!

deb said...

WOW! Amazing! What a great touch to your windows. You did a great job. I agree, it dosen't look "faux" at all!
*hugs*deb

Greet Lefèvre said...

Congratulations! I never thought I would be that nice! Well done!

Greet

Reid said...

Oh myyy gooodness.....I can't believe my eyes! GREAT job!!! I gotta check that stuff out!

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

That looks really beautiful! It adds a touch of old world charm and I love the pattern that chose you (hehehe)! Great job Victoria!

janet said...

BRILLIANT Victoria!!! who would even know, the windows look fantastic!
hugs
janet

Maria Killam said...

It's endless what you do to your place! I mean, every week it's something. If I did the stuff you did I wouldn't have the time to blog. You are committed to the transformation of your house! so great!

CabinetKnob.com said...

That is a great idea! Now... off to find a window to work on first!

Danica said...

It looks so real! Amazing, I love it. This is definitely a project I'd love to do with my mom.

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I love this! So cool.

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