House of Faux

As an artist Stefan Roven Zokos takes advantage of all the shapes and the technical characteristics of paint, from the wall painting of inner or outer spaces, collages, portaiture, mixed technique e.t.c


Stefan  took part in many exhibitions, collectively or by himself in Greece, United States of America, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Luxemburg and other countries.

The last years of his artistic pursuit have been to undertake the wall painting of shops, hotels, club, villas and other.

Stefan says, "Wall painting is an optical delusion, a very old but same very new kind of art fitting always, emotionally and visualy with the mental outlook of every person, sending that way a message of beauty and design in and out of that place."
 

Being an artist I am always studing my surroundings and looking for ideas for new decorative finishes.  Sometimes the inspiration for those finishes come from the most unlikely places.

Mark Nordgren founded Bella Faux Finishes in 2005. The inspiration came from a vacation in Las Vegas. I saw an incredible finish on one of the walls and asked what it was; they said it was Venetian Plaster. I fell in love with this effect. When we got home, I spent a few weeks researching Venetian Plaster and the various Faux Finish Vendors that offer their own version of Venetian plaster. Ordered some Venetian plaster and finished our dining room. I had some disappointment in the final effect. So I began searching the web and discovered the real Italian Plasters from Verona, Italy. I attended the School of Italian Plaster in Atlanta and have been amazed at the drama the Italian Finishes can bring to a project.

Bella Faux Finishes is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is the Midwest leader in the application of the historic Italian Plasters from Verona, Italy. We specialize in Italian Venetian Plaster and the dramatic Italian Finishes. We also specialize in American Clay Plasters, Armourcoat Polished Plasters and New Faux Finishes.

A passionate student of the methodology of creating "The Wow Effect". Our design goal is to create “The Wow Effect” on every project. Mark is the author of a variety of articles on Interior Design and Home Building.

Is there such a thing as too much togetherness?

I think it depends upon the chemistry of the family. We have a funny group, somebody is always doing or saying something crazy to get a laugh, so projects are always fun. One mistake I learned early on, is to avoid scheduling projects too close together. It’s so easy to say yes to every project that comes your way. The Italian Plasters are a physical application and burn out can set in pretty fast. So our family goal is to schedule 8 – 10 weeks off every year to refresh and reflect.

Relationship & Number of years working together?

My wife Kathleen, with sons David and Michael, has been involved in our business since 2005. My oldest son Jason is a talented Chef living in Eugene, Oregon.

How did you start working together?

From the beginning, everyone in our family loved the idea of sharing the Italian Plasters. My first project was a Master Bedroom, applying Italian Venetian Plaster. I taught my sons how to burnish behind me. From there they enjoyed learning the techniques and also the satisfaction you receive when you create “The Wow Effect” on a project.

What kind of business do you have and what are the roles each of you have in it?

At Bella Faux Finishes, we specialize in the application of Italian Venetian Plaster and the Italian Finishes, imported from Verona, Italy. We also offer a variety of other Interior Design services.

Mark’s role is to create the magic and buzz with new samples of finishes, social and business networking, new client presentations, author of a variety of articles and a new book “How to Create the Wow Effect in you Home or Business”, web design and Artisan applying the Italian Finishes on projects.

Kathleen, my wife, is involved in our marketing plan, guards our cash flow and helps with presentations.

David, my middle son, is an Artisan and co-owner working full time. David shares in presentations, creating new finishes, marketing ideas and is also co-author of our new book.

Michael, my youngest son, is an Artisan and markets my articles. He is now a freshman in College at SDSU in Brookings, South Dakota, majoring in a career in the medical field – Physical Therapy. Our shoulders may need him full time down the road.

What are some of the rewards and challenges of working together?

Business is such a great teacher. Understanding the clients design goals of the project. We have some finishes that are perfect for a small area, but can be overwhelming in a large room. Sometimes you have to talk a client out of a finish, when a rich paint color is the perfect effect. Our goal on a project is to create “The Wow Effect”. Decorative Finishes are like the seasoning in a great meal; sometimes less will create... more drama.

Do you have any advice for other families/marriages who may want to work together?

You must have the same Passion and Belief in the Long-term Success of your business plan. All opinions have value and need to be considered. Build a great website with lots of information and large photos of your best Art. Guard your cash and choose your advertising options carefully. Two great books on marketing are “Brandsformation” by Chuck Mefford and “Inbound Marketing” by Brian Halligan & Dharmesh Shah. Finally get out the door with your best samples, fire up your passion and share your amazing story with everyone you meet.
What is a great moment you can remember sharing together?

We love our iPods on projects. It is always funny when someone encounters trouble. One time the ear buds fell in the plaster, another time I clipped one off with a trowel. But the worst experience is when your battery goes dead right away on a project, “You’ll say, Hey guys what do you want to talk about?” and... nobody wants to talk to you. Pretty funny!

The worst moment?

Early years, I bid a new construction, large 2-story walkout home, all the painting and Italian Finishes in 6 rooms. I soon realized I was way over my heard for our young company. I found someone to take my paint bid; we then had fun layering the Italian Finishes.

Below are two of Mark's articles that have been published around the world:

"The 7 Interior Design Mistakes"
http://bellafauxfinishes.com/7interiordesignmistakes.html

"The 7 Home Building Mistakes"
http://www.bellafauxfinishes.com/7homebuildingmistakes.html

 Facebook /Mark Nordgren or Twitter/Italianfinishes

Our Design Goal... "Every Home Deserves a Room, that Quietly Whispers... Wow!"

http://www.bellafauxfinishes.com/

I have been an artist all my life. Besides being blessed with natural ability I was fortunate to have had some very good grade school Art teachers. Who helped feed my need to be creative, by introducing me to techniques that other students didn’t have an interest in. In high school if I wasn’t on the football field I was in the art room. My senior year I had my first one man Art show and mural demo. That year I also had my first paying mural job.

College for me was going to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, for Visual Communications. I new this was the place for me! I was hoping to be the next Frank Frezzetta or Boris, but that style of painting was not taught there. Yet I learned so many other things, like Airbrush, Graphic Design, Advertising Layout and so much more.

Graduated from AIP and took a year of Graphic Design at Kent State, then started working in Advertising, as a staff artist and worked my way up the ladder to become an Art Director.

By now I had become eager to paint again, so my girl friend now wife and I started airbrushing leathers and the like at biker swap meets. That went well, then one day at work I saw out my window two men painting a billboard and I was very interested to work big again. So I called to see if the company needed an Art Director or staff artist. They said no, but asked if I could paint. The next week I was getting my fear of heights cured, and became a journey man sign painter in a year or so. While working for the billboard company I started painting murals on weekends in kid’s rooms. Little did I know computers would phase out hand painted billboards. Luckily my wife and I had the mural painting business as a part time venture, so we opened the business full time. We have been running Tim Martin Muralist know for 18 years. My wife [Kelly] handles the business part and I the creative.

Kathy, I must tell you and our readers that when we started this business 18 years ago. We were flying in uncharted space. There were no professional’s per say in Western New York. Plus at that time and up until 2004 I had no clue that decorative painting was a national/international thriving profession. My training other than murals was all self taught and from books from artists that came or learned from European artists, but in 2004 that all changed with the start of our web site the year before. We were contracted to paint two mansions in Huston TX back to back. The first client introduced me to “faux effects” at “Any Thing But Plain”. That job was the first in which I used “faux effects products” with my own. When I got back home I was recharged with new creativity and thirst for new products to create with. I still have my tried and true old standards using paint and drywall compounds. Now I have been working with what ever product will work best for my clients needs. I’m still self taught ,other than a mail order course from ”Anything But Plain” or going to Gary Lords open houses every March. Oh! Let’s not forget books. Then there is having to learn under the gun which is very exhilarating for me. It’s like cramming for an exam and playing at the same time; had to do this for an Indian Casino in southern WNY. The products could not be replicated because of architects specs [American Clay]. I learned American Clay by just doing and some phone coaching from tech. The architects and Indians loved my American Clay work.

My long term goal is to be able to learn more, do more fine art and teach the art of decorative painting which I love with a passion; and in the process start an apprenticeship program in Europe. Which I hope will give an artist the opportunity to do what they love [be creative] and get paid to do it.