Some retouching magic to share... I know you love a photoshopped before and after comparisons. Can you tell what I did to transform the photo?
The bedroom scene is my fave… it’s a composite of 3 photos combined into one masterpiece. #backpat
Bedroom Light on door closed
Bedroom Light off door open
New Yorker wall art
#photoshop #retouching #photography #marketing #beforeandafter #architecture #interiordesign #NYC #newyorkcity
For my latest store window display I wanted to give the client (and the customers) something colorful and fun after a year of craziness and stress. It was also a priority to keep costs down.
I found some pictures hot air balloon launched, sky photo murals and tissue paper ball clusters that I thought were beautiful and used them as my inspiration. The owner had paper lanterns so the only prop we had to buy were the sky photo murals.
Even with my full knee replacement only 2 months old… Check out the wonder that was created.
My ispirado…
Listening to a classic electro clash jam from 2002 in the Pioneer office today! Can you guess who’s sining? #FredFlare #SparklePop #crosleyrecordplayer #album #45s
Check out this fun new design I did for Bop to Tottom in Kingston NY.
Kingston Neighborhoodie: Whether you’re an Uptown girl, a Downtown Dude or stuck in the Middle, chances are your fave Kingston neighborhood is represented in this new hoodie. Inspired by the NYC tee, this Bop to Tottom exclusive design showcases Uptown, The Stockade, Midtown, Broadway, Downtown and The Strand. Featuring our very own take on the West Side Story font, except in Kingston the Sharks and Jets are united. Printed in the Kingston, NY area. 100% cotton, black hoodie in unisex sizes SM-XL with front kangaroo pocket.
And you can even buy it online. But only if you live in the area as they’re only offering store pick-up at the moment.
I first met Karen from Bop to Tottom back in 2015 to talk about an e-commerce website for her Kingston NY shop. It wasn’t the right time but when the Covid 19 pandemic hit in early 2020 Karen decided it was time to take the plunge and make her beloved Bop to Tottom boutique an online / e-commerce destination.
I chose to pitch the Shopify e-commerce platform. I love their responsive product and their customer service is excellent. I was able to foster a good deal for a year account so we forged ahead.
My goal was deliver a neat and polished site. Classy, professional and easy to navigate but also ring true to her brand. I accomplished this with a fun and engaging homepage. You can learn about the 20 yr old shop but also add items to cart right away (why wait). A clear and focused About page with lots of photos is very important to me. Also a useful and well written FAQ page and Policy and Procedure pages are a must in my book.
Give it a spin and let me know that you think. boptotottom.com
Ever since the huge success of the Circle of Books I did a few years ago, I wanted to play with books in a shape again and Jessica is always talking about the Peace symbol (we are in the Woodstock area after all)…
There was no better time than 2020 for PEACE. ☮️📚🎄
I pretty much had my heart set on giving Jessica a Peace-Shaped bookshelf for this Holiday Season. And thanks to ABunch Fabrication, it came true.
Here’s how it all happened…
My Design Inspiration:
My Amazing Sketch: Don’t laugh too much…
Design Development with ABunch Fabrication:
The Construction Process:
Installation:
The Unveiling:
Peace Out!
Another new Holiday Store window display complete… This one for Kingston’s very own Bop to Tottom.
The client mentioned doing a window in all white (a fresh, calm feeling for this Covid Christmas), so I ran with that motif. But as usual, I wanted to use unconventional materials and play with light. I used florescence light fixture diffusers to distort the hanging light bulbs… Like a frosty window. I also used white corrugated roofing material for a “ski slope” backdrop for the dress forms.
Now, add some snowflakes, white wrapped boxes, Christmas lights and white ribbons and you’ve got yourself a wintry scene. I also wrapped the logs from last year’s display in white paper… Created such a cool effect and a lot quicker than painting them all.
You're my DreamTote... New tote bag design for @halfmoonbooks printed by @antilogy. Stop by and get yours today!!
#shopsmall #shoplocal #totebag #canvastote #graphicdesign #screenprint #bookstore #usedbooks #bookbag #kingstonNY #halfmoonbooks
Custom T-Shirt and Face Mask designs
In honor of Bop To Tottom’s 20th Anniversary in Uptown Kingston, I helped them design these exclusive items to celebrate this milestone. And yours truly got to me a supermodel. Now, get out there and shop!
#shoplocal #shopsmall
Check out the new Fall window display I just completed at Bop to Tottom in Kingston’s Historic Uptown Stockade District.
My design was to create a retro-class room vibe… Since many students would be learning online and missing the IRL experience. The client wanted to save some money on this display so I figured out some inexpensive alternatives for this window update.
Inspired by the artist Cy Twombly and chalk scribbles, I created these simple chalkboard vertical banners of 1/4” lauan wood and chalkboard paint with fun chalk scribbles. Since face masks are now top sellers, I printed photos of the owner and staff at a large size and hung them on old cork boards that were in the basement of the store - added bonus for the classroom vibe. Then I used photo murals on the back and side walls for that high impact fall colors background.
Initially, I wanted to get vintage school desks and chairs as props but they were to expensive so I just used some furniture I had lying around. And voila… Instant store window display on a dime.
The new window installation for Half Moon Books is all lit up… This installation is a trio of chandeliers made of books. It was challenging, as it is with books, because of their weight, but I think it turned out fab.
Just a few drill holes and some basic elec wiring and voila… Book Chandeliers!
And a huge thank you John Cox for letting me take over his workshop.
SORRY, I’M SORRY… no, really!
A recent phone argument with my dad which resulted in him yelling at me, hanging up and then a lame attempt at an apology leading me to learn how to make a true apology.
A true apology does not include the word “but” (“I'm sorry, but …”). “But” automatically cancels out an apology, and nearly always introduces a criticism or excuse. A true apology keeps the focus on your actions - and not on the other person's response. I did not know this, but there’s four steps to a correct and sincere apology. Here goes…
Acknowledge the offending behavior. Use “I” statements. I’m sorry I didn’t show up for our date. I’m sorry I didn’t pay you back. Etc.
Show how the behavior was hurtful, and express remorse. Don’t say how the other person’s behavior contributed to the problem. This is less than sincere.
Make amends. Tell the person what you’ll do to make things right. Even better, ask the other person what he or she would like from you.
Promise that the offending behavior will not happen again.
If you want to read more (like tips on how to apologize) click here.
Many thanks to Anne Brandt for the research.
Among the other home improvement projects I’ve been working on during the pandemic, my garden is also on the list. I work hard on it every year, but this year, with the added free time, I’m very happy with the results. Rather than talk all about it, I thought I’d like the photos do all work ‘cause I’m tired. :-)
August Update - The Black Eyed Susan Festival
I am so grateful that ever since the pandemic hit, that I’ve been busy with freelance work. Marketing, Social Media, Web development and Photo Retouching.
I’ve been retouching in Photoshop for over 15 years now and am 100% self-taught. Aside from watching YouTube tutorials, I’ve never once taken a single “official” class. I started back in my Fred Flare days knocking out backgrounds and whitening model’s teeth for the website.
Well, I’ve come a long way baby… I thought I would share some of my recent successes with you. Initally, I didn’t think I could do it, but with some persistence and perseverance, I made it work.
Check out the before and after wonders…
FIREPLACE: I lit up the wall sconce and added a fire in the fireplace.
KITCHEN: I removed the clutter in the background and the box at the door.
LIVING ROOM: Brightened it up, removed the finger in the upper right and also removed the door hinge.
If you need any photo retouching, please drop me a line. I’d be happy to give you a quote.
As my quarantine house painting project draws to a close, it’s time to pop back inside and check in on my Living Room. Because of the cathedral ceiling height, I had to leave this room to the professionals as well.
In keeping with my clean, modern Scandinavian look, I went with Benjamin Moore’s Decorator White on the walls and White Opulent for the trim. I really like the 2 contrasting whites. Why no color you may ask… Well, it was gray before and I wanted a brighter change.
I’ve coined my interior “Mid-Century Mountain,” I better copyright that. In addition to some great vintage items, I’ve collected pieces and furniture from some of my favorite brands with a retro spin…
Urban Outfitters, Design Within Reach, West Elm, CB2, Crate & Barrel, Jonathan Adler, Patch NYC, Annie Poon, Cardboard Safari, Muji, Crosely and IKEA… Quite the melange. But my fave is still the pink horns from Cody Foster.
I’m so excited… My new fave client, Kingston’s very own Bop to Tottom has won a ChronoGrammy for BEST GIFT SHOP! Check it out here! Congratulations Karen on an award well deserved! I’m thrilled to be part of the Bop to Tottom team as we build their first ever e-commerce website. STAY TUNED. 🏆🥇🎉
Dreams came true for me in an otherwise crazy time. I got to create Sweet Sue’s new website and their first ever “official” Facebook page? After being closed for the Covid-19 pandemic, Sue Taylor, the founder, decided to reopen for Take Out and wanted some help. I was thrilled that I got the gig.
Since started her business in 1984 and being famous for the most delicious pancakes that are as big as your head, Sue really didn’t ever have to market her business… It was all just word of mouth. But now we live in different times. Small businesses need a digital footprint to remain relevant and communicate with their fans/customers.
So, she wanted a simple, one page website that communicated the new Take Out policies in addition to her reduced menu. I used a GoDaddy platform site builder to keep her costs down. And the second I made her Facebook page, it was like the flood gates opened with eager fans ready to feast.
Who knows how this pandemic will playout, but I’m happy that my Pancake Dreams got to come true! Bon appetit.
Click here to view the project gallery.
The day Sweet Sue’s reopened… 6/27/20
Let’s take a break from painting the inside of my Catskills cottage and check in on the outside…
I get major vertigo if I go on just the 2nd rung of a ladder, so I had to leave this project to the professionals. I’d never painted my house in the 10 yrs of owning it and believe me when I say “it need it.” There were more chips on the house than in a Vegas casino. I also had water damage around the kitchen chimney which had infiltrated info the roof structure a bit - that was a fun surprise.
BEFORE - A paint chip extravaganza. The house was a “linen white” color which had a hint of yellow - but it was all basically flaking off and dirty, dirty, dirty!
POWER WASHING - The first thing the painters did was power wash the house. It was amazing. I know it looks crazy, but I was into it…
WATER DAMAGE - Then I had to hire a carpenter to repair the water damaged area at the kitchen window / chimney. He had to first rip out all the rotten wood siding and beams. Then replace it with pressure treated wood and re-flash around the chimney to prevent future damage. Check out the start to finish process.
AFTER - Last but not least, the finished product. I wanted the house to be a brighter white color but not “burn your retina” white, so I went with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove in an exterior luster finish. I think it turned out great. I love it, especially the Bilco Door painted in geranium red!
Brian, the painter and me! He and his partner Skyler were GREAT!
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My latest store window design installation for Kingston’s Half Moon Books is a Word Search Puzzle… There’s 5 words that are hidden in the puzzle of letters. Can you find them? See below for some spoilers.
When Jessica, the owner of Half Moon Books and I first met to discuss this window design, we wanted something fun and lite yet celebratory since this was to be her Post-Covid 19 Pandemic “reopening” Summer window. I honestly don’t recall how we landed on a giant word search puzzle, but when Jessica and I brainstorm, it’s like lightening in a bottle. Shablam!
And since it had to involve books, I thought if we opened books you could paint one letter per page. I went with a rainbow assortment of colors to make it fun, positive and happy… It’ Pride Month after all. Then I found this great website that generates Word Find Puzzles for you. The puzzle consists of 32 total books, 4 across (opened) by 8 down - essentially an 8x8 character puzzle. And voila… We had ourselves a window. I always feel like I’ll run out of window ideas but they keep coming. A reminder to believe in yourself.
The construction went so smoothly. I’m usually defying gravity, but compared to some of the other window installations, this one was pretty easy. And that’s exactly what I wanted.
Okay, can you find the following 5 words that Jessica picked: Justice (we gave you this one), Peace, Liberty, Equality and Love… There’s other ones but those are bonus!
Be safe out there. xo
SPOILER ALERTZ! Don’t go any further if you want to find the hidden words on your own.
