Decorating with polymer

Pictures of beautifully painted stairs have been featured on decorating blogs recently. These inspirations made me itch to continue the saga of my own small stairway. (Polymer mosaic tiles were a 1998 project and the wall installation was added in 2007.)

Mareike Scharmer’s fantastical interiors on Flickr (don’t miss the bathroom) and then Wendy Malinow’s ethereal dining room wall in Portland (here’s a snapshot of it), emboldened me to have another go at my humble hallway.

First, friend and muralist Bonie Bolen painted the risers and trim. Then we collaborated on embellishing the risers with paint, small round mirrors and baked polymer cane slices.

The only problem with the resulting sparkling “celestial stairs” is that they lead you to believe that there’s something special upstairs…something more than a bedroom and office. The project to polymerize my decor continues.

  • reply Marian Hertzog ,

    This is very cool! Definitely an inspiration to make something bigger than a bead out of polymer! Love the mosaic as well. Beautiful!

    • reply Deborah Ross ,

      I love this idea! Can’t wait to see where you go with it next. By the time you finish, your house will be one big art piece!

      • reply Lynn/UnaOdd ,

        The only problem with the resulting sparkling “celestial stairs” is that they lead you to believe that there’s something special upstairs…something more than a bedroom and office.
        —————————————————————————————————-
        Sounds more like a call to create a destination than being a ‘problem’. :^)
        Lovely work… very inspiring! Off to check out the links.

        • reply Debra Vallett ,

          Fantastic!!!! I started with tiles, but this inspires me! I covet your stairs. But the djembe, is a draw.
          I’ve been planning a design but was going to woodburm it. Now I want mosaics too. What did you use to adhere the tikes to the drum. How dis you account for the curve. Did you determine that undercured was better to make it more flexible?
          My FB is Debra gates Vallett If you would be willing to answer more , I’d love it.
          Btw. I think it is awesome that your house is the proud recipient of your art. Luv it!

          • reply Sera ,

            Hey Cyn!

            Love your STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. In a few years you’ll have a house made entirely from polymer! We’ll have to get one of the doll makers (Lori Follett?!) to make a lifesize polymer Cynthia to pose in the front room.

            Sx

            • reply Michele "luny" ,

              That is absolutely freekin’ so cool!! Polymer clay just ain’t for mini’s anymore! It’s just so brilliant and imaginative and now I am reduced to tears because I don’t have any stairs! But wait … I do have ceilings … LOL! Beautiful, just beautiful!!
              hugs, luny

              • reply JeannieK ,

                WOW! I’m thinking about all the hours of work that goes into something like this.

                • reply Sandra ,

                  Hi Cyn!

                  thr tile project is increduble beutiful. I love it!

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