Chiaro & Scuro offers murals and specialty finishes in and around Austin, Texas. Chiaro & Scuro is Italian for light and shadow. We get much of our inspiration from our travels in the France and Italy. All the textures and colors of the mediteranean influences our projects and compliment Texas' flair for opulence as well as rustic styles. Our customers apperciate our subtle finishes that appear natural and non-contrived. We provide asthetic beauty and at the same time we pride ourselves in the quality of our work, and our relationship with our clients.
"I have been an artist from the womb, and I would say an entrepreneur since I was child. I was having art commisioned at a professional level since I was in grade school. I was also teaching art to other students through-out the school district when I was in highschool. I have been lucky that my skill has always opened doors for opportunity. Including an art scholarship into a prominent university, when I would have otherwise not been able to get in.
Decorative painting has been a wonderful means for me to use art to make a living. When I was 20 I started painting kids rooms and decorative painting in businesses, then I was invited to go to Roma faux finishing school. After I taking the course, I ended up working for the school part time, so I was able to learn a lot of about products and different finishes. During that time I was working mostly for custom home builders creating opulent Renaissance themed murals & finishes. My business really expanded when I got a show house in the Austin Parade of Homes. So I ended up moving to Austin, and the show house produced overwhelming referrals for many years! I also got to incorporate my love for teaching and started teaching online with "How To" Kits and Videos, so the people all over the country could experiment with creating finishes. I still paint onsite in peoples homes as well! I enjoy the design side of decorative painting, matching finishes to fabrics and surfaces. I am always working on creating fresh new color palettes & modern style finishes. Its been really fun, and a very gratifying career. Its exciting to help people with decorating their homes!"
I enjoy working in collaboration with other designers, and often sub-contract decorative painting services to other firms. I appreciate and work well with
dicerning clients, and I can easily cater to an array of styles and tastes. I would have to say my strongest skill above all, is being a good listener & communicator. In addition I have many graphic tools which help me to visually communicate, providing confidence in my clients as we bring a concept into reality.
I also have a love for teaching, and I have integrated this passion in to teaching seminars and through my "How To" Video Guides featured here on my website in my DIY Design Studio. Befriend me on Facebook for up-to-date projects! Click Here!
Thank You for taking the time to view my Portfolio! And I look forward to working with you!
This website was designed and is maintained by Valarie Billings - Chiaro & Scuro - Copy Right 2010
Emily Henderson - Secrets of a Stylist & Design Star selecting colors with Valarie Billings Swayne
Austin
Design
Intervention
I have been designing Texas interiors for the past 9 years. But I would have to say a new outlook on design has sprung from working both in and behind the scenes on a new show on HGTV. I worked closely with some of America's top interior designers. The experience of working with set designers gave me a bolder outlook on designing a space. Not only emphasizing the use of contrasting colors and shapes, but also infused in me the importance of lighting and the over all expirence of a room. This has in turn translated into my design work in "real life" spaces. (Find out more about my expirence working with HGTV'd)
I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from BYU-I in '02, where I also took courses art history, graphic design and of course Interior Design. I also recieved formal training in high end faux finishes from Roma International Training Center. I have been inspired for my love of art history and have been influenced by my travels abroad
.I have also had my work featured in 5 luxury show homes with in a 4 year period. Including the Austin Parade of Homes, held in Cimarron Hills, which I was awarded "Best in Show". My work has also been featured in several newspapers and magazines across the country, the most recent was actually an article I was asked to write for Texas Home and Garden Magazine.
