We’re always excited to start a new project, but this one was especially thrilling. Annie Elliott of Bossy Color contacted us about her kitchen backsplash. The kitchen was a freshly updated galley kitchen in DC. Lovely new cabinets and marble countertops, but unusually bland for a Bossy Color project.
Annie is always thinking outside of the box. She designed the galley kitchen with empty space over the cooktop because she was planning something fantastic for that area. Billet Collins was called in to fine tune her ideas and we both leaped to the idea of an eglomise, or backpainted glass! The backsplash mural was to be a chinoiserie botanical in the lush color palette that Bossy Color is known for.
What Is Verre Eglomise?
Verre Eglomise is an elegant word for back painted glass. The technique dates back hundreds of years and only a few talented artists include this in their portfolio. It normally includes gilding which you can see sparkles of in the pomegranates and the birds.
The Process
(1) First, our murals always start with a scaled rendering, like this one. The rendering is a full color sample, painted to scale. This extra step helps the project flow more smoothly. The designer has a better feel for the end look and it also allows us to head off any hiccups before they happen.
The backsplash mural is painted on three large panels of specialty glass. The elegant tension between the polish of the modern glass panels, and the hand painted artistry is something we like to see at Billet Collins.
(2) From the rendering to full scale cartoons, the mural is making progress. We tape the cartoons up at the jobsite site and make any adjustments for outlets or a focal point. In this case, we needed to accommodate for the range hood.
(3) After the designer approves the cartoon, next comes the unique process of painting the artwork in…backwards!
We start with the shadowing and fine details, like the pupil of the bird’s eye, the ruffled edge of the flowers and the veining of the leaves. Details sparkle with 24 karat gold leaf.
(4) Next, the larger blocks of colors come in. You can see Roberta painting over the find details of the veins and feathers with the larger blocks of color.
(5) And with a final leap of faith, the whole thing is painted out! The artwork is protected with traditional layering of paint and fabric. It may look confusing, but this red side of the glass will be adhered to the wall. It’s actually the background color.
(6) Prepped for installation, this is the wall where the backsplash mural will go. You can see where the stainless steel range hood lands on the wall.
Finished Photos
And viola! Truly a Gallery Kitchen!
Project Tips
- The extra prep work of the watercolor rendering and full scale cartoons may seem unnecessary, but ensures a successful finish. Always make the extra effort. This isn’t any ordinary tile back splash!
- Work with a reputable glass company who will recommend the correct glass for the backsplash. They should offer a dry fit before painting. This isn’t any old glass.
- Plan in advance. Larger murals will take longer (obviously). The fact that the glass is painted in reverse takes a lot of planning and concentration. And ordering the glass will take time.
Custom Back Painted Glass
Anything is possible! We offer custom designs for glass, ranging from this lovely Chinoiserie botanical to geometric patterns and painted finishes. Gold or silver leaf, painted patterns or faux finishes are all uniquely elegant when painted under glass. Check our painted glass portfolio for more eglomise ideas.