Donna Rubin Design

This big beautiful kitchen was finished with a rustic French plaster and paint treatment over 20 years ago - not by me! The challenge for me was to replicate everything, going over a few damaged areas from typical wear and tear over the years, but mostly the sections that had been repaired from water damage. I matched the plaster technique and the paint wash for a seamless finish! So satisfying, and yes, I call these projects "Dr. Design forensics" 😂

Another forensic project for dr "doctor" design! I'm spending a few days replicating a plaster treatment and paint finish for a project I did not originally do.
Lots of repairs from water damage and wear-and-tear over the years.
I'll post when I'm done, and hopefully you'll never notice any evidence that I was here!

With respect for the original fireplace surround, a simple warm grey wash over the bricks makes all the difference. The dining room is beautifully coordinated.

Once again, I was happy to support another race by Jersey Shore Masters Swim: Asbury Park / Long Branch- The Long Branch Run / Swim / Run, by creating the awards for the event. The design is a take-off of the event logo, painted on shells in a glimmery blue and green. I was away for this race, so thank you to everyone who shared pictures with me, and congratulations!

Tented awning stripe, 5” wide blue stripe on walls converging to center of light fixture on the ceiling, and camouflaging the ceiling vent and access panel door. Light fixtures, linens, and artwork will really pull it all together in this boy’s bathroom, but this is how it looked when I finished my part.

Hyacinth Field
6”x9” acrylic on bristol vellum

Painted as the background for an event invitation and program, then matted, custom framed, and raffled off at the event!

I promise I'll post again when the room is put back together! My client needed to repair damage to the walls in her dining room, and needed to repaint everything. She still liked the idea of a stenciled Celtic medallion and knot rope theme, but wanted a fresh update (I did not do the original). Ceiling and wall medallions, wall rope design in two sizes, all custom made and hand cut, and appropriately scaled to the room, and what would be visible when the furnishings are back in place. Color palette refined to a creamy off white, a warm light tan, and a soft aqua. Here are some befores and afters.

Home portrait, 5”x7” acrylic on Bristol vellum. Happy 100th birthday Nancy, my former next-door neighbor. ❤️ I couldn't think of any better gift from me, personal and meaningful, than a painting of her house, where she lived for over 60 years, before moving to assisted living only 2 years ago. Progression video in the comments.

Simple elegant accent stripes added to the entry door and crown molding in this Park Avenue elevator vestibule.

Faux bois finish painted on the ceiling beams in this kitchen and family room, really makes a difference! Now these two beautiful rooms feel so warm and cozy! Base color, followed by two darker-colored glazes, in a directional striae. Followed the next day with two even darker colored glazes using a variety of graining tools and brushes to create the realistic wood details.

Spring break is over, and the students from Mendham High School came back to this!
While they were away, I completed two projects in their newly renovated and rebranded Wellness and Performance Center. I painted the M logo and signing on one wall, and also an inspirational mural of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success on another wall in the center.

This beautiful kitchen has been updated over the years, and the cabinets were recently painted grey. The last step in this transformation from “rustic to refined” was the greywash I painted on the stone walls, followed by a glossy clear coat. Check out the befores/afters. What a difference!

The fireplace in this historic home has been plastered over for at least 100 years.(That’s ok, there are other fireplaces in the house). But what to do with this one? Here it is! A Folk Art style landscape mural to coordinate with my client’s decor and furnishings!

What happens when a little boy outgrows his nursery mural, LOVES dinosaurs, and then gets a racecar bed? THIS!

Just a little hint of what I’m working on.

Simple but beautiful home address plaque complements this classic Philadelphia 2-family home. Black, white and grey acrylic on 8" x 10" wood plaque. Font is 325 point Bernard MT Condensed with highlights and shadows.

Thank you, my amazing clients, for keeping me busy in 2023! New homes, new babies, new businesses, renovations, logos, addresses, race awards, outlet covers, furniture, and even a few projects on canvas just for me! Cheers to surrounding ourselves with health, happiness, and beauty in 2024! Happy New Year! 🥳🥂🎨🖌️

Dashed off a quick seagull study! 8x10 acrylic on canvas.

The refreshing updates to this house continue with the fireplace wall. I painted a grey-wash on the old mixed-red bricks, and painted the hearth black. A new mantle is currently being constructed. Look through the before/during photos to see what a difference can be made without much complication or excessive cost!

Show some LOVE this Small Business Saturday, and support your favorite service-based small businesses! ❤️

A beautiful super soft blend of grey and white updates this dining room! There will be great photos when the new furniture and window treatments arrive!

This master bedroom project is one of the most interesting and unique murals I’ve done recently! A moody palette of dark olives, grey and putty - blurred together into a loose watercolory mural that evokes a dreamy abstract landscape!

I never ever get tired of doing these coverplate projects!!!

Unlike the many furniture flippers out there, my projects come to me strictly by commission. And since most of my work is NOT furniture, it’s a coincidence that I had 3 furniture projects simultaneously! In each case it was a client that moved, and decided to repurpose a quality piece in a new way in the new home. No shortcuts, no trendy products. Real prep, real furniture grade paints, and of course some special techniques!
Here they are just finished, but not set up in their respective homes yet. I will follow up with photos of that when everything is photo-ready!.

I haven’t even gotten to the fun part yet! (Stay tuned). But meanwhile, I can’t imagine how this chair could have ever been anything but black!

Copper leaf dome, my part of the transformation of this gorgeous foyer! The chrome light fixture was a perfect choice, the top ring reflects the bright copper!

Diptych composition- “Eiffel Aura” - Photo reproductions, textured plaster and tinted glazes on two 13 x 15 canvases. This composition was accepted into the Monmouth Arts Senior Art Show. Today at the reception I was awarded second place in mixed media!! 🥈Congratulations to my longtime (I didn’t say old) friend Steven Veiser on his 2nd place award for watercolor! 🥈 And it was so great to see Ken Clarici there too! A nice little reunion! ❤️

When it’s very important, sometimes you just have to spell it out, and put it in an obvious location! “Always kiss me goodnight” above the bed, Kunstler script font.