I am Tammy Chebny, a wife and mother of three (2 girls and a boy). I was 30 years of age, when the events of September 11, 2001 made me a furloughed airline pilot, when I discovered a new passion, faux painting. My husband and I had just built a new home and with a lot of time on my hands and no income, I decided to learn to faux finish and give my new home a taste of Italy.

I discovered a whole new and exciting career opportunity for me. People saw not only my home but how much I loved painting and so the journey began as I painted one home after another. I studied as many videos, books and classes in my area that I could on faux finishes to learn as much as possible.

My specialties are Venetian plaster, old world finishes such as aged plaster and exposed brick with a Trompe L'oel effect (meaning they are on a flat painted surface and shaded to look real or 3D), and recreating faux textures of stones such as granites and marbles. I have such a passion for stone! Even in the real form, I can't stop admiring every detail of it.
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I came upon a very large project in which I needed help and I remembered my friend Deanna had ventured with a faux finish in her living room that turned out quite beautiful. After much begging and coaxing and convincing her that this would be easy and fun and I would show here what to do, she finally agreed to help me. Not only was she a quick learner, but a natural. She was bitten by the Faux painting bug too, and has not been able to get enough of it ever since. Now it was Deanna's turn to encourage me and coax me into joining her and start a business together. I had been called back to my flying career by now and was hesitant, but she kept getting us so many jobs and we work so well together. Our personalities are the perfect balance for a business. Finally, In the early Fall of 2005, We joined together as partners and Faux Fabulous Finishes was born.

We have experimented with many different finishes, techniques and tools. We have studied at the Chicago Institute of Faux Finishes in Carol Stream, IL as students of one of the most well known, successful and talented instructors in the faux finishing industry and owner of Chicago Institute, Kathy Carroll. We not only learned so much from her, but We discovered a great line of products and tools to really enhance and bring our skills, talents, and projects to a much higher level. We have had the opportunity to design faux finishes in 5 churches in the children’s centers with themes such as, midieval times with a faux stone castle, main street USA with faux brick, marble, travertine, stone buildings and columns.

Our passion is to share the beauty we have the ability to create, into homes and businesses for all to enjoy their surroundings. To take places and spaces less appealing and make them Faux Fabulously Beautiful!

Tammy Chebny
(847) 489-3922

Inspired Designis a custom decorative painting company owned and operated by Jenna DeFalco, an innovative painter and designer. Inspired Design specializes in the creation of custom decorative wall finishes, murals/fine art and hand painted furnishings.

About the Artist-Jenna began her formal training in fine arts. She is a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts, with an emphasis in Illustration.

In June of 2002, in response to increasing demand for her work, Jenna formed Inspired Design. Her hand-painted furniture has been displayed in art shows, galleries, and was featured on the HGTV® series, Mission Organization®, in which she collaborated with two local designers to reinvent a child's bedroom. From decorative faux finishes and murals to intricate hand painted furnishings, her one-of-a-kind artwork not only defines a space, but also captivates the imagination.

I am DeAnna Kube, both a loving wife and mother. When my son went off to school, I had more time to let the artistic, creative side of me loose. I began by painting faux finishes in my own home. I’ve always been an art enthusiast and this was the very thing I needed to get me inspired to learn more.

DeAnna’s interest in art began at an early age. Essentially self-taught, but as she gained experience began to seek professional training as a student at Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes. Owner, Kathy Carroll, is one of the most well known, successful, talented instructors in the faux finishing industry. DeAnna is also certified with Increte Decorative Concrete. Her interest became a passion, then a career. She is now co-founder, with her partner Tammy Chebny, of Faux Fabulous Finishes established in 2005. (See Tammy’s story.)

DeAnna enjoys working on a variety of surfaces including: walls, ceilings, plywood, concrete, counter tops and columns. The sky is the limit as to the different products and wall textures available. Stone, marble, plaster, concrete and brick are some of the many textures that can be used to transform these surfaces into faux fabulous finishes. She especially likes finishing concrete floors by staining or applying concrete veneer finishes.

DeAnna had the opportunity to design faux finishes for classrooms in children’s centers within 5 different churches. Some of the themes included: midieval times with a faux stone castle, and main street USA with faux brick, marble, stone buildings and columns.

I paint with a passion to recreate the many beautiful textures found on nature. The act of painting energizes and inspires me. I simply love to paint.

Deanne Kube
(847) 345-1823

Inspirational Designs by Philly is owned and operated by Philly Wanland. Philly has been involved in the arts since childhood.  As long as she can remember art has been a part of who she is.  She has always been serious about continuing her education in the arts throughout her entire life.  Philly had a passion for painting in the fine arts as a young adult.  She also was inspired  in other art mediums that lead to expertise in the area of ceramics.  She is schooled in various mediums including ceramics,  acrylics, oils, water colors, metals , wood, stain glass and jewelry.  Philly has enjoyed learning from an eclectic group of teachers at Suburban Fine Arts  Center, Northeastern University and College of Lake County.  For many years she felt that her passion would simply be a hobby that she would continue to enjoy, but life would soon send her in a new direction.

In 2002, Philly volunteered at a local church as the stage designer and was introduced to the labor intensive art of prop development.  One of the techniques used on the props and stage was faux finishes.  She was hooked!  Philly learned as many finishes as she could and created many of her own!  Painting and faux finishing was a natural evolution of her artistic gifts.  The multi-site church appreciated her talents and hired her to design classroom facades and faux the church’s children’s 1950’s inspired train station and town.  She also did another church’s children’s area in a medieval theme complete with village and castle.

Philly found that word of mouth is a wonderful thing and customer’s desire for her finishes and murals dictated she go into business for herself.  In 2005 Inspirational Designs by Philly was created.  Her clientele has been diverse and includes churches, businesses, and private residences.  It has been important to Philly to gain knowledge and expertise in faux finishes. INCRETE Systyems, Inc. has awarded her a certificate in decorative concrete.  Philly has certification in SkimStone by Modern Masters taught at the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes owned by Kathy Carroll.  She has enjoyed learning from Kathy Carroll, a well known and talented teacher, whose contagious love for the industry has Philly excited about taking additional classes from the Chicago Institute of Faux Finishes.

Philly looks forward to each project with enthusiasm and commitment to serving the client’s needs!

Inspirational Designs by Philly at 847-942-2214