Artisan of the Month
Ann Killelea

Ann Killelea enjoyed surrounding herself with the things she loved, redecorating, painting and fashion.  If there was a new class, she signed up for it, if a new design or idea came to her, she would try it out on a wall.  She loved keeping up with all the new fashion trends.  “My family has been blessed to have an abundance of talent in it.  With my father owning his own business and being a master carpenter, he has the talent of not only creating kitchens but jewelry as well.  My mother has a wonderful eye for style and fashion.  My sister works closely with me and is extremely supportive.  She helps me on jobs and has a real talent when it comes to style, color coordinating and interior design.  From a very young age, I’ve had color, style and design integrated throughout my life and that has made me who I am today.”  As Ann delved further into her love of all things creative she began to get serious about classes and took some from Jacek Prowinski, Sheri Zeman, Gary Lord, Barb Skivington, Melanie Royals as well as private classes from Kathy Carroll.  In 1990, Ann realized this world was where she was happiest and ultimately belonged.  So she left her job in the transportation industry, took the plunge and decided to launch her own business, Ann Art.

Based out of Tinley Park, IL Ann enjoys working in her hometown as well as traveling to the surrounding suburbs and even out of state.  One of the most important things to Ann is being able to put a smile on her client’s faces.  She loves to see them walk into their home or business, see the transformation that has taken place and experience that incredible moment of happiness when they see their hopes and dreams for their home or business come to stunning fruition.  “I love working with people.  I’m doing what I love to do.”  Feeling that continued education is important, Ann focused on the up and coming trends, new designs and products to ensure she has everything her clients may hope for.  “You will get behind in the industry if you don’t stay on top of the new products.  If you don’t have the creativity and new up and coming fashions then you will get lost.  It’s important to stay updated.”  Ann recently attended the Open Décor Show in Florida.  “Going down to Florida and seeing the new distributors we now have the new products from Italy to bring back to Chicago.  I also belong to the International Decorative Artisans League and a local Heartland Chapter where Kathy Carroll is the President.   Kathy leads with wonderful guidance and inspiration.  There I am able to create many new finishes from the large supply of products Kathy provides.   Having cutting-edge, marketable sample boards is simply amazing!  I’ve become great friends with the girls at the Chapter, we always share and bounce ideas off each other.”  With an easy acquiescence and a positive outlook, Ann fits right in with the other members as she shares her design ideas, love of color and adds to the wonderful camaraderie of the Heartland Chapter.

Reminiscing about a few of her favorite jobs, Ann remembers a home she worked on that was 11,000 square feet.  Her clients liked to refer to it as “the castle.”  Ann says they did this because, “They had so many floors of stone.  Over the bar ceiling I created a beautiful metallic tin look out of anaglyphic papers and metallic paints.  Other ceiling areas were done with different stone textures, metallic glazing and large designs to accentuate the architecture of each ceiling area.  The house was rustic with stone and gold leaf throughout.  The family room was a beautiful stone texture overlay with LusterStone over it continuing to the bathroom that had distressed Gold Leaf filtering through a Modello design.  It was a beautiful design with gold that popped through it leading to the husband’s area that was done in a more masculine decor. Downstairs was the theater.  The theater room was 30 x 30 with a 12’ ceiling.  It was monstrous and magnificent in a warm, metallic bronze with soft black glaze over it with red drapes that closed the stage.  It was fun.  They had three young kids and a big old fashion popcorn popper; they were in heaven. The third floor was not extravagant, it was simple and elegant.”

Ann described a room she did that reminded her of the incredible shimmery brilliance of a famous World Heritage Site.  “I did a house in Hinsdale in gold paint that looked like the Taj Mahal.  It was a soft gold.  When the wife walked in she said, I totally want to have a party right now!’  You could see the sparkle of the real gold powder in the paint.  It was unbelievable.  It was such a beautiful house.”  Just imagine what it looked like when the sun hit the walls?  Simply gorgeous!

Uplifting a client and completely transcending them from being unhappy about a room in their house to loving it is something that thrills Ann.  “A client in Hinsdale had a basement bedroom that was cold and eerie, she wanted it transformed into a room that looked like it was a fancy high-end hotel room.  We went through so many different designs.  Finally, we found the most beautiful, metallic striped finish in a mixture of warm grey’s and champagne colors, complete with a large embossed design with a touch of sparkle over it.  The homeowner wasn’t there for a week, so when she walked in after it was finished she was thrilled to see how gorgeous the walls were.  Just knowing how happy I make my client and knowing that I made that room look like an expensive high-end hotel was the best feeling.”

Ann is constantly staying on top of the latest trends, attending her Heartland Chapter meetings and even attending private classes with Kathy Carroll when time permits to ensure that her clients are satisfied and receive the inner vision that they have hoped to attain.  “Kathy is a wonderful giving individual who will go that extra step even if it means leaving her office and traveling to get the answer that are needed.  She is generous with us with her time and materials.  She laughs.  She has a conversation that is not all businesses and treats you like an individual.  Some of the products that I currently order from her are the Bella products, Proceeds by Golden, Modern Masters, Foils, Gold Leaf, Glazing tools, among many others.” 

What is in store for Ann’s future?  “I love what I do.  I want to continue with my business and learn as much as I can.  I love the direction we are headed in.  If we expand I would be happy with that as well and would love to bring on more people if that happens.”  She is delighted how things have been going, working in both the residential as well as commercial.  She plans on continuing on her path as her business has been doing very well. 

To learn more about Ann Killelea or Ann Art please call 708.705.8998 or visit www.annartfauxfinishes.com