Artisan of the Month
Jo-Marie Frigo

At one of the most difficult points in her life, going through a divorce, a bout with cancer, and taking care of her four young children, Jo-Marie Frigo challenged herself to re-evaluate what was important to her.  What would bring joy to her life as well as her children’s?  Working on her vintage home, Jo-Marie realized that her artistic abilities were a natural part of her life and decided to go into decorative painting.  From that point forward, her company Fantasy Walls by Jo-Marie was born.  She had brought passion back into her life as well as managing to successfully teach her children the importance of following your heart and doing what you love. 

Jo-Marie resides in Chicago, Illinois.  She works in the city and the surrounding suburbs, primarily Burr Ridge and Hinsdale.  Currently, she is working in Oakbrook and will soon start a project on Lake Shore Drive.

Full of life and passion, Jo-Marie describes her favorite techniques and surfaces she enjoys working with.  “My home is over 100 years old, so I have a strong affection for the architecture and character of older homes.  I also love the blank canvas of newer homes and condos.  No project is too big or too small.  It’s all in the details, whether it’s a piece of furniture or the walls of a 30 foot sunken living room.”  Specializing in color consultation, faux finishes and Italian plaster, she explains the feelings that come over her when she first meets with a client.  “When I go into a client’s home I walk in with a fresh perspective, looking at it as a home and not just a room to paint.”   Walking through their home, Jo-Marie uses her artistic eye to see what colors, patterns and style the client favors.  “It’s so important to create a room that fits their personality because they have to look at it everyday.  I want them to feel great every time they walk into that room!”

Being a people person, Jo-Marie enjoys getting to know her clients and has met so many incredible people along the way.  Jo-Marie has been in business for 17 years working prominently through referrals.  “My clients put their trust in me to pick what I think will look best.  That in itself is the greatest compliment to my work.  Trust is important when working in someone’s home for both the client and myself.”

As a young mother, dining with friends at her favorite restaurant, Jo-Marie had a revelation.  “I am going to work her someday!”  She told her friends.  They all looked up and asked, “doing what?”  She replied, “I don’t know, I just know I’m going to work here someday.”  That someday did in fact arrive.  After she started her business, her favorite restaurant, Tuscany, hired her as their decorative painter for all their restaurants.  Jo-Marie is currently working in the Oakbrook Tuscany.  “We are completely changing the look, while keeping the Tuscan feel.  The crown molding is being emphasized with multiple metallic glazes, the walls are a soft sunlit color and the atmosphere is warm and inviting.”

Another favorite is a client in Burr Ridge with five children.  “Every bedroom and bath captured the individual child’s personality.  Vivid colors and patters for the girls, sports themes for the boys or the right color to match a drum set for the musician.”  Jo-Marie added lettering in the master sitting room and kitchen, finding just the right words that resonate with the family.  “My client decided she really liked the crackle look and she asked if I could crackle her dining room ceiling.  I crackled the ceiling and striped the walls a dark burgundy and bronze.  It turned out beautiful!”

“I like the versatility of the design part of my business; painting logos and lettering.”  Jo-Marie explains.  She has done many logos, one such logo for Strube Produce Co, in the Chicago International Produce Market.  After painting many office spaces at the market, Strube Produce asked Jo-Marie if she would paint their logo onto a 10 foot board that would hang in the main warehouse for all the buyers to see.  She took the 80 year old logo, enlarged it, and painted it on the board.  Being a family business that is over 80 years old, the Strube family was extremely pleased to proudly display their logo in their new warehouse.

Jo-Marie’s family is from Italy.  While visiting them in Tuscany, she met a couple traveling from Ohio.  As they sat and talked, Jo-Marie mentioned she was a decorative painter.  The couple said they had just purchased a condo in downtown Chicago, right on the Chicago River.  They took her business card and called her the following year when the condo was completed.  “The builder left the columns and ceiling bare cement, stating it was the “loft look.”  We decided to emphasize the cement column, painting it a metallic copper color.  The ceiling was painted with a lime based paint from Italy that soaked right into the cement, giving the condo a warmer feel.  For the columns dividing the windows a beautiful shade of blue was used, not to take away from the spectacular view.  To compliment the glass headboard in the master bedroom, a champagne metallic paint was used to stripe the wall.  The entire project turned out great!  There was lots of color, all complimenting the artwork and furnishings.”

Working with her clients enables Jo-Marie to constantly interact with people, which is so important to her.  As a decorative painter she recognizes the necessity of being involved in a network of artisans to continue her education, stay on top of the latest products and changing technology.  Approximately five years ago, Jo-Marie met Kathy Carroll at a SALI convention, now known as IDAL.  “I have been out to Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes and Kathy has so many different products.  She has such a big selection.  I am so impressed.  Kathy has many different techniques she shares as well.  I avidly read all Kathy’s technical information on her blogs and emails.  She has a wonderful community of faux finishers.”  Jo-Marie loves staying involved with the network Kathy provides between the faux community and wealth of technical information that she shares.  Being such a people person she feels that the faux finish community that Kathy has established is truly invaluable.

Jo-Marie enjoys the creativity and diversity that her business offers her.  “I love how it’s always changing, one job to the next, whether it’s a very detailed job, or putting a fresh coat of paint in a room.  There’s a sense of satisfaction when I leave a job.  Painting a room can brighten your day and add beauty to your surroundings.”  Jo-Marie enjoys everything about her business as well as the many wonderful people that she interacts with along the way.

Here is a sneak peak at Jo-Marie’s website, for more information and to the many pictures that will showcase her incredible work please visit the web address below.
“Looking for a way to brighten your day, to add beauty to your surroundings?  Refreshing the color or adding a faux finish to any room can improve your mood while adding to the value of your home.  Specializing in color selection, faux finishing and Italian plaster, along with traditional painting Fantasy Walls can create endless possibilities for your new or vintage home.”

For more information about Jo-Marie Frigo please call Jo-Marie Frigo at 773.779.2871 or visit www.fantasywallspainting.com