Press Releases

We are pleased and honored to have been featured in various publications - from special news features, design articles and magazine write-ups. You are invited to view some of these published items as reprinted here.

6-19-05 Orlando Sentinel Homes Section Page J-5

THE RIGHT FURNITURE & Use of Color Can Open Up Rooms: by Teresa Burney

If you own a small home, chances are you have heard the adage "paint the walls white and the spaces will look larger."

Not true, says Michael Mikula, Jr., an experienced faux paint finisher and an owner of Two & Faux Interiors and European Design Interiors furniture store in Winter Park.

"People always want to go light, says Mikula, "but adding a color, rather than staying with white is going to give the room a better feel."

In fact, dark colors can make spaces look larger because they make walls recede from the eye. Paint one wall a dark accent color, and a wall appears farther away. Warm, rich colors also make a space cozier, Mikula says.

"Instead of trying to hide the fact that it is a smaller room, you can play up the coziness," he says. "Wall color should be like the mat in a picture frame, enhancing the look of the furniture and the draperies. Visually, you want the eye to go to the furnishings and accessories, not the walls. Softer paint finishes, such as Venetian plasters and suede paints soften room lines and enhance the cozy feel even more."

Mirrors in small doses can help a room feel larger and bring more light into a space, Mike states, but he advises against using a lot of bold prints as this can make the space feel claustrophobic in a small room.

Though many businesses related to interior design have focused on designing for large spaces in recent years, Mikula has made small spaces a specialty.

Last year he opened European Design Interiors to sell European furniture, which tends to be smaller than American furniture. He thought it might be a good business niche with so many downtown condominiums on the drawing boards and the growing popularity of downtown living in older, smaller homes.

The furniture is not dramatically smaller than American pieces; the pieces tend to be slightly shallower and slightly lower, and don't have gigantic space-eating rolled arms. Some have no arms at all, allowing people to sit at the ends as well.

Furniture that can be used for several purposes, including extra storage, have been selling well, Mikula says. He sells a cocktail table that raises and unfolds into a dining table, ottomans with storage, nesting tables and armoires that have the look of a custom designed closet. "When you move, you can take them with you" he says.

INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - Home & Design Issue March/April 2005 by Michele Casserino Pg. 21-22

Let's face it … white walls are well, just plain boring. Nowadays, there are a plethora of paint colors to add warmth to any room in your house. But, believe it or not, that's not your only choice.

Meet Michael Mikula - owner of the successful Two & Faux Interiors, an artistic finishes and faux painting firm in Central Florida. Whether it's color washing, sponging, or distressing, Two & Faux adds beauty and value to your home, more so than just a regular coat of paint would. These special finishes create subtle texture, rich depth and in many cases, add elegant reflective highlights along your walls. Two & Faux also specializes in Venetian plaster - a relatively modern term used to describe an ancient stuccoed surface coating. The overall look is one that is reminiscent of an Old World European finish and is becoming increasingly popular these days.

Mikula does double duty as an artist and interior designer, and is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers. In 2003, his faux painting work was featured at the Ronald MacDonald House charity showhouse near downtown Orlando. His work is also featured in numerous high-end homes throughout the Central Florida area, including the Longwood home of Cincinnati Reds pitcher, Danny Graves. His attention to detail doesn't end on the homefront. Two & Faux Interiors, which Mikula started in 2000, also provides specialty painting services for commercial building exteriors, including Caffé Positano in Lake Mary. Two & Faux has also performed scenic painting for Central Florida theme parks.

So now, you're probably thinking you can't afford this kind of work. But the truth is you can. Mikula is willing to faux paint or stencil a playroom for your children, a powder room or your entire house if that's what you want. They also paint a variety of murals from elegant and format to fun and whimsical. Mikula is not limited to just walls. He is able to hand paint designs and borders on columns, armoires, and other architectural pieces.

Speaking of furniture, Mikula expanded his creative talents and recently opened up European Design Interiors, a new showroom offering sleek contemporary home furnishings. These aren't your grandmother's couch and loveseat, that's for sure. European Design Interiors carries modern sectionals, cabinets, wall units, accent chairs, tables and bedroom furnishings in both bold and soft colors. Mikula's store also carries a line of Italian leather sofas and chairs that just debuted here in the United States, so finding that one-of-a-kind piece is definitely within your reach.

So, if you're looking to update your home with a new look or searching for that perfect piece of furniture, look to Michael Mikula.