Faux painting became popular in classical times in the forms of faux marble, faux wood, and trompe l’oeil murals. Artists would apprentice for 10 years or more with a master faux painter before working on their own. Great recognition was awarded to artists who could actually trick viewers into believing their work was the real thing. Faux painting has continued to be popular throughout the ages, but experienced major resurgences in the neoclassical revival of the nineteenth century and the Art Deco styles of the 1920s. During the recent history of decorative painting, faux finishing has been mainly used in commercial and public spaces.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, faux finishing saw another major revival, as wallpaper began to fall out of fashion. At this point, faux painting became extremely popular in home environments, with high-end homes leading the trend. While it can be quite expensive to hire a professional faux finisher, many faux painting methods are simple enough for a beginning home owner to create with a little instruction. People are also attracted to the simplicity of changing a faux finish, as it can be easily painted over compared with the hassle of removing wallpaper.
In modern day faux finishing, there are two major materials/processes used. Glaze work involves using a translucent mixture of paint and glaze applied with a brush, roller, rag, or sponge, and often mimics textures, but it is always smooth to the touch. Plaster work can be done with tinted plasters, or washed over with earth pigments, and is generally applied with a trowel or spatula. The finished result can be either flat to the touch or textured.

Training
General Macintosh training: Basics, Email & Web fundamentals, networking & file sharing, extensions & control panels, etc.
Mac OS X: Fundamentals, system setup & tuning, networking & internet, firewall settings, System Preferences, iTunes, CD burning, etc.

Troubleshooting
Email & Web access problems
System crashes and freezes, printing problems
Disk problems: “first aid” for corrupted hard drives and files
Software upgrades:
Operating system upgrades, driver upgrades for printers, scanners, etc.
Cleanup & tuning, performance optimization
Hardware upgrades and repairs:
Memory upgrades; hard disk replacement and upgrades
Memory-backup battery replacement (flat $35 labor plus battery)
Installation & testing of new peripherals (e.g. printers)
Accessories & cables
Network design & setup: Wired and wireless network equipment, routers, cabling, and setup
Wireless network equipment & setup
Upgrading from dialup to cable modem or DSL
Router installation & configuration
File sharing among computers
Computer migration:
Research & recomendations for upgrading
Moving files from an old system to a new one.
Hardware Sales

I do not sell computers, but I often order parts and equipment for clients. The list includes such things as memory, hard drives, network routers, wireless cards, cables, USB accessories, printers, and accessories — basically everything but the computer itself. Virtually everything is sold to you at my cost, plus applicable tax and shipping. I comparison-shop the online retailers to find the best prices.

Labor rates and Invoicing

My standard labor rate is $64/hour. I often do not charge for part of the time spent doing support or instruction, to keep your costs down. Travel time is not charged. For clients, email support and short telephone calls are free! (Calls over 1/2 hour will be billed at a reduced rate of $16 per half-hour.)

Invoices are mailed on the last day of each month, to all clients who have incurred charges during that month.

Telephone: 805-924-1609
Email: rick AT cfcl.com

At the foot of the scenic Highway One & Big Sur coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is the quaint seaside village of Cambria. Cambria was settled in the early 1860′s with the towns center located in what is now East Village. By the 1880′s Cambria was the second largest town in the county, with a population of nearly 7000, and an active center of shipping.

In 1894, railroad lines were extended into San Luis Obispo from the south, resulting in the decline of coastal shipping and the isolation of Cambria. It was more than a quarter century before the first improved road to Cambria was completed.

In 1927, the area called Cambria Pines was subdivided into small residential lots. Today, tourism and real estate are the town’s main industries. Residents include artists and craftspeople, retirees, professionals ranchers and farmers.

It took almost a decade for Cambria to settle on a name. In 1869, after going by Slab town, Rosaville, San Simeon and Santa Rosa, the name Cambria was officially adopted.

The dramatic coastal drive on Highway 1 in northern San Luis Obispo County has earned its reputation as one of the most scenic drives in the world. This area is home to Ragged Point, San Simeon, Cambria, Harmony and Cayucos.

Cambria’s Moonstone Beach Area At the northwest corner of the county is Ragged Point, an untamed section of coastline. Just south is the Piedras Blancas (meaning “white rocks”) beach, where the 110′ Piedras Blanca Lighthouse, built in 1874, still stands as a beacon warning boaters and fishermen of the perilous reefs and rocky shores. San Simeon Pier, built in 1878 by William Randolph Hearst’s father, George Hearst, continues to serve the area’s commercial and sports fisherman.

South of San Simeon, between a natural Monterey pine forest and the Pacific Ocean is the charming town of Cambria. This lovely village with a history of dairy farming is now regarded as an artist’s colony, and supports an impressive selection of gourmet restaurants, art galleries, ocean view inns, and one-of-a-kind shops. At the west end of town is Moonstone Beach, named for the shiny moonstones that were once found on the shore. A row of small hotels and bed-and breakfast inns overlook the beach.

Just south of Cambria, one-block-long Harmony (population 18) is home to a post office, wedding chapel, art shops, galleries, a restaurant/bar, and a winery. Further south from there, Cayucos Pier offers legal fishing even without a fishing license. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of swimmers brave 50-degree waters for the annual Polar Bear Dip in the Pacific. The event attracts both young and old participants.

Cambria’s West Village

At the northwest corner of the county is Ragged Point, an untamed section of coastline. Just south is the Piedras Blancas (meaning “white rocks”) beach, where the 110′ Piedras Blanca Lighthouse, built in 1874, still stands as a beacon warning boaters and fishermen of the perilous reefs and rocky shores.

Average Temperatures

For San Simeon, Cambria & Cayucos

Founded in 1913 by E. G. Lewis, Atascadero became an incorporated city in 1979 and provides governmental administration through a five-member city council. The character of the community can best be described by phrases such as “elbow room” and “rural atmosphere. ” Atascadero should be considered as a place to live by anyone looking for a quality lifestyle including clean air and single-family residences which are not stacked one atop the other. The community boasts of relatively large lots in most areas, invites the ownership of farm animals on the majority of lots and works to preserve the natural flora and fauna.

Atascadero is located within driving range of many popular tourist attractions, such as Hearst Castle, about 45 minutes away; three California missions, San Antonio, San Miguel and San Luis Obispo, are all less than 45 minutes away; and three large fishing and boating lakes, Nacimiento and San Antonio, 25 miles to the north and Santa Margarita Lake, 25 miles to the south.

The city itself boasts Atascadero Lake Park, Sunken Gardens Park, South Atascadero Park, Heilmann Dog Park (Off Leash Pet Friendly :: Map), and the Charles Paddock Zoo.

The city’s elevation ranges from about 125 feet at the Salinas River to 2,436 feet at Frog Pond Mountain with City Hall being about 850 feet above sea level. Several creeks flow easterly and northerly through the city and into the Salinas River.

The average yearly rainfall for Atascadero is slightly above 17 inches, with an average temperature in January of 60 degrees during the day and 41 degrees at night. In July the daytime high averages 95 degrees with the nights dropping to 55 degrees. Even on the warmest of summer days, the ocean breeze cools the city at night. The average rainy season runs from mid-October to mid-April. Frost is common from October through April.

With the historic City Administration Building at its core, Atascadero today is an economically viable city providing social, educational and commercial services for its citizens. The growth of the city in the past decade has been due to emigration from larger metropolitan areas, the availability of economically attractive land and the attraction of the rural lifestyle.

Today Atascadero can boast of an active business community which provides goods and services not only for its local residents but for those who live in smaller communities to the north and south. A regional flair has developed in the city as factory outlet stores, supermarkets, chain drug and department stores, and new motels are locating within the boundaries of the city. Retail sales account for a major portion of the city’s income. Because of the nature of employment in Atascadero, “highs” and “lows” as the economy gets strong or weak are generally avoided.

Free
Expert Advice for Your Home

Don Vandervort, a regular
on HGTV’s "The Fix," offers free advice, buying guides, ideas and  
do-it-yourself help, in this one-stop source for home repair, remodeling,
home-improvement and home decorating information.
[Home Tips.com]

Energy Savers

A practical guide on how to reduce your home energy use, with tips on
insulation, heating and cooling, lighting, landscaping, and much more.
[View
Website]  

Hiring a Contractor

Your home may be your most valuable financial asset.  That’s why it’s important to be
cautious when you hire someone to work on it.  Finding a competent and reliable contractor is the first step to a successful and satisfying home
improvement project.
[View Information]

Better Homes & Gardens
Home Improvement Encyclopedia

Whether you’re fixing a clogged
drain, building a deck, wiring that new addition, or adding landscape to
your yard–we’ve got the site for you. Search from more than 1,000 home
improvement tips that can save you time and money
[Better Homes & Gardens]
 

ImproveNet

Through it’s exclusive
comprehensive network of over 600,000 pre-screened contractors and designers, ImproveNet helps its users make good decisions about home improvement
projects. As a completely independent authority, ImproveNet maintains its
integrity, objectivity, and credibility
[View Website]

Kitchen &
Bath Consumer Resources

 Excellent online resource
from the National Kitchen and Bath Association includes helpful planning
checklists,  a guide to understanding the remodeling process, and tips from
the pros.
[Website]

Remodeling Projects: Cost vs. Value

 Updating and remodeling
kitchens and baths will add the most value to your home. In some instances,
these projects could possibly return more than 100% of the cost if the home
is sold within a year.
[View Info]

Popular Mechanics Homeowner’s Clinic

You’ll find the kind of concise,
illustrated how-to pieces you’ve come to expect from Popular Mechanics.
There are sections on solving household problems, how to make your house a
safer, more comfortable place to live, appliance care tips and woodworking
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[View Info]