Ellen and Jim were both raised in New Jersey, married and raised two wonderful children.  Ellen had attended college in Colorado and fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. In 1987 they moved to Avon and purchased a home and at the same time started a business here in Vail - Scandinavian Depot.

Jim's primary business brought them back to NJ but not for long. Ellen and Jim returned to the Vail Valley  10 years ago and later started a very successful faux finishing and decorative painting business.

In 1991, Ellen attended Fine Arts classes in Ventnor, NJ. and two years later started classes in decorative painting. For 4 years she attended art classes 3 days a week to enhance and improve her painting skills. Not only did she attended classes weekly, she also traveled and participated in painting conventions all over the country.

While attending a decorative painting convention in Las Vegas, Ellen won a week seminar for Barth's Faux Finishing School in Las Vegas. As soon as she got into this seminar taught by Bob Marx, she knew she had found her niche. From there she attending every school she could find to advance her knowledge and techniques of faux finishing. She has traveled coast to coast to acquire as much knowledge as she can in this art form.

Jim also has been studying at numerous schools through the country.  Besides mastering many glazes and textured finishes, he has followed the ever changing world of Venetian plasters.  Having trained and completed numerous projects Venetian plaster continues to be his favorite finish.  Jim just finished his second baseball season at Battle Mountain High School as the new head coach of the Varsity baseball team. 

Ellen and Jim are currently active contractors for Slifer Designs and have worked with many of their top interior designers. One of their completed projects, an old world wine cellar in Bachelors Gluch, was featured on the cover of Mountain Homestyle, summer 2002. 

Vail Valley Decorative and General Painting continues to stay on the cutting edge of wall finishes. Give us a call or e-mail for your painting needs.

Here are some helpful links if you are coming to the Vail Valley either to live or vacation

For recreational activities:

• Vail
• Beaver Creek
• Children's Activities

Weather in The Vail Valley

• The Weather Channel
• 9News

Please e-mail us or call (970) 949-9792

"Making the changes you've been looking for"