Student Testimonials
“Designer finishes is a class act. From the expert teachings of Wanda , to the servicing of an out of state customer who needs all the help and product she can get! But, Wanda does something a lot of people don't do when they own a business and that is care. She cares about your project and does what she can to make the project a success. Thanks for everything Wanda!”
-Jayne Taylor, Palm Coast, FL
“Warrensburg has much to offer in the realm of a quieter lifestyle. But that changes at Wanda Timmons’ high energy Designer Finishes school where rural meets city. Just stepping through the front door one is catapulted into a world of fabulous faux finishes that you’d expect to see only in a large metropolis. As students of Wanda, we were amazed at what could be done with paint and texturing materials. It’s all in the application and technique. We especially like the free-flow exchange of ideas that is encouraged and the support you receive while turning an interest in faux into a trade. Wanda is very motivational and exceptional at fostering creativity in students. She is very good at what she does. We highly recommend all, who are inquisitive about faux painting either as a customer looking to transform their home or as a student seeking a new skill, to visit Designer Finishes in Warrensburg—where the walls are brimming with texture and color.”
-Donna & Paul Hayden, Buffalo, IL
“My husband and I build houses. The most exciting part for me is the finish work. I do all of the painting and decorating, which consists mostly of wallpapering. About a year ago, I started taking classes at the Designer Finishes Studio, from Wanda Timmons. My whole idea of decorating has changed immensely. Wanda has taught me techniques that have been fun and surprisingly easy to accomplish with practice. I never thought I could achieve so many awesome looks and textures. The Aqua Finishing Solutions® products she uses are by far superior to anything I have ever used. Thanks to my classes with Wanda, I am hoping to expand my decorating talents in our new homes and with others.”
-Brenda Wilson, Oreana, IL
“Before being introduced to the Aqua Finishing Solutions® line of products, I had been a faux finisher for six years using only 'regular paint store products'. I have spent the past year using almost exclusively products from Designer Finishes. They make faux painting so much more enjoyable as they have a long open time and allow you to work the product until you get it just right. Before I was always moving so fast that I couldn't really enjoy the process. Whenever I travel to do jobs, I always take along a gallon of Aquacreme™ (which sometimes is enough to do two or more rooms!) and all my Aquacolors™. With the Aquacolors™ I can 'tweak' any paint color. I can create glazes in any color I may need and I can make any stain when I mix them with F/X Thinner™. The more classes I take, the more experience I get with these products reinforces the fact that I will never go back to off the shelf products again. The past year I have created higher quality, more unique finishes and ultimately have translated that into much higher earnings.”
-Elizabeth VanHoutan, Decatur, IL
“My experience with Designer Finishes Inc. has brought me great knowledge and confidence in my faux finish business. The classes are full of hands-on training. Wanda is a very patient, exceptional teacher and I love her number one rule of the business and that is “ There is no problem that does not have a solution”. Wanda has helped me through many “problems” well after the class was over. The support she and her staff give is very valuable. I am sold on the Aqua Finishing Solutions® products. I have done many Lusterstone™ finishes for customers and they are always amazed at the result of this product. It is not something you can find at your area home store either. Wanda stands behind these products and I know she would not promote them if they did not guarantee the results. It is very beneficial to continue taking classes because new faux finish techniques are always in the making at Designer Finishes Inc.!”
-Kim Meyers, Great Transfauxmations, Warrenton, MO
"I started faux painting about 5 years ago, learning by watching television shows and reading How To books. I really thought that I knew what I was doing, but was I wrong. I bought my products at local retail paint and hardware stores not knowing there was something much better to use. I heard there was a school starting up in Warrensburg so I called and ask to be notified when the classes started. I took the first class and was so impressed that I have taken 6 classes. Wanda is a great teacher and the products are endless, there is so much that you can do I just want to keep learning more. I show my boards that I did in class to customers and I have all the work I can handle. Two things I will not change: 1) I will keep taking every class Wanda has to offer. 2) I will always use Aqua Finishing Solutions® products, because they make the job so much quicker and better than anything I have ever used.”
-Georgia King, Monticello, IL
“Just wanted to let you know that I am sold on buying the Aqua Finishing Solutions® products. The Aquabond™ is the nicest paint I have ever used. I have used Benjamin Moore, ICI Dulux, Glidden, etc. The coverage is better, the application is better and the finish is better. It is also the easiest paint to clean up. Truthfully, Wanda, the paint seemed really expensive but the coverage is so much better than the other premium paints I have tried that the cost difference is actually very small. Thanks too, Wanda for the great customer support. I so appreciate a business that knows and stands behind their product. That makes Designer Finishes unique.”
-Mura Haupt, Peoria, IL
“Designer Finishes was highly recommended to me by another faux finishing contractor several years ago. I have had the opportunity over the years to take almost every class Wanda has offered. Wanda's instruction is phenomenal. With all the classes I have taken from Designer Finishes, I've come out with amazing finishes and instructions that are easy to follow. Her dedication to keep up with all the new products and finishes with new classes keeps me coming back. Wanda, Designer Finishes, has been responsible for a large part of my success with my business as a Decorative Painter/Faux Finishing Contractor due to the training and continued support. I feel fortunate to have Designer Finishes in my area and Wanda as a friend.”
-Jan Moody, Moody Walls and More by Jan, Peoria, IL
“I have my own decorative painting business in Springfield, IL and did not realize that the Designer Finishes School was so close. I went to Wanda’s studio prior to taking the class as I was not sure whether I needed to take the class. After talking with Wanda and looking at her studio and samples I knew I needed to know how to paint all of her samples which means that I need to take many of her classes! I took the furniture painting class in October 2007 and now can not wait to do another faux finishing class. The furniture class was a three day class and over the three days we covered about 18 samples and boards of different styles and techniques. I was truly at my happiest while taking the class, I was totally engrossed in what I was doing and learning, I just had a great time. The whole time Wanda was an exceptional teacher; she was extremely patient and was always extremely helpful. She always answered my questions, and since the class has been a terrific support to me. I have emailed her often and she continues to be a mentor to me. The class definitely gave me the confidence to paint furniture and since then I have painted kitchen cabinets and I am about to paint a piece of furniture that I actually did a sample board for in the class. I look forward to attending more classes in the future. Thanks so much Wanda for your help!”
-Lisa Cox, Springfield, IL
“Designer Finishes has been a lifesaver for me personally. I was in such a mess when I came to Wanda because of the school I thought was the right school for me was a complete total waste of money and time. My finishes I had learned were impossible to reproduce on a wall. My last instructor had me believing that I just wasn’t cut out to be a faux finisher. I was devastated when I came to Wanda’s class. Wanda treated me so kindly, her instruction made it easy for me to understand. My last instructor was so hard to understand and her notes were just as hard to follow. Wanda taught me the fundamentals of painting and glazes and how to make sure my corners were tied into my finishes. Her pre written notes were a big part of her teaching. She never went outside of the notes. She encouraged me in every way possible. She took me one step at a time and did not hide anything from me. I can tell you that I am a great faux finisher and will continue learning from Wanda until the day I retire. I love faux painting. I love Wanda. You will also meet the most wonderful people working here as well. I cannot say enough about my experience at Designer Finishes. Wanda took a beat up, non-confident person, and helped me to follow my dream. I’m having a blast being a faux finisher and I have no regrets!”
-Gina Miller, Arthur, IL
“Always having an interest in art, choosing the construction industry as my profession I am always looking to advance my natural born artistic inclination. Wanda Timmons allowed me to bring more creativity to our design team and our projects. I always thought “Real” Faux Finishing was easy until I tried it, then realized what the general public considers as Faux was not the professional avenue that I was seeking. Through Wanda’s guidance in and out of class I experienced an in-depth understanding of The World of Faux Finishing. I am preparing to start more advanced faux classes and look forward in making the Imaginative Dreams of others Come True!”
-Steve Huffman, Dreamscapes By S.W. Huffman Const., Inc., Ottumwa, IA
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