Introduction

 

I was practically raised in the theatre, and have spent most of my life creating the things dreams are made of. However, it wasn't until I became involved with the Church of Satan that I learned about the concept of Total Environments - private spaces designed to be enjoyed by individuals that surround them with a theme that is most aesthetically pleasing to them. Total Environments can be worlds of their own, taken from the pages of history or from the depths of one's imagination.

Having well over twenty years of experience when it comes to creating sets and stage effects, it didn't take me very long to embrace the concept of Total Environments and begin incorporating my theatrical skills into interior decorating.

While I offer my services as an interior decorator and consultant to the general public, I realise that distance, time, and money are issues that many people face when it comes to hiring someone to create simple decorating designs, let along complicated environments.   I created this website as a tool for those who would like to build their own environments but would like some tips on how to go about doing it.

So here you will find a wealth of information on how to build a simulated environment from the conceptual drawing to the housewarming party. Starting with the basics of learning how to create an accurate floor plan and selecting the right materials you'll need for the job, I've added as much information as I could to help make the task easier for even a novice decorator.

 

In the Techniques Section, you'll find many how-to instructions on popular faux finishes and simple special effects that are often used in theatrical production. You will also find illustrated step-by-step instructions for various projects in the Workshop Section.

In the Gallery I have included a collection of themed ideas that I yanked directly out of my working notebooks, many of them having been the foundations of decorating schemes and simulated environments that I've created for private clients. Many of these floor plans also offer alternative decorating ideas when the components can be changed easily to fit a completely different motif.

 I've also included photos and stories from other people who have enjoyed decorating their own private worlds and were kind enough to share them.

The Resource Section is an ever-growing list of places where you can find various components to fit a myriad of decorating themes. I've also put in my two-cents on companies whom I've had a lot of personal experience with and highly recommend for their quality products and customer service.

This website will continue to grow as time goes on and I actually remember to bring a camera with me when I work on various environments. I also welcome the contributions of others in the field who have some tips, tricks, or resource recommendations to add.

I strongly encourage others who have created Total Environments to share their stories and show off their photos in the Gallery.

I sincerely hope that you find this website useful in planning and creating your Total Environments.

 

To Life and Creativity,

Rev. Shiva Rodriguez

About the Designer

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