Bronner’s decorator Eileen walks you through how to create a realistic-looking cobblestone accent wall for your model scenery — inspired by the heirloom Nativity collection of House of Fontanini®.
The Fontanini® Story
The Italian Fontanini® Nativity collection has established itself as a leading designer and maker of famed Nativity figurines for well over a century! Fontanini® started, much like Bronner’s, from the humble beginnings of a single-room shop, growing to international renown.
According to exclusive U.S. supplier Roman® Inc.,
“It was fitting that Fontanini would distinguish itself as the premiere designer and maker of heirloom quality Nativities and figures; for it was in another Italian village, hundreds of years earlier, that St. Francis of Assisi introduced the celebration of Christ’s birth with a living Nativity. It is also the custom of Italian families to sculpt figures of people from all walks of life as they pay homage to the newborn King.” A custom that is widely celebrated in Fontanini’s® extensive village collection…
So it comes as no surprise that the Fontanini® collection is rife with inspiration to the artistic mind when it comes to all the possibilities for showcasing their heirloom pieces in an engaging, story-telling display! For this reason, Bronner’s decorator, Eileen Boone, was jubilant at the opportunity to start from a blank canvas in bringing new life to our 5″ Fontanini® Nativity exhibit in 2022.
Telling HIStory
The goal of the remodel was to showcase the Fontanini® figures and accessories in a way that shares the story of Christ’s life more chronologically. With this in mind, Eileen left no detail overlooked. First, she began at the top — with the sky. When viewing Bronner’s Fontanini® showcase, one will notice “the heavens” transition with the storyline.
And “They Saw A Star…“
A rich, dark-blue, star-studded, night sky resides over the shepherds and Nativity scene.
Our first Fontanini® Nativity display feature shares how Eileen made the 3D glittering stars that hang in the air with just 4 simple supplies:
- Wire
- Hot Glue
- Paint
- Glitter
Watch the video in this Glittering Stars DIY post.
From there, the sky then transitions to day over various depictions of village life. Consequently, Eileen painted stormy clouds above the crucifixion scene to correspond with scripture (Matthew 27:50-54). And after every storm, the silver-lining! Above Fontanini’s® depiction of Jesus’ triumphant resurrection, Eileen painted golden sunbeams breaking through the clouds.
Eileen paints a skyscape in the early stages of the renovation.
Certainly the sky is just one of so many incredible elements (and “Easter eggs“) that Eileen’s creativity brought to fruition in this remodel! Her inspiration comes, not just from the Bible, but also from the Judean landscape, in addition to the remarkable Fontanini® pieces themselves.
Building Blocks Cobblestones Of A Great (Fontanini® Nativity) Display
While founder Emanuele Fontanini’s son Mario pioneered a high-density polymer material for crafting the treasured figurines (that is still used today), Eileen uses common, accessible materials to help you create realistic-looking cobblestone accents that match so seamlessly it will be hard to tell where the pieces end and your display begins!
Can you tell the difference?!
How To Make A Realistic Looking Cobblestone Wall From Styrofoam™
Eileen creates realistic-looking cobblestone to accent the village scene simply by using:
- Styrofoam™ Block
- Hot Glue (low temperature is a must!)
- Acrylic Paints:
🎨 Warm Grey,
🎨 Burnt Sienna,
🎨 Titanium White,
🎨 Yellow Ochre and
🎨 Raw Umber - Floral Pick Pieces
Let’s get to work!
It goes without saying that these Styrofoam™ “stones” may also be made as steps to enhance natural-looking platforms. Using Eileen’s artistic techniques, the world of Fontanini® is yours!
Video Tutorial: DIY Realistic Looking Cobblestone
Video Tutorial Transcript
First Step
- Firstly, [by placing a block Styrofoam™ in your display] I cut a piece of Styrofoam™ to the thickness and length.
- I score it slightly, while on the display, to see how it fits. And finish the cut outside of the display to not damage the work that I have already completed.
Second Step
- Next, I score the Styrofoam™ where it will face out to make the joints between the stones, making sure I don’t cut through it completely.
- I make some of these cuts uneven, on purpose, to give a more natural look.
- Holding it against the display again, I cut the hard edge off to soften the stones.
Third Step
- Next, I use hot glue on the low setting to cover the face of the stones and to cover the texture of the Styrofoam™.
- Again, I tend to do this in an uneven manner to have it look more natural. I’ll stop pulling the trigger and use the tip of the glue gun to [drag the glue] to adjust the thickness of the hot glue.
You’ll want to make sure your hot glue gun has a low temperature setting or else you will end up melting the Styrofoam™.
- Continue on and do the same thing on top of the stone wall. [And any other exposed sides.]
Fourth Step
- Painting comes next. I’m using burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, and warm grey.
- I tend to [load my brush and] use a few colors at a time. I concentrate on darkening the joints before painting the faces of the stones. If not, you’ll end up having to redo the faces after. I use the browns and yellow ochre for this step.
- Painting on the hot glue can be difficult. I tend to use a good amount of paint with a light hand or else you may start to see the translucency of the hot glue through the paint [as the wet-on-wet paint can lift.] To avoid this, you can also wait and give it some time to dry and do multiple layers.
- I like the stones to have many colors to match the Fontanini® cobblestone.
- After the base layer of paint dries, I use a lightened version of the combination of colors to add highlights and details. Again, I want all the stones to look look different and more natural, so feel free to use a variety of lightened colors or white paint.
Fifth Step
- A few finishing touches using small clippings from picks as grass. Hot gluing those in as well. I use a floral pin to push them in [to the joints] and avoid burning myself.
- Then you are all set to hot glue and install your cobblestone wall.
- I hot glue a few more pieces of grass in the seam to incorporate it into the display. Adding some grass, sand, or moss can also help make the transition from the ground to the cobblestone look natural.
In Closing
Making your own cobblestone wall is a fun way to integrate your Fontanini® pieces and display in a seamless way.
Love Painting?
From cobblestones to “happy trees”, enjoy this post for a Bob Ross® inspired painting party!
