Faux Painting

Faux finishing examples featuring color washing, faux bois and ragging.

Color washing can be achieved using a brush, sponge or rag, depending on the quality of the surface being worked on and the required quality of the finished texture. As it's one of the simplest decorative techniques, it's commonly used for large areas, even complete interiors. Although you can use vibrant colors, this technique is usually chosen when a very soft, subtle finish with low contrast is desired. The more colors used, or the less contrast between base coat and top color, the more soft and subtle the effect.

Faux bois is another name for Woodgraining and is used to give surfaces the appearance of wood. Of the four examples shown here, one was applied to actual wood beams that had been plastered smooth; two others were applied to drywall coffered ceilings; and the third finish was applied to 4 garage doors. The interior doors were not woodgrained. They were recolored and antiqued to match new kitchen cabinets and to harmonize with a new wall finish

Sponge painting has aquired a poor reputation, largely, I suspect, because of some of the rather crude examples featured by many "do-it-yourself" books. In reality, the use of sponges is very common when color washing on textured drywall or when seeking to achieve a soft stone appearance. The fact that the finishes don't look like they've been painted with a sponge is because of the way the sponge is manipulated across the surface. Of course, the appearance of an obviously sponged effect can work in certain situations, particularly where you want hints of metalic.

Click on the faux finishing images to the right for larger pictures and more detail about each project. Some of these are big files so they may take some time to show up.

Faux Painting - Ragging, Antiquing, Metallics, Venetian Plaster
Faux Stone, Tile and Concrete

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