faux finishes

faux finishes

Among the many types of faux finishes, according to Better Homes and Gardens:

Sponging: Dip a wet sea sponge into glaze and press it on the wall. The glaze also can be applied to the wall and then lifted in patterns using the sponge. It creates almost a marbleized effect.

Ragging: Press a rag against a wall in which a glaze already has been applied, removing some of the paint. This will create a textured appearance.

Strie: Move a brush vertically over a wall to created a striped effect, either applying the glaze with the brush or removing some of it as you work.

Stippling: Use a brush to create the appearance of little dots. “That’s when you put on the base coat and put on a glaze and pounce with it,” decorator Elaine Griffin said.

Wood graining also is popular, McGranaghan said, as is the use of Venetian plaster, which results in a marbled look.