The Art of Old World Faux Painting

FAUX FINISHING means using paint, glaze, plaster, and similar products to create the illusion of real, sometimes expensive materials like marble, granite, bricks, wood, etc. These techniques are centuries old, and currently enjoying a renaissance because of the truly stunning results that can be achieved at a fraction of the cost. Some of these beautiful finishes can be done by manually and artistically average people—no special talents are required.

   Remodeling or redecorating your house can sometimes cost a fortune, especially when comes to kitchen cabinet refinishing and wall resurfacing. But thanks to faux finishing techniques, materials, and literature that’s readily available, a homeowner has the power to imbue homes with character, personality, charm, and an old world look—though with some personal effort. This will give you extra satisfaction when relatives, friends or neighbors compliment your work.

   If your taste leans toward traditional, you would probably prefer a formal style with old world decorative techniques that make walls look washed and textured, your woodwork distressed, and your furniture antiquated. Kitchen cabinets or other woodwork can be refurbished by staining, glazing, antiquing, distressing or by any other faux painting techniques for a new French Chateau or country, Tuscany or English, or any other antique look. With just one color and special faux painting techniques, you can transform boring walls, ceilings, cabinetry and woodwork into works of art with a dramatic texture or uniform haze.

   If you want to transform your décor into architectural art with an old world appeal, use washed, weathered or lime plaster textures to create special effects of weathered bricks, stone, and block walls, columns, pillars, beams, lintels, and frames. And when refurbishing cabinetry or woodwork, use multiple layers of stain and glazes together with various distressing methods. Your choices are infinite.

   If you are a novice painter and feel somewhat insecure, relax. While imagination and artistic talent are wonderful assets for anyone wanting to become a professional decorative painter, they are not prerequisites, especially for motivated homeowners. Having the proper materials, tools, and taking the time to plan and practice your chosen techniques are far more important. Complex faux finishes can be beautifully painted by beginners. The biggest mistake inexperienced painters make is to underestimate the amount of time needed to paint an entire room, or a piece of woodwork. So think through your project and practice to be sure you understand the techniques and like the way they interact with materials and colors. Then have fun. A little time, patience, and imagination are all it takes to create these wonderful paint effects. It can be done by anyone. And do not forget about reference materials, you will find plenty of them in bookstores and home improvement stores.

   And if you are to busy to do a project by yourself, you can still hire a professional painter who can help you with kitchen cabinet refinishing, wall faux painting or texturing. You can call Faux Finishes by Stan at (760)310-7570, (760)842-8701, fax at (760)842-8702 or visit our Web site www.fauxfinishesbystan.com or www.oldworldfauxpainting.com

If you prefer to get some personal training before starting your home project or beginning a new professional faux painter carrier, you can attend our personal faux training and learn how to use any common and inexpensive plasters, paints, glazes or stains and redecorate your home. Yo will save that way thousands of $$$ on just a single project, and will be better prepared for an opportunity that suddenly falls from the sky.

© Stan Ziolkowski, European faux master

   We deliver an extraordinary product and service for a reasonable price. Read what others have to say about our business in About us and more about what can be done with the Art of Old World Faux Painting Techniques in More about faux painting