Faux Finishes

A Little Background about Faux Painting

The craft of Faux Painting has been practiced for centuries as a way to enrich surfaces when utilizing the “real” material desired is not possible, or to create a dramatic effect by placing an unusual material in an unexpected situation. It can also often be used for ‘matching in’ repairs to existing material, instead of replacing the whole thing.

Always eager to add to our repertoire of skills, I am constantly increasing the options available. If there is a finish you’d like, but don’t see here, please ask!

About Faux Painting

Paint and pigments have been used for centuries to help plain surfaces to appear to be made from “better” materials; and to fool the eye with optical illusions like 3 dimensional-seeming swags painted on a flat wall. It is a less expensive and often more durable way of upgrading your surroundings, adding opulence, luxury, or whimsy, or when the desired “real” material simply is not practical for the application.

In ancient times, plain locally-sourced stone pillars were often painted to resemble hard to get or more expensive materials like marble or lapis lazuli; in the 1920s, whole rooms were leafed in “Dutch metal” to appear to be silver or gold. These days, people often want to replicate existing finishes like mahogany or marble.

I use tried and true old techniques and also take advantage of the availability of new materials and methods to achieve the excellent results my clients want.

A Sampler of Some of My Faux Finishes:

Giallo di Siena

Breccia

Wood to Marble

After