Many techniques, from sponging to lime washing are very easy to learn.
What Is Faux Painting?
Faux painting, or faux finish, is a term used to describe a wide range of decorativepaint techniques.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
“Faux” means “false” or “fake” in French.
People may use faux painting because it’s cheaper than using the materials the paint is trying to mimic.
At this time, faux painting began to emerge in homes, with high-end homes leading the trend.
Matrix Reloaded / Getty Images
The technique involves washing color over painted walls.
Applying a lighter color glaze over a darker glaze is one way to achieve an aged patina.
For a deeper, richer color, work with two darker color glazes over a base color.
How Did I Do It
There are, however, specially designed rollers that do the job of rags more efficiently.
This is a beautiful effect for traditional interiors.
The technique requires pulling a dry brush through a wet glazed surface to create the “weave.”
Valspar Paint
Typically this technique is used in a traditional room paired with wainscoting.
It can also look beautiful done directly to wood paneling to make the wood look aged.
It’s a perfect backdrop forMediterranean-style architecture.
ExperienceInteriors / Getty Images
It’s the perfect backdrop for living spaces or outdoor areas in antique, rustic, or country homes.
If the Venetian plaster is burnished after utility, it will look like polished marble.
Venetian plaster has a sheen that regular lime plaster does not have.
Katsumi Murouchi / Getty Images
This technique is a classic look that interior designers use to elegantly finish traditional to modern interiors.
Or add a “new” faux patina using metal spray paint.
Then you apply a lighter green paint on top of those two colors and blot it with a rag.
Liudmila Chendekova / Getty Images
It works best on wood surfaces (furniture or frames) rather than on walls.
It works well inmodern farmhousesand other types ofrustic interiors.
It works great for casual, high-traffic spaces and imperfect walls.
Jay’s photo / Getty Images
Thesponge paintingtechnique is achieved by dabbing various colors onto a base color.
you’re able to make your sponging bold or subtle, depending on your color mix.
Sponging can be done with different glazes and sheens, from matte to glossy.
The Spruce / Tessa Cooper
Note thatalkyd paintis often recommended for sponging because latex paint may dry too quickly for this technique.
The different types of sponges you use can also result in unusual patterns.
To achieve a convincing marble look, use white, light gray, and dark gray paint.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
The effect is achieved first with a few coordinating base colors and then sponging on a glaze.
you’ve got the option to also mimic granite by speckling on some glaze.
Creating faux stone involves a lot of paint and glaze layering to get the look of granite.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
The opaque and chalky finish goes well in many decor styles, from cottage to rustic to modern interiors.
Limewash is often confused withwhitewash, a diluted and translucent painting technique.
Oak, pine, and ash are common types of wood used for this technique.
The Spruce / Lesley Shepherd
Wood Graining
Wood graining is a technique used to imitate the appearance of wood with detailed grains.
This is usually done on a plain surface to simulate the look of wood.
Faux painting is a classic technique to add depth, color, and dimension to a wall.
Heirlooms at Home
DIY faux painting is not any more expensive than what it would cost to paint a room.
In recent times, the word has encompassed the technique to simulate multiple mediums, textures, and surfaces.
You may also hear the term “decorative painting” used interchangeably with the faux painting technique.
Artjafara / Getty Images
How Much Does Faux Painting Cost?HomeAdvisor.
John Keeble / Getty Images
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
