by THAT Painter Lady on Monday, January 12, 2009
We received these pictures recently from one of our readers – Carol Gerber.
She explained that she achieved this beautiful faux finish in her billiard room with a color wash technique. She used a light yellow as the base color and two different glaze colors, one being a tan color and the other a metallic gold.
To get the cracked effect she used pages from an old scrapbook and ripped along the edge to create a jagged line. She held the paper against the wall and brushed along the edge.
The final touch was drybrushing the entire surface to create a “shimmering look” as she called it.
I think it came out great! What do you think?
I always love to see the art & creativity of my readers. So, if you have a room that you have muraled or faux finished, I would LOVE to post some pictures so others can enjoy as well!
Also, don’t forget to stop by THE FORUM if you have questions!
by THAT Painter Lady on Sunday, July 27, 2008
I am trying to get a venetian plaster look in my house. I wanted to try to use drywall mud to create the texture with deeper / thicker results and I am not sure now how to paint it. Does one have to use the plaster in a can to achieve this look or can I paint over the drywall finish with a product that leaves the darker colors behind and the lighter tones to the surface? ~Rob Paulin
The above picture is of the Old World Plaster Finish that I did a few years ago. www.surfaceswithpaint.com
This is my favorite and most popular finish as a professional. I believe this is what you are trying to achieve with the lighter tones on the surface and the darker tone in the recessed areas.
I prefer NOT to use drywall mud for this finish because you will need to prime it before painting. You also run the risk of moisture getting into it when you start painting, and glazing.
Behr actually makes a texture paint that comes in 2 gallon buckets in both smooth and sand finishes. This can be applied to the wall with either a roller or a trowel. Here are the steps that you will need to follow in order to achieve this finish.
1. Apply Plaster – apply to the wall with a 6″ putty knife, pat the wet plaster with a trowel, and knock down with your 6″ putty knife. This is what gives the plaster pattern & texture.
2. Sand - this step is optional depending on how smooth you want your plaster. I like to spot sand areas where you can see lines left from the trowel. Be sure to wipe away the dust that is left from sanding, with a rag.
3. Paint – you can use any color (light to medium tone). I use 2 coats of latex paint. There is no need to prime with this plaster. Let it dry overnight.
4. Mix Glaze & Paint – This is the fun part. You will need a dark color. Don’t be afraid to pick a dark color, because you will be mixing it – 1 part paint to 3 parts glaze. You will also be washing it off with water, so the glaze will lighten up a lot.
5. Apply Glaze – Use a chip brush and apply in random strokes in a 2 -3 ft section.
6. Wash Glaze In – Have a bucket of water ready, dip a big kitchen sponge into the water, ring out until damp and then wash the glaze into the wall.
7. Wash Glaze Off – Wash out your sponge, ring out the water, and then gently wash off the surface of the wall. The light base color will show through leaving the darker glaze color in the recessed areas of the plaster finish.
I hope this helps. Please keep us posted on how it goes. ~ Dawn
Venetian Plaster Othello
4 Piece Set Plaster Trowel Set
Best Look Faux Finish Glaze
Woolie Lambwool Faux Appl Tool
by THAT Painter Lady on Friday, July 25, 2008
This great question form Donna – a newsletter subscriber – I am happy to share the limelight with Guest Painting Expert – Tawn….
I am wanting to get a distressed look on the center isle in my kitchen. It is real wood and was stained in a medium to dark finish when we built the home.
I want it to be a different color from my cabinets and thought of a distressed or old world look in a lighter color on top of the already stained wood. Can this be accomplished?
This is my first time doing this particular faux process. I assume there will be sanding involved. I just did not know if this is something I should try myself or if I should hire it out. ~Dave & Donna
Hi Donna -
What a great idea and fun, too! Easy to do as well.
If you want your center isle in your kitchen to look like it is a different piece of furniture, older, well loved, with many transformations, then here are a few steps for you to follow:
1. Sand – lightly sand the isle (this scuffs the surface so that the paint will have something to adhere to without chipping off later on).
2. Add Dabs of Color – paint a dab of turquoise here and some hot pink/red there and some bright sunny yellow over there.
3. Candle Wax Rub – go back over the dabs of color with a rub of wax. Take a candle (a taper or emergency candle works well – white – no color) and rub it on a portion of the color you painted and some on the edge of the dark stain.
4. Paint – you can paint over the entire thing with a creamy ivory color (2 coats)
5. Distress – when the paint dries take your sand paper and lightly run it over the areas you know you rubbed on the candle wax. It will take off the paint exposing the color(s) underneath (your dab of turquoise here and pink there and avocado green there and yellow here). Rub the sandpaper along some of the edges exposing the darker stain underneath and even go deeper here and there exposing just the wood.
6. Antique – to age the piece I would take a light stain or brown paint watered down and rub it all over the piece following the grain of the wood. Then seal it with Polycrylic Satin.
Guest Painting Expert – TAWN
Here are a few great resources on (do it yourself) distressed finishies. Click on the pictures to read about each resource.
Period Finishes & Effects
50 Ways to Paint Furniture: The Easy, Step-by-Step Way to Decorator Looks
The Art of the Painted Finish for Furniture & Decoration: Antiquing, Lacquering, Gilding & The Great Impersonators
One stroke furniture accents: 9 painted furniture pieces coordinated with wallpaper
