How To Achieve A Tuscan Kitchen Faux Finish

It’s all about color lately… spring is in the air, and we are all ready for a few new colors on the walls. The problem is… colors on those tiny little chips look mighty different on big large walls.

Then… throw in the idea of a faux finish… and the color choosing gets very confusing.

This is a question from a reader about How To Achieve A Tuscan Kitchen Faux Finish:

Hey there, I have a few questions I know you can help me with.

1. I am texturing a huge living/dinning area with joint compound, should I use glaze for the faux finish with such a large area ?

2. I am trying to get the aged Tuscan look. I am stressing myself on what colors to put on the wall. My kitchen cabinets will be a light color of pale yellow/tan with a brown wash on the top. Please give me some ideas for a 2 or 3 color wash on the walls. I don’t want a orange or a southwest look.

3. Should I seal the texture before I paint it, after, or at all ?

I have done faux finishes before, but because this is my first house to build and pick out everything. It is driving me crazy. I love all of the Tuscan colors or earth tones.

Thanks for your help. Lisa Kelley

Question 1: Yes you can use glaze for the faux finish over joint compound… but you must paint it first or the faux finish will just suck into the walls… and not glide over them.

Question 3: See question 1 answer. :o)

Question 2: The big question. Aged Tuscan Walls. How do you achieve this look? And… she wants advice for a 2 or 3 color wash.

Okay… first… of course, get thyself a Woolie pad… you will thank me many times for this suggestion.

Woolie #100607 Lambwool Faux Appl Tool

See this article to learn How To Use A Woolie Pad

Now… let’s get down to colors and application.

The application is simple… I’ve included a video (from fauxfun.com) that gives the same basic technique I would use… except I use a Woolie pad to pat the finish down and blend.