This question recently came over my desk. How do faux finish a wall to hide imperfections with a Tuscan or roman Style finish? The reader does not want to use plaster or joint compound to create the look as it would become permanent. Here is the question: 

I recently took wallpaper off my laundry room walls and there is some dry wall damage (did try to spackle/sand,etc but still there). I painted 2 coats of satin paint (color Martha Stewart color D14 Green Tea) and it came out beautiful. I was thinking of maybe doing a faux finish to hide some imperfections. What color(s) would look best - and what faux finish would give me a Roman look. I like the look when someone uses loose plaster but didn't want to do that to the walls because so permanent. Thanks for your assistance!

 First off… congratulations are in order. You are commended in tackling such a yucky job. Taking off wallpaper has got to be on of most "unfavorite" jobs and it usually ends up with drywall damage. I took wallpaper off my bathroom walls and it included a chair rail that had been glued to the walls.  Of course, I ended up with drywall damage and did use joint compound to repair as best I could.

Being an impatient sort, I didn't sand the patches to complete perfection and when paint was applied… they stood out like a sore thumb.  I mean… I am THAT Painter Lady and should know better.  

Well here is what I did.  It wasn't a Tuscan style finish as I wanted a light finish to go with my spa theme.  So I created what I call a frosted faux finish.  It is several layers of sponge and rag style decorative painting, so it does take some time.

I used darker colors for the first layers. 

• sage green,
• bark brown and
• taupe. 

These colors were washed on the wall and ceiling with car wash style sponges. They are soft and can be cut into manageable pieces. I just throw them away when finished… they are cheap. The colors are layered, meaning I did one then the next after the first layer was dry.  This is done with glazes mixed with the paint. Get a pint or gallon of glazing liquid at the big box store.

When all three layers are dry, it will look like a muddy mess.  Trust me, it gets so much better.

Then I took a sea sponge and straight (no faux glaze) cream colored paint and sponged it evenly all over the wall. It should look like tiny stippled spots of cream paint on top of the faux finish. 

The next layer is a watered down cream. Mix the cream colored paint equally with faux glaze and water.  Use the same cream paint mixed with white to lighten it up some. This mixture is then softly washed over the entire walls and ceiling.

It is this last step that brings the entire finish together. The faux glaze gives the paint a little sheen and I used satin paints. The whole finish is a frosted look with lots of depth and texture, but not dark like a Tuscan faux finish.

To use this same idea for a Roman or worn looking Tuscan finish, use darker colors and the cream paint would be switched out for a more intense stain like color.  Choose a top color wisely, as it will be the most obvious and that color will actually be the color scheme of the room.

This is the frosted bathroom with stenciling done over the faux painting. You can see that the ceiling was also done with the same decorative paint finish.