Emerald Green Glaze

Try this ragging technique using an emerald green glaze if your looking for a soft sophisticated finish with a lot of depth. Did you know that emerald green was named 2013 color of the year by Pantone. Add this award winning color to your walls. This faux finish is great if your walls have imperfection, it will help disguise them. The paint finish is achieved by using a positive and negative ragging technique on an eggshell sheen base coat.

The positive application of a glaze is achieved by applying glaze directly to a surface using a sponge, rag, brush or other tool. Each item used to apply glaze makes its own mark.

A negative application is removing glaze from a surface. In this case we used a damp cotton rag to move the glaze on the wall from one area to another. This technique is called "walking the glaze" as the rag is being moved around it is lifting off glaze leaving a negative mark and then reapplying the glaze in another area.

The glaze is first applied by a brush onto the wall leaving a small amount which will be manipulated with a damp rag. The rag will be placed in your hand by dropping the cloth into your palm producing a pattern in the cloth. This pattern will produce the marks which will be left on the wall.

The cotton rag must be turned in many different directions to create a random pattern.Working the glaze in small sections at a time resembling puzzle pieces will produce a smooth flow threw out the area. Blend each section into the previous area.

Work the glaze into the corners by rapping the rag around your pointer finger and walking the glaze towards the edges. This works well by keeping the glaze from being over applied into the corners.

Note: I recommend a practice board before tackling your walls so you can work out any issues which may arise. Use a glaze mixture of 1 part paint to 3 parts glaze.
When your cotton rag is saturated with glaze rinse lightly in water and ring out till damp.
Wear rubber cloves

Faux Painted Pine Wood Ceiling

 A faux painted pine wood ceiling adds warmth and charm to this patio area. We duplicated the look of clear pine with a soft clear satin finish all with exterior paint and glaze.

 The knots which you would find in pine produce a more rustic look, we wanted to keep it subtle with cleaner lines and smoother transitions in the wood.

The base for this project was first primed with a quality latex exterior primer tinted to a wood tone the same color as the base.

For the wood base color we used Benjamen Moores # 1110 in a satin finish. This was applied with a brush and roller 1/2 in. nap lint free.

The glaze color - Ben Moore # 1036
Mix 1 part paint to 4 parts glaze.

Each wood plank was fauxed separately. After applying the glaze  2 to 3 feet of surface quickly drag your brush threw the glaze to produce the wood grain. Leave a few inches of one end untouched, you will begin another pass with more glaze on the next step. The process continues for each pine plank.  Wipe your brush clean for each pass so the graining doesn't smear. Keep changing the grain pattern to keep it realistic.

This faux technique requires a practice board prior to tackling this demanding project. Take a look at clear pine which has been clear coated to get an idea of  the various tones which give this wood such character. I have to admit my neck was really sore after this job, but it was worth it.

 Note: Tape off the wall area and any item on the ceiling first.

When applying glaze where the ceiling meets the wall, keep several inches away so the glaze does not pool into the corner. Work the glaze into the corner carefully and then drag your brush away to produce the grain.
 
Practice, practice! Enjoy!