Faux Techniques

This faux painted wall was created from two faux techniques, when combined they form a soft smokey, wispy affect. The faux technique gives an illusion of the mirrors floating on the steam from the shower. The base coat was painted with Benjamin Moore # 1068 eggshell finish. The glaze BM 1070 was color washed with a sea sponge, then an off white glaze using BM 1068 and white was applied over the surface to achieve more depth and soft highlights using a rag technique. Choose three colors in the same family that are a few shades apart, this will produce the depth. This technique can also be used for creating a faux marble finish, add the veining, gloss protective coat and you'll fool everyone.

Faux Painted Marble

                                                              Faux Painted Marble

Faux painted marble can be used in many areas of your home. Boarders of painted faux marble in your bath room are a great way to enhance the architectural lines. Applying this finish to fireplace surrounds, table tops and accent walls will create an air of sophistication at a fraction of the cost of real marble. Follow the steps below and please practice this technique until your comfortable with your results. Examine real marble, this will be time well spent.

Latex paint was used to produce this faux marble shown above. The base coat a blackish green was applied with a muslin roller with a low nap. A dark green glaze is applied randomly with a sponge .   Blend this glaze threw out the surface without it becoming a solid color, leave breaks in the finish. Allow the base coat to come threw while sponging. Keep in mind that each application of paint or glaze needs to have its own shape and size to keep it from forming a pattern.

Before this coat dries apply a lighter green glaze randomly and sponge in to create a 45 degree flow which most marble have. Let this dry before adding the off white. I use an artist angled brush to apply the floating drifts of minerals which you would find in marble. The drifts should be applied over an area of water lightly applied to the surface. Now, you can add color to accent areas of your marble to create a more realistic piece. I use artist acrylic paint to add accent color glazes to add interest.

 Use a cotton swab to move the glaze around and or remove glaze as needed. Veining is not necessary for this project. When all is completely dry apply a couple coats of gloss urethane. Gloss urethane will produce the look of polished marble and become more believable.

See more marble ideas at  http://arrayofcolorinc.blogspot.com/2012/02/marble-faux-boarder.html

Marble faux border

     OK! You're master bathroom has been faux painted but something is missing. There are great architectural lines in the room and they need to show. A great way to bring these beautiful lines out is to add a marble faux border. In this picture the marble matches the counter top and brings out the beautiful arch overhead. The glaze on the walls and the faux marble finish are from the same color.

     The rag technique was applied over a light beige eggshell finish with a diluted mixture of a deep chocolate latex paint in glaze. The marble boarder base coat was a full strength deep chocolate latex semi - gloss paint. To achieve a more realistic appearance use several lighter glazes over the base coat. Add veining with the lightest colors and run some darker veining randomly for depth. Apply water base urethane with a gloss finish to give that polished look  and to bring out all the color.

    Boarders can be applied in many areas of a room. Traditionally they were applied along the ceiling or across the room about chair rail height. Design your own boarder and add interesting lines to create some magic. Boarders will make a room look longer, wider or higher depending on were there applied and will also add that special touch you're looking for.