Warm Faux Glaze Technique

      Here is a beautiful warm faux glaze technique where only a sea sponge was used. The sea sponge can be highly affective,  producing many designs and patterns which can be applied to the walls or many other surfaces.

     The walls had a very heavy orange peel texture which made the technique  more dramatic. There were three colors used to produce this look.

     The base coat was painted with an latex eggshell finish by
Benjamin Moore #193
The first glaze color # 105 eggshell finish
Second glaze color # 1035 eggshell finish
One quart of quality latex glaze

      Using  a practice board before you start is recommended.

     I purchased quarts of the paint which were used in the glaze. One gallon of paint for this project was more than enough for the wall.

    Prep your walls, tape off the moldings if needed and apply plastic or tarps to the area. Apply the base coat #193 latex eggshell finish to the walls.

   Once the wall is completely dry it is time to apply the first glaze #105. I used a tbl. spoon of color to 4 ounces of latex glaze. Glaze can go a long way especially with this technique.

   Apply the the glaze to a small area with a brush using a small amount of product. Take the dampened sea sponge and put onto the paint on the wall, move the glaze around on the wall spreading it out from the original area.  This thin glaze when dry will become darker. Each application of glaze should be applied to the next bare area blending into the previous.

   When applying the glaze think of a puzzle and how all the pieces are different, move the glaze around to form various shapes and sizes. This will keep the fuax looking random.

   Keep your sponge damp. Poncing your sponge on the surface will remove glaze and re-apply in others. Control the glaze by adding more or less. Note: going over dried glaze will produce a darker effect.

   Remember not to apply glaze into the corners with your brush, this will become very heavy looking when it dries and will look like pie crust. Apply the glaze lightly several inches away and work into the corners with your sponge. Rinse out your sponge when its over loaded with glaze.

  The second glaze #1035 will be mixed the same as the first but applied much less. Randomly apply the glaze lightly and spread out. This glaze will change the color of the first and make it deeper in tone. Have fun painting!





    

Paint Your Chandelier

 


   Here are a couple of tips to give your chandelier new life.
Painting your chandelier will give it new character, that's right! Both of these fixtures had a old bronze finish that seen better days and it was time for a change.

   We left the fixture hanging for this painting process due to its size. I would recommend before working on or taking the fixture down  always shut the electric breaker off before starting. Cleaning the dust and grime off is very important. I used a dust brush. Remove all the light bulbs and crystals. Most of the fixture was sprayed with a Black Satin finish from Rustoleum to get into the tough to reach areas.  We finished up the painting with Black Satin Alkyd paint using a 1in. brush, this was mainly used to touch up. Let the paint dry, replace the crystals and lights and that's it!

For a contemporary look the light shades were not used and the light bulbs were switch to florescent.

Faux Glaze Technigue

       Here is an easy faux glaze technique which has a lot of character and sophistication. In the photos shown the colors used gave this interior a soft distressed look with
out overwhelming the area.
     
       The pattern was achieved with a roller 1/2 in. nap shed resistant. The glaze mixture was very thin.

    Base Color used - Ben Moore # OC-59 Flat, 1 qt.
    Paint for glaze - Ben Moore # 1035 flat, 1 qt.
    Glaze - 1qt. good quality 

        After applying the base coats as needed let dry. At this point start to mix your glaze. I mixed three ounces of paint with six ounces of glaze and then added twelve ounces of water.

      Cutting in is done by taking a twelve inch compound blade and placing it into the corners, then run a mini roller up and into the blade. This-technique could be very messy so to insure a neater application do not over load your rollers.  

      Start your cutting in at the top and then use your larger roller vertically from left to right.
Do not add too much pressure to the roller which may release a lot of glaze. Your passes with the roller should be random and at times running diagonal.

     There is no need for a paint brush to cut in close to the corners, it will look more distressed
using a roller. Leave some of the base color to show threw.

     I recommend practicing the technigue first on a board and not your walls. Once comfortable with the technique your ready, enjoy!

Original Painting

     Here is an original painting I recently finished on 24 in. x 36 in. canvas. Acrylic paint was used and the inspiration came from this magnificent White Fir I photographed in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe.

    We all have an idea of what a tree looks like but this tree had so much character.  I decided to zoom in to capture the twisted limbs and the nubby, flaky bark.

    The sunlight plays on the branches which were shaped from the ice and snow during the many winters.

    The grayish bark against the blue sky just jumps right out at you. Short yellow green pine needles hang in a pattern only mother nature could design.

     It all seems chaotic but there's a great deal of grace and
beauty in it's composition.

    You could spent a lot of time admiring all the beautiful landscape that Emerald Bay has to offer.

    I look forward to the next trip!

Painted Faux Wood

 

   Here are some great examples of painted faux wood ( faux bois ). These photos were taken at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, LA.

 
  Artisans from around the world created this amazing faux wood over cypress to look like oak, I think they did a fantastic job.

    The entire interior is decorated with wonderfully crafted moldings, faux bois, gold leaf, stained glass and so much more.

   If your ever in the area of Baton Rouge take a tour of this beautiful building and it’s interior, you won’t be sorry.

   Each piece of wood has it's own personality which is a sign of a talented professional. Click on the photos to get a closer view of the different grain patterns.

Needless to say I was very impressed not only by the beautiful work but the enormous size of the project.

The ceiling moldings were all painted a faux wood finish, amazing!
Look closely and you'll see the gold leaf on all the rosettes.
The attention to detail throwout this buildings interior is incredible. Just think how much time it took to paint every inch of doors, moldings and trim.

 





Check out all the intricate wood carvings and attention to detail and yes this entry way is all faux wood.

Primary Colors

Check out this beautiful glass umbrella of primary colors! I took a trip to Louisiana and visited the Old State Capitol building located in downtown Baton Rouge. Upon entering every where you look there is amazing craftsmanship from the faux wood entry doors to the stained glass ceiling shown above. A beautiful spiral staircase leads you up to this tremendous umbrella of stained glass in primary colors. This is a great example of how red, yellow and blue working together can be very elegant.

Painted Faux Wood Finish On Metal Doors

       A Painted faux wood finish on metal doors can add that amazing touch needed to enhance the front entry of your home. Follow these easy steps I have provided and you will be the talk of your neighborhood.

Before

After

     
 This is a great project to do over the week end, it could take four to eight hours to complete depending on your level of expertise. Check out the supply list below to complete this project.




Supply list - Good weather, Latex paint brush 2 1/2 in. flat sash, China bristle brush 2 1/2 in. flat sash, 1 1/2 in. latex angled sash brush, Cut buckets ( 2 ) Cotton rags, 1 1/2 in. Frog tape, 1 in. One roll of KleenEdge tape, Drop cloth, Philips head screw driver, Sand paper 150 grit, One quart Sherwin Williams # 6334 Resilience exterior satin latex for the base coat, One quart of Sherwin Williams # 6090 Resilience exterior satin for the glaze, One quart of Black exterior latex satin. One quart latex glaze, One quart of exterior Spar Varnish. One quart of mineral spirits. Blow drier.

 First, remove door knobs and locks and keep in safe place.

     Next apply the Frog tape around the molding framing the glass, tape the area around the molding of the door frame, top and sides. The bottom ( threshold ) can be covered with the tarp or paper.
      Sand the doors with the 150 grit and wipe clean. Sand in the direction of the panels, side pieces sand up and down and top and bottom pieces sand side to side.
Note: Homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead based paint. The dust or fumes created by cleaning, sanding or disturbing these surfaces can lead to adverse health effects in children and pregnant women. For more information please call National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424 LEAD.






  Start applying the base coat listed above in the direction of the door panels. Apply two coats and let each coat dry before re-applying.









  Apply glaze mixture of 4 oz. SW# 6090 to 1 oz. Black latex and 2 oz. latex glaze. to the top panel of the door using your 2 1/2 flat sash brush.

    Use the KleenEdge tape to separate the side panels from the top and bottom. This will give you very sharp edges which looks like the wood was cut to fit. The tape should be applied on the outside of the window frame.

   Apply a small amount of glaze between the tape, wipe your brush on a rag and then run the brush threw the glaze in one movement from side to side. Don't stop, this will give you the look of a grain pattern. There will be a few minutes before the glaze dries so there is some time to alter your work.

   Once the top and bottom sections are completed it's time to apply the KleenEdge tape to the insides of the frame over the dried faux you applied earlier. I use a blow drier to make sure the glaze is fully dry before applying the tape. This will get you ready to do the sides of the door.

   Now, apply the glaze to the bottom of the side of your choice with your brush and run the brush up the side panel to the top of the door.
   Wipe your brush on a rag and with one move drag your brush from the top to the bottom threw the glaze. Remember there is only a little time to correct anything your not happy with.

   The window frame can be fauxed at this point and finally the door frame. Use the 1 1/2 in. angled sash for these areas. If you prefer, the window frame could be fauxed first and then follow all the above. Wipe off any glaze which gets on the bare panels while fauxing the window frames.

   When all is completed and dry apply the Spar Varnish with the China bristle brush first with a 50/ 50 mix of mineral spirits. Let this application dry and apply full strength Spar varnish. Apply the varnish in the direction of the faux wood. Apply your hardware when fully dry, remove all the tape carefully,  step back and admire your work.