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Was faux finishing ever alive? YUCK!

I have this theory that faux anything - be it paint finishes or manufactured products engineered to look like natural materials like wood, stone, etc. - can become dated so much quicker than the look they are trying to emulate. For example, Pergo floors already look really dated to me, while traditional wood floors are timeless. Same thing applies with paint. With a few exceptions (I think some of the Ralph Lauren faux finishes are really interesting when done well), I generally shudder when I see a room that has been faux finished. Don't even get me started on faux distressing and antiquing.

McMansions come to mind when I think of faux finishing, faux anything for that matter.

You know, like a "Williamsburg Colonial" in Palo Alto, California....or Dallas, Texas.

HA! We live in a 1918 bungalow. Mostly the walls are in great shape, but there are some imperfections that come naturally with age. When a relative visited for the first time, they asked how it is we managed to make that lovely faux-plaster finish on our dining room walls. (I didn't even realize anyone would mimic plaster imperfections!) I answered that it wasn't fake, of course. but it was interesting that she wanted to mimic what we would like to repair.

There is a whole world of different faux finsihes! Say, for example, you want to paint your walls to look like marble. This can be done very well, confincing and beautiful, or it can be done really poorly and look a little pathetic. It's all in the technique so practice, practice, practice (or hire out).

Then there's something, like sponge painting, that has been done so many times over. I think sponging gets a bad name simply because we've all seen it before - on TV design shows, in public restrooms, offered as a Home Depot DIY workshop. There's nothing wrong with adding a little visual interest and texture to your paint but maybe try something like dabbing the paint with wadded up paper bags (creates a sharper, more jagged effect) instead of sponges. The key to keeping a "been there, done that" technique fresh is innovation.

In summary, faux it. Trust me, the beauty's in there.

Hahaha, I typed "confincing." I'm using that from now on! It makes me sound European...tee hee.

Let me start off by saying thanks to everyone who has responded so far, and that if we do a finish it will be done by professionals. That being said, the one and only faux finish we were considering is the venetian plaster. Now the problem with that is that it is expensive. My painter told me he can simulate it, but i am torn. We have a pretty open space and thought that by adding some texture or movement to the walls will help break up all the solid colors.

Thanks again,

adam

The best faux finishes are those that can't be detected, but aren't all painted surfaces faux in some way? Ok, enough of the philosophical. Faux finishes change with styles, sponging is out, venetian plaster and metallic finishes are in. Just wait a year and those cheap vinyl decals everyone loves are going to look horrible. Anything subtle will probably look better for longer.

Try the venetian plaster in a small area–like over a mantel or just in an entry. It's pretty labor intensive and not that easy to master. But in the right setting, done by someone with some experience-wow!

thanks Heather, good point.

There is something that is a faux finish that is beautiful in the most sophisticated and upscale homes and hotels in Morocco call Tierrafino Stone lime plaster Tadelakt it is also carrying over to europe. definitely not your surburban mother's sponge painting.

Tierrafino Stone Tadelakt is a water-proof, shiny lime-based plaster for interior and exterior use, supplied as a powder. Tierrafino Stone's strength and marble-like appearance make it ideal for bathrooms, fireplaces, table-tops, stairways, pillars and other ornamental use. This beautiful finish follows the old Moroccan "Tadelakt" tradition. Tadelakt, freely translated, means to rub in. In this case it is meant that the nearly finished lime coat is polished with a stone, rubbing Tadelakt soap into the surface. The Tadelakt soap, which is based on pure olive oil, adds to the shine, but perhaps even more important, it makes sure the surface is left waterproof. Floors can be done in Tierrafino Stone, but remain somewhat fragile to, for instance, small stones in the sole of a shoe which will scratch the finish. Therefore we only advise to use Tierrafino stone in areas where walking is done bare feet or on soft shoes. A minimum of pigments should be used on floors (1-2 %). Tierrafino Stone Tadelakt, seen in the most exquisite of Moroccan bath houses, lends to a most elegant and serene atmosphere. Tierrafino Stone offers a classic and stylish finish to your bathroom, kitchen and other feature areas in your home and workplace.

I forgot the link

http://www.tierrafino.nl/en/stone_tadelakt_gallery/

Venetian or more specificially Italian Plaster blows Faux out of the water! It's not paint. For the most part it isn't even synthetic, although I do provide Resin based plasters, most of them are Naturdal Lime based. Super clean for your environment, becomes hard as stone, looks beautiful, fights dust mites and mold growth, applied by trowell, not roller and is attractive by finish and product.

I am a certified applicator and can apply it on your walls to make a beautiful room. Check out my pics on my web site http://fauxrealpainting.com

Thanks,

Steve