The word “faux” is a French word meaning fake or false. Faux painting or faux finishing are terms used to describe a decorative paint finish that replicates the appearance of materials such as marble, wood, stone and even raw silk. However we use it in the trade to describe many finishes done with paint. Not necessarily with a paint brush, this is what I will describe later.
Faux finishes can be done by the common do-it-yourselfer, however it is not as easy as you may think and the outcome may not be what you desired. This is why it is important to hire a professional to create the look you want.
I bring my faux artist in on the job when the client desires something other than strictly paint but not exactly wallpaper, or to even up a bad drywall job, or to paint a cabinet or a ceiling as well as a mural on the wall, or ceiling. I even had an artist create a large mermaid on 3 walls of a beach house powder room. So faux can mean many things to a designer. Usually a good faux artist is skilled in rendering as well.
How you prepare the wall is a very important factor in the outcome of your faux finish. A good painter will repair nail pops, cracks and any imperfections on the wall. Sanding and cleaning of the wall is a must. The recommended basecoat of the wall or cabinet should be in an eggshell or matte finish. This finish allows the faux coats to be easily manipulated.
My Faux artist, Jill Perla of Jill Perla Art, is a fine artist who specializes in faux finishes on walls as well as cabinets and furniture. She can take an old ratty piece of furniture (some from dumpsters) and transform it into a piece of art. “To repurpose and reuse instead of replace” is Jill’s motto. Her techniques vary from job to job. When a mottled, soft look is required she will use a sea sponge, for a crinkled, parchment paper look she will use plastic bags. Stripes can add interest to a wall or cabinet. For a wispy look she will use a dry brush. For a distressed look she will use a bag of nails and hammers to create dents in the finish. This technique is very successful when used on cabinets and furniture pieces.
My advice I give to my clients is, do not stifle your imagination on what the wall or room can become. Paint is a very broad term, but not your creativity. If we can design it, we can paint it.