Most people are familiar with sponge painting, where layers of color are dabbed on the wall. There are tons more faux finishes to try, and many are easier than sponge painting, which can be a lengthy process and takes a lot of practice to get right.
Faux painting can make a ho-hum room really fun, and many of the finishes are quite easy to apply. Go to your local paint or home store for ideas. Most have an extensive selections of applicators, specialty finishes and free how-to brochures. Simpler yet quite dramatic techniques include rag rolling, color washing and glazing. Leather and stone finishes require a bit of practice, although the end result will really impress your friends.
Whichever faux technique you decide on, your wall is the basic "canvas" and, as always, preparation is key to a good job.
Carefully tape off trim, ceilings and any adjoining surfaces. Since faux painting is often a messy process, be sure to use very wide tape, or several rows of tape, to be sure you don't get dabs of paint on your ceiling. Blue masking tape will give you a clean line and is easy to remove when you are done. It is best to remove switchplate covers, drapery hardware and anything else attached to the wall rather than taping them off, if possible.
Paint the walls with your base color, making sure to fill holes and cracks. While many faux finishes camouflage imperfections, they won't make them disappear.
A bathroom might seem like a tempting first project because it's a small room, but bathrooms can be very tricky. There are so many edges, angles and things attached to the walls that are hard to work around. Consider a hallway, laundry room or bedroom instead. If you have a room with a chair rail, the lower wall is ideal for a faux finish.
Generally the best base coat choice is satin finish. It is easiest to work over, and glazes are usually satin. The base coat and the faux finish coat should be the same sheen.
To get a feel for your faux technique, paint a large piece of cardboard and practice before tackling the wall. As always, have fun with it.
It is not necessary to put a protective varnish over your faux finish. Assuming you have used washable satin paint and glaze, the finished product will be quite durable. Do keep any left over paint and finish in sealed containers for later touch-ups.
 | Faux painting techniques can bring the look of leather, stone or fabric to walls and furniture using certain application methods and a variety of faux painting tools. |
 | Before there was a dizzying array of faux painting techniques and tools available, there was sponge painting. In the dawn of faux, sponge painting was commonly done by people who wanted to add texture and interest to their walls. |
 | Faux seems like a dirty word to some people. Whether it's because they have seen horrendous examples of faux finishes or because they think it is too difficult, they just aren't interested in attempting it. They have a "don't try this at home" attitude when they see faux techniques on television or read about them online or in magazines. |
Color washing is a type of faux painting that gives walls texture and depth using several different colors. The look is often compared to stucco and is perfect for either normal walls or walls that have slight damage. |
A crackle finish is perfect for transforming a tired old piece of furniture into a classic shabby chic piece that looks like an heirloom. Even better, a crackle finish is one of the easier faux paint finishes for beginners. |
