CNHI News Service Faux — A New Way to Paint

Photos

The Venetian look uses various coats of thin plaster, paints and glazes and a sanding technique. Kelly Overton/Washington IN Times-Herald

Phil Knepp talks to interior decorator Dena Harmon in Knepp’s new home at Oakview Heights near Montgomery, Ind. Harmon and artist Susan Chapman used several different painting techniques in the Knepp home. Kelly Overton/Washington IN Times-Herald

Editor's notes: W/ 2 photos and a sidebar
Good for a Home Improvement Special Section!

A new way to paint — faux — is less expensive than wallpapering when redecorating.

WASHINGTON, Ind. — If you’re looking to change the interior of your home without buying a lot of new things, adding walls or knocking them down, then why not try faux paint finishes?
“It’s the most inexpensive way to redecorate,” says interior painter Dena Harmon of Harmon Interiors, Loogootee. “It’s cheaper than buying new furniture or carpet.”
Before one begins a faux finish painting project, he or she must make a few decisions. Where to use faux finish? Which faux finish painting technique to use? What color of paint?
Although the questions may be perplexing, professionals like Harmon, who has an interior design degree, can help. She advises people to look at magazines, television shows and other people’s homes, to see if they like their walls and designs.
Many professional painters, like Harmon, will visit homes to give people advice on different paint finishes, colors and faux finishes.
Faux finishes are Harmon’s specialties. It’s not just sponge painting any more. The experts are always coming out with something new, she said.
Currently, some of the more popular faux finishes include venetian plastering, colorwashing, combing and dragging, rag rolling and striping, creating walls that look like suede, leather or denim.
There are several positive reasons why a homeowner may try a faux finish, said Harmon.
First, it is cost effective. Although some of the elaborate faux finishes, like the venetian plaster, can cost up to four times more than basic paint, it is still cheaper than applying wallpaper.
Secondly, faux finishes are easy to change. “If you are wanting some sort of pattern on the wall, faux finishes are easier to change down the road,” said Harmon.
Many of the faux finishes just need to be covered with primer and repainted if you wish to change them. Some, like the venetian plaster, may need to be sanded, but Harmon said all the faux finishes are easier to change than wallpaper.
Thirdly, faux finishes can cover wall flaws without redoing the drywall.
“If you have old walls or walls in rough shape, faux finishes will camouflage the wall,” Harmon said.
Lastly, faux finishes are very durable. “They all wash very well, especially the ones with glaze,” said Harmon. “The glaze gives it a sheen that’s easy to wash. For the most part, faux finishes are a lot more durable than regular paint.”
Although there are many advantages to using faux finishes, Harmon does not suggest faux finishes should be used in every room of the house. For example, suede faux painting is not recommended for bathrooms and kitchens. Plus, Harmon said a homeowner needs a few solid walls to balance the home decor.
Faux painting is most common in formal rooms like dining rooms, special bathrooms and foyers.

Shannon Graber writes for the Washington (Ind.) Times-Herald.

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SiDEBAR
There are many types of faux painting. Here are a few to get your mind rolling:
Venetian plaster — creates a textured plaster look. Painters use various coats of thin plaster, paints and glazes and a sanding technique.
Colorwashing — creates a "cloud" look. Painters blend colored paint and glazes by using rags and rollers.
Combing and/or Dragging — creates a striped or vertical pattern in the wall. Painters use paint, glaze and combs or a dry brush to create the look. This technique can be used to create a denim material effect as well.
Rag Rolling — creates a crackle-like wall with various veins running throughout. Painters use paint, glaze and a damp rag to create the look.
Striping — creates stripes throughout the room. Painters use different colors of paint to create vertical or horizontal stripes in the room.
Suede — creates a velvety, brushed look resembling suede material. Painters use special paint, brush and a roller to create the effect.
Leather — creates a wall resembling soft, rich leather. Painters use paint, glaze, special tools and sometimes tissue paper to create the effect.