HOW TO DO FAUX FINISHES

YOU CAN DO FAUX FINISHING: HOW TO DO WASHING

In recent years Faux finishing has taken a back seat to conventional painting.  This I feel is because most faux finishes are a bit fussy and require more time and attention to the project.  Most people are not willing to commit the needed time or attention. 

However, for those of you that think that you would enjoy a faux finish in one of your rooms, I will be posting ‘How-to’ articles for your education and enjoyment.

To begin with you will need to decide which room of the house you want the faux finish in.  As I mentioned, most of these finishes are fussy or busy.  So pick a medium to large size room for this.  And if you have one or two large walls that are not cut up that is even better.  You will see the wisdom of this when you do not have to work around windows, doors, etc.

My personal favorite room for a faux finish is a Home office or study.  I choose these rooms because you want these rooms to be comfortable yet put you in the mood for reading, meditating, working etc.  My Home Office has a rag faux finish on it.  I will present an article on this process later. 

It is a very masculine room with all of the furnishings chosen to look like the office on a popular TV mini series ‘ Nero Wolf ‘.  The colors are very deep and the “rag on” color is very subtle and muted.  My Colors are Deep Royal Blue and Deep French Roast.  I told you ‘very masculine’. 

Well, enough of my personal taste.  Presented in this article are the tools and some of the techniques you will need for ‘Washing’.

What You'll Need

• Latex Satin Paint for Basecoat
• Latex Satin Paint for Topcoat
• Rags (Terry cloth works best)
• Painter's Tape

Step 1:
Start by selecting two colors for the washing technique, the basecoat color usually being the brighter of the two. This is so that it will be able to be seen through the top washing coat. It is recommended that your paint choice be a satin so that the topcoat is easier to apply. If you choose to use a flat paint, the washing effect will be more of a rubbed appearance. For best results, select two colors that are similar, like gold and rust. The gold as the basecoat with the rust swirled over it is a stunning but subtle effect. Both colors need to be about the same lightness or darkness for the technique to be successful. Another beautiful technique is to use a white with a soft color. The color can be either the basecoat or the washing coat, but as you can imagine, the results will be quite different. The white on top softens and produces a "cloud" effect. In reverse, the color stands out against the white.

Step 2:
Paint on your basecoat according to manufacturer's directions. Please do two coats and please use either Satin or Semi-gloss sheen.  Flat will not work very well as a base.
Step 3:
You may begin the washing technique once the basecoat has dried for the paint manufacturer's recommended time. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself.  Before any painting is done tape off all of your baseboards, ceiling, door, and window trim. Now  dampen your towel, bunch it up, and dip it into the topcoat paint color you have chosen. Take the towel directly to your wall, use a swirling motion apply the topcoat as lightly or heavily as you please. Work from top to bottom and left to right moving across the wall. Periodically step back to make sure your paint swirls are similar in size. Leave yourself enough uninterrupted time per wall so you are sure not to stop once you've started a wall!  The top coat paint will need to be mixed with a ‘Glaze’.  This is available at most paint or Home Improvement stores.  Just follow the directions.  This gives the paint a transparent look and gives you more time to work with it before it starts to dry. 
Use of the glaze will make the top coat paint go much further.  So you will not need to buy as much as you purchased for the base coat.  The glaze really makes this process fun and you do not have to hurry as much.  You’ll like that.
Step 4:
Congratulations! You have created a one-of-a-kind, soft effect that is sure to make any room a masterpiece!
This how to project is provided as a guide line. Any do-it-yourself activity involves some risk and the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials, and methods.
I am a firm believer that any person that attempts a faux finish must have some natural artist ability.  This is what will become apparent as you progress through the finish.  Also, I believe that “ A- symmetrical” are the only people that can live with faux finishes.  Symmetrical people just can’t take the random, chaotic pattern of a faux finish.  If you have to have matching furniture and square angles, trust me, you will not like a faux finish. “ I’m just saying”.  
Also, only one person needs to do the wash process.  Two people will produce two different looks of effects.  That is the individual artist in each of us coming through.
A well done faux finish will be a part of your home décor for many years.  It is an expression of your personality and you will love it.  I did a ‘Faux Wash’ for a client 10 years ago.  They still love it and it remains their favorite room in the house.
Here’s to your success!
As always “Happy Painting”
Ken Rader
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.                            (www.kenraderinteriors.com)
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