How To

How to Do Decorative Faux Painting

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

Painting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to dress up a room. Use decorative faux painting to add texture and design to walls. You can achieve a variety of looks with decorative faux painting techniques, including a rustic stone look and crisp, clean stripes. Decorative faux painting is ideal for uneven surfaces or walls with problem areas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

    Rustic Faux Painting

  1. Step 1

    Select a base color of paint for the walls. The base color should be a semi gloss or gloss paint. Avoid flat paints because they absorb too much of the top coat, making it difficult to work with.

  2. Step 2

    Paint the walls with two coats of the base paint and let dry completely.

  3. Step 3

    Choose one or two complimentary colors for the top coat.

  4. Step 4

    Coat a paintbrush thoroughly with paint. Working in two foot by two foot sections, brush random strokes of paint onto the wall.

  5. Step 5

    Apply the second coat color paint in the same manner.

  6. Step 6

    Turn and twist a clean, lint free cloth into the paint to blend the colors together.

  7. Step 7

    Rub the paint with the cloth as it dries, to reveal the base coat underneath, for a aged, old world faux finish.

  8. Faux Stripes Painting

  9. Step 1

    Paint the walls with the base coat. Let dry overnight.

  10. Step 2

    Measure each wall and mark the center with a pencil mark. Draw a vertical line from the center to the edges of the wall, using a laser level or regular level.

  11. Step 3

    Measure the walls in one, two or three inch intervals. Mark the intervals along the vertical line.

  12. Step 4

    Tape off every other interval with blue painters tape.

  13. Step 5

    Paint on the stripes with a narrow roller or paintbrush. Use two coats of paint for the stripes.

  14. Step 6

    Remove the painters tape as soon as the stripes have dried. Lift it carefully to avoid peeling the paint off the walls.

Tips & Warnings
  • Semi-gloss or gloss paint for base
  • Paint for top coat
  • Paint roller
  • Two paintbrushes
  • Blue painters tape

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