How to Do a Faux Finish

A faux finish is a painting technique used on a wall or piece of furniture that provides texture and decorative interest. According to Alex's Decorative Painting website, faux finishes are one of the fastest growing trends in decoration. The idea is to create a transparent textured effect over a painted color so that the color comes through and the texture creates visual intrigue. Here is a technique for creating a faux antique finish on a piece of furniture.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Interior paint of chosen color
• Interior black paint
• Water
• Washable container
• Paint brush
• Old T-shirts

1. Paint your piece of furniture using a paint brush and the chosen base color. Allow to dry and paint another coat if necessary.

2. Place black paint in the washable container and dilute slightly with water. The resulting consistency should be like a thick soup.

3. Cut or tear old T-shirts into smaller rags, making sure to remove any seams or hems from the rags.

4. Using one of the rags, apply a very thick layer of the diluted black paint to a surface of the piece of furniture. With a clean rag, wipe the black paint off. You have a few seconds to adjust the look of the paint before it dries by wiping more away or gently dabbing on more. Allow the paint to collect in crevices of the piece, as this adds to the depth and visual interest.

5. Continue the process on each surface of the furniture until the effect is complete. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to achieve a more translucent look, use a wet T-shirt rag to wipe the black paint away. This will take off more of the paint and allow for a more subtle look.
• Use paints only in a well ventilated area.

References

• Alex's Decorative Painting