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To start faux finishes, first paint the walls a pleasing base color.
One technique is to apply a glaze coat with a heavy-nap, fuzzy roller that has soft scraps of chamois attached to the surface with screws. A different shade of the base paint can be used in lieu of glaze. The finish will resemble worn leather.
To get a washed silk look, after the base coat of paint is dry, apply a lighter shade of paint with a plastic bag wrapped around the paint roller. Allow the plastic bag to crinkle on the roller. Tuck the ends into the open end of the roller and randomly apply the lighter shade to the wall.
For a crushed velvet texture, paint the walls with a base coat and allow to dry. Wrap a rag around a paint roller diagonally and tuck the ends into the paint roller. Apply a lighter shade of the base color or use a clear glaze for a deeper and richer hue. The glaze will add a shine to the wall.
Use a flat paint base coat to begin a damask look. When dry, mark "stripes" on the wall, using a level to draw evenly spaced lines on the wall. Then stick painter's tape to the vertical line. Roll clear glossy glaze inside the painters tape. This gives a tone-on-tone finished effect.
To achieve a linen texture, after the flat base coat is dry, apply glaze tinted to complement the base coat with a roller. While glaze is still wet, drag a soft-bristle brush vertically down the wall to make the linen texture. Glaze dries slowly so there is plenty of time to get the desired effect. Wipe the brush often.
Apply flat base paint, then brush on crackle glaze. The glaze can be combined with a flat paint in a color that contrasts with the base paint. The finish will split and crack when dry, allowing the base color to show through the fissures. This gives the effect of weathered and worn paint.
For a spectacular finish in an entryway or bathroom, apply eggshell paint in either copper or gold. Allow it to dry thoroughly. The glaze is applied over the base coat tinted to the base coat color and has metallic flakes mixed in. -
Venetian plaster provides a three dimensional textures. Prime walls with primer tinted to match one of the two colors of tinted plaster that is used. Trowel the first coat of plaster (the lighter shade) onto the wall, using an "s" motion to an area approximately 4 feet by 4 feet. Wipe the trowel often to avoid grit getting into the finish. Go over the area using the same technique with the second color of plaster. The primer will not be completely covered. Allow to dry four hours. Apply the second coat using the same method, being sure the primer is covered. Allow overnight drying. Sand with a circular motion, using 220-grit sandpaper. Sand by hand or use a random orbit sander. Apply clear coat with a trowel completely covering the wall.
Texture paint is premixed with the plaster when purchased. The paint can be tinted with any color desired. Apply the texture paint to the wall with a long-napped roller, working in sections. Use a trowel, comb, or a stiff brush to form patterns in the paint. Special rollers are available that have patterns carved into the surface to roll the wet texture forming a repetitive pattern. Apply glaze to give walls depth and shine.
