Faux Fabulous
Faux Paint Adds Instant
Charm and Character
Rustic charm. It’s just one of
the reasons everyone loves to
travel to the Provence region in France
or the Tuscan hillsides of Italy.
The crumbling plaster that
reveals the brick beneath seen
in the quaint inns and chateaus
reflects a timeless appeal and
has unparalleled charm. It’s
these imperfections that make
the buildings and homes so
wonderfully rustic. It’s what’s
known as character.
Because most houses in America haven’t been around since the time of Caesar, they often lack that rustic interest and character so common to homes and buildings in other countries. Faux painting is the answer. If you want to recreate the feeling of a wine cave in Lyon, a faux stucco and exposed brick treatment can transport you there. And faux mural of a Tuscan vineyard can bring you to the Italian countryside or put a view where one didn’t exist before.
Faux painting is fantastic for relieving a home of its pristine perfection. Every home needs the imperfection that comes with character. Terrific ways for adding charm and personality include faux stone walls, stucco walls, faux stone floors, marbleized columns, fireplace surrounds, or tabletops, and scenic murals.
You can do it
Adding these elements is something almost anyone can do. The great thing about these treatments is that looking imperfect is the goal. So, if you’re worried that you’re not going to be a faux Michelangelo, don’t worry. Fortunately, this is a case where the more imperfect your painting looks, the better. If you’re really adventurous, try tackling a scenic wall mural. Drawing it out in pencil first is recommended. If it doesn’t work, paint can take care of the problem.
Faux to go
But, if you’d like a beautiful mural without having to be an accomplished artist, you can buy a scenic mural. Check your local home center or paint store for ready-made murals. Many wallpaper companies now produce murals in a variety of styles and sizes – from marble columns, to ocean views, to Tuscan vineyards and countryside.
They even have faux stone and brick wallpaper now. In fact, if it’s faux, you can probably find anything you want ready-made. One suggestion, though, is to use a glaze or light stain to wipe over your mural to give it an aged and timeless look. That’s because a purchased mural or faux treatment can sometimes look too good and a stain or glaze can give it the look like it’s always been there.
A little faux goes a long way
One of the nicest looks is the “exposed stone” or “exposed brick” look. It’s not as heavy as a whole wall of faux stone or faux brick, and yet when it comes to rustic charm and character, the exposed stone wall (like the one pictured) easily surpasses a whole wall of faux stone because a section of crumbling wall is so unexpected. Your guests will wonder if the wall is really falling away and will look twice at it.
To get the best of both the faux and ready-made worlds, use wallpaper and add your own touches. Take torn portions of brick or stone wallpaper and apply to wall. Then, smear joint compound around the edges of the wallpaper with a putty knife to easily create a realistic-looking exposed brick without the trouble of drawing or using stencils. Add extra highlighting and edging in darker shades, and you’ll have a convincing exposed brick wall in a very short time.
Make your home faux fabulous with a few simple faux touches. You’ll love the character it adds and enjoy the new rustic charm of your living space.
© 2005 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
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