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Faux Finishing Might Be Right for You
Sponge painting, ragging, color washing . . . faux finishes, right? Wrong! Faux finishing has become sort of a generic term that encompasses all sorts of decorative paint finishes. In reality, the word "faux" is French for "false" or "fake." So a true faux finish would be something like a faux marble, which might be used on columns or fireplaces, or a faux wood grain, which might be used to make a metal door look like wood. But for the purposes of this article, we will use the term faux finishing to describe all decorative finishes.
There are many types of faux finishes, from simple glazes to intricate, layered plasters. Any of the techniques can enhance the warmth and ambiance of a home or business by creating a depth and beauty that is just not achievable with regular paint. A basic color wash, when done in the right color combination, can create an old world charm, while a Venetian Plaster, with its subtle color layering and highly polished look and feel can create a very elegant high end impression. Your walls can have the rich and understated look and feel of sandstone or the bold and dramatic look of metallics.
But you don’t have to stop with your walls. Decorative paint and glaze finishes, also called Designer Finishes, can also enhance and update the look of your cabinets. If you are satisfied with the style of your cabinets and they are of decent quality, refinishing can be a very sensible alternative to replacing. Maybe the finish has chipped and worn over time. Maybe it has faded or yellowed. Or maybe it is simply out of style. Paint and glaze finishes can be done over any type of wood, including oak and maple. They can make dark stained cabinets light by using a crème colored base tone, which can make a kitchen look larger and brighter. Or you can use a deep tone for a base color, giving the cabinets a rich and distinctive look. Decorative paint finishes can include Antique Glaze, Crackle Finishes, Distressed Finishes, and more. While not inexpensive, Designer Finishes can be done at a fraction of the cost of replacing.
There are very few things that can have a more immediate and dramatic impact on the look and feeling of your home than faux finishing. If you are tired of the same old look, consider talking to a faux finishing professional about how they can help you transform your home or business into a place that will make you feel good every time you walk into it.
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