Faux Finishes: Types, Techniques, and Whether They're Right for Your Home
Faux finishes occupy a unique space in the world of interior painting, they're part craft, part artistry, and when executed well, they can add texture, depth, and character to a room that flat paint simply cannot replicate. When done poorly, they can look dated or overwrought.
At Anthony's Painting, we've applied faux finishes in Lehigh Valley homes ranging from traditional colonials in Nazareth to contemporary spaces in Allentown. Here's what you need to know about the most popular techniques and where they work best.
Venetian Plaster: Timeless and Sophisticated
Venetian plaster is arguably the most elegant faux finish available, and one of the most demanding to apply correctly. The technique involves applying multiple thin layers of tinted plaster compound with a steel trowel, burnishing between layers to create depth and a marble-like luster.
The effect is genuinely beautiful: a surface that appears to have dimension and movement, catching light differently depending on the angle of view. It works particularly well in:
- Formal dining rooms and living rooms
- Foyers and entryways
- Accent walls where a focal point is desired
Venetian plaster is not a DIY project for most homeowners. The technique requires significant experience to produce consistent, professional results. Mistakes in the application are visible and difficult to correct without starting over.
Color Washing: Soft and Layered
Color washing involves applying a diluted glaze over a base coat with a brush or rag in loose, overlapping strokes. The result is a soft, layered look that has texture without the formality of Venetian plaster. It can evoke old European plaster walls or create a warm, layered depth in a bedroom.
Color washing is among the more forgiving faux techniques, which makes it appropriate for homeowners who want a handcrafted look without the technical complexity of plaster work.
Rag Rolling: Texture Through Application
Rag rolling uses a twisted or bunched cloth to apply or remove glaze from a surface, creating a random, textured pattern. It was enormously popular in the 1990s and experienced a slight stigma as a result, but done with contemporary colors and restraint, it still has a place in the right space.
We typically recommend rag rolling today only in specific applications (utility rooms, wine cellars, or very traditional spaces) rather than as a whole-room treatment in more contemporary homes.
Strié and Dragging: Linear Elegance
Strié (pronounced stree-AY) involves dragging a dry brush or specialty tool through wet glaze to create fine, linear striations. The effect is elegant and sophisticated, it looks like silk or rough linen depending on the scale and tools used.
Strié works beautifully in:
- Libraries and studies
- Dining rooms with traditional millwork
- As a wall treatment behind wainscoting in formal spaces
Limewash: The Contemporary Revival
Limewash has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years, driven partly by the popularity of Italian farmhouse and Scandinavian-influenced interiors. Authentic limewash paint creates a soft, mottled appearance that looks simultaneously ancient and contemporary, and it changes character as it dries and ages.
Several paint manufacturers now offer limewash-effect products that are more controllable than traditional lime-based formulas while still producing an authentic-looking result. We've applied this technique in Lehigh Valley homes with beautiful results.
Is a Faux Finish Right for Your Home?
A few questions to consider:
- How long will you be in the home? Faux finishes are harder to paint over than flat paint, so think about whether you're creating something you'll want for many years
- What's the overall design direction? Faux finishes work best when they complement a coherent interior design vision, not as standalone decisions
- What's the scale of the application? An accent wall or a foyer is very different from attempting to rag-roll an entire home
We're happy to walk through your space and help you decide if, and which, faux technique might add value to your home.
Interested in a decorative finish for your space? Contact Anthony's Painting to discuss what's possible. We serve clients throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Nazareth, Easton, Allentown, and Bethlehem, PA.