Five things to consider when choosing the right faux finish

When trying to choose the decorative paint finish that is just right for you it is quite often perplexing.  Do I go with the glazes because they are easier?  Or do I jump right in and do a Venetian plaster on my first try?  How about color blending; that looks like fun?

Well there are some other factors to consider that maybe you should think about first.  Here is the short list.

1) space

2) lighting

3) activity

4) color

5) ability

Let's take them one at a time.

First consider the space in which you plan your project.  If it is a powder room the choice will be different than a dining room or kitchen.  We would admit that just about any finish you choose can be adapted to any space.  However, some will be more suited to certain spaces than others.

For example, whether your kitchen is large and open or small and compact, you probably do not have a lot of exposed wall space.  Cabinets, counters and refrigerator tend to hide a lot of the wall.

Therefore, you will want something dramatic that will grab attention for the limited wall space in your kitchen.  The Tuscan texture relief, which gives the Olde World look and appeal is my favorite for such a space.

A dining room may be different.  Here you have the choice of decorating your walls and/or your ceiling.  [Of course if you have a blown texture ('popcorn') ceiling you will be limited to the walls]
A flat ceiling can be gilded with gold, silver or copper leaf and antiqued.  This may be all you need for the dramatic effect in your dining room.

Walls in your dining room should be interesting without being overstated.  Your dinner guests will be facing a wall but their attention should be toward the people around the table.  So we suggest something subtle.  Some Venetian plasters when produced in one color can be subtle enough for this space.  Bagging in the right color and color washing also works well in this kind of setting.

The Powder room is the fancy restroom that the guests see.  So feel free to get dramatic here.  Even though this is generally a small space something bold usually works well.

The Master bedroom and Master bath are generally kept private without a lot of guest traffic.  So here you can choose something that you personally like.  Just make sure that it is warm and inviting.  These are rooms that you want to decorate for 'you'.  Choose a technique that you will want to spend time enjoying.

The second factor to consider in choosing a technique is the lighting.

Some decorative paint techniques need a lot of light to make them work and some need very little.

For example, the textures will absorb light and not be very reflective.  Therefore, the room in which you plan to texture and glaze should have plenty of light.  Otherwise the technique will be lost and hard to see.  That is why we recommend the textures for kitchens and breakfast areas.  Entrance foyers are generally good for this too.  Plenty of light.

The dining room or the bedroom may have softer lighting.  In which case the more reflective finishes would work better.  Venetian plaster done well is quite reflective.  Bagging and color washing finishes are also reflective because of the glossy nature of glaze.  The finished wall has the sheen necessary to work well in more dimly lit settings.

So look at the space where your project begins and judge the amount of light available and choose your technique accordingly.

The third factor should be the kind of activity being carried on in that space.

Is the room designed for work, fun, sleep, eating...  This should be considered.  Some faux finishes are by design alive and fun and active.  While others are quite sedative.

I give you two examples.  How often do you go into a Mexican restaurant and the walls are finished in a broken plaster finish with an earthy wash or glaze.  Maybe it is well done or maybe it looks like they got the kitchen staff to do it.  Nonetheless, They were going for fun.  Well maybe they were going for Old Mexico, but we have translated that look into fun and food.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is my friend who built a game room and decided to use a dramatic effect on the walls.  This room had as its focal point a nice pool table in the middle.  He painted the walls red.  Not dark red, just RED.  Then he went over the top with a black glaze  and then smooshed plastic on it and pulled the plastic off to reveal a black glaze that looked like veins in marble or leather.  I know it sounds okay and the job was surprisingly good.  But as soon as I went into the room I wanted to go to sleep.  I would have rather climbed onto the pool table and taken a nap than played a game.

So when choosing a finish think about how you are using the space and pick one that fits.

The fourth point to consider is what color your room should be.  We have given some guidance in our site on how to go about deciding what color to use and what techniques are better with certain colors.

So here we will just say that as a general rule, textures work better in earth tones and glazes can be done in a greater variety of color.  

If you want a blue room, choose a bagging, color washing, color blending, sponging, ragging type of finish.  This is because these are all done with glazes and can be delightful in almost any color.

Venetian plaster, while usually done in earthy tones, can also span the color spectrum.  We have done Venetian in red, purple, even white.

So decide your color and pick a finish you like and practice on a practice board.  If you like the outcome then proceed to your walls.

The last thing you should consider is your ability.

By this we are not talking about your talent but rather your physical ability.  By all means be careful and take safety precautions no matter what you are attempting.

Not all decorative faux painting techniques require the same level of physical work.  Obviously, using a knife to apply a texture is a little more physical than using a brush to apply glaze.  And using a sponge to apply glaze is easier than burnishing and polishing Venetian plaster.  So after you read and analize the steps required for each technique, pick one you can do.

If a technique that you really want sounds like it might be difficult for you, get help.  I'm certain that your spouse would be more willing help!  If not then get your best friend to work with you.  Then you can help them in their house.  

By all means be careful and have fun.  When you are finished you will love your walls, and yourself for trying.