Four Decorative Painting Techniques

Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great way to jazz up your space with little cost or effort. Here are a few of the most popular finishes.

Sponging: Of all faux finish techniques, sponging is the easiest, even children can do a somewhat messy reproduction of this technique. In order to sponge, you must first paint the entire area one base color. After this coat dries, then you can take a sponge or even a plastic bag, dip it in paint, and apply the paint randomly to the walls. Although this is a random process, you want to be careful not to get any one area of the wall extremely dark or leave it extremely light or your eye will be drawn to that spot immediately. Sponging is very easy, and for all supplies usually costs between $50-$100, which may also include classes if you want to learn from the professionals.

Combing: Combing is a little more difficult. When combing, you use a squeegee with teeth to comb through the top layer of paint. As with sponging, you want to have a bottom layer so that when you comb there will be a matching layer beneath it. Using a combing technique is also very inexpensive, and you can use the squeegee to make wavy, zigzags, and other designs on the wall.

Glazing: Glazing is actually the product that you put over your first coat of paint. In order to glaze your walls correctly, you should take a class. You may be able to find a home improvement store that offers glazing classes or you may need to talk to a local interior decorator about classes, although these will likely be very expensive. Glazing places a transparent coat over the base coat of paint, making the wall look a bit shiny and transparent. You can use as many coats of glaze as you want to get the desired look.

Trompe-L'oeil: Trompe-L'oeil is French for "fool the eye." This finish fools the eye into thinking that the wall has a marble or granite finish. This is probably the most difficult finish to accomplish on your own. For creating the marble finish, you use a technique very much like sponging, but this one takes a bit more talent. Visit local stores to see if they have classes or tips on achieving this style.

These are the four primary types of faux finishes. The first two are fairly easy, while the latter two are significantly harder. Before attempting any of these, plan well so that you can estimate the cost, and visit your local hardware or design store for classes or helpful hints. Having a buddy to take classes with you or practice with you will make the experience more fun. You can even do one room in your house and then decorate a room in your buddy's house; the fun never ends!

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

---

Tips for Choosing a Safe Paint Color for Your Walls

Are you STILL thinking about painting your walls with color?Many... Read More

Furniture Slipcovers ? The Cheap and Easy Way to Give Your Furniture a Makeover

Are you tired of the look of your furniture? Do... Read More

Couch Slipcovers - An Easy Way to Give Old Furniture a Stylish New Image!

Fitting new couch slipcovers is a great way to instantly... Read More

How To Decorate a Large Family Room

Dividing the room into different use areas is a great... Read More

Decorating with Table Fountains

With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated... Read More

A Look at Fruit Gift Baskets

The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought... Read More

The English Grandfather Clock Tradition

Like the storied countryside of England, grandfather clocks from that... Read More

How to Make Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to... Read More

Do It Yourself Bathroom Curtain

Need An Easy Bathroom Curtain Idea?I've always had a hard... Read More

Decorating for Real Life and Real People

I spent a recent weekend curled up with a stack... Read More

Rug - Snug as a Bug!

Rugs are a great way to decoratively cover a floor.... Read More

Discount Mini Blinds

As with other discount items you want to buy, discount... Read More

The Benefits of Hanging Wine Racks

Hanging wine racks help to neatly store wine in tight... Read More

Bar Stools & Counter Stools - Tips on How To Select the Right Style for Your Space

If you have a breakfast bar or wet bar in... Read More

Decorate Your Home for Joy Using Design Psychology

What Is Design Psychology?Design Psychology exceeds "traditional" interior design practice... Read More

Tiffany Lamps - The Artistry of Dale Tiffany

The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident... Read More

Long-Strip and Engineered Hardwood Floors

Longstrip hardwood floors are wide and long, and each plank... Read More

Granite Countertop Colors

Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as... Read More

Creative Decorating Ideas Using Old Windows

A Room With A ViewHave you ever wished you had... Read More

The Benefits of Owning Wood Mini Blinds

Wood mini blinds are one variety of wood blinds for... Read More

Pass the Salt ? Its a Hot Collectible

Part of the attraction of any collectible is the story... Read More

Keep Things In Order With A Written Home Decorating Plan

Begin your written plan by choosing one room to start... Read More

The Function of Wine Storage Racks

Storing wines is crucial to keeping wines flavor and letting... Read More

Installing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can be secured using various installation methods such... Read More

Decorating With Room Dividers

Room dividers can be both decorative and practical. They can... Read More

Blackout Blinds

Tired of waking every morning with a stripe of blinding... Read More

Picnic Baskets for Two

Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More

Digital Picture Frames: The Wave of The Future

What is a digital picture frame? Think of a digital... Read More

A Guide to Interior Shutters

We've all heard of exterior shutters. We see them on... Read More

Practical Feng Shui ? Debunking the Myths

Most of the information that is available concerning Feng Shui... Read More

You Know Your Home Décor is Frumpy and Stale when?.

As a decorator, I have gone into many different homes... Read More

Fireplace Candelabras - The Easy Alternative To Burning Wood

It wasn't that long ago that the fireplace was the... Read More

Wine Rack Kits and Plans

Properly storing wine keeps flavor and lets wine age so... Read More