A few years ago, we hosted a luncheon for designers at a local restaurant. It was the impetus for our popular Open House that now happens every January.
At the luncheon, I had the opportunity to share some ideas about the incredible advances in the world of faux and decorative painting (since the sponging debacle of the '80s and '90s). Now, I'd like to introduce some new thoughts about the innovative and modern finish applications today. I am joined in this discussion along with a few thoughts shared from my colleague, Dana Tucker of Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes in Nashville.
DIY faux finishing and 'reality' design TV has negatively influenced designers’ views about professional decorative painting. Dana shared this photo of a basement wall gone wrong and listed reasons for bad faux and professional finishes.
Top reasons for a bad faux finish are:
- lack of training
- wrong products used
- improper use of color and texture
- no artistic vision
What distinguishes professionals from the weekend warriors?
1. studied art and design
2. actively practicing our craft every day
3. long list of references of satisfied clients
4. award winning finishes and designs
5. always on top of trends in the industry
A neutral and monochromatic color palette often deters designers and builders from using faux finishes. There are a number of strategies to work decorative finishing into these palettes including monotone Venetian plasters and glazes as well as highlighting architectural elements such as crown molding and chair rails, stove hoods and fireplaces. A professional decorative painter knows how to selectively use these finishes to add depth and character and help enhance the overall design vision of the space.
Color is a fundamental factor of style and design. Trained decorative painters bring a new sensibility and outlook on how to integrate color with a modern and fresh approach. Take a professional decorative painter on a 'walk through' at a job site and you might be surprised of the 'opportunities' they can identify,
Go Green and make a win-win in cost and design. Example, make a stovetop hood look like metal or a redo a laminate countertop using a hybridized cement product specifically created to go over concrete, tile or even wallboard. This illustrates perfectly, green can be beautiful! (We are currently working on a countertop project redo; follow the progress on our blog at www.fauxtimedesign.blogspot.com. Textural finishes using unprocessed materials (no-dying or bleaching) are on the rise.
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