Faux painting techniques are an economical and innovative way to transform any surface and can complement any decorating style. Dull concrete floors, both indoors and out, can be brought dramatically to life with paint.

In theory, almost any look can be replicated, by introducing color, pattern and texture. The ideal design will vary according to the room or space you are making over. You may want a color scheme or theme to complement the d?cor style and/or function of a room or outdoor area.

Planning and Preparation

Before choosing a design, look carefully at your surface and space. Some designs are useful for disguising flaws in a floor. For other designs you may need to patch and smooth flawed surfaces thoroughly first.

You will also need to think about the traffic in the area you are painting. Is it worth doing an elaborate, time-consuming pattern in a high traffic area? If you don’t like the distressed look that will result, you may want to rethink. Designs also need matching to the surface area. Large, bold patterns may be out of scale for a small room. Equally, small, detailed patterns may get lost in large spaces. If you are using stencils, note that some manufacturers can resize stencils for you.

Inspirations for Faux Painted Floors

Brick and Stone

Brick (or ‘block’) and stone finishes can add texture and/or color and can be effective indoors or outdoors. Patterned brickwork is easily simulated using reusable stencils. They are available in a wide range of designs and are an easy option for beginners.

Simulating the effect of stone may require more expertise (and time) and so may be more suitable for smaller spaces. Many types of stone can be reproduced using paint. You could create a luxurious marble floor for your bathroom. Faux slate paving or flagstones will suit patios and indoor spaces, such as kitchens or hallways.

Tiles and Mosaics

Faux terracotta tiles are a versatile option for kitchens, patios and dining rooms. Their warm, earthy appearance goes well with the rustic Tuscan look and can add warmth in a modern home. Again, stenciling can be used to reproduce a tiled appearance. You could use paint to create a faux mosaic floor worthy of a Roman villa.

Patterned and Textured Finishes

For a finish that isn’t too busy, you can use paint to create subtle texture. The color washing technique used to create a mottled or cloudy effect on walls can also be used on floors. Distressed and antique finishes that simulate wear and age may be suitable in some d?cor schemes.

With pattern, your choice is endless. Covering an entire surface is one option. Alternatively you could paint a faux rug, perhaps with patterns inspired by oriental carpets and kelims. You might prefer clean lines and geometric patterns. Stencils are always useful and can be used for patterned borders for a more understated look.

Bold or subtle, bright or neutral, faux painting techniques can give your floor an expensive-looking makeover that won’t break the bank.

By: Debra T Conrad

About the Author:
Find more concrete floor stencil ideas from That Painter Lady. Then claim your free “Insider’s Guide to Faux Painting” and avoid all the common mistakes, get success tips, find the right products for the job and more.

Tuscan kitchens are amazing spaces. Many homeowners have fallen in love with the look and feel of Italian style kitchens. The reason is often because of the fresh air feeling that Tuscany kitchens give off. The secret to creating authentic Mediterranean kitchens is as simple as reflecting on the hillsides of Tuscany. The selection of materials used in the design plays a major roll in this warm kitchen. After reading this article, you will learn the key elements that will make Tuscan kitchen transformation come alive.

1. Color selection: An easy way of choosing colors for your Tuscany kitchen is by referring to a favored Tuscan art piece. Something in the likes of an Italian painting or a Tuscan ceramic piece. This is a simple and effective way of having a quick color pallet for your d?cor.

2. Walls: Choosing your wall color is an important part of decorating Tuscany style kitchens. This part of decorating can be challenging for some, but if you have started out with a color pallet that you enjoy, you can select the wall color easily from it. Colors like golden yellow, browns, terracotta, rich reds are ideal-your walls should be representative of the warm air of Italy. For an effective way of adding Old World charm, consider applying a texture on the wall like a faux finish. Addition of murals and moldings help to finish off the design.

3. Tuscan cabinets: In Mediterranean style kitchens, the cabinets are typically worn looking. Many opt for the distressed look. The kitchen cabinets often have open shelving to display dishes, ceramics, utensils and spices. Many homeowners are able to pull of their kitchen design by having glass paned doors which continues to provide a feel of openness.

4. Tuscan kitchen backsplash: Backsplashes can be created by selecting mosaic designs and patterns. Many homeowners choose to have them custom made, often inspired by a favorite Italian painting, while some choose to create them on their own. Tuscan kitchen backsplashes are not only beautiful but extremely functional. With careful selection, it can be an amazing focal point in your space.

5. Counter tops: The counter tops in a Tuscany kitchen are often made of solid natural materials. Granite and marble are popular stones of choice. Ceramic tiles are also used for counter tops in an Italian style kitchen.

6. Flooring: The flooring in a Tuscany style kitchen implements natural solid materials as well. Terracotta clay tiles, or clay tiles are often used in Tuscan kitchens.

7. Sink: The sinks are typically large farmhouse style. These are commonly white ceramic although many homeowners choose to go with marble.

8. Windows: In a Tuscan style kitchen, the windows are often left bare. If any, very little draperies are present. The aura in an Italian kitchen is sunny and bright. Sheer panels can be used for privacy.

9. Accessories: Tuscan kitchen canisters are great ways to add to your kitchen space. Decorative pieces that introduce the hues selected throughout your kitchen design. Additional accessories such as copper pots and pans, and olive wood bowls quickly add to the desired look.

10. Furniture: A major part of a Mediterranean kitchen is a large center island. The island is used as an area for gathering of family and friends. It is a common object that is functional for cooking as well as entertaining. These islands, as well as other pieces, like additional floor cabinets, are often stand alone. Furniture pieces are mis-matched and are worn looking to maintain the Old World look.

By: Patrice D. Walker

About the Author:
Patrice D. Walker is an Architect student who specializes in Tuscan Decorating. Visit: http://www.Tuscan-Home-101.com for more Tuscan interior design tips and information.

Like many of us, I am not the best woodworker. However, I still like the idea of making my own furniture. I just do have the finances to outfit a home workshop like the ones you see on television. I can, however, apply stains and finishes. Staining and Finishing only requires some basic tools and experience. Plus, if I totally mess up a piece of furniture when finishing it, all I have to do is to remove the finish and start all over again.

Some of the basic tools you’ll need are: sandpaper in various grits, some good
paintbrushes, rags, and a ton of patience. If you have an electric sander, that speeds
up the sanding process but isn’t required. I use a small orbital sander that both
vibrates and swirls for a smooth finish.

In my town, there are a couple of stores that sell furniture for just these types of
projects. They are usually called “unfinished furniture” or “raw furniture” stores.
They typically have a good selection of furniture in pine, oak, and other species of
wood. You’ll usually find a good selection of furniture ranging from simple
bookcases, armoires, coffee tables, all the way up to complete dining room sets.

With a raw or unfinished piece of furniture, one of the toughest decisions is how to
finish it. Again, you will have several choices. You could simply paint it a color to
match your d?cor. Or, you could stain and finish it with a clear top-coat. And with
stains, you have a myriad of choices. You could stain it a natural-looking wood
color, or you could stain it a more vibrant color like red or purple! The main
difference between staining and painting is that paint is opaque and cover the wood
surface. Stains are transparent and let the beauty of the natural grain show through.

Your top-coat, or clear-coat on top of the stain can be either flat, semi-gloss, or
shiny. The new water-based polyurethane finishes are easy to apply, quick to dry,
and a snap to clean-up. And there aren’t a lot of nasty fumes with them.

Popular options right now are hand-painted finishes. You can paint your unfinished
furniture to look like a charming folk piece or something from a French country
cottage. And if you are up to the challenge, you can apply a faux finish with paint to
your unfinished furniture to make it look like anything from stone to steel!

The most important thing to remember when you are finishing your own furniture,
is to have fun, take your time, and don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out exactly as
planned. Sometimes the best looking pieces are not the ones you started out trying
to create!

By: Dean Novosat

About the Author:
Dean Novosat is an avid do-it-yourselfer and remodeler. He has been refinishing and building furniture for twenty years. He has several websites including Raw Unfinished Furniture and Hand Made Furnishings .

One of the easiest faux painting finishes is faux brickwork. It can add interest to a dull flat wall or drab concrete surface, either in the home or in the garden or patio area. The great thing about it is that reusable stencils, easily available from many retailers, make the job really quick and easy, even for beginners.

Brick Finishes

An uninteresting floor or wall can become an eye-catching feature with a brick finish makeover. Indoors, the unpainted brick look is trendy and modern with the warm colors of brick complementing other decorating styles. Outdoor spaces can also be enhanced. Brickwork (especially aged brickwork) has a soft, warm appearance whereas plain, untextured concrete floors can be stark and ugly.

Using brick stencils is useful if you want to extend existing brickwork without the effort, expense and mess of actual construction. (And you may not be able to find bricks that match.) Brick stenciling is also an alternative to restoring existing brickwork. Brickwork that has been damaged or previously painted is notoriously difficult to restore but can be rejuvenated with clever use of paint.

The Pros and Cons of Stencils

Especially if you’re new to faux painting, brick stencils have many pluses and few minuses. In some cases (for example, if you need to match existing brickwork) you may have to mark out your design manually, or create your own stencil to match what you already have. If you can buy a stencil to suit your purpose you will save a lot of time. The only real downside of stencils is that their fixed size can create problems with corners and edges (especially curved edges, for example around a circular or arched window).

Which Design?

Brick stencils come in a staggering array of different designs, with different brick sizes and paving patterns. Choose your design carefully to fit in with the room or surface you plan to transform.

Make sure that the scale is in proportion. Consider the space available. You may not want large bricks in a small room or small blocks in a bigger space. The size of the brick is one factor influencing the degree of texture that results. Some manufacturers offer customizing and re-sizing of stencils.

Also consider how the pattern will match your architecture, d?cor or space. Modern home with clean lines may invite a plainer, more geometric pattern. That could be simple rows, but a herringbone design can also look neat. Circular or swirling patterns can soften a space with hard lines, or complement older architecture, rustic d?cor or traditional gardens.

Have Some Fun with It

Brickwork doesn’t have to be reds and browns. Other colors can simulate brickwork that has been painted over. You can also choose between a clean, new brick appearance or create a soft, aged look by using paint techniques to create a distressed effect. Stencils are the core of the process but you still have other fun options to choose from to create your ideal look.

By: Debra T Conrad

About the Author:
Find more brick stencil ideas from That Painter Lady. Then claim your free “Insider’s Guide to Faux Painting” and avoid all the common mistakes, get success tips, find the right products for the job and more.

There are many different ways that you can change the appearance of the furniture that you have, or of any other object. One of the ways is to do distressed wood finishing. When you do distressed wood finishing, you are really giving yourself a chance to have an amazing piece of furniture come to life before your very eyes. Distressing is a way of making something that is made out of wood, or out of almost any other material, look like it is older and more aged. It is usually considered to be a decorative art, because you are changing the way that the item looks, in order to make it more pleasing to your own eye. Also, distressed wood finishing is looked at as a finishing technique, because it is something that you do that leads to the final design of the piece of furniture. Even though it is called distressed wood finishing, it is really the opposite of finishing, because you are taking a final product that looks brand new, and doing things to it to make it look older and more distressed.

When you distress a piece of wood, you are deliberately making it look older. This might mean that you destroy or manipulate the current finishing on the object, in order to make it look less than perfect. You can do this with sandpaper, and also with something like a paint stripper. Sometimes, you might take off some of the layers of paint, but not all of it, so there might still be layers of paint that are visible over a wood grain that is underneath. After you have distressed the item, you will have a finished product.

In many ways, distressing has become an art form, and a way to decorate furniture and other items in a popular and stylish way. Distressing is meant to give an item a vintage or one-of-a-kind look, which is usually supposed to be old and rustic.

Antiquing is another type of distressing for wood furniture. When someone does antiquing, they are not only trying to make a piece look older, but they are also trying to make the piece look like it is an antique. There are several different ways that this can be done. First of all, the finish is often distressed, meaning that sanders are used to take off some of the paint and to make the entire thing look like it is older. Secondly, the artisan often applies historically accurate paint colors, and puts on an antique-like faux finish. Sometimes, crackle varnishes are used. Sometimes, in order to complete the antiquing method of distressing, the artisan applies accent details that were only found in that particular period of time, like knobs on dresser drawers, or other details that would make the piece appear to be an antique. Sometimes, glazes are used. With glazing, after distressing, the colors blend into the crevices, and give it an older or antique appearance. Many times, if a person wants to continue the distressing in order to achieve the antique look, it is a process that is going to take a long time, and one that might end up being a lot of work.

Another aspect of distressing is putting in things that are made to look natural. For instance, distressing often includes putting in fake woodworm holes. These are holes in the piece that look like they were made by woodworms.

There are many ways to actually distress an item, whether the artisan is doing antiquing or just distressing. First of all, they might sand the finish off of the actual wood item. They might do this by hand or with an electric sander. Also, they might purposefully dent and scrape the object, in order to make it look like it has a lengthy history and has been moved around a lot.

Sometimes, wood is hammered in order to make it softer, and sometimes it is hammered to give it a dimpled appearance. It can also be bleached, stained, pickled, or repainted with paints and varnishes that crackle. These will then crack after drying, making it appear that the paint or varnish has cracked due to age.

Sometimes, antique paints and varnishes are used, which also add to the appearance of an older, wooden item. Another technique includes watering down regular paint, so that it appears to be faded and thinner than it would new. This allows other layers of paint, or the wood itself, to show through the paint layer. Another distressing technique calls for the pain or varnish to be layered on using sponges, which will create an uneven pattern. When an area is painted, the corners and edges are often painted lighter, or sanded down, so that the item appears to be worn.

The goal of all of these different methods of distressing is the same – for the object to appear as if it is older than it is, and for the object to appear as if it has been worn down and is not in as great of shape as a newer item. Distressed wood furniture is often preferred because it appears to have more character and to look like it has a story and history behind it. Therefore, distressed wood furniture is actually quite popular – even if it is something that a person makes for themselves. One can take a regular piece of furniture and distress it so that it looks even better.

By: Erik Schimek

About the Author:
To see beautiful photos of the furniture mentioned in this article, please see Erik Schimek’s bedroom furniture website. This website features bed frames, armoires, cedar chests, bedroom dressers, nightstands and organic mattresses.

Erik Organic is an independently owned family business whose goal is to assist our customers in creating a safe and healthy home. Our organic furniture is created with safe organic fabrics, natural batting, solid wood construction and low VOC wood finishes.

Do you want home decorating ideas that will turn the inside of your home into something extraordinary? Faux finishes, also known as faux painting, will do just that!

Faux finishes have been used worldwide for centuries. Faux painting was revived and gained popularity in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with high end homes leading the trend.

Even though faux means “false,” it is important to note that creating a faux finish does not mean that your home will have a fake look. On the contrary, the use of faux finishes and faux painting in your home encourages you to express your creativity and imagination. It is a wonderful way to mix and match the new looks with the old to create a unique, extraordinary living space.

Basic faux finishes include color washing, combing, crackle, metallic, ragging, sandscapes, soft suede, leather effect, and sponging. There are many variations on these finishes.

We usually think of transforming walls with faux painting, but faux finishes can be used to achieve a faux chic look any place in your home. These finishes can be used on just about anything in your home, such as furniture, tile, and floors, as well as on home d?cor items.

A technique to use to ease new furniture into a decorating scheme is to accelerate the effects of time on wood and make it stylishly old by giving it a distressed finish. A faux finish can also be used on wood floors to truly add a unique look to any room. A weathered paint effect is an effective faux finish technique to use on home d?cor, such as candlesticks and picture frames.

If you are hesitant to commit to having a whole room painted with a faux finish, consider faux painting an accent wall that will complement the furniture and accessories in the room.

Whether you do the faux painting yourself or hire a professional, carefully planning a decorating project prior to starting is essential for the successful completion of the project.

By: Lynn Cressy

About the Author:
To help keep your home organized, download a free copy of the ebook “The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home”. Download it free here: Organizing Tips.

Lynn Cressy has a love for decorating and shopping for home decor. She owns a home decor web site and writes articles on home decorating and organizing your home and your life.

Have you ever walked into a home and immediately felt cozy and welcome, as if you’d entered your grandmother’s house and she’d offered you just-out-of-the-oven cookies she’s made just because she knew you loved them? If so, chances are that home was filled with country furniture.

There’s just something comforting and cozy about country furniture. Not that country furniture is ugly or old-fashioned looking. Just the opposite. The gentle curves and soft lines that often define this style of furniture is very “put up your feet and stay awhile.” You often may have a sudden urge to nap because a country-style couch often is well-padded with well-stuffed pillows along its back. A severely modern furniture style, on the other hand, can sometimes give off a “do not touch!” vibe, let alone a “make at home” feeling.

So if you want to turn your house into “home,” consider purchasing this style furniture. When you’ve had a tough day at the office, or your child has had a rough day at school or on the playground, your country furniture can help whisk the stress and bad happenings of day away.

Furniture: Sturdy, Finely Crafted and Beautiful!

The furniture is also well-made; no particle board and faux wood finishes here. You can choose from hardwoods such as maple, cherry and oak, and all of them are available in the color stain that’s perfect for the vision you have of your home’s decor. In addition, country furniture often is made by fine wood crafters and is made to last for generations. These well-made pieces often are hand finished, with each part of the piece hand sanded to an incredible smoothness. Country furniture craftsmen then often apply a satin or high-gloss coat stain to “finish” the piece.

Not to be outdone by the hardwoods, country furniture makers often use the “soft” wood Pine for their pieces. Pine’s “knotty” look exudes comfort and a slower pace of life. Don’t be surprised if visitors start letting out sighs of complete relaxation when they come to your home.

You’ll often see this country style furniture painted bright colors. If so, you’ll notice that these pieces – sideboards, low cabinets, bookshelves, cabinets – make great accent items and really liven up a room. They also become great conversation pieces because of the focal point they often become within your decor.

Not that all homes filled with country furniture are brimming with color. Some of the most peaceful and “calming” of country decors will see you decorating as simply as possible, using natural colors and textures to give your home a feeling of simplicity, friendliness and family – all ideals associated with country furniture.

By: Christopher Gast

About the Author:
Christopher Gast is a marketing representative for, My Country Stuff located in Narvon PA. Visit http://www.mycountrystuff.com/ for more information.

Show your family that spice isn’t just for cooking by decorating your kitchen with Mexican home decor!

Even if you’ve never decorated before you can get a great Mexican look in your kitchen by changing minor accessories such as tablecloths and dishware and adding some colorful paint to the walls. A good remodel can include alterations to flooring, lighting fixtures, decorative items and wall color as well as your kitchen table and chairs.

It’s not critical to have a matching table and chair set but the kitchen should have a variety of bright colored or rustic furniture. To really showcase the Mexican design style, try using items with a painted distressed finish.

Your window treatments are important to your Mexican home d?cor design. To get a great design in your kitchen go with using a simple valance or shutters or a wooden valance painted with distressed paint. There are numerous treatments that you can match up to this decorating style especially if you match fabrics to your window treatments, but you should take care to avoid heavy drapes or modernistic looking treatments.

Decorative accessories are a must to pulling your Mexican home d?cor look together. Even if you can’t do anything else – you can get a new look by adding different decorative items! Concentrate on buying tablecloths, dishware and canisters, in colors and patterns that match your Mexican design style. You won’t believe the impact a few simple changes can make! You should to include lots of old rustic pieces in addition to wrought iron pieces and you can even try some colorful hand painted wooden pieces to get a unique look for your kitchen. Incorporating additional touches like vintage hand painted Mexican pottery can make your room appear like it was done by a professional.

What’s on your floor can add to the decorating scheme, but if you can not buy new flooring in your kitchen then work with your floors by covering them with area rugs that have a Mexican look. If you do want to go with new floors, try rustic hard wood or tile floors.

Lighting is necessary in your home and the kitchen is no exception. To compliment your Mexican home d?cor design, you should consider light fixtures in terms of type as well as style. When you are incorporating a Mexican look, try a tin chandelier with scrolly metal wall sconces or anything wrought iron or rustic looking.

A vital ingredient when decorating your kitchen with a Mexican inspired style is your wall coverings. For this decorating style the room colors make a big difference – consider adding reds and bright blues either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a stucco on the walls, or maybe go with faux paint that resembles plaster. You don’t have to get too fancy or spend a lot of money and if you are afraid of too much color, simply paint the walls a neutral shade and put the color into your flooring and accents.

The most important and most fun part is adding art and decorations to your walls. Try adding a hand painted mural or hang some vintage Mexico travel prints to your kitchen walls to really bring out the spice of your Mexican design style. You can also fill the wall with mexican pottery plates and platters hung in wrought iron plate holders or hang shelves and fill them with colorful and interesting Mexican clay jugs.

Getting a great Mexican look in your kitchen doesn’t have to take a lot of money or time. Smart shopping for accessories and making a few simple changes can add a little zing to your room in no time!

By: Lee Dobbins

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can get more great kitchen decorating ideas.