Posts Tagged ‘Color Combinations’

Faux Marble

Faux or false marble is a product that simulates the appearance of natural marble. Creating faux marble is an intricate process, since it must replicate the essentially chaotic appearance of real marble – its texture and grain. This is usually achieved by combining several layers of paint.

Faux marble is a cheap alternative to the real kind, since it can imitate the noblest of finishes effectively for a fraction of the cost. It is also available as a finished product, but the do-it-yourself or custom-made options are usually far more rewarding.

The most effective way of creating a faux marble effect is by applying alternating layers of carefully selected paint and tinted glaze on a white or otherwise lightly colored baseboard; that way the natural veins and grain of marble are simulated. The process, also known as ‘marbleizing’, can be used on walls and furniture. Though it is quite time-consuming, the effect can be quite fabulous and well worth the time and effort.

To achieve a convincing marble effect, one must choose a color scheme that closely imitates the natural version. The most effective shade combinations are gray/white with dark gray/black streaks, pink with peach streaks and eggshell or off-white with yellow/gray and green streaks. These are the usual color combinations of natural marble.

The different layers of paint are glazed over at regular intervals till the desired effect emerges. There are many variations of the process. Some use feathers for achieving a natural streaking effect, some employ candle wax. This is a creative process – have fun!

Faux marble can be bought or made at home; either way, it will add a sophisticated, colorful element to your home.

By: Jimmy Sturo

About the Author:

Faux Finishing for the Beginner

So many people have fears trying new things, if you have some sense of adventure, take a risk after all you can always paint over it.

TOOLS: 6″ roller, tile sponge, glazing compound, paint, tape, trowels, hawk, plastic

BASICS – Try doing a sample board or you can always begin behind a door. The trick in any good faux finish is consistency, edging detail, and overlapping edges.  Let’s start with one techique called sponging.  Now my approach is a bit different in that instead of using a sea sponge to blot the glaze onto the wall I use a 6″ tile sponge to softly blend the glaze onto the surface in swirling strokes working quickly from the top corner of a along the ceiling working my way downward then across, but keeping my patterns very random.

It helps to have your base color painted in an eggshell finish in order to allow the glaze to move freely and not absorb and dry to quickly and become blotchy.  Also have a 4″ dry chip brush in your back pocket to fade and soften out your edges or any obvious dark glaze areas.  Work in 3′x3′ areas by dipping your pre-damped tile sponge into the glazing compound.  Try to choose pleasing color combinations that compliment your base color.  I usually have a light base color something like Behr’s Swiss Coffee and then a darker glaze.

Fade out your edges with the sponge, if you need to go larger than your 3′x3′ area, then do so.  When you come back up to the next section along the ceiling don’t start along the already glazed side, but 2′ away and fade into your already completed finish.  You may even pounce the sponge by patting softly onto the way to achieve the desired look.

At first you will notice alot of swirl marks but don’t worry keep moving down the wall, then come back and with a lighter touch keeping your tile sponge very flat litely keep swirling.  You can even swirl a bit with your 4″ dry brush if the glaze is too heavy.

CORNERS – Don’t stop just at the edge of a wall blend onto and into the next wall randomly to create the natural pattern.  Random movements are the key here.

MISTAKES – If you make a mistake don’t worry, you can easily take a clean damp sponge or rag and by patting lightly remove excess glaze, let it dry and litely reglaze that area again.

MIXING THE GLAZE: In 3 equal parts in a ratio of 1:1:1 take water, glaze, and paint and mix about a quart total that should be enough for a medium sized room since glaze goes very far.

Have Fun!

Check out some images and techniques at : www.venetianplasterdecor.com for some new ideas and colors.

Vaughn
Self Storage Investments