Sponge, brush, rag or roller, painting techniques can provide added style to any color application. Learn the benefits and ways to enact such methods within your future projects.

Faux Finishing; There is no "single" faux...

Rag Rolling and Sponge Rolling are among the most popular Faux Painting Techniques. They involve the application of a base coat and one or more color glazes applied with a rag roller or natural sea sponge. The color combinations and patterns are limited only by your imagination. Both techniques are easily mastered.

Dragging - also known as "Strie" (pronounced STREE-AY) is a subtractive technique which involves the use of a dragging brush to remove wet glaze from a surface. Use of long, steady strokes results in the appearance of vertical lines on a wall. Dragging can be used to hide imperfections on walls and paneling.

Stippling - adds dimension and depth to a wall. The effect is achieved by "Pouncing" a stippling brush over wet glaze, giving a faux texture effect.

Color Washing -a glaze technique using a "color wash brush" in cross hatch (x) pattern. Excess glaze is removed with cheesecloth to create a soft fresco look.

Crackle Finish emulates aged porcelain or aged paint. Special crackle glazing is applied over a dried base coat. This effect is ideal for use on accent pieces, such as tables, chairs, vases, picture frames, etc.

Metallic Patinas - involve the use of metallic glazes to create the look of copper, rust, gold, silver, or colored metallics. The combinations are unlimited. Metallics can be used on broad walls as well as on accent pieces.

Suede and Sandtone finishes add a rich, three dimensional look to any room. Suede finishes are applied with a 4" brush using a cross hatch pattern. Sandtone paint features light and dark grains to add depth and warmth.

Venetian Plaster - a heavy bodied coating, burnished and polished with a trowel to create a tone-on-tone dimensional finish. This "Old World" technique has rapidly gained popularity in recent years. This look is commonly seen in fine restaurants and hotels, but is now being applied in homes as well.

Ricciardi Brothers carries a full line of McCloskys "Special Effects" faux finishes, as well as Polyvine, Muralo Venetian Plaster, Ralph Lauren specialty finishes and a wide array of faux finishing tools. Visit any of our locations and let our professional staff make your faux finishing dreams come true.