Structural color and faux finishes have become more popular in recent years than at any other time in history. One reason for this is because so many home improvement stores offer classes for those who are willing to pay the price for the paint so that the average Joe or Jane can recreate these fabulous finishes on their own walls as well. In fact, it is truly amazing what works of art can be created with the clever and creative use of textured paint.
Faux finishes can be used to create the illusion of anything from plaster or brick to leather and a few amazing things in between. Those who are skilled at applying faux finishes are in great demand for their artistic talents but most home owners can do a passable job if they are willing to take the time necessary to properly learn the technique. Even wood grain can be imitated with the help of a talented faux finisher and paint.
Using structured colors and faux finishes can be done in almost any room in the house but they seem to be most common in living rooms and kitchens as a major design feature. There are some ambitious homeowners who have decided to take this type of painting in every room of the home. Although it may seem a good idea in theory there are some drawbacks to this as well.
First of all, textured paints and faux finishes are very time consuming. If you hire a professional to do the work their time is a lot of your money and this is something that really needs to be considered. Is time really worth the reward of the finished project as far as you as a homeowner, are concerned? Most people think it is not worth so much money and time but others really appreciate the look and feel that it is essential to their enjoyment of their home. Whichever category you fall into, it is important that you realize that this can be a costly proposition.
Another thing to consider is that many who manage to get a texture or faux finish of some sort in every room of their homes often decide after a little while to remove some of their hard work. The reason for this is that in small doses faux finishes and textured paints are novel and spectacular. In large doses they can be more than a little overwhelming and, more importantly, unimpressive. There's something to be said about the fact that sometimes less is more.
This does not mean that some homes do not wear faux finishes beautifully in almost every nook and cranny. Some homes are simply meant to be decorated from one end of the home to the other end. These homes are simply lovely no matter how many new finishes are added to walls, furniture, fireplace mantles, and bathroom cabinets. There never seems to be too much in these homes. There are some homes however that beg for moderation when it comes to designs such as this. Listen to your home when decorating and you should have a much better decorating experience overall without overwhelming either your home or your guests.
If faux finishes and / or textured painting is something you would like to incorporate into your home decorating plans you'll be pleased to discover that there are many, many resources both online and offline that can help you with your goals. The first and the best choice is to check with local hardware and home improvement stores to see if they are offering any free workshops on faux finishes or textured painting in your area. If they are then you are set. But if they are not your local library may prove to be a valuable source for videos, magazines and books that offer step-by-step instructions. The Internet is also an excellent source. Do not forget the value of spaces such as YouTube and Google Video as they may have some actual demonstrations or how to videos to help as well.
