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History of Faux Finishing |
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The art of painting finishes has evolved from a long history of creative painting. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the old masters developed painting techniques that we today term faux finishes. Faux is the French word for 'false'.
European artisans were commonly commissioned to replicate the look of exotic woods, marbles and other rare or expensive materials on interior surfaces. In the late 19th century, the Victorian era, it became én vogue for the upper class to hire an artist to embellish their home with their creative finishes, though real mahogany or precious stones might have been readily available. Faux finishes such as wood graining, stenciling and marbleizing were very popular on walls, floors and ceilings. Stencil designs were much more elaborate and ornate than they are today and the use of vivid colors and intricate design made for opulent surroundings. |
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The Victorian style of decorating traveled across the ocean to America in the early 1920’s as more European immigrants settled here. At this time, faux painting influenced the Art Deco era and many interior surfaces were painted with strong graphic patterns, combined with stenciling on vivid colored walls. Stripes and bands of color adorned furniture, walls, ceilings and floors. The Art Deco movement brought together the talent of faux finishers, illustrators and fine artists.
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Stone fountain faux finished, Verdigris,
to simulate the look of an aged copper |
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The popularity of faux finishing waned in the late 1930’s due to the depression and the streamlined look of design in the 40’s and 50’s, followed by the simplistic modern period of the 60’s and 70’s. It was not until the 1980’s that faux finishing began to resurface and really gained momentum over the following decades.
Today, we combine a huge array of paining techniques from trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) murals, glazing and lime washing to marbleizing, strié, moiré, and striping. Some of which were established centuries ago and other faux finishes are of the modern day.
Faux finishing provides you with canvases on many surfaces, allowing you to create an exciting environment in which to live. |
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Early golf woods, painted in a
Tromp l’oeil fashion |
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