Marble magic
The grandeur of this entryway, located in Shaughnessy, Vancouver, was taken to another level with the addition of faux marble pillars, champagne gold ‘tipping’ on details, faux-finished ceilings and a custom ceiling design. The process of the work was a natural progression of seeing what a space needed next.
The era of teased perms and parachute pants also introduced the masses to sponge painting and marbleizing kits. Suddenly, the 14th century art technique was being applied to literally everything, from household interiors to entire shopping malls. The result? A diabolical crash in the art of faux finishing.
Fast forward 30 years and the art form has been completely revitalized. There are many artists around the globe who are continuing the trade and introducing modern looks and designs that suit any style. In Metro Vancouver, Deanna Solveig, owner of Abalone Custom Painting & Design, is among those artists and specializes in a wide range of finishes that offer a unique and original finish to a home. She uses specialty tools, including feathers, to make the effects come alive. With this form of decorative painting, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between a “faux” wall or ceiling and the real thing.
Delicate work
The pattern for the custom ceiling in the entryway was first designed then transferred to thick plastic to create a stencil. Once cut out, the stencil was carefully applied to the ceiling using spray adhesive. With a delicate hand, Modern Masters champagne metallic paint was applied to create an elegant glow.
Shiftng perspectives
Applied with Modern Masters metallic paints, the reflective nature of the faux finish on the ceiling is very peaceful and harmonious. Depending on the time of day or where you stand in the room, the unique feature on the ceiling will reflect the changes in light and perspective.
Kitchen glam
This closeup of a faux marbleized rangehood was prepared with custom-matched paint and glaze, and the veins were created using delicate feathers for a realistic touch. The marbleizing technique is a great alternative in areas where the cost or weight of genuine marble would be prohibitive.
An excellent imposter
Sometimes it’s impossible to source out the right wood for the job. Here, the decorative wood-grain moulding was matched with the rest of the room. With the help of a wood grain rocker and a keen eye to mimic the colours of the grain, it’s nearly impossible to tell it’s not the real thing.
Water therapy
Using a custom-designed stencil, the ceiling was hand-painted using Modern Masters metallic paints. Platinum pearl with dark silver shading incorporated the colours of the house, reflecting the water harmoniously. As a finishing touch, the inset walls were painted warm grey tones to imitate the water.
From pearl plaster walls to faux coffered ceilings, the possibilities are endless
“We take the surroundings of a room — furniture, lighting, flooring — and tie it all together so that an area feels well rounded and complete,” explains Solveig, as to how the process works. “There’s a void in so many spaces in a home, and many homeowners, designers and builders don’t even realize that decorative painting is an option.”
So, whether you’re seeking to enhance the glam factor of your dining room or make your bedroom unique to you, high-end decorative faux finishes are an intriguing option if you want to move away from traditional wallpaper or paint and enter into the realm of “faux-tastic.”