Out of sheer boredom and the desire for change- I decided to faux paint my kitchen island late Sunday night; luckily I had everything I needed to get started in my collection of paints! I saved hundreds of dollars choosing to do the job myself vs. hiring a faux painter and it was simple to do!
What you will need:
- A piece of furniture to faux finish
- Base coat paint color (satin or semi gloss are ideal)
- Pre-mixed glaze or custom mix glaze
- Sponge paint brush
- A smooth texture cloth (microfiber works great!
Now, let’s get to faux-ing…
- First, select the lucky piece of furniture! Then choose a base coat of paint! Note: lighter base coats give more contrast when using a glaze and professionals recommend using base coats with finishes that range from satin to semigloss for added depth and oomph! (I was lucky enough to have a recently painted white kitchen island, though it was flat paint, it turned out quite nice.
- After the base coat has dried you are ready to add the glaze! I prefer pre-mixed glazes, as it is quick and simple. Though if you are in need of a color not offered in the pre-mixed glazes, you can mix your own! Always test a small sample to ensure you are getting the look and color you desire.
- Next, paint the glaze on using the sponge paint brush- the longer you let the glaze sit, the darker it gets.
- Last, simply take your cloth and wipe the glaze off off of the furniture. It is fun to experiment with different textures! (On my island, I let the paint sit briefly and wiped it off in a vertical stroke- and only used one coat of glaze.) If a dramatic effect is desired; add multiple layers of glaze, using the same technique and allowing the previous coat the fully dry between layers.
Remember, it does not have to be perfect and as a matter a fact- imperfections make it look more interesting! In less than an hour I added my own personal touch to my kitchen island! Be inspired, experiment, have fun and enjoy your new, custom, one of a kind piece of furniture!
Before
After
Door Detail
I opted for one coat of glaze for a quick change; more than likely I will consider adding another coat or two. Check back for furniture faux-ing updates!
