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Frottage
Another Faux Finish
My last post showed a faux finish where a whisk broom was used to create texture on walls. This next one makes use of large pieces of plastic. Frottage comes from the french verb "Frotter" which means to rub and that's exactly what you do to create this look. This beautiful finish is fairly quick and easy to accomplish. You can do this alone, but a second person is an asset and naturally makes the job go faster.
I chose to do my dining room walls using this technique. I was looking for an "old" wall look that would resemble leather. This finish accomplishes the look I wanted. I picked two colors very similar to one another. That's the key. If the paint colors are very different the look is too dramatic. Similar colors blend well, so that's what I recommend. Pick a color and find another one at least four shades darker or lighter.
Prep your walls first. Spackle up the holes, sand and clean all walls before starting. Apply a base coat and pick the finish that you want-eggshell, flat, satin, etc. Get good coverage and let it dry.
Purchase large pieces or rolls of plastic (like cellophane). I buy the plastic drop clothes from Home Depot. They are very large, very efficient for this task and cheap. Purchase one gallon of glaze and mix 4:1. Four parts glaze and one part paint.
Roll on your glaze quickly, working a 6 foot by 6 foot section at a time. If you have a second person, quickly roll the entire wall. Now, have your plastic ready. Apply the sheet of plastic to the wall, use both your hands and "smooch" it around, all over. Now leave it for a few minutes. Pull the plastic off and let it dry.
This technique works the best with a dark color under and a lighter color on top. The lighter the color, the more dramatic the results.
Subtle, but very beautiful when done.
Below the same technique, different color scheme.
This happens to be my favorite faux paint finish and yields great results.Christy
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This looks wonderful - I might just try it myself!
ReplyDeleteI use this technique quite a bit, but with a few variations. I take the 3M roll of plastic (Home Depot)and cut about 12" sections. I prepare my glaze colors (2-3) and apply them in 4x4 areas, leaving a wet edge (to avoid dry lines). I bunch up the plastic piece and bag the area to break up the glazed areas and blend 1 color into the next. I then use a pad of cheesecloth to pick up the excess glaze, create some highs and lows (called a French Scumble)and then use a badger brush to blend and melt. I then move on to the next section where I left my wet edge. My go-to glaze color (over just about any basecoat color) is Van Dyke Brown. It works with just about any other glaze color, too.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the lighter color! I just discovered your blog via a Mardi Gras Google search. Beautiful space you have here!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I like what you have done to your walls. Thanks for sharing your technique.
ReplyDeleteSunny
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