Phone: 901.380.5454        Email:  bobbyhs@rocketmail.com

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Faux finishes are actually painted finishes used by homeowners, decorators, builders, cabinet makers, historical preservationists and architects to enhance and beautify just about any surface which can be painted. Given the level of interest in faux finishes, it's hard to imagine that a potential buyer wouldn't be at least familiar with some of the simpler treatments, such as sponging or ragging. But so many have asked, especially in regard to cabinets, that I feel compelled to "show" pictures on the net since, after all "a picture is worth a thousand words."

Faux is French for false, so a faux finish would be a false finish, but most people use the phrase loosely. Many of the painted finishes were traditional techniques imported to North America by its early settlers. It is the blending in of these folk techniques which form the basis of American "country" finishes. The origins of the more elegant examples of faux work can be traced back for centuries. It was very popular to mimic the wonderful woods, stone and other materials seen in the homes of the aristocracy. Even in "America's Castles," great beauty was attained with faux and other decorative painted finishes along side the costly "real" materials.

The use of faux marble, grained examples of costly or rare woods, and gilding impart an air of classicism or fineness to an otherwise ordinary room. With special techniques in aging materials and the addition of harmonious colors in fabrics, wall and floor coverings and accessories, you are well on your way to an especially beautiful home.

But there are other reasons for using these techniques. Among these are protection and preservation, camouflage, unification and just a need to express yourself--communication of your personal style. This is the great thing about using painted finishes. You can use them with ANY décor. Go in for a few rooms which are ragged, incorporate a couple of colors to match your furniture and the one and only original art you own, compliment the painting your friend did, dress up those dull old cabinets, revitalize an old fireplace and . . .and . . . and, the list is long.

One area of special interest is the case of the wall, which can't be stripped of wallpaper. You may have run into this little nightmare. It's the wallpaper, which was either glued with extra glue or was never "sized" and when it does come off it leaves awful torn places in the wall. If you find yourself with a "bad" wall, for this or for any other reason, you may wish to consider a ragged or bagged finish to help hide it. The special hand-made, organic quality that results when a skilled applicator does the work is very appealing. The so-called new art of Ventian plasters can be a great help with bad walls. Some of the best Venitian plaster jobs use three closely related colors being blended to create a very nice aged look.

Bobby, the artist, studied for years. At a recent show of the works of Walter Anderson, he saw a watercolor which he, as a child, had copied. He attended Ocean He credits the excellent art teachers in the public schools as well as this early contact with the family of the then deceased Anderson as focusing this art talents. He lived in Ocean Springs, MS as a child. He has great training in deep perspective and realism, as well as current and historical modern trends in painting. He studied at Mississippi State University, Mississippi College, Mississippi University for Women (now coed), and graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Having said all of this, don't forget that this service started out simply painting the outside of houses. This service continues and the results are a long-lasting exterior coating.

Some Helpfull inks:

http://www.materials-world.com/   A great site for looking at almost all colors      available in paint and stain

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