Faux Real?
Recently, I was introduced to a great blog many of you are either familiar with or have heard about. Mrs. Blandings--(mrsblandings.blogspot.com) A local talent, her writing is both insightful and witty, her blogs full of beautiful photos and illustrations. She has written articles for several shelter magazines, both national and local. Those of you living under a rock, or too busy to check it out (apparently both for me) should do yourself a favor and investigate.
In a recent post, Mrs. Blandings (aka Patricia Shackelford) briefly discussed faux painting. As a decorative painter for many years, I just knew in my heart the decorative painting profession would be slammed again. Soapbox warning, BIG soapbox-
It's still a sore subject for me as I recall an incident over four years ago. I had worked in the field for over 15 years when I signed a multi-year lease on a new studio in midtown. The next morning, over coffee and the Sunday paper, Style section, I saw the headline--Flush All Faux Finishes Down The Drain. I was mortified.
I understood the logic behind the statement. The term "Faux" had been, (and still is) overused and totally misused. We had reached a point where badly executed sponge painting and assorted do it yourself make-over techniques (learned free at the local discount store) were considered "faux". False! A true Faux finish is one that accurately depicts a reality. There are faux furs--look real. Faux marble, faux Bois (wood), faux granite, faux stone, all, if rendered properly, look like the real thing.
Sponging, ragging, glazing, colorwashing, and old European techniques are NOT faux finishes. They are decorative painting techniques, or as the English call them, broken color work. All legitimate, yes, if done properly.
One more comment before I step down from my soapbox--I'm not a faux painter- I'm very real. I was just introduced by a designer to her client as "fake" this week, lol. I'm through, honest.
Back to Mrs. Blandings---thanks for showing pictures of well done work, that was ,indeed, really Faux, and for stating not all Faux is bad. (or flushable) Decorative painting is, and will always be, a valued design element in any room. It's just not all Faux.
In a recent post, Mrs. Blandings (aka Patricia Shackelford) briefly discussed faux painting. As a decorative painter for many years, I just knew in my heart the decorative painting profession would be slammed again. Soapbox warning, BIG soapbox-
It's still a sore subject for me as I recall an incident over four years ago. I had worked in the field for over 15 years when I signed a multi-year lease on a new studio in midtown. The next morning, over coffee and the Sunday paper, Style section, I saw the headline--Flush All Faux Finishes Down The Drain. I was mortified.
I understood the logic behind the statement. The term "Faux" had been, (and still is) overused and totally misused. We had reached a point where badly executed sponge painting and assorted do it yourself make-over techniques (learned free at the local discount store) were considered "faux". False! A true Faux finish is one that accurately depicts a reality. There are faux furs--look real. Faux marble, faux Bois (wood), faux granite, faux stone, all, if rendered properly, look like the real thing.
Sponging, ragging, glazing, colorwashing, and old European techniques are NOT faux finishes. They are decorative painting techniques, or as the English call them, broken color work. All legitimate, yes, if done properly.
One more comment before I step down from my soapbox--I'm not a faux painter- I'm very real. I was just introduced by a designer to her client as "fake" this week, lol. I'm through, honest.
Back to Mrs. Blandings---thanks for showing pictures of well done work, that was ,indeed, really Faux, and for stating not all Faux is bad. (or flushable) Decorative painting is, and will always be, a valued design element in any room. It's just not all Faux.
posted by Stephen at
3:04 PM
1 Comments:
Steve, I think you showed great restraint in describing the "faux" problem. I'm not sure I could have addressed that issue without swearing. I second your sentiments.
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