Textured wall finishes – any experience?
Hi All,
LoML and I are planning a project for a breakfast nook. We’ve both fallen in love with a warm Tuscan plaster look, and already know that the colour works beautifully in the area. A friend of ours has achieved the look we want with a European product – can’t recall the name offhand, but it’s similar to the Tuscan Stone and other textured products. It’s very pricey, and evidently quite difficult to apply, but the store that carries it offers workshops, so that’s not too big a problem. This product is also supposed to be strippable, like wallpaper, so if you really botch a patch you can take it off and start over again.
Here’s my question: several years ago, with another partner, in another house, I used drywall mud, which I tinted with acrylic paints, to get a similar effect in a small, inconspicuous corridor. I applied the mud, let it dry, sanded it for texture, then reapplied another batch, using a slightly different tone, sanded that, and repeated with a third tone, finishing it all off with a coat of clear varathane. It was a lot of work, but very, very inexpensive, and very effective (I think!) We sold that house shortly afterwards, so I have no idea how durable my treatment was/is. Can anybody make an educated guess on whether or not that cheap and cheerful solution would be satisfactory in a larger application, and for an indefinite time? Or should we bite the bullet and buy the expensive stuff, which at least has the benefit of a predictable and consistent colour/texture?
“We would like to live in the past, but history prevents usâ€.
John F. Kennedy
Replies
Since no one has replied yet here, you might try posting your question on the "Breaktime" site. Sorry I can't help you.
I have used a textured paint from Behr called Venetian Plaster with great success. You trowel it on and then buff. The effect is layered and, most important, subtle. Works great on walls where you have stripped wallpaper. Also, because it is a type of plaster, it fills in holes for you. Only downside is that it does not take custome color well; but several good colors are currently available.
Gigi - thanks for that suggestion. I'm not a shy woodland creature - but I'm also interested in that finish. I'm going to check that Behr product out. If you can't play a sport, be one.
Hi - if is not asking too much, could you post a pic of one of your walls that has that Behr Venetian Plaster on it?
Yes, I can send a picture. I am in Italy reading this and will send photo when I return Thanksgiving week.
In Italy?!?! Molto bene!
Have a coco gelato for me.
The hair salon I visit just moved to a new space. The staff used a Ralph Lauren product and achieved a super "old Tuscany" wall effect. Looks great with the huge wrought iron chandeliers and faux-marble work stations. At least I HOPE they're faux...or my color and cuts costs will go up! Oh yeah, of course the staff are all great with appearances, after all everyoen says my hair looks natural<g>.
I acheived a similar look in my powder room a few years ago by ragging several (4 I think) closely related colors, but the texture is very minimal to the touch. And it was a smalls pace.