I am going to paint all the white-painted woodwork in my living room and dining room to look like wood. The technique is called “faux bois” pronounced “foe-bwah”. Meaning: Fake wood. This, all part of my Mahalo Lounge tiki bar transformation. Yes, the wood — wainscoting, cabinetry, bookcases, beams — lots of wood — will all be a dark, rich cherry-brown. Starting Tuesday, Denise is going to come stay with me to help. Faux painting is her specialty. And, she is bringing Bug!
But, ack! So that we can get started ASAP, I have been working with her by phone and photos to see if I can find the right basecoat to glaze over to get the wood look I want. Above: Existing trim — used to top the bookshelves, above the fireplace and in the dining room built-in. Some kind of barely-grained hardwood that itself was stained then dragged in a faux bois way. It has red and gold undertones.
So. I went through my Benjamin Moore paint deck — Denise uses Benjamin Moore — and tried to match these undertones. I settled on seven options. Threw $60+ at pint samples and foam brushes. Two of the samples actually look like they will work really well in combination. Hey, that’s pretty good guesswork on my part — I achieved basecoat success in just seven samples!
Above: That’s a sample with the basecoat painted Giant Sequoia 2094-30, which I then glazed/streaked with dark glaze that I had left over from a Rust-Oleum Furniture Transformations kit the company sent me a while back. Denise will color her own glaze — she will likely add more red, she thinks.
I try not to say mean things on this blog, but I cannot contain myself: That Giant Sequoia is .. not a color that I personally find pleasing << I contained myself, kind of. But as an undertone/basecoat for cherry-hued faux bois — it’s rockin’ my world! Also, I really like typing the word Sequoia. I can do it without thinking about the spelling. Well, sort of. Sequoia. There! Yes! Sequoia!
Above: I also purchased some golds. Dark Mustard 2161-30 matched the undertones in my existing stained woodwork. So in this second example, I started with the Dark Mustard base, then thinned some Giant Sequoia with water and brushed it on. I let it sit a while, then ragged it off. After all was dry, I applied the same glaze.
I really like this combo — I think it has more depth and complexity, what with the two undertones — both red and gold — there.
Above: Now I am experimenting with other ways to apply the Dark Mustard on top of the Giant Sequoia to see if I can get a more mottled, natural effect << that is a very strange sentence. For example, in the photo above, I am dabbing the Dark Mustard here and there… and then, a little of everywhere. Denise also told me, don’t thin that second paint with water — thin it with clear glaze (a Polycrylic*-type product also will work for thinning, at least in a testing phase. *affiliate link — another blogger I know really likes Polycrylic to use as a clear topcoat for painted finishes on cabinetry and furniture, etc. — so I already had a small can in my stash some to test sometime.)
While I am *soproud* of my first attempt at using glaze to faux bois, please know that I was really just kinda slappin’ it on. Not super sloppy slapping, but moving fast and not worried about getting the streaks aka fauz boising to look all refined. Just experimenting for overall color/effect. Denise is the one who is going to do the glazing beautifully!
Meanwhile: My bookshelves have thrown up in my foyer. Sigh. DH got sight of this right after seeing the dining room. The house is a veritable obstacle course right now. What’s the word for the exercise-routine-thingie you build in a park so’s folks can get exercise by moving from one station to the next? That’s what the house is right now. That sounds better than ‘obstacle course.’ Who can help me with the word? I thought of it: Parcourse! The house is a veritable parcourse right now! My projects are not out of control, I’ve built an in-home parcourse!
And this, outside our front door.
As I said, we start painting Tuesday! ACK! I am not ready!
Krazee glazee — in a good way!
Kate says
The question is: Is there anything that has NOT thrown up in your dining room? Christmas goodies, dollhouse stuff, fabric samples, paint samples…. ????
pam kueber says
You know me too well. I can start a series: “This week XXXX threw up in my dining room, and frankly, my husband is not too happy about it.”
Jay says
You done good! With a pro at your side the final result will be phenomenal and will certainly help set the tone for the lounge. I was wondering what you had in mind for the white woodwork. When this phase is over you will be able to resume working on the fun stuff. I feel for your husband, the downside of any project is the upheaval as you move forward. It’s coming together!
eric says
Pam, it will look great. I think the multiple step process makes a more expensive look. You are very right when it comes to the basecoat. I had problems looking to match original woodwork in my 1962 ranch, was told by paint stores needed to know what the basecoat was. After several attempts, none matching correctly, finally found an area under bathroom sink that had the original basecoat sprayed on, without the dark wipe-on coat. Took a piece of that to paintstore and was able to get a perfect match–we had been waayyy off on guessing the original basecolor. Used Behr Carmel Latte (thinned down, so was lighter,close to your Sequoia), Jacobean Minwax dark coat.
pam kueber says
My key activity to day is making more sample boards with different percentage of the Sequoia and the Mustard.
Diane in CO says
In my neck of the woods it’s called a Vita Course…. 🙂
Have fun with the cool painting!
Stacy says
This is one of those projects that is overwhelming in thought, tedious in application…but oh so rewarding upon completion! It is going to look fantastic when you are finished! I love the color choices you have made so far. Can’t wait to see it!
denise says
Oh yes, Stacy, it can be all that you said. We are taking all family members schedules and space into consideration and breaking it down into manageable parts.
Kelly Wittenauer says
There’s a lot of wood in that room – this is going to be a big project. But I think it’s absolutely necessary, in order to create that tiki bar vibe!
Lynne says
I like the second version pictured. The one with the mustard.
My word, girl, you are brave to be taking on this project. I would never have the courage . Never, ever in a million years.
“Also, I really like typing the word Sequoia. I can do it without thinking about the spelling. Well, sort of. Sequoia. There! Yes! Sequoia!” My favorite is “cueue” !
pam kueber says
I hate to break it to you but I think it’s ‘queue’ – as in form a line, right?
Lynne says
HA! Pre-coffee!
Rick S says
Pam,
I have also seen some faux painting done to look like large bamboo.
Bobbie was right about the early graining style. Even into the Victorian era it was a way to look like you had more expensive wood than what was available (or in budget).
There is a small rocking grain tool out there I have used that helps create grain patterns. Denise may have it
rick
denise says
I do have that tool, and others. If I’m reading Pam right, this won’t be a serious woodgrain. I like to call it fake faux bois. 🙂
Bobbie Zapor says
so cool that you’re doing this. in early american antiques faux bois is also often referred to as grain paint – and it’s just one of my favorite things. often in the 19th c. items were made of pine and grain painting allowed it to look like a more exotic wood – i have an early faux bois pine armoire in my living room that was painted to look like birds eye maple. Just wonderful that you thought to do this and that you have someone skilled in it (it can turn out “ok” in the hands of some, but if someone is skilled it can, in my opinion, be more charming than the real thing!). Can’t wait to see the results!
denise says
That painting was also known as vinegar paint, they used vinegar with dyes.
RickG says
I’ll bet this is going to look great when done – it looks like a large project; but a real fun one !!! – good luck Pam 🙂