© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis The Art of Faux Finish Book of Shadows Architectural Finishes Part III Winter 2005

© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis The Book of Shadows Since the dark ages it has been a collection of spells, healing lores, incantations, chants and songs collected by a witch or sorcerer. Like a professional journal or diary, it contained information deemed by its owner to enhance their power to heal, divine truth, speak to spirits and the likes. Serving as a dynamic collection of information, additions were made when necessary to maintain the relevance to the world of changes. Individuals often identified so closely with their living books that they believed themselves to be destined to return to a particular volume through successive incarnations. As a result, such powerful collections of knowledge were often kept secret and held by a high priest or priestess. In recent times, though, the information contained in a Book of Shadows is often made common to a group of people. Their ability to divine the way of things enhances a community of professionals, like yourself or perhaps the person ahead of you….

© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis Cut through all the smoke and mirrors to unlock the power of Architectural Finishes. Like the medieval text known as the Book of Shadows, the following hand-book is specifically designed to help individuals working with architectural finishes to decide on the use of the most appropriate finishes and techniques to obtain the desired results and to painlessly, visually explain the benefits of architectural finishes to customers. Unlike painting, architectural finishes literally open 1000s of new possibilities of colors and textures. Hence, representing the most important challenge to identify the look and feel that suits the customers preferences. Additional challenges lye in the ability to convey the visual impact of the desired styles and techniques to customers without carrying hundreds of samples. The Book of Shadows

© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis Glossary of Faux Finish Techniques Glazing and Paint Effects This decorative method uses glazing medium to create some stunning effects such as color ragging, wood-graining sponging, scrumble glaze, frottage, cloud effects, color washing, dragging, stippling and much more. This decorative method uses glazing medium to create some stunning effects such as color ragging, wood-graining sponging, scrumble glaze, frottage, cloud effects, color washing, dragging, stippling and much more. Specialized Plasters Specialized Plasters are used to decorate the interior walls of your home or business -- it is a work of art capturing the subtlety of the Tuscan regions of the Mediterranean yet remaining contemporary -- designed to elevate any room or wall to the next level of opulence. This ancient art form, now being revived. Designer Cements Cement finishes are becoming popular not only for commercial applications but also in residential environments. There are many alternatives to the standard smooth concrete finish; it is important to make a few practical considerations. For example, will the surface require frequent and thorough cleaning; will it be subjected to freeze/thaw conditions, abrasion or heavy traffic; and, if it will be subjected to traffic, is good traction a requirement? Once all the practical considerations have been made, you can make your final decision based on such factors as visual appeal, color scheme, and location. Keep in mind that you can use a combination of finishes in a single project.

© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis Glossary of Faux Finish Techniques Distemper Distempered finishes give your furniture and objects an antique look and feel. This technique is appropriate for tables, chairs, mirrors, frames and armoires. It will result in giving your furniture and objects an aged looked caused by fading, discoloration, crackling and wax and dust build-up. All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes and a character that creates a true antique feel. Gilding The art of gilding is of ancient origin. It was lavishly employed in Egypt, Greece, and Rome and during the Renaissance and has been used continuously in Asia. Gilding is the process of applying a thin layer of real or imitation gold to a surface. The process can be employed on wood, metal, ivory, leather, paper, glass, porcelain, and fabrics and is used to embellish the decorative elements, domes, and vaults of buildings. Gold, or a substitute, may be applied in leaf form to a surface prepared by a treatment of size, mercury, acid, or heat. The applied leaf is burnished or left matte. Stenciling Stencils are most often used in paintings and drawings that incorporate several superimposed layers of various colors. These combinations of representations of several layers have been found in ancient caves in Australia.

© Copyright - L'Art des Faux Finis The Art of Faux Finish The Art of Faux Finish is the oldest Architectural and Decorative Finishing school in Eastern Canada and North Eastern United States. We have trained well over 1500 design and finishing professionals and hobbyists since 1997 coming from all parts of the US and Canada. Using a hands-on workshop environment, the courses and techniques are specifically tailored to instruct the latest decorative finishes and trends to professionals, trades-people, and hobbyists who are interested in architectural finishes! Whether you are an applicator, a design professional or simply have a specific project in mind (home, furniture or object) and need to stay in tune with the latest concepts, designs and trends in the industry, it will certainly stimulate a new creative energy to be applied to your world! If you have a project that needs a unique touch of style but dont have the massive budgets required for authentic materials! If you have a space and want something unique to escape the ordinary! If you need to attract more people and augment your corporate image! You must visit our web site at give us a call at or pass by our location! Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are busy doing it ____Ancient Chinese Proverb