Decorative Finish: Gradient Waves

Decorative Finish: Gradient Waves
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Gradient Waves

Artist: Michelle Kole Decorative Services

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Gradient Waves

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime the wall with a 100% acrylic primer, such as Benjamin Moore Frest Start.

2 | Divide Soapstone into three containers. I started with Farrow & Ball Hague Blue as the inspiration for the darkest shade of my wall. Slowly mix Hague Blue paint into one of the buckets for your darkest color. Do the same for the next two containers, slowly adding some Hague Blue and then Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Titanium White until you have two shades that will make a good gradient. I make more of the light and medium shades because I want most of the wall to be these lighter shades. Use a sample board or a small area on the bottom of the wall to test colors and work on getting the right level of translucency.
(Photo 1)

3 | Apply product to the top edge of your trowel and pull the lightest color horizontally across the wall. Hold the trowel at about a 45 degree angle as you alternate long strokes and short strokes.
(Photo 2)

Experiment with how much plaster you put on your trowel. See what works for you. The strokes can be loose and imperfect. Clean your trowel often with the spatula and wipe occasionally with a wet cloth to avoid scratches and drags. Soften any scratches or undesirable spots with a chip brush.
(Photo 3)

4 | Continuing with horizontal strokes, apply the medium shade to the middle section of the wall and the darkest shade across the bottom. Allow to dry.
(Photos 4-5)

5 | For your next coat, you do not have to cover the entire wall. Leave the top of the wall with one coat if you like, allowing the white to show through the first layer. Blend the sections by layering one color over another, building up translucent layers.
(Photo 6)

Vary your strokes. Step back often to check your work and continue to build up layers and blend the wall into a subtle gradient. Soften any scratches (or any area you find distracting) with a chip brush.
(Photo 7)

Here’s the finished texture.
(Photo 8)

Featured Products
Soapstone
A unique “cousin” of Venetian Plaster that exhibits a subtle movement of color across the surface with little to no sheen.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW

Michelle Kole

About the Artist
Michelle Kole is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in the creation and installation of decorative surfaces for the interior design and architectural industry. Her love of interiors, art, and beautiful things lead to the creation of Michelle Kole Decorative Surfaces. Michelle has over 20 years experience in the field of custom, hand-applied specialty finishes and site-specific art. Interior designers, architects, and homeowners alike come to her for a unique combination of aesthetic vision, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship. Michelle works in time-honored techniques and mediums and builds upon them in contemporary ways. Based in Brooklyn, NY, her walls, custom artwork and design embellishments can be seen in luxury homes and commercial spaces throughout the New York City tri-state area and beyond.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Golden Sky

Decorative Finish: Golden Sky
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Golden Sky

Artist: Michelle Kole Decorative Services

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Golden Sky

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Mix the Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint Cashmere into the Metallic Texture Tint Base Pearl until you have a good consistency to trowel on with slight translucency. Take some of this mixture into a separate container and add water until you have a paint-like consistency. Roll this second mixture onto the wall in a crisscross motion.
(Photo 1)

2 | Using a trowel and a plaster spatula (to load and clean the trowel), apply the first tinted Metallic Texture to the wall in a thin, even coat. Use an overlapping “X” movement.
(Photo 2)

3 | Allow to dry and apply another coat with a trowel in the same manner as Step 2.
(Photo 3)

4 | Using the original Metallic Texture Tint Base Pearl and 2″ and 3″ chip brushes, loosely outline the shape and layout of your clouds. Try to balance your negative space in between the clouds for an overall balanced wall. Step back often to check your composition. Blend and soften the edges of the clouds. On a large wall, you should have larger gold areas left without clouds.
(Photo 4)

5 | Mix Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Titanium White into Soapstone. Use this matte texture to fill and “fluff up” your clouds. Leave some of the Metallic Texture base showing. Apply with a brush and smooth with your spatula and palette knife. Aim for brush strokes and smooth areas on the clouds. Allow to dry. Continue to fluff clouds with a chip brush or artist brush with the Soapstone mixture until you are happy with the shapes and flow of the wall.
(Photo 5)

6 | Mix a small amount of Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint Just Brass with the Glazing Medium. With an artist brush, define the shape of your clouds by outlining and blending outward around them.
(Photo 6)

7 | Every cloud has a silver and gold lining. Here is the final finish.
(Photo 7)

Featured Products
Metallic Texture
With a base color of Gold or Pearl, use on its own or have tinted on-demand. Produces a soft, metallic sparkle with varied sheens.
SHOP NOW
Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint
Water based, interior acrylic paints highly pigmented with iridescents to produce strong metallic effects.
SHOP NOW
Soapstone
A unique “cousin” of Venetian Plaster that exhibits a subtle movement of color across the surface with little to no sheen.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW
Glazing Mediums
Translucent acrylic glazing mediums for wood graining, marbling, aging and toning any painted surface. Can also be tinted with universal colorants.
SHOP NOW

Michelle Kole

About the Artist
Michelle Kole is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in the creation and installation of decorative surfaces for the interior design and architectural industry. Her love of interiors, art, and beautiful things lead to the creation of Michelle Kole Decorative Surfaces. Michelle has over 20 years experience in the field of custom, hand-applied specialty finishes and site-specific art. Interior designers, architects, and homeowners alike come to her for a unique combination of aesthetic vision, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship. Michelle works in time-honored techniques and mediums and builds upon them in contemporary ways. Based in Brooklyn, NY, her walls, custom artwork and design embellishments can be seen in luxury homes and commercial spaces throughout the New York City tri-state area and beyond.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Concrete

Decorative Finish: Concrete
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Concrete

Artist: Michelle Kole Decorative Services

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Concrete

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Mix two batches of concrete-like grays with the Weathered Granite and Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic colors – one light gray and one darker gray to taste. Keep in mind the final product will look predominately somewhere in between the two. Mix enough for two coats. You can add a bit of water to stretch your product further.
(Photo 1)

2 | Apply a small amount of each color to the edge of your trowel. Use your spatula/knife to pick up and mix them together once or twice onto the trowel.
(Photo 2)

3 | Spread this onto the wall in mainly vertical strokes.
(Photo 3)

While the product is wet, press your trowel flat onto the wet plaster, pulling up and creating texture like tiny mountain peaks. Continue adding both colors in the same manner across the wall.
(Photo 4)

4 | Allow the product to “set up”, meaning to start to stiffen but not harden completely. Clean your trowel and “knock down” or flatten the texture by gliding vertically across the surface. Clean your trowel often to avoid dragging marks. Small scratches here and there are fine, and will be blended in the next coat.
(Photo 5)

5 | Apply the next coat in the same manner, but this time consider where you want more light areas and darker areas. Alternate using more or less of each shade.
(Photo 6)

Hold your trowel at a flatter angle to the wall for a thicker, rougher concrete look. Pulling it tighter will crush and bring out more of the natural brown colored aggregate in the Weathered Granite.
(Photo 7)

Here’s the finished texture.
(Photo 8)

Featured Products
Weathered Granite
Ready-to-use, granite-like acrylic material that contains a crushable, colored aggregate in a warm-white base.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW

Michelle Kole

About the Artist
Michelle Kole is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in the creation and installation of decorative surfaces for the interior design and architectural industry. Her love of interiors, art, and beautiful things lead to the creation of Michelle Kole Decorative Surfaces. Michelle has over 20 years experience in the field of custom, hand-applied specialty finishes and site-specific art. Interior designers, architects, and homeowners alike come to her for a unique combination of aesthetic vision, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship. Michelle works in time-honored techniques and mediums and builds upon them in contemporary ways. Based in Brooklyn, NY, her walls, custom artwork and design embellishments can be seen in luxury homes and commercial spaces throughout the New York City tri-state area and beyond.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Tint Stone

Decorative Finish: Tint Stone
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Tint Stone

Artist: Jason Rosales, Artisan Factor

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Tint Stone

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime and plaster – I primed the sample board with a quality bonding primer and applied a trowel coat of Sandstone as a base layer. Once I applied the full coat, I wiped the trowel and went back and “popped” the texture by laying my trowel face down onto the finish and pulling it directly off. Wiping the trowel clean again, I then lightly smoothed out the finish by knocking it down and troweling in random directions – keeping a relatively low, smooth texture.
(Photo 1)

2 | Sand the surface lightly and apply about 90% coverage of random sections in Weathered Granite over the Sandstone and pull tight. You can trowel in random directions in order to smooth out the look of the crushable, colored aggregate in the Weathered Granite. Let dry.
(Photo 2)

3 | Mix Glazing Medium and Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Phthalo Green for a gem green glaze. Add a little bit of Carbon Black to deepen the color. Apply this glaze all over with a brush of your choice – either synthetic or natural bristle.
(Photo 3)

Use a tile sponge or separate brush to then soften out your brush strokes. Natural bristle brushes work well for this.
(Photo 4)

Here is the final finish.
(Photo 5)

Featured Products
Sandstone
A versatile acrylic texture with a sandy, slightly course, uniform aggregate that can be left rough or troweled smooth, depending on the desired finish.
SHOP NOW
Weathered Granite
Ready-to-use, granite-like acrylic material that contains a crushable, colored aggregate in a warm-white base.
SHOP NOW
Glazing Mediums
Translucent acrylic glazing mediums for wood graining, marbling, aging and toning any painted surface. Can also be tinted with universal colorants.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW

Jason Rosales

About the Artist
Artisan Factor is a professional cabinet refinishing & decorative finishing company servicing the Central Florida area in the residential, commercial and hospitality fields. With over 15 years of faux and decorative finishing experience. Jason Rosales provides a wide range of looks on cabinetry, millwork, interior/exterior walls, and ceilings using glazes, paints, plaster, texture, wood graining, marbling, gilding, stenciling and embossing. He has a commitment to quality that shows in every step of a project, from his product selection and surface preparation to the final finish results. As a problem solver and a hands-on type, he has helped many find the best solution for their space while staying within budget. Creating a beautiful and stylish environment for his client is a passion and doing so with a commitment to care and an eye for detail only comes naturally.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Ombre Stencil Fade

Decorative Finish: Ombre Stencil Fade
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Ombre Stencil Fade

Artist: Jason Rosales, Artisan Factor

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Ombre Stencil Fade

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime and plaster – prime the surface and let dry. Apply Sandstone in a smooth, random texture with a trowel. Let dry.
(Photo 1)

Lightly sand the Sandstone after fully dry.
(Photo 2)

2 | Apply Soapstone in a random manner, covering over 50% of the sandstone texture. Let dry.
(Photos 3-4)

3 | Apply Sandstone over the Soapstone areas in large, knockdown patches and pull smooth with your trowel, leaving a good amount of Soapstone to show through. Let dry. Here’s a close-up of the texture.
(Photos 5-6)

4 | Mix Sheer Glazing Medium with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Carbon Black and a dash of Phthalo Green. Begin by applying the glaze along the bottom third of the surface with a brush, scrubbing and blending upwards, keeping the glaze heavier towards the bottom and feathering it towards the top.
(Photos 7-8)

Use a rag or cloth to clean your brush in order to remove more glaze from the surface as you work your way upward. A dry brush will help feather out the very top. Let dry.
(Photos 9-10)

5 | After the glaze is dry, lay a stencil of your choice (I used the Design Ornament Stencil by Wallovers), over the entire area and secure with tape. Check the level on the stencil to ensure a consistently straight pattern. On a paper plate, I used the tiniest amount of Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Carbon Black into Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Titanium White for an almost white gray color. I added Titanium White as needed to get the desired color.
(Photo 11)

Using a stencil brush, I dipped it into the white mix and off-loaded the excess onto a separate paper plate by swirling the brush in circles. More than one swirl circles will be needed to dry the brush out. You’ll want the brush more dry than wet for the perfect stencil.
(Photo 12)

Take your time and build up the opacity. If the brush is too wet, it can leak under your design. Remove the stencil and let dry. Here’s the final finish.
(Photo 13)

Featured Products
Soapstone
A unique “cousin” of Venetian Plaster that exhibits a subtle movement of color across the surface with little to no sheen.
SHOP NOW
Sandstone
A versatile acrylic texture with a sandy, slightly course, uniform aggregate that can be left rough or troweled smooth, depending on the desired finish.
SHOP NOW
Glazing Mediums
Translucent acrylic glazing mediums for wood graining, marbling, aging and toning any painted surface. Can also be tinted with universal colorants.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW

Jason Rosales

About the Artist
Artisan Factor is a professional cabinet refinishing & decorative finishing company servicing the Central Florida area in the residential, commercial and hospitality fields. With over 15 years of faux and decorative finishing experience. Jason Rosales provides a wide range of looks on cabinetry, millwork, interior/exterior walls, and ceilings using glazes, paints, plaster, texture, wood graining, marbling, gilding, stenciling and embossing. He has a commitment to quality that shows in every step of a project, from his product selection and surface preparation to the final finish results. As a problem solver and a hands-on type, he has helped many find the best solution for their space while staying within budget. Creating a beautiful and stylish environment for his client is a passion and doing so with a commitment to care and an eye for detail only comes naturally.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Melded Crystal

Decorative Finish: Melded Crystal
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Melded Crystal

Artist: Jason Rosales, Artisan Factor

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Melded Crystal

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

NOTE: This finish is excellent for canvas artworks and small focal spaces. It showcases a lot of cool textures that add dimension and interest, and can be any variation of your preferred Golden Paintworks color and texture combinations.

1 | Prime and paint – the primer was tinted slightly with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Phthalo Blue to help with coverage. Two coats of the Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint Reflection were then applied.
(Photo 1)

2 | Mix a bit of Glazing Gel with Slow Drying Fluid Acrylic Dioxazine Purple. Add a few drops of the Carbon Black for a deeper shade. Apply randomly onto your trowel along the flat area and press, rub, pop and smooth out in a random, vertical manner. Let dry. The Glazing Gel will have a smooth, glossy textured look.
(Photo 2)

3 | Mix Sandstone with Dioxazine Purple and Carbon Black and apply with your trowel in the same way, leaving some heavier areas for added interest. Let dry.
(Photo 3)

4 | Mix Glazing Gel with Metallic Paint Tint Base Pearl and apply with trowel and/or brush in order to create a random, vertical waterfall effect. Use a small brush to lightly feather out random areas in a vertical fashion. Hold the brush at a low angle for a lighter touch. Let dry.
(Photo 4)

5 | Mix Glazing Gel with Metallic Paint Tint Base Copper and apply with a trowel (or brush) in the same way, creating depth and texture. This finish is forgiving and creative so dip back into a previous color as needed. Let dry.
(Photo 5)

6 | Mix Glazing Gel with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics Chromium Oxide Green, Burnt Umber and a dash of Carbon Black for a deep, dark green. Apply as little or as much as you like in the same way as before. Let dry.
(Photo 6)

7 | Mix Glazing Gel with Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint Reflection and add a few drops of light yellow tint or colorant for a more turquoise look. Apply and let dry.
(Photo 7)

8 | Mix Glazing Gel and Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Raw Sienna and apply. Let dry. Also, mix Venetian Plaster with Metallic Paint Tint Base Pearl for a brighter white and apply sparingly. Let dry.
(Photo 8)

9 | Apply these previously used colors, letting each one dry in between: Purple Glazing Gel from Step 2 and the Turquoise Glazing Gel from Step 7. Finish off by mixing Glazing Gel with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Carbon Black and applying tiny hints here and there to accent. Here is the final finish.
(Photo 9)

Featured Products
Metallic Paint Tintable Bases
Interior iridescent acrylic paints that produce strong metallic effects. The four base colors can be used on their own or tinted on-demand.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW
Sandstone
A versatile acrylic texture with a sandy, slightly course, uniform aggregate that can be left rough or troweled smooth, depending on the desired finish.
SHOP NOW
Venetian Plaster
An easy-to-use acrylic plaster. Applied by trowel in thin layers then burnished will produce a highly-polished, marble-like finish.
SHOP NOW
Glazing Mediums
Translucent acrylic glazing mediums for wood graining, marbling, aging and toning any painted surface. Can also be tinted with universal colorants.
SHOP NOW
Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint
Water based, interior acrylic paints highly pigmented with iridescents to produce strong metallic effects.
SHOP NOW

Jason Rosales

About the Artist
Artisan Factor is a professional cabinet refinishing & decorative finishing company servicing the Central Florida area in the residential, commercial and hospitality fields. With over 15 years of faux and decorative finishing experience. Jason Rosales provides a wide range of looks on cabinetry, millwork, interior/exterior walls, and ceilings using glazes, paints, plaster, texture, wood graining, marbling, gilding, stenciling and embossing. He has a commitment to quality that shows in every step of a project, from his product selection and surface preparation to the final finish results. As a problem solver and a hands-on type, he has helped many find the best solution for their space while staying within budget. Creating a beautiful and stylish environment for his client is a passion and doing so with a commitment to care and an eye for detail only comes naturally.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Glass Drip

Decorative Finish: Glass Drip
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Glass Drip

Artist: Jason Rosales, Artisan Factor

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Glass Drip

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime and paint – a gray primer can help with coverage. Tint the Metallic Paint Tint Base Bronze with a nice dose of Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Carbon Black for a darker shade. Add 1 part of the Metallic Paint Matting Additive to the ratio of 10:1 to your dark bronze Metallic Paint. This will provide a nice matte finish. Roll on 2 coats with your preferred roller and let dry.
(Photo 1)

2 | Using a quality brush, apply 2 coats of Pre-mixed Metallic Paint Moondust in a cascading style across the upper middle section of the space. Lightly feather out the edges as you go along. Let dry.
(Photos 2 – 4)

3 | Apply the Glass Bead Gel in a vertical, stria manner over the Moondust with a chip brush, but not too thickly. Create drifts with large and small sections of Glass Bead Gel. Finesse to a feather’s touch all over and along the edges. You can also add hints of glass beads in the bronze area below for added sparkle. As it’s drying, the Glass Bead Gel will dry clear. Let dry fully.
(Photo 5)

4 | Apply the Glass Bead Gel XL in the same manner.
(Photo 6)

5 | Create as chunky or refined a look as you desire and fill the rest of the space.
(Photo 7)

6 | As it’s drying, the Glass Bead Gel will dry clear. Note that thicker application areas may dry more opaquely. Let dry fully. Here is the final finish.
(Photo 8)

Featured Products
Metallic Paint Tintable Bases
Interior iridescent acrylic paints that produce strong metallic effects. The four base colors can be used on their own or tinted on-demand.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW
Metallic Paint Matting Additive
An acrylic matting agent that looks especially beautiful when added to metallic paint. Reduces the sheen considerably and leaves a soft, velvety look that goes well with any décor.
SHOP NOW
Glass Bead Gel
A decorative gel medium that dries clear and contains a high concentration of clear glass beads. Any color underneath shows through, while the glass beads reflect sparkling light.
SHOP NOW
Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint
Water based, interior acrylic paints highly pigmented with iridescents to produce strong metallic effects.
SHOP NOW

Jason Rosales

About the Artist
Artisan Factor is a professional cabinet refinishing & decorative finishing company servicing the Central Florida area in the residential, commercial and hospitality fields. With over 15 years of faux and decorative finishing experience. Jason Rosales provides a wide range of looks on cabinetry, millwork, interior/exterior walls, and ceilings using glazes, paints, plaster, texture, wood graining, marbling, gilding, stenciling and embossing. He has a commitment to quality that shows in every step of a project, from his product selection and surface preparation to the final finish results. As a problem solver and a hands-on type, he has helped many find the best solution for their space while staying within budget. Creating a beautiful and stylish environment for his client is a passion and doing so with a commitment to care and an eye for detail only comes naturally.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Urban Vibe

Decorative Finish: Urban Vibe
Urban Vibe decorative finish
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Urban Vibe

Artist: Art Deco Unique

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Urban Vibe

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime the surface with an appropriate, high-quality, water-based primer with the low nap roller and allow to fully dry. Then, tear 2-3 pages from the catalog or magazine and rip them in different sizes and shapes, whatever sparks your creativity.
(Photo 1)

2 | Use a small amount of the multi-purpose glue on the back of the ripped paper and then apply the paper on the surface.
(Photo 2)

3 | With a plastic knife or plastic spatula press gently on the glued paper to avoid the air bubbles and to make sure the paper is glued entirely.
(Photos 3-4)

4 | Mix one cup Soapstone with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics:
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Titanium White
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Raw Sienna
(Photo 5)

5 | Using the Medium Plaster Trowel, apply the mixture on the surface, slightly avoiding the paper. Let dry completely.
(Photos 6-7)

6 | Mix one cup Soapstone with:
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint Moody
(Photo 8)

7 | Apply an even, thin layer of the mixture on the whole surface area using the Medium Plaster Trowel. Avoid the paper parts. Let dry completely and then apply a second layer.
(Photos 9-10)

Note: Apply very thin layers.

8 | Sand with light circular movements on the surface until it becomes smooth. Do not sand on the paper.
(Photo 11)

9 | Apply Clear Topcoat Dead Flat with a soft brush or a roll. Let dry completely.
(Photo 12)

Here is the final texture.
(Photo 13)

Featured Products
Soapstone
A unique “cousin” of Venetian Plaster that exhibits a subtle movement of color across the surface with little to no sheen.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW
Pre-Mixed Metallic Paint
Water based, interior acrylic paints highly pigmented with iridescents to produce strong metallic effects.
SHOP NOW
Clear Topcoat
A non-yellowing protective topcoat with great clarity and multiple sheens to choose from. Water resistant, abrasion resistant and applies easily.
SHOP NOW

Art Deco Unique

About the Artists
Elena and Rodica are two prosperous and hardworking individuals united by a common interest and artistry. E & R Wall Art by Art Deco Unique are open to travel and collaboration with designers, contractors, businesses, and homeowners. Based in New York with an Eastern European background, they learned to thrive open-minded and border-less. Each wall art commission consistently requires individual touch and specific combination of technics. Elena graduated as a Fashion Designer in 2010, and Rodica graduated as a Mural Artist in Design and Decorative in Design and Decorative Arts in 2006. Their years of experience in Murals, Gilding, Mosaic, and Decorative Finishes, along with academic achievements and diverse artistic skills, demonstrate imminent triumph and delight through their Wall Art and Design. Art Deco Unique brings joy by doing what they love, and their talent is recognized at national and international competitions, winning multiple awards along the years. The experience gained from multiple projects, combined with their knowledge and curiosity, engaged a beautiful cooperation between them and the versatility of Golden Paintworks products. Rodica and Elena are excited for challenges and new opportunities to dig into their luggage full of ideas.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Terra Firma

Decorative Finish: Terra Firma
Terra Firma decorative finish
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Terra Firma

Artist: Art Deco Unique

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Terra Firma

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime the surface with an appropriate, high-quality, water-based primer with the low nap roller and allow to fully dry. As it’s drying, mix one cup Sandstone with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics:
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Burnt Sienna
– Approx. 2 teaspoons Van Dyke Brown Hue
(Photo 1)

2 | Using the Medium Plaster Trowel, apply the mixture on the surface. Let dry for 6-8 hours.
(Photos 2-3)

3 | Mix one cup Sandstone with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics:
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Raw Umber
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Raw Sienna
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Burnt Sienna
(Photo 4)

4 | Using a separate container, mix one cup Sandstone with Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics:
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Raw Umber
– Approx. ½ teaspoon Burnt Sienna
(Photo 5)

5 | Apply the mixture from Steps 3 and 4 horizontally and diagonally, alternating with dark and light paths using the Medium Plaster Trowel. Let dry for about 10 minutes.
(Photos 6-7)

Tip: The layers applied on Step 5 have to be thicker (about 2 mm) comparing to the layer applied in Step 2.

6 | Using a painting knife or small Spatula (rectangular shape), press on the surface making semicircular movements in different sizes, following the paths and your imagination. Let dry.
(Photos 8-9)

7 | To get a smoother surface, dry sanding is recommended. Here is the final finish.
(Photo 10)

Featured Products
Sandstone
A versatile acrylic texture with a sandy, slightly course, uniform aggregate that can be left rough or troweled smooth, depending on the desired finish.
SHOP NOW
Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
SHOP NOW

Art Deco Unique

About the Artists
Elena and Rodica are two prosperous and hardworking individuals united by a common interest and artistry. E & R Wall Art by Art Deco Unique are open to travel and collaboration with designers, contractors, businesses, and homeowners. Based in New York with an Eastern European background, they learned to thrive open-minded and border-less. Each wall art commission consistently requires individual touch and specific combination of technics. Elena graduated as a Fashion Designer in 2010, and Rodica graduated as a Mural Artist in Design and Decorative in Design and Decorative Arts in 2006. Their years of experience in Murals, Gilding, Mosaic, and Decorative Finishes, along with academic achievements and diverse artistic skills, demonstrate imminent triumph and delight through their Wall Art and Design. Art Deco Unique brings joy by doing what they love, and their talent is recognized at national and international competitions, winning multiple awards along the years. The experience gained from multiple projects, combined with their knowledge and curiosity, engaged a beautiful cooperation between them and the versatility of Golden Paintworks products. Rodica and Elena are excited for challenges and new opportunities to dig into their luggage full of ideas.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.

Decorative Finish: Labyrinth

Decorative Finish: Labyrinth
Labyrinth decorative finish
DECORATIVE FINISH HOW-TO

Labyrinth

Artist: Art Deco Unique

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PROJECT SUPPLIES:

Labyrinth

Downloadable PDF
HOW-TO

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 | Prime the surface with an appropriate, high-quality, water-based primer with the low nap roller and allow to fully dry. Apply an even layer of Sandstone using the Medium Plaster Trowel and let dry for about 6-8 hours.
(Photo 1)

2 | Mix one cup Sandstone with one teaspoon (approx.) of Slow Dry Fluid Acrylic Van Dyke Brown Hue.
(Photo 2)

3 | Using the Medium Plaster Trowel, apply the mixture on the surface. Do not let dry.
(Photos 3-4)

4 | Using a Clay Texture Comb, drag with pressure on the surface to create horizontal, vertical lines and texture effects.
(Photo 5)

5 | Using the Thrifty Trowel, make the squares as many as desired to fit in your composition. Let dry.
(Photo 6)

6 | Sand the textured surface lightly to smoothen the areas as needed. Here is the final finish.
(Photo 7)

Featured Products
Sandstone
A versatile acrylic texture with a sandy, slightly course, uniform aggregate that can be left rough or troweled smooth, depending on the desired finish.
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Slow Dry Fluid Acrylics
Water based acrylics, formulated with extended open time for faux and decorative painting techniques. Excellent for tinting glazes.
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Art Deco Unique

About the Artists
Elena and Rodica are two prosperous and hardworking individuals united by a common interest and artistry. E & R Wall Art by Art Deco Unique are open to travel and collaboration with designers, contractors, businesses, and homeowners. Based in New York with an Eastern European background, they learned to thrive open-minded and border-less. Each wall art commission consistently requires individual touch and specific combination of technics. Elena graduated as a Fashion Designer in 2010, and Rodica graduated as a Mural Artist in Design and Decorative in Design and Decorative Arts in 2006. Their years of experience in Murals, Gilding, Mosaic, and Decorative Finishes, along with academic achievements and diverse artistic skills, demonstrate imminent triumph and delight through their Wall Art and Design. Art Deco Unique brings joy by doing what they love, and their talent is recognized at national and international competitions, winning multiple awards along the years. The experience gained from multiple projects, combined with their knowledge and curiosity, engaged a beautiful cooperation between them and the versatility of Golden Paintworks products. Rodica and Elena are excited for challenges and new opportunities to dig into their luggage full of ideas.

More from this artist

Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view all of the decorative finishes from our Limited Edition Collections.