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Let your cabinets speak for themselves with a touch of faux-finishing.
Think beyond paint. That’s advice from Dennis Hesse of PHD Painting. Hesse has seen an emerging comeback of faux-finishing on everything from walls to cabinets. Faux-finishing produces a worn, vintage look that gives a brand-new piece of furniture the character of an antique. And the best part? “There’s no right or wrong [with faux-finishing]” says Hesse. “You can figure out what you like, and do what makes you happy.” If you’re unhappy with the outcome, Hesse advises painting over it and trying again.
If you’re up for the challenge, Hesse says anyone can apply a bit of faux-finishing. The process is time-consuming for non-professionals; a normal-sized kitchen takes a weekend. But Hesse says it’s a job anyone can take on, especially when you know what you want. So grab a few supplies and a couple of friends and get ready to distress (your cabinets, that is).
Do It Yourself...
1. Prepping the Space
Hesse warns that do-it-yourselfers may spend more time preparing to paint than they spend with a brush in their hands, but it’s important to take your time. Remove any obstacles, like nails, pulls and handles. Whatever you can’t remove, cover with duct or painter’s tape.
2. Apply a Base Coat
Use a satin or semi-gloss for an adequate base coat. Hesse says a general rule of thumb is the shinier, the better, which ensures the paint won’t absorb into the base coat as quickly. Load a paint roller with a moderate amount of gloss and swipe from top to bottom to eliminate roller marks, then let the surface dry for 24 hours.
3. Choose a Technique
Once the prep work is finished, gather your faux paint and tools. Hesse suggests using a water-based paint, which isn’t as unhealthy and smelly as a solvent-based paint. Plus, it takes longer to dry, which ensures the do-it-yourselfer isn’t rushed for time.
To apply one of the most popular faux-finishing techniques, called ragging, dip a damp cotton rag into a minimal amount of paint, ball the rag into your fist to create the pattern and then lightly blot a small section of cabinet. Experiment until you get the effect you want, like twisting your wrist or reshaping the balled rag, then continue out to the rest of the surface, re-dipping in paint as necessary.
To reverse the look, apply the faux-finish paint with a tall paint roller, then use the balled-up rag to wipe away the paint instead of wiping on the paint.
Other popular faux-finishes include using a sponge or applying a crackling glaze. Color washing involves dipping the very tip of a paint brush in your faux-finish paint, then gently apply to a wall in the shape of small, close-together Xs. Once you’ve applied the Xs, dip a rag into paint and lightly brush over to soften the look.
4. Finishing Touch
Once you’ve applied faux-finish to the entire surface, remove the tape and let the cabinets dry for at least a full day. And voila! You’ve just added depth and contrast to your kitchen cabinets.
Or Don't Do It Yourself...
Does the idea of inhaling paint fumes make you a little queasy? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to miss out on a reemerging wall trend, either. Costs range from $10 to $45 per lineal foot of cabinet space, depending on how large of an area you want to cover, plus how much prep work and cabinet repair you need done. Contact any of these local experts to learn more:
PHD Painting, 724 N. Hillside Ave., Republic, 417-732-7296
The Interior Artist, referred by Seminole Paint & Décor, P.O. Box 124, Fair Grove, 417-838-2141
Interior Expressions, referred by Seminole Paint & Décor, 712 N. Patriot Dr., Ozark, 417-631-6010, interiorexpressionsbyjulie.com
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