The Shape of Things: Venetian Gem Plaster

We hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Welcome back to work! 

With the Holiday Season in full swing it is a busy time to get finishing projects done. It is also the final week of our November Sale on Faux Effects Venetian Gem Plaster. So let's take advantage of Venetian Gem's unique properties and a discount.

Tribeca Bronze Finish with Faux Effects Venetian Gem Plaster

Venetian Gem is an excellent base coat for creating pattern and designs. The thick nature and easy spread ability of the plaster makes it a  great match for shaping with a trowel, sea sponge roller or specialty roller.  The finish above is called Tribeca Bronze and it begins with Tiger's Eye Venetian rolled on with a sea sponge roller. This leaves the plaster with a texture similar to knock-down. In fact, this technique will go over orange peel walls.   The peaks are flattened with an application trowel. Then Palette Deco Bronze is pulled over the top followed by Lusterstone in Charred Olive. The Venetian Gem will polish on the flat areas creating a pleasing sheen.

In the above picture, I'm simply shaping Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem Plaster with a pointed Japan Trowel. The horizontal lines elevate the finish to something more like a wallpaper. Next, I tightly pull Faux Effects' New Stuco Lux Shimmer Tint Base over the Venetian Gem base. When this layer is dry I glaze it with Dark Brown Faux Crème Color and Faux Crème Clear glaze medium. The Stuco Lux has a soft twinkle that really creates a modern finish-love this new product! 

Venetian Gem is the perfect medium to use with specialty rollers.  If you add 1/4 cup (up to half a cup) of Faux Effects' Spatter Add to a gallon of Venetian Gem Plaster then you will have time to trowel the plaster from the top of the wall to the bottom in a width double your roller.  

The Spatter Add will keep the Venetian Plaster thick while slowing down the dry time-giving you time to roll through the base, create your pattern and then trowel/roll in the next section! This helps you go across longer walls or ceilings, keep the pattern shape and clean your roller easier. Bonus points.

The finish above is created with Venetian Gem in Black Oynx, a specialty roller and Old World Finishing Paint troweled on top and sanded back. 

Another plus for Venetian Gem is how well it seals. After shaping the plaster, it is an excellent base for foiled finishes. The nature of the plaster doesn't absorb the foil size and the slightly slick nature of the dried finish gives a nice release to the metallic foil.

The finish below uses the Faux Effects Snakeskin Stencil in Tiger's Eye Venetian Gem, Faux Effects Foil Size and Faux Effects Bronze Foil. 

This leads me to the final way to shape Venetian Gem-over stencil patterns.  I start with a simple troweled flat layer of Venetian Gem in my selected color and I use this same color for my pattern. That was if some product bleeds under my stencil it is no big deal.  

This is Venetian Gem in Ruby over the Faux Effects Alligator Stencil and is a durable classic furniture finish.

Although Venetian Gem has enough build for patterns it also has enough flexibility for canvas work as well. I build all my canvas art with a Venetian Gem base.  From this...

to this..

For canvas work, you may combine all the best features of Venetian Gem:  

• Rolling with a Sea Sponge Roller
• Shaping with a trowel
• Using over a stencil pattern
• A non porous base for foiling

         So many options with Venetian Gem!   If you're feeling inspired why not give this plaster a try.

          

Contact your local Faux Effects Distributor or Faux Effects International at www.fauxstore.com to place your order.

As always, thanks for reading!

Rebecca

Metallo Spazolatto: A Wonderful Venetian Gem Sample Worthy of It's Name

Look at this contemporary sample using Faux Effects Venetian Gem in Moonstone Grey which hits all the current design trend sweet spots: metallic, grey and horizontal/vertical lines.  It has an industrial look that is very hot for home and commercial interiors. But it also reminds me of an interesting take on wood the more I look at it-I love finishes like this!

So who are creators of this striking sample? This fab finish is brought to you by the talented duo of:

Martin Alan Hirsch, owner and director of The Faux Finish School (A division of Decorative Finishes Studio) located in Louisville, Kentucky

and

Morey Dunbar, Lead Instructor for The Faux Finish School.


For the Metallo Spazolatto Sample (which wins for best name) you will need the following Faux Effects Products:

Charcoal Setcoat
Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem Plaster
Aquawax
Metallic Concentrate in Silver and Rich Gold
Aquacreme Glaze Medium
Ebony Stain & Seal

And the following tools:

An Application Trowel and/or German Scrapers
A Bristle Linear Trowel 
12" Magic Trowel
Cheesecloth
Chip Brush
Roller head, roller handle and paint tray.

Step One:  Roll, brush or spray your base surface with 1-2 coats of the new Charcoal Grey Setcoat.
This layer should dry overnight.

Step Two:  Use a German Scraper to butter your application trowel with Moonstone Grey Venetian Gem Plaster.

The Moonstone Grey Plaster should be applied generously to the surface for approximately 100% coverage and 1/8" thickness-you need it thick enough to shape. 

While the plaster is wet, swipe vertically with the Bristle Liner trowel.

With the same vertical movement, smooth the texture SLIGHTLY with the Magic Trowel:

This step will create the wider vertical bands.



For finishes with multiple actions, you want to do areas in manageable sections.  The randomness of the trowel work should make this easier. You may also use a retarder such as Spatter Add (1/4 cup to a gallon of plaster) to keep the plaster thick but slow down the dry time while you work.


Step 3:  When the Venetian Gem layer is dry, you will apply a mix of Silver Concentrate mixed with Aquawax (1-2 tsp per cup). Silver Concentrate is the additive for Designer Metallic but may be purchased separately in small bottles or 16oz pots.  The Aquawax will provide the binder for the Silver concentrate.  You will use Cheesecloth as a pad to apply the metallic Aquawax. 

Dip the cheesecloth into the Aquawax and rub over the entire surface, making sure the the final pass is vertical.  Let this layer dry.

Step 4:  Mix Aquawax with Rich Gold Concentrate.  Yes, there is a Rich Gold additive as well. Again, it doesn't take much of the concentrate. In this case it is 2-3 TBSP per 1 cup of Aquawax). This mix is troweled on in a vertical manner-the troweling will give you more control for placement.  The gold Aquawax covers 30%-45% of the surface.  

This is applied in sections because you will use the Bristle Linear Trowel again to swipe through vertically. Then you will knock the texture down slightly with the Magic Trowel, also in a vertical manner.    You are repeating the actions from Step One.

Step 5:  When the Gold Aquawax layer is dry, mix Aquacreme (2parts) + Ebony Stain & Seal (1part).
This mixture will be a bit "stiff" but that is good-you want it to catch in the texture. Brush the Black Glaze mix generously over the entire surface.  Remove the excess using the Magic Trowel by pulling the trowel across the wet glaze both vertically and horizontally.

Metallo Spazolatto Venetian Gem Sample by The Faux Finish School

There you go! Not only a great sample but lots of inspiration for using specialty tools! Thanks so much Martin & Morey for sharing.

Interested in the tools and products used for this sample? Please visit the online store for The Faux Finish School at www.fauxmarketplace.com.

You may also start your year by taking a class with Martin and Morey. The next class is January 8th - January 12th for their "Timeless Creations" The Art and Business of Faux Finishing Workshop "Interpretation by Inspiration."

The Faux Finish School, A Division of Decorative Finishes Studio

 414 Baxter Avenue, 3rd Floor Loft, Louisville, Kentucky 40204

www.fauxfinish.com

(502)583-0102

Don't forget-Venetian Gem is the November Product of the month and on-sale now!

As always, thanks for reading!

Rebecca

Venetian Gem & Aquawax: Why you should make this match

Looking for a stylish, durable and cost effect finish for your clients?  Please consider the pairing of

Venetian Gem and Aquawax!

Why does this pairing work so well?  Venetian Gem comes in many versatile colors and the consistency gives it great coverage and build.  Aquawax is easily tinted with a variety of Faux Effects products giving you a large range of color options. Here are a few ideas for inspiration:

The lead photograph is a beautiful bathroom in a traditional home. The base is Ultra-polishing Venetian Gem Tint Base left un-tinted. It is also used for the faded damask pattern.  Aquawax was mixed with Caterpillar Gold Metal Glow and Luna White Metal Glow and troweled over the Venetian Gem.

In this darker option, the base is Venetian Gem in Tiger's Eye. The Aquawax is mixed with Sunburst Gold Metal Glow and Toasted Coconut Metal Glow. This is a favorite finish for ceilings paired with oil-rubbed light fixtures.

Here is a similar finish in a cool silver version.  The Venetian Gem is Black Onyx and the Metal Glow colors are Pewter Gold and Wheat mixed with Aquawax.

In the above finish the Venetian Gem Black Onyx is applied with a sea sponge roller. It is then flattened with a trowel creating a texture that gives good coverage to bad walls or orange peel. Aquawax is mixed with Bronze Stain & Seal and Silver Stain & Seal then troweled at the same time over the Venetian Gem.

Verdigris is a classic finish. Our finish starts with Sage Venetian Gem.  The Aquawax is mixed with Faux Effects Light Green and the Blue Green Verdigris Faux Crème Colors. While troweling in the Verdigris colors, we add in some Aquawax mixed with Bronze Faux Crème Color. 

Another interpretation of Verdigris starts with Brown Sapphire Venetian Gem.  The Aquawax is mixed with Turquoise Faux Color, Bronze and Gold Metallic Faux Crème Colors.

We love Moonstone Grey Venetian Plaster-perfect mix of grey and brown, The finish above is Moonstone Grey with Aquawax mixed with Pearl Mica Powder troweled on top.  

The modern fireplace surround is White Venetian Gem Plaster. For the marbled effect we mixed Silver Mica Powder and Pearl Mica Powder with Aquawax. 

A few of these finishes are glazed. This is another advantage to our pairing of Aquawax and Venetian Gem-it is easy to glaze! The shiny and well sealed surface allows you glaze mixes to glide over the surface. Sometimes the glaze will appear to "bead"-that's OK-just pad it out. It will stick.  I recommend this type of finish for large ceilings.

Hope this post gives you several ideas for using Venetian Gem with Aquawax! I know with the holidays the crunch is on and these are all quick and lovely transformations.

And don't forget the November Sale-just in time to get projects wrapped for the season! 

Wax on.....

Rebecca 

Two-Step Tuesday: Pearly Woven Venetian Gem

Did you know that you may achieve a beautiful finish is just a few steps? How about 2 layers?

Let us show you how.

Today's 2-step Finish is presented by Sheri Zeman

Hello Sheri! 

Sheri is the owner of FAUX DESIGN STUDIO located in Chicago.  FAUX DESIGN STUDIO is a Faux Effects Gold Label Training and Retail studio offering a comprehensive schedule of classes, her own line of stencils, specialty tools and both Gold & Silver Label Faux Effects Finishing Products.

And here is her Two-Step Finish: 

What you need:

Venetian Gem Basecoat which is a creamy plaster that may be tinted or left un-tinted. A gallon covers about 200 square feet depending on application thickness. It dries to a matte opaque finish.

Pearl Setcoat.  A gallon covers about 400 square feet. This will dry to a metallic finish. As with most pearls, the material is a little more sheer by nature. 

A Twine Roller.  This is a specialty chamois roller you may purchase from Sheri's studio. Contact information to buy one follows the recipe.

And it comes in a baby version for tight spots! How cute and practical is this? 

Now, the next thing is something I am going to suggest: Spatter Add!

This is an additive product from Faux Effects and one I always use when I need to shape plasters. It will thicken the plaster which makes it easier for the roller to go thru cleanly leaving a more sharp pattern.  Spatter Add also works to slow the plaster's set time.  This gives you more time to trowel your plaster and then roll through with your specialty roller (or a specialty trowel), I find I get about 40 extra minutes! Bonus-your tools should be easier to clean!

Other supplies: Plaster Application Trowel, Japan Blades or Putty Knife, Paint Rollers, Brushes, Paint Pan and Rags.

How you apply it:  You want your base to be clean and sealed with a good quality eggshell paint. When in doubt of the base, use Setcoat to start. That adds a step- hey, it's our music but your dance! Always make a sample using your selected base before attempting a job.

1. Mix 1 gallon of Venetian Gem Basecoat + 1/2 Cup Spatter Add and stir to blend.  Use a smaller blade like a Japan Blade to butter a larger application trowel with the plaster. Trowel a band of plaster from the top to the bottom of your wall for a standard 8 foot wall.  If the wall is taller, you may apply this finish in sections.  Apply a width double the width of the roller.  Gentle trowel lines are fine.

For thickness, You don't want to see the background through the plaster.  If you roll with the Twine roller and the pattern looks "spikey" then the material is too thick. Don't worry. Just go over that area to spread the plaster more-the Spatter Add will give you more time.  Practice on the least noticeable wall to get the feel.

2.  You will use the Twine roller and roll through the wet plaster vertically and then horizontally. Keep a damp cloth to wipe off the roller as you work. The pattern is random so it is easy to stop and start.  Trowel your next area of Venetian Gem Basecoat and repeat the rolling process,

3.  When the Venetian Gem Basecoat is dry, roll a layer of Pearl Setcoat over the top.  I like a thicker nap paint roller for metallic Setcoat to off-load product and minimize smearing.

WOW! Doesn't this look sharp?  What I love about this finish is the easy variations you may try.  Wouldn't this look great exchanging the Pearl Setcoat for Metallic Black Setcoat (or any metallic Metal Glow). Or you could change the specialty roller. Here are a few rollers that Sheri also sells;

Imagine this in Metallic Kroc

or 

A Kross-Hatch

This finish would also be a great base for a pattern. Now you are adding more steps but hey, like I said before-this is your dance! And some of us really like to boogie.


Want to find out more Sheri's studio, classes, stencils and rollers?  Check out her websites:

www.fauxdesignstudio.com  or www.paintanddesignstore.com
Phone:  630-627-1001

And don't forget that November is the perfect month to try Venetian Gem Basecoat or any Venetian Gem product.

This sale is available at your local Faux Effects retail studio or at www.fauxfx.com

Thanks Sheri Zeman for sharing a great recipe!

Have a finish with Venetian Gem (or any other Faux Effects Product) you would like to share? Contact me at: rebecca@fauxfx.com and let's talk.

Now where may I put this finish?.......

Rebecca