When painting their homes or offices, people love the faux finish look because it can imitate just about any look you want from marble to limestone and wood grain to leather. All these looks can be attained when using faux finish techniques and the good news is that with the right tools and a little assistance, anyone can achieve the look that he or she wants for any room easily and quickly. To get the brushed suede look, which is particularly popular in executive offices, all you need are a paint tray and a paint roller with a 1/2” nap, another brush that is either 3” or 4”, a drop cloth, painter’s tape, and two kinds of paint: a clear protector and some brushed suede paint. If you like, you can purchase a small board and practice a little first but this isn’t always necessary.
Getting Started
The brushed suede look can be used on nearly any type of walls but if the room you are painting is a high-traffic area, the brushed suede look is not recommended. If you finish the space with warm earth tones, cushy chairs, and plush rugs, the room will come together for a beautiful look. When you are ready to paint, all that you have to do is follow these simple steps:
1. First, using the 1/2” nap roller, work in one three-foot section at a time. To start, roll a large “W” over the surface and then place a coat over the entire area when you’re done. Move on to the next three-foot section and repeat. When you’re done, paint a coat over the entire wall and then wait at least four hours before going to the next step.
2. With the 3” or 4” brush, paint a series of Xs all over the wall and alternate between Xs that are one foot in size with Xs that are 4”-6” in size. Do this over the entire wall.
3. Make sure that the X patterns that you are painting cover the entire wall so there are no laps in the pattern.
4. Finish with a clear protective coat of paint.
The faux brushed suede look is luxurious and perfect for office spaces and formal dining areas and you can use it on brick, plaster, wallboard, masonry, or wood. Again, it is not good for high-traffic areas or rooms where a lot of pets or children will be playing but, other than these restrictions, it is a good look for any room in your home or office.
Adding Richness to Your Décor
The faux brushed suede look allows for a rich, velvety look that tells others that you deserve to have the very best. It is a subtle yet attractive look that tells the that world you are worth it and if, for some reason, you decide that you no longer want it, all that you have to do is paint over it with regular paint. The brushed suede look is beautiful and eye-catching and makes any room that you paint calming, soothing, and relaxing for everyone in it.
