Four Fabulous Faux Finishes

If you want the look of aged wood, copper, denim or marble, you can buy an expensive finish – or try one of these four fabulous faux finishes instead. Learn more about these DIY projects in this Better Homes and Gardens video:

Faux Denim: Coat a smooth surface with latex primer. Apply light blue semigloss paint and let dry. Brush on blue glaze, leaving brushstrokes. While wet, brush across glaze with a weaver brush without stopping or lifting. Repeat in the opposite direction.

Faux Marble: Primer and paint surface with white satin paint. Mix gray paint and water 3:1. Use a feather to paint diagonal lines. Splatter light gray paint with small brush. Repeat with dark gray paint. Spritz with water to diffuse colors. Soak up excess water with a sponge. Mix water and white latex paint 3:1 and brush over entire surface. When dry, rub on paste wax with a rag and buff.

Faux Aged Wood: Apply gray stain. Wait five minutes, then wipe away. Use a sponge brush to apply white water-base primer. Apply another coat of stain. Wait 10 minutes before wiping. Repeat process until desired look is met.

Faux Copper: Spray two coats of metallic copper spray paint on sanded wood. Use a sea sponge to apply dark green acrylic paint, leaving plenty of copper showing through, then repeat with a dark teal acrylic paint. Let dry. Repeat with light leal and leave some copper showing through.