Wall Finish Inspiration Using Chalk Paint® and Foils!

Hope you have enjoyed this holiday season, and that you might be able to find some time to get out your Chalk Paint® decorative paint and work on a wall transformation!

I’m taking a few days off, but I wanted to share a facebook post from December 26, by my dear faux finishing friend and world traveling companion, Gary Lord of Prismatic Painting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gary, a well-known author and television show guest, has owned his studio for many years, and he and his very talented group of finishers work wonders in homes and businesses in a wide area, including new casinos just being completed.

I had the pleasure of teaching glass art techniques at Prismatic Painting this summer, and had a blast. Totally hope to be invited back! (Plus, I hear Gary is scheming with friends in Europe to put together another painting project over there… if I hear more details, I’ll let you know.)

A while ago, Gary invited folks to submit finishes for his latest book, Simply Creative Faux Finishes with Gary Lord: 30 Cutting Edge Techniques for Walls, Floors and Ceilings. Right about deadline time, I finished up this powder room project for a jewelry artist friend’s new home, and sent photos to Gary and his editor. Well, voila, it was selected, and I wrote a step-by-step chapter for the book.

This project looks much more complicated than it really is. The magical part is that the ceiling color (just plain Florence) reflects onto the silver foil!

So, basically, paint the ceiling your favorite Chalk Paint color, then paint the walls another color, like Coco.

Then, just use a chalk line (with a friend) to snap the pattern onto the wall. Simply hand-paint the size (glue) for the foil in every other box with a large foam brush. I know, you are not believing this, but it is a very organic and imperfect look.

Then apply your foil with a stiff brush to create the checkerboard effect. (I just let the foil be nicely irregular-looking.)

Gary sells lots of foil colors, and the water-based size (or glue) that you roll on first to adhere the foil to. It’s so simple, and very inexpensive. Just check out his website here for details, give him a call to order, and it will show up on your doorstep, complete with instructions!

And, I know you are wondering about the very fun book itself! Check it out on Amazon. There’s a Kindle version too. You’ll be amazed at the techniques created by Gary and friends, complete with easy directions. I learned about Annie Sloan’s products after this book was being completed, but there are lots of wall finish ideas that can be translated to her paints!

For those of you out there who love to paint walls, have fun!

And send me your project photos.