Antiquing- Any method used to give a surface an aged or antique look.

Base Coat- Refers to the initial painting of an overall color to a surface area. Subsequent colors are applied on top of the Base Coat.

Burnish- A hand troweled finish using a stainless steel spatula, a method that is typically employed over a Venetian Plaster and aided with burnishing wax, burnishing gives a smooth, glass-like finish to the wall surface.

Chair Rail- Wall molding applied horizontally at the height of a side chair.

Combing- A decorative paint technique in which a comb (often made of plastic or cardboard) is pulled across wet paint to create a wavy pattern.

Color Wash- Paint process in which a semitransparent glaze color is manipulated to create a pattern which highlights a solid base color underneath.

Crown Molding- Molding that crowns or runs along the juxtaposition of the top of a wall and ceiling.

Crackle Finish- Crackle finishes have an aged, weathered look, resembling cracked glass. Faux finishes, including crackle finishes, are popular in vintage and heritage layouts. Buy a Crackle Kit @ our online store!

Decorative Painting- The process or art of coating a surface with paint intended to decorate a room or piece of furniture. Take a Decorative Painting class!

Decorative Plaster- A versatile surface coating product, that may be rolled and then troweled on to a wall for a variety of faux and decorative painting effects. Take a Decorative Plaster class!

Distressing-To create an aged look, achieved through a variety of faux procedures.

Faux- Faux is a French word used to describe something made to resemble something else. The original French word means false, fake, imitation or artificial. In the decorating industry faux painting is a surface design technique employing a variety of products and methods to resemble something else.

Frottage- A faux painting technique, from the French word meaning "to rub". A base coat is applied, and then a colored glaze is rolled over the base coat. A variety of materials, paper or plastic is rubbed over wet glaze to create a textured look. Take a Glazing class!

Finish- The treatment or coating of a surface. Matt or Flat- A finish that diffuses light. Colors appear less intense in a flat finish than in a glossier finish. Because of its tendency to trap dirt and blemishes, this finish is not generally used for high traffic surfaces. Eggshell-A mid to low sheen, that imparts warmth and depth to a surface. This type of finish offers a resistance to stain. Semi-Gloss-A slightly glossy finish. These types of finishes offer good stain resistance and are easy to clean. High-Gloss- Produces a highly reflective smooth surface finish. Gloss paints are easy to clean and are ideal for heavy traffic surface areas.

Gilding- The application of metal in any form (gold or other metallic leaf, metallic foil, metallic paint, metallic powder, etc.). Used to complement a decorative or faux finish.

Inlay- Decorative ornamentation set into the surface of a particular space.

Marbleizing- The application of finish process used to make surface have the appearance of marble.

Open-Time- The amount of time that glaze stays wet and workable for allowing time for a variety of faux finishes to be executed. Buy a Glaze @ our online store!

Patina- A thin greenish layer that forms on copper or copper alloys, such as bronze, as a result of long exposure to the elements and often valued aesthetically for its color. It gives a surface appearance of something grown beautiful with age or use.

Primer- The first coat of product applied to a surface to reduce absorbency & to ensure adhesion of subsequent coats.

Ragging- A faux glazing technique that involves using rags to manipulate wet glaze.

Scale- Refers to the size of objects in relation to one another and the human body; in faux finishes and decorating, good scale is the result of an eye-pleasing relationship between objects and the space they are used in.

Sponging- A faux paint technique involving the application of a layer or layers of glaze or translucent paint colors with a sponge.

Stipple- A faux finish procedure also known as "Pouncing". A glaze is applied to the surface and while it is wet, a stippler is hit or pounced onto the surface causing the glaze to disperse into tiny dots. Stippling gives a very even film of glaze while removing brush strokes in a wet glaze

Strie-A glazing technique for achieving a subtle mix of fine stripes by pulling a wide stiff bristled brush through wet glaze.

Trompe L'oeil- French expression meaning, "To deceive the eye". A painting technique in which an illusion of depth and reality is created by emphasizing highlights and shadows. Technique taught in our faux school. See Trompe L'oeil class. Take a Trompe L'oeil class!

Varnish- Any synthetic resins such as alkyd or acrylic clear coats, epoxies and polyurethane's that provide a clear protective coating.

Venetian Plaster- A surface coating product that, when applied properly, creates a smooth, surface with both movement and depth. Venetian plaster is typically troweled on with a stainless steel spatula in multiple layers for a smooth faux marble like finish. See our School Class List for Plaster Class schedule.

Wet-Edge-The place where one section of glaze joins a still wet, previously applied section, so that no seam or break is visible