Country French Paint Techniques

Stucco

• Use a stucco finish on walls to create a rustic, yet elegant finish that is traditional in French country design. Use a single layer of plaster, applied with a trowel, or up to three layers of slightly varying shades of plaster for more depth. Use a faux stucco finish, which uses only paint to create the French country look without altering the texture of the painted surface. Neutral shades of whites or bold reds and rich shades of gold are common in French country style.

Brick

• French country homes traditionally have exposed brick in some part of the house. Instead of adding or exposing a brick wall in your home, use a faux brick painting technique to add a focal wall to a kitchen or dining area. Create a faux brick wall around a living room or bedroom fireplace. Mix the faux brick technique with stucco on part of a wall for an old, worn French country look, making the stucco appear to be chipping away and exposing the original brick.

Strie

• The strie painting technique mimics the paintbrush strokes left on painted surfaces by old bristled brushes. Over time, these raised areas would accumulate dirt. The paints used years ago would also fade with sun exposure and leave areas of discoloration. Use the strie technique of applying tinted glaze over a painted wall or cabinet surface and then using a bristled brush to create brush strokes and remove some of the glaze, exposing the paint underneath. Adding two or more layers and colors of glaze give more depth to the technique, especially when added to recessed areas and corners.

Antiquing

• Antiquing simulates the natural wear and tear on decorative and functional items in your home as well as walls. Use glazes and crackling techniques to add shading, color variations and texture that will age walls and ceilings, as well as furniture and built-in cabinets. Use chains, sandpaper and hammers to give a worn, distressed look to furnishings and accessories. Use the antiquing techniques on full surfaces, but apply the distressing to areas of the furniture that would normally receive the most wear, such as the openings of cabinet doors and the edges of tables.