Techniques for Faux Finishes With Tissue Paper

Simple Textured Finish

• If you want an elegant wall that is not too "busy," a tissue paper technique is an easy way to get it. Glue the tissue paper, letting it fold and crinkle naturally, to the wall using a wet base coat of paint in whatever color you choose. Paint a coat of polyurethane onto the wall. Use a glaze of a different hue of the same color as the base coat and do a wall glazing technique over the tissue paper for a lovely textured appearance.

Faux Leather

• If you are working on a room such as a study or a man's bedroom, consider a faux leather finish for the walls. The method for adhering the tissue paper is the same as for a simple textured finish; the difference is in the layering of glaze colors. Different shades of brown glaze layered over one another will produce a look resembling leather . Experiment with the order of glaze colors on a board before doing it on the wall so you know ahead of time how it will look.

Faux Gold Leaf

• Because real gold leaf is so expensive, it is impossible for most homeowners to use it for an entire room. Faking it is easy with tissue paper. Use the same basic tissue paper technique and cover the walls. Paint the walls with a metallic gold paint. If this is too bright an effect, use a raw umber wall glaze over the gold paint to diminish the brilliance.

Faux Frescoes

• If your home has a Mediterranean style, a faux fresco is a perfect addition to a kitchen, hallway or dining room. Doing a simple fresco does not require an artist's talent; a simple one looks realistic using a stencil. After completing a basic tissue paper technique, stencil a small design, such as a fleur-de-lis, using a few different colors of stencil paint. Let dry, then use several layers of glaze on top, finishing with the lightest color to create a weathered, old world look.