Through the use of a few faux painting techniques, this room was transformed from an ordinary bathroom into an Old World Tuscan retreat. In keeping with the Tuscan theme, greenery was added, and a variety of wrought-iron pieces were brought in. (Scripps Howard photo courtesy of Home & Garden Television
I realize the object of most redecorating projects is to make a
room look fresh and new. But there are times the best way to add
warmth and character to a room is through the aging process.
Recently my co-host, Shari Hiller, and I proved this when we
were asked to redecorate a large master bath. The homeowners had
just returned from a trip to Italy quite impressed with the
architecture of Tuscany and looking for a way to add a Tuscan theme
to their bath.
Several elements are characteristic of Tuscan style. Tuscan
style tends to be quite rustic; cracked or crumbling plaster and
stucco walls are the norm.
A variety of color washing and faux wall techniques are used in
Tuscan decor. A rich color palette including brown, gold, yellow
and terra cotta combine to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Accent colors include deep blue, black, olive green and rust.
Shari and I used several painting techniques to create the Old
World charm of Tuscany. To begin our project, we applied a latex
satin base coat in a neutral color to the walls, allowing it to dry
for 24 hours.
To create texture on the walls, we added some of the base coat
paint to joint compound. We mixed it until it was the consistency
brownie batter. Then, using a 4-inch flat edge brush, we created
soft fan shapes to imitate a stucco finish. Since we wanted an
uneven texture, we applied lots of joint compound in some areas and
less in others.
We allowed the joint compound to dry for 24 hours before moving
on to the next step: adding depth to the wall treatment. We chose a
deep yellow latex paint and thinned it down a bit with water. Using
a 2-1/2-inch sash brush almost dripping with paint, we created
uneven lines on the walls.
To blend the lines into the wall color, we dabbed the lines and
drips with a damp cloth. This created a beautiful mottled finish,
with about the same amount of base coat and top coat showing
through.
The final decorative step in this faux technique was to add
veining to the walls. This process may seem a bit intimi-
Notes from Saturday in the Park's Dave Bernstein: So here we are: 2026, USA 250, SITP 36. It’s been a long run, but a good run. I turned 60 an…
Through the use of a few faux painting techniques, this room was transformed from an ordinary bathroom into an Old World Tuscan retreat. In keeping with the Tuscan theme, greenery was added, and a variety of wrought-iron pieces were brought in. (Scripps Howard photo courtesy of Home & Garden Television
