A Lesson In Faux Bois

Faux Bois Marquetry

Faux Bois is the practice of imitating woodgrain on a wood or non-wood surface by applying layers of paint in order to increase that surface's aesthetic appeal.  Historically, Faux Bois dates back to the ancient Egyptians over three thousand years ago.  Graining was especially common in the 18th and 19th centuries, as people were keen on imitating expensive hard-woods by applying layers of glaze or paint on less expensive soft-woods.

Step 1 and 2

Steps 1 and 2 were completed by the painting contractors.  All the picture-panelled moulding was primed, then basecoated. The base coat is visible in the photo on the trimwork around the window.

2 passes of glaze

After the entire space was prepped for us, we applied 2 passes of a mixture of glaze and stains on all the trim.  The first pass of glaze was tinted dark brown; the 2nd pass was tinted a reddish-brown.  Each layer is applied with a pad, using specially bristled brushes to manipulate the glaze, creating a very soft grain, similar to cherrywood.  Because of the scope of this job, we had to work in a 'production' mode...although intricate grains and knots are commonly incorporated into the finish, this would have been time and cost prohibitive. 

Create inlaid panel

Once all the trim was finished,  we applied the same technique to the inset panels.  To create more visual interest, we decided to treat them as inlaid marquetry panels.  Each panel was taped off, then glazed with the same 2 layer process in different directions to add depth and dimension. 

Apply the second pass

Ta daa!

Finally, applying 2 coats of satin polyurethane completes the illusion, and protects the finish.

Oh...and we did three coffered ceilings,  2 of which were cathedral.  Twenty feet high...on a scissor lift!

And, that is today's lesson in Faux Bois!!

Susan and Tracey

FWS

An Irish Club Extreme Makeover

Photo courtesy of the Gaelic American Club

This past Spring 2009, the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield, CT broke ground, and began a huge expansion of their club building. When the building and decorating committees asked us if we would be willing to give them some creative input for the interior, we were happy to help.

Photo courtesy of the Gaelic American Club

Susan and her family have been members for YEARS, and as a result, FWS has been involved in many artistic and cultural projects: festival logos, programs, signs, set designs for many plays-even an 8 foot Celtic cross.

Memorial Day Parade Float

"Buds of Ballybunion" Set and Mural

2004 Fairfield County Irish Festival Logo

The Club was enlarging the original pub space of a combined bar and dining room/lounge into 3 separate areas. The new space would boast a lounge, alderwood bar room and dining room. Each new area would flow into and be visible from the next. It was very important for the entire pub to have a cohesive design.

                                          Lounge Area    Photo courtesy of Gaelic American Club

The first step was providing the decorating committee with a design board to give them a concept of design and a color direction to work with.  This included a color palette for the walls and ceilings of the 3 spaces, fabric choices for window treatments and upholstery, as well as some carpentry solutions. 

Because accoustic panels would be neccessary on the vaulted ceilings, we suggested installing coffered 'beams' to integrate the panels into the over-all Irish pub feeling. 

Now, armed with a clearer vision, fabrics and colors were selected and tested...again...and again...and again.  New furniture and window treatments were ordered.  Existing pieces were reupholstered or cleaned.  The decorating committee was proceeding along quite nicely...until the panelling was installed.  The new bar room had been finished in knotty alderwood...the bar itself and the panelling. Very fitting for an Irish pub.

The lounge area

Then it came time to install the wood panelling throughout the dining room and lounge.  Continuing with the alderwood was no longer in the budget.  The builders opted to create the panelling with MDF, pine and primed moulding, with the intention of staining to match the alderwood.  Good intentions, but disastrous results:  MDF and primed wood cannot be successfully stained.  It was a mess!

The decorating committee called us back in.  Their vision was wood panelling, not painted, colonial wainscoting.  Was it possible to create a finish that would mimic the alderwood on the panelling and the coffered ceiling beams?  Our answer was obvious.  Faux bois.

Faux what???   Faux bois is fake wood... a trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) technique, created with layers of paint, stain, glaze and a little brush magic.  The result is a beautiful, warm, wood finish that would fool any eye...and tie the bar, lounge and dining room together seamlessly.  Wood beams and panelling in an Irish pub. 

   

Our next post will show, step-by-step, our process of creating faux bois at the GAC.  In the meantime, let's have a pint...Slainte!!

Susan and Tracey

FWS