Friday, August 24, 2012

faux bois...not to be confused with fois gras

First order of bi-ness!  My house blows!!!  First the ceiling falls in...some of you may recall my "accidental skylight".  And today, the basement floods with all manor of stank water...aka. sewer backup.  If I hadn't already invested blood, sweat, tears and our 401K into the place, I'd probably walk away and never look back.  But, since our only other alternative would be to take up residence in a mini van...down by the river, I guess I'll just suck it up, along with all the poo water stanking up the basement.

Second order of business.  I just found out that my {diy flour poufs from $3 rugs project} is being featured over at knock-off decor.  It's a super awesome site totally dedicated to knock-off projects.  Love it!  So, if you love stuff that costs a zillion dollars but only wanna spend a few...head on over to knock-off decor to be inspired.  Thanks Becky!!!

Third order of bizness!
I love faux bois.  Not just love it...but like, loooove it.  It makes me giddy.  Who knew fake wood would complete me, but it does.

I've been looking for ways to incorporate this delicious {unlike the duck liver delicacy with a similar sounding name} pattern into my home decor.  I've considered wall paper...which I might still do

rugs
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throw pillows

lamp shades {which I sorta already did here}

but settled on this super simple project for now...diy faux bois frames. 




I found the frames at the thrift store for $5 a piece.  They were thick, chunky and perfect for what I wanted to do. 

All I needed to complete the project was brown and white craft paint {or whatever colors you prefer...just make sure they are contrasting colors} and a stiff, thin bristled paint brush.

I painted the frame and let it dry.  Then with a contrasting color, I painted on my faux bois.  The best part about faux bois is that it is a pretty forgiving design.  It doesn't have to be perfect, to look perfect.  It took me about 15 minutes to paint the design on my frames.  I let them dry, then went over them with watered down brown paint to age them a little and lessen the contrast slightly.

I love how they turned out.  I have just the place for them.  Don't you just love projects that are quick, easy, cheap...but don't look any of the above?  Ya, me too.

Wish me luck in the meantime.  Fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong with this place...at least until the basements put back together. 

 

6 comments:

  1. Love those frames! And and I can see why you are so giddy about faux bois--the rug and pillow are gorgeous.

    Have you ever tried one of those graining tools for painting? I used to own an old home that had a beam running through the living room (leftover from when it was renovated to include the long, narrow front porch). My mom and I painted the beam, then used gel stain to make the wood grain pattern, and it looked pretty good, like it was real wood beam instead of a drywall lump in the ceiling.

    I would have thought to recreate the effect on a smaller scale with a paintbrush, I'll have to keep that it mind. It really is cute.

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  2. * Meant to say I would never have thought...

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    1. Ooh, that beam you "faux boised" sounds awesome. That's an architectural element I would love to incorporate into my home.
      I purchased a wood graining tool, but have yet to use...just waiting for that perfect project to try it out on.

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  3. Aw - tough luck with your house, I totally understand. I'd like to blow mine sky high too and start again next door.

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  4. I love that rug! Gosh, it sounds like you are having a run of bad luck. Hopefully one day these are things you'll be able to laugh about.

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    1. I'll be laughing all the way to the looney bin. ;)

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