Q. What does "faux" mean?
A, FAUX (pronounced FOE), is French for "false." This term is NOT pronounced like, and has absolutely nothing to do with a television network, an X-Files FBI agent, or a pointy-faced woodland creature, all going by the name of "FOX."

Now that we have that cleared up, here's what it means. A true faux finish is an imitation or interpretation of a natural material such as stone or wood, and this type of painted wall has been around for hundreds of years. However, the term "faux finishing" has become a very general description of many decorative painting techniques. Carolina Faux can create traditional "faux" finishes such as marble, woodgrain and plasters, as well as contemporary faux leather, fabrics, metals, textures and more.

Q. Why should I consider faux finishing instead of paint or wallpaper?
A. There are many decorating alternatives to suit all tastes and budgets. Faux finishing is a hand-applied process which provides unique results. To be installed properly, it requires the skills of a professionally trained artist. A professional faux finish is durable, permanent, and custom designed to the exact specifications of the designer and/or client. A faux finish will not have the telltale pattern repeat of a similar wallpaper design, and can be applied on surfaces that would not be appropriate for wallpaper, such as woodwork, rounded columns, kitchen cabinets, masonry and more.

Q. How do your prices compare to wallpaper?
A. They could be less or more, depending on the faux finish selected as compared to the wallpaper selected plus the cost of hiring a paperhanger. Keep in mind that faux finishing is not meant to be a replacement for wallpaper, but an alternative to it (see the question above), so think of it as an "apple to orange" comparison. If you want an exact repeating pattern or an all-over print design, wallpaper is your best choice. However, even the most expensive wallpaper cannot duplicate a hand-painted faux finish, and it may take a lot of looking to find a special color match.

Q. What color choices do I have? What types of finishes can you do?
A. Color choices in most cases are infinite. The faux artist must possess an excellent eye for color matching and will work with any available samples to match decor. As for style, a skilled faux artist is trained in all the current faux techniques and will be able to offer samples in various colors, textures and materials. Additionally, the artist can often mimic an unusual existing surface and apply it to other areas to match.

Q. What if I see a picture of a finish I like? Can you copy it?
A. It is often very helpful to have a photo of a finish you like, so that the faux artist can get a better idea of what you have in mind. Remember, though, every faux artist has his or her own technique that cannot be exactly duplicated. This guarantees the added value of a unique end result. Also, a reputable faux artist will not knowingly copy another faux artist’s exclusive design... so please don’t ask us to do so. We’d rather come up with something especially for you.

Q. How do I know what my finish is going to look like?
A. If we do not have an existing sample of your finish, we will include up to three 22" x 26" sample boards in the contract price, based on preliminary discussions. If at that point you’d like to see more samples, additional boards will be created at a charge of $25.00 each, to cover cost of materials. Once you approve a board, we’ll get your signature on it as proof of what we agreed upon, and work performed will match the approved board. All boards will remain the property of Carolina Faux, Inc. and must be returned no later than at completion of the job.

Q. How is faux finishing priced? How expensive is it?
A. Most finishes are priced per actual square foot of coverage, sometimes described in the construction industry as a "wall-foot." The rate depends on what type of finish we’re talking about. Simpler finishes will range from $3 per square foot up to around $5 per square foot. More complex finishes can range from $5-$10 per square foot, with the most complicated designs reaching around $15 per square foot or more. Other factors that contribute to cost are the condition and preparation of the surface, the difficulty of reaching the area to be finished (i. e. ceiling or stairwell), whether special equipment (such as scaffolding) or special materials (such as gold leafing or a customized art imprint) are needed, and whether the scope or time frame of the job requires the artist to hire assistants.

Finishes on furniture pieces, cabinets, fireplace mantels, columns, medallions and other such items may be based on time, labor and materials, as the square-foot method seldom makes sense in these instances. Each job is evaluated and priced individually.

Q. How durable is faux finishing?
A. Most finishes are very durable and washable, but should not be scrubbed with abrasive cleaners. Durability as a rule is similar to or better than paint and wallpaper, and extra layers of clear topcoat can be applied for high traffic or high use areas. Faux finishing is an excellent choice in bathrooms and other high moisture areas where wallpaper is susceptible to peeling due to regular exposure to steam.

Q. Do I have to remove old wallpaper, or can you do a faux finish on top of it? What preparation is necessary for faux finishing?
A. You must remove old wallpaper in order to guarantee a good faux finish result. This can be a tedious process, so you may want to hire a professional painting or wallpapering contractor to help. After the wallpaper is down, all adhesive must be washed off the walls and any stains or damage to the walls should be repaired. A good quality primer will seal the surface and prepare it for faux finishing.

If you have a textured surface that needs to be evened out, a drywall contractor can skim-coat the walls to make them smooth again. If the wall has been previously painted, the condition of the paint is an important factor. New, high quality 100% acrylic latex paint in a satin or eggshell finish is the best base for faux finishing. Old or peeling paint must be repaired and primed before a faux finish can be applied. We can advise you as to what might be necessary on our initial consultation.

Q. I'm afraid to use a texture. What if I sell my house, will it be a problem to un-do?
Your buyers may decide they like it that way. If not, tell your realtor that when this question arises, there are ways to "un-do" a texture, including sanding or skim-coating with joint compound. Most drywall and painting contractors are familiar with these situations and would be happy to help the new owners.

Remember, just as you choose other features in your home, base your decision on what you like. There are always things that new owners change about the homes they buy, and this is not one of the harder things to fix. In fact, if you decide on a texture, and later would  like a color change to it, we can frequently use the texture as is and give it a new look.

Q. Will it cost me more for your work if I arrange it through a designer or contractor?
A. No, it shouldn't. Our goal is to give you a fair price for the work performed without unnecessary markups, so it is our policy at Carolina Faux to bill you directly for our work. We make referral arrangements with our design and contractor colleagues so that everyone, especially the client, benefits from the joint effort. Keep in mind, however, that it may depend on the contractor or designer involved and their policies.

 Q. What if I don't know what I want, or what would "go" in my house?
A.You may need the help of a professional interior designer. They are trained in all aspects of "putting together" a room or an entire home or office building. Carolina Faux frequently works as part of a design team to help create the perfect wall treatment for each client.

On the other hand, many non-professionals enjoy the design process and have a wonderful sense of personal style. If this is you, and you just need some color suggestions or a "second set of eyes," we're glad to work with you directly.

A great technique to help determine your preferences is to collect an idea file, with such items as magazine pictures of rooms that appeal to you, fabric swatches, paint chips, photos of furniture or accessories, or anything else that catches your eye for color or style. Put those that coordinate with each other together on sheets of heavy paper or poster board for your personal set of "mood boards." These are extremely helpful to your designer or faux artist as a way of "getting inside your head."

Q. What makes Carolina Faux different or better than other faux finishers? I have quotes that are lower than yours.
A. Your choice of faux artist can and should have something to do with their particular technique. We all have our unique methods and specialties. Professional prices for similar finishes are not likely to vary wildly, so your best bet is to determine a price range and choose the finish you like best within that range. The main thing to remember, especially if you are comparing prices, is to make sure you are comparing a similar level of workmanship and materials. Ask to see the artist's portfolio of samples as well as photos of actual jobs. If they cannot offer this type of information, it is likely they are not seriously involved in the business. Also, beware of a faux artist who is willing to give you a definite quote over the phone. With a few exceptions, most situations require the artist to check the condition of the surfaces and take measurements in order to give an accurate estimate.

All businesses, especially those performing services, have their "bad apples" or "fly-by-night" operations, and it's wise to be cautious if you feel unsure. Carolina Faux is happy to answer your questions and/or refer you to satisfied clients. Please see the "Company Info" page on this site to find out more about us, or feel free to call or e-mail.

Q. Why do you need a signed contract?
A. A contract, or an agreement to a proposal, makes clear what we have decided upon and protects all parties. It states exactly what services will be performed for the indicated price, and when payment is required. Any additions or changes should be made in writing on the agreement. Your approval of a sample board is your guarantee that you will receive the finish you have requested.

Carolina Faux is insured against any accidental damage to your premises or its contents, but the agreement should specify what you must do to keep the work area safe for the duration of the finishing process, such as keeping children and pets clear of the area. Each agreement can be customized for special circumstances, and we will be glad to discuss this with you on an individual basis.

Q. Couldn't I learn to do my own faux finishing?
A. Most faux artists get their start from "doing it themselves" and in the process discover that they have a knack for it and enjoy the work. Of course it's possible to do some of the basic techniques yourself, and we at Carolina Faux would be the first to say "go for it" if you feel so inclined. However, keep in mind that even basic finishes benefit from proper tools, quality materials, good physical stamina and a lot of practice. The more complicated techniques require specialized tools and materials and professional instruction, all of which quickly become expensive investments. Carolina Faux has made those investments and we are proud to offer our services any time you don't want to do it yourself-- or if you try it and get in over your head! (Remember, it's only paint and we can fix it.)

If you decide you want to get serious about becoming a professional faux finisher, let us know. We'll fill you in on schools and other resources that may be helpful to you.

Q. Is material cost included in your quote? Can I buy my own materials and get a discount?
A. Usually, all materials are included in the quote. We use proprietary professional materials from Faux Effects, and sometimes other suppliers, and most of these are not available to the general public. In some cases, if you have recently painted and the leftover paint is of quality and type that can be mixed into our glaze, we may be able to use it, but this is generally not a big enough expense to warrant a reduction in the quoted price.

Rental of scaffold or other equipment will be added to the price of the job, for the actual cost. We have an investment in equipment, and most jobs can be accomplished without any rental.

Unusual techniques and materials are possible exceptions to this policy, and will be discussed on an individual basis as necessary.

Q. What is "trompe l'oeil?"
A. Pronounced "TROMP LOY," this is another French term which means "to fool the eye." Generally it applies to murals and other decorative painting intended to look like a real object or scene. Typically some use of perspective drawing is required to provide the illusion of depth. Good overall artistic skill is necessary to produce believable images. Familiar examples of trompe l'oeil use architectural elements such as doorways or windows looking out onto a garden path, niches that appear to be carved into a wall, tiled floors that seem to reach far into the distance, or a series of arches or trellises that diminish in size thus appearing to extend past the surface on which they are painted.

Carolina Faux is pleased to offer murals and trompe l'oeil. Prices are set on an individual basis and are determined by size, amount of detail, difficulty of surface (such as a ceiling), difficulty of subject matter and other factors. Most murals can be painted off-site on lightweight canvas and applied like wallpaper, or they can be painted directly on the surface (this is usually best for ceilings!).

Q. Where do I start if I want you to do work for me?
A. We will come to the location where you want the work done and evaluate the areas you want painted, the size and condition, and if you are thinking about doing other areas later, we will look at those too. The initial consultation fee is $30.00, which covers time and gasoline costs. Subsequent visits are not charged if a job is agreed upon, but are subject to billing at $30.00 each if no work is performed.