DO IT YOURSELF

To create a faux finish on the wall you will need:

• a water-based paint color  
• A "faux" glaze

Both liquids are mixed together usually with a ratio: one part paint and four parts glaze. Some of the most popular techniques are:

Ragging on 

1. Paint the wall with a base coat color and let it dry. 

2. Take a rag (wet or dry) and dip it in the glaze. If the rag is wet then the result will be more blurred.

3. Start bolting the rag on the surface without scrubbing it or dragging it but rather rolling it onto the surface. 

ADVICE

Reader's question:

"I am stuck. I don't know how to paint the living room. Next to the fireplace there are recesses with some gypsum board shelves. At the lower part of each recess, they will be placed wooden cupboards. On the other side of the room, a dry wall divides the kitchen from the living room and there is an opening, like a window, on the wall. In the opening I am planning to build shelves, with horizontal and vertical boards. 

The sofa is dark grey but usually I cover it with colorful fabrics and quilts. The coffer table is cherry wood but I am thinking to paint it another color. "

Our advice

Your apartment seems modern and minimal but at the same time it is small with several puzzling elements (beams, built-in shelves, etc). This means that you don’t need to add extra elements or to play with colors.

An excellent idea could be the use of a neutral color for the walls (for example paint the walls light and dark gray) and to highlight some selected surfaces with the use of an impressive and unique wallpaper.