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No, you don't have to be a faux finish artist, buy special products or even attend a class! Simply follow my easy technique with plain old joint compound, some paint colors and a stencil.

Remember when doing any new finish on your walls, to ALWAYS give it a try on a test board (even if it's just a piece of cardboard) before you apply it to the wall. That way, if you want to make any color or technique adjustments, you can do so without having to re-do the wall.

Choose at least two colors that you would like to see blended on your wall. I chose pale brown and sage green. You can use ordinary craft paints to tint your joint compound. But when shopping for your colors, always choose the deepest version of your desired color. Why? Because joint compound dries pure white and whatever color you mix up will dry considerably lighter than what you see in the container. You want to be able to add the least amount of paint to achieve the desired results so as not to water down the joint compound too much.

Step 1

Put some joint compound in to a plastic container and tint with your first color. Keep a note of just how much paint to how much joint compound you mixed together so you can re-mix that color exactly for the rest of the wall if you want. Or you can just let it vary to achieve an even more random color look.

Mix your second color the same way in a different container.

Using a flat metal or plastic scraper, scrape a bit of the color on your wall. Spread it out but don't worry about getting it smooth. Do only a small section. I like doing patches of about 6-8" in size.

Step 2

Apply a small section of the second color against the first color and spread it out. It's OK if the two colors blend somewhat. Do the entire wall in small patches.

Step 3

Once the compound begins to dry, take your scraper, lay it almost flat against the wall and drag it downward to flatten out some of the ridges. This is called doing a "knock down". It also blends the two colors together further. Allow to dry completely.

Step 4

Using either one of your paint colors mixed with joint compound, (or even a new, coordinating color), use it to create a random Raised Plaster design over the surface. We have many, many Raised Plaster Stencil designs that are perfect for this technique. Simply click the link to the left.

Step 5

Once the stenciling is completely dry, apply a coat of non-yellowing, clear varnish mixed with just a hint of brown paint, over the entire wall to bring give the colors depth and to protect the surface. This also slightly "antiques" or ages the wall, resting in darker crevices formed in the plaster. It looks awesome!

Test the amount of brown paint you add to the varnish. Try only a few drops at a time until you achieve the color of weak tea. Try it out on a piece of white paper to test before apply over the wall surface.