The words "faux finish" tend to trigger flashbacks to the 1990s — sponge-painting in mauve and hunter green, rag-rolling in rental apartments, and ragged stippling that looked worse than flat paint. Modern decorative finishes are something entirely different, and the distinction deserves clarity.
What "Faux Finish" Actually Means Today
In contemporary usage, faux finish refers to any decorative painting or plaster technique that creates the appearance of a different material — stone, leather, concrete, linen, aged plaster — on a flat wall surface. When executed by skilled applicators with quality materials, these finishes are genuinely beautiful and completely appropriate for premium New York City apartments.
Finishes Worth Considering
Venetian Plaster and Marmorino
Not technically faux but often categorized with decorative finishes. These polished lime plasters create the appearance of marble and stone with extraordinary authenticity. Appropriate for any residential or commercial space seeking luxury and permanence.
Linen and Fabric Effects
Applied with specially formulated paints and textured rollers or combing tools, linen effects create a soft, woven texture on walls that reads as warm and refined. Particularly effective in dining rooms and bedrooms. Cost: $8 to $12 per square foot.
Color Wash and Glaze
A translucent glaze applied over a base coat and manipulated while wet creates a subtle, layered color effect. Much softer than sponging, much more sophisticated-looking. Appropriate for spaces where clients want texture and depth without the commitment of a full decorative finish. Cost: $6 to $10 per square foot.
Concrete and Industrial Effects
Beyond microcement, there are paint-based concrete effects that create convincing industrial finishes at a lower cost. These use textured paints, glazes, and careful color layering to simulate concrete or raw plaster. They're not as durable or authentic as real microcement, but at half the cost they're worth considering for lower-traffic areas. Cost: $10 to $16 per square foot.
Metallic and Pearl Finishes
Metallic paint effects — gold, bronze, copper, silver — can be extraordinarily beautiful when used as accent treatments. A single metallic accent wall in a dining room, a metallic ceiling in a powder room, or a bronze-finish detail in an entryway creates enormous visual impact. The key is restraint — one metallic element per space, maximum. Cost: $10 to $18 per square foot.
What to Avoid
Sponging (yes, it's still being done). Rag-rolling. Stenciling over flat paint. Color-blocking with sharp edges on imperfect walls. Any finish that requires pretending the wall surface is better than it is. The best decorative finishes work with the wall's character, not against it.