Decor, DIY

Faux wood painting + colorful DIY art

I learned a new technique for faux wood painting! It’s only two steps and I was truly astonished by the result! It’s such a pretty, raw wood tone. I want to do this to everything in my house now! After the frames turned out so well, I turned to Instagram and TikTok to vote on what art I should paint inside. Here’s a look at the before and after:

Easy faux wood painting and DIY colorful art -before and after

This is the only before photo I have of what the frames looked like when I bought them at the thrift store. Actually its just a screen shot from Instagram stories! But you can still see how different the look is. The frames were a little beat up, but that actually worked out great for the distressed look I was going for.

Faux wood painting

First we’ll start with this technique that can make anything look like wood! Can you believe this actually painted?

2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art

I learned the faux wood painting from Natalie at My Vinage Porch. Her blog is loaded with painting tutorials and ideas to flip furniture and art. (I’m a fan girl so the day she followed me on Instagram was VERY exciting. She’s such a genuinely nice person too.)

2 step faux wood painting
These are the only two products I used for this quick project.

1. Paint the frame

I painted these thrifted frames Behr Burnished Clay in flat finish, like Natalie suggested.

2 step faux wood painting - now I want to do this on everything!
2 step faux wood painting - now I want to do this on everything!

2. Apply antiquing wax

After the frames were dry, I applied Dark Vintage Antiquing Wax with a cloth. That’s it! I couldn’t believe it. I just kept staring at them! It’s magic, I tell you.

2 step faux wood painting
2 step faux wood painting - antiquing wax
2 step faux wood painting - now I want to do this on everything!
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art - easy art ideas

The more texture from the painting with the flat paint or dings and scratches from a previous life, the more character the wood will have.

FAQ

I got quite a few questions on social media about doing this on laminate or a table top or even a door. The answer is: I don’t know yet! I’m just now experimenting with this. BUT I’ve decided to do this to my nightstands in September, so I’ll report back with the details.

The frames will scratch if I run my nail across them because they were painted in high gloss black paint previously. So when I do the nightstands I will: 1) lightly sand, 2) paint with bonding primer, 3) paint with burnished clay, 4) rub in the antiquing wax and possibly 5) use a flat polycrylic on top. But I’ll do a full tutorial and show the results next month.


Simple DIY art

Faux wood painted frame and simple colorful DIY art

I selected five pieces of art to use as my inspiration and asked followers on TikTok and Instagram to vote! The same piece won on both platforms and it wasn’t even close. Here’s the video if you want to see what the other options were:

@housemixblog

Which one would you choose? ##diyproject ##diyhome ##artideas ##interiordesigntiktok ##homedecoronabudget

♬ talking to the moon sickmix – Sickickmusic

I think I liked option three best too! I picked up a few bottles of acrylic paint and got to work. It took no time at all. As one person commented on TikTok, “Lines? I can do that!” I don’t think she meant it in a friendly way, but that’s exactly the point! Anyone can do it. Believe me, I’m no artist. Oh TikTok, how you’ve strengthened my character, haha!

Acrylic paint DIY art ideas - warm coral neutral color palette
Simple colorful DIY art ideas

I chose a color palette of beige, blush, mustardy brown and a stroke of charcoal. I stuck with warm tones though. I added in a sage when I was practicing and didn’t like it, but pick whatever palette works best for you. Cool tones would be pretty too.

Simple colorful DIY art ideas

There’s just one suggestion: Use a bigger paint brush that you think. This will create bigger, more dramatic strokes. It’s also a good idea to use different widths of brushes to create variation.

2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art
2 step faux wood painting + simple DIY colorful art

I’m really pleased with these. The colors blend in so well to the rest of my decor. I’m realizing that I have a LOT of pink in my house at the moment. My husband doesn’t say much about it, but I think I might be pushing it a little bit, haha! Most of my pink accents are easy to change out — picture frames, pillows and such. Well, except for that blush heron mural I just put up. 😬

2 thoughts on “Faux wood painting + colorful DIY art

  1. CÔNG TY DỊCH VỤ THƯƠNG MẠI PHẠM HÙNG

    GẠCH MEN HÙNG PHÁT chuyên phân phối Gạch Amygres, gạch cao cấp, gạch giá rẻ tại Thủ Đức và TpHCM Gạch cao cấp giá rẻ Hùng Phát là đơn vị uy tín phân phối sỉ lẻ gạch giá tại kho

    Cửa hàng: Kiot 8, 742 Lũy Bán Bích, P. Tân Thành, Q. Tân Phú, TP.HCM

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    website : gạch lát nền Hùng Phát

  2. This is great! I’m going to try your suggestion on my bathroom vanity. I’ll sand, prime, and seal after the wax. I’m excited it looks so easy!

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