trompe l'oeil murals and specialist decoration U.K.

faux marble

Faux marble is a branch of specialist decoration in which the decorative artist emulates the appearance of marbles and semi-precious stone by means of painted effects. Marbling is a traditional paint finish and is one of a number of paint effects that have been used by specialist decorators for several centuries. We are marbling specialists and undertake work nationwide.

marbling links

 

faux marble characteristics

Faux marble tends to suggest, as does the real material, formality, grandeur, solidity, reliability, coolness, integrity and opulence. At its finest levels it is virtually indistinguishable from the real material, and justifies the appellation of trompe l'oeil marbleizing.

faux marbling paint effects in use

As a decorative paint effect, faux marbling can be used anywhere where the real material could be used, but ideally only where it would be used. This faux finish can usefully be employed where uniformity or the required colour is not available in the natural material, or where indeed a particular marble is quarried out. It is frequently employed to reduce costs especially with regard to columns or milled work. A useful paint effect to match extant marble in situ.

marbleizing paint effect as craft

Marbling is a traditional paint effect technique and form of decoration which along with gilding, relief decoration, scagliola and wood graining has been long recognized and appreciated. Faux marble at the better levels of craftsmanship is usually designated as faux marbre.

marble paint effect history

Very early examples of the marble paint effect can be seen in the murals of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Marble has always been respected as a beautiful and rare material with which to decorate the built environment. In relatively more recent times marbling work has been in use since the Renaissance as a decorative technique and as such has followed the methods and materials developed and used by fine artists. The techniques of faux marble arguably reached their peak in the mid nineteenth century with artist craftsman Thomas Kershaw who's panels of faux marble are on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.