Stippling, Glazing, Tiffany Blending, and Mottling Decorative Finishes

There are a number of decorative finishes which mayand cobalt blue. While the flatting oil is still wet apply
be obtained on painted surfaces. They are frequentlythe colors here and there. With a wad of
used on walls to furnish variation in long, uniformcheesecloth, blend the colors into each other with a
stretches, which many people find monotonous.circular motion. Stipple the work, taking care not to
These finishing methods lend themselves, by minorsmear the colors.
variations and, in some cases, by combining one orWipe out highlights here and there to permit the
more of them, to the production of a great manyground color to show through. A rich blend is the
possible effects on painted surfaces. This article willresult of this finish. None of the colors should be so
discuss stippling, glazing, tiffany blending, mottlingstrong as to predominate. The effect should be that
(crumpled roll), and mottling (sponge).of a refined, rich blend of equal tones. This type of
Stippling consists merely of tapping the freshlyglazing looks beautiful in a bathroom with frameless
painted wall with a stippling brush. The effectshower doors and combination shower/bathtub
produced is a uniform surface, with small pores allshower doors. White porcelain shower trays are ideal
over it. All brush marks are removed by the stippling.to match. Mottling (crumpled roll) is an excellent
This effect goes nicely in a public steam showermethod for producing soft, mottled effects.
room or a bathroom with a steam shower. EitherThe colors used should differ sufficiently to offer a
that, or seek a steam shower design that matchespleasing contrast. One of these colors must be dark,
the theme that you already have. Glazing is a methodand the other, light, or a dark shade and a light shade
of decoration which yields rich, deep tones. Itof the same color may be used. After the two
subdues and softens sharp colors while blending thecolors desired have been obtained, they are wetted
finished appearance of walls and woodwork.with turpentine, and blended into a paint made
Glazing is accomplished by the application to the dry,according to the following formula: white lead (25 lbs),
finished paint (allow at least 48 hours for dryingvarnish (1/4 pt), turpentine (1/2 gal), and Japan drier
before glazing) of a semi-transparent stain or glaze,(1/8 pt). Then paint a section of wall just large
composed of flatting oil and oil colors. Spread theenough so that it can conveniently be finished, while
stain evenly and then, with the stippling brush, stipplestill wet, by the following process:
the work to produce a uniform surface. Follow byRoll a double sheet of old newspaper tightly into a
wiping the center of the panel with a wad of cleanlong wad. Start at the top of the painted surface and
cheesecloth. Blend the work so that the stain will beroll the paper diagonally downward over the freshly
graduated in depth from a light center to a deeperpainted section, turning the paper with the fingers,
tone at the outer edges.and pressing firmly against the wall. The paper is
The general effect should be that of a gradual fadingrolled diagonally to avoid forming a line, where the
of the color towards the center. Moldings are coatedadjacent roll is made. Do all touching up while the
with the stain and stippled. They are then wiped topaint is wet. The beautiful paint job looks excellent on
produce highlights, which are obtained by wiping thethe inside of spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi enclosures
top parts, leaving the stain in the recesses. This typeIn mottling (sponge), the paint is prepared in the
of finish is good for mock antique bathroom vanities,same way as for crumpled roll mottling. The
or rich and worn vintage bathroom vanities with adifference is in the mottling operation, which is done
set of matching bathroom cabinets.as follows: Tap the flat part of a sponge, which has
The Tiffany blend is also a glaze finish. Three orbeen softened in water and squeezed out
more colors are used to produce the effect. Over anthoroughly, into the mottling paint and tap the wall
ivory colored ground which has thoroughly dried,with it in an irregular manner. This finish may be done
brush a coat of flatting oil covering an area not morein numerous paints, using a different sponge for each
than 2yds square. Mix each of the glazing colorscolor. This permits a very wide choice in color effects
separately, using raw sienna, raw umber, rose pink,and combinations.