Due in large part to its soft, malleable makeup, suede has long been renowned as one of the most popular types of leather used to manufacture jackets, footwear, shirts, handbags, and even furniture.
Traditionally made from the underside of animal skins, suede tends to be more delicate and pliable than comparative rawhide materials but it’s this unique texture that has made it one of the most appealing fabrics in the entire world.
As such, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to find out that suede has also been gaining steam within the home improvement community, namely with regard to alternative paint finishes and decorative textures. When applied properly, brushed suede paint is able to add a distinctive depth to your property and effect an aura of warmth and luxury in any room. Arguably, the biggest advantage of a faux suede finish is that you don’t have to exhaust a lot of time and resources to complete the project. Just adhere to the step-by-step process highlighted below.
Step One: Section Off and Protect the Area
Regardless of whether you’re painting on wallboard, plaster, wood, masonry, or brick, you’ll want to tape off your target area with a professional painter’s tape. In this regard, make sure that the tape is firmly pressed down around any moldings, ridges, and corners and be sure to lay down some old towels or sheets near the base of the wall to protect your floors.
Step Two: Utilize a Nap Roller to Start Covering the Surface
When applying the first coat of paint, you should work in three-foot sections and begin the application process in a “W” motion. After creating the first “W,” you can fill in the remaining blank spaces with the roller before moving on to the next three-foot section.
Step Three: Cover the Surface from Floor to Ceiling
After covering the entire area with the “W” approach, you’ll have to roll an additional coat of paint from floor to ceiling in order to establish a smooth, uniform finish and even out any remaining marks. After this second application, allow the surface to dry for four to six hours and repeat the process for a total of three initial coats.
Step Four: Grab a Standard Brush and Begin Implementing the Suede Effect
While the third coat of paint is still wet, begin applying light pressure to the surface in a sequential series of overlapping “X”s and stipples. You can begin with large, 12-inch “X”s and then switch over to smaller, five-inch “X”s to create a consistent visage. Feel free to use both the broad and narrow sections of the brush to establish the refined, suede-like variations in the texture.
Some decorators recommend dabbing the wet coat with a folded cloth but this approach can leave small threads, filaments, and fibers in the paint, which makes the final finish look sloppy and amateurish. A concentrated stippling application with the “X” strategy, on the other hand, has been proven to effect the ideal suede façade without any superfluous imperfections.
There you have it: an introductory guide to creating a brushed suede faux finish!
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
