Faux finishes

Now that my hall project is nearing completion I have been sitting admiring the almost completed decor. One thing that does strike me is the number of fake or faux finishes I have used and which are typical of Victorian decor. Let me create a small list.

• Doors - grained to look like mahogany (also window frames).
• Dado panels - anaglypta painted and finished to look like old leather.
• Stairs - finished to look like veined marble.
• Frieze - lincrusta designed to look like a plaster frieze.
• Ballusters - cast iron painted in gold.
• Oriental carpet - Axminister made in England.
  

The Victorians were masters of making cheap materials look expensive and why not. While no-one will be totally fooled the result is strikingly rich and opulent.