A Brief History of Faux Finishes In recent years, faux finishes have enjoyed a huge resurgence in popularity. Derived from the French word "faux", meaning false, these finishes simulate many materials and surfaces that have been used in the construction of simple homes, to the colossal palaces and amphitheaters of times past. Not just a fad, faux finishes have been used for thousands of years when the original material was not available, too expensive, or its use was technically unfeasible.  A re-creation of a fresco  wall with embedded artwork Here we see an artist simulating a brick wall complete with grout  lines and discoloration of the bricks. Faux finishes can be used to recreate the walls of a centuries old Italian villa or to simulate a ten year old brick wall. In either case, attention to detail and proper technique is absolutely necessary to lend authenticity and believability to the project. A distressed faux  leather sample  with a gold  inlaid border Today's Master faux artisan can accurately recreate marbles, rare stone, fine woods, textiles, old world European plasters and textured wall finishes, along with a host of natural aging and distressing techniques. Designers, architects, and their clients currently specify these faux and designer (or fantasy) finishes in everything from their homes, estates, businesses, corporate offices, and hotels, to their aircraft and yachts.  Due to this exponential increase in demand, today's qualified faux and decorative finishers are in short supply and earn top commissions.