“White walls are out and color is in,” says Jessica Kilpatrick, design specialist for Wagner Spray Tech, the painting experts. Faux finishing allows you to combine complementary colors to create a textured or dimensional effect and add character to any room.

“Faux finishes take color to a whole new level,” says Kilpatrick. Painting techniques such as sponging or rag rolling typically use two or more colors in combination. “Combining colors creates a wide variety of dimension and personalized effects,” she says. When selecting colors for faux finishing, the more dramatic the difference between the colors, the bigger the statement you’ll be making (think dark red and dark brown). Choosing color combinations where the colors are more similar to each other creates a more subtle effect (such as yellow and cream).

Hiring a professional painter to apply a faux finish to your room can cost thousands of dollars. But the good news is that this is a job homeowners can easily tackle themselves, especially with the right tools. For example, WallMagic from Wagner offers a wide variety of fast, easy and foolproof tools for faux finishing. Whether you’re interested in rag rolling, sponging, wool, textured paint or colorwash, WallMagic demystifies the process into an affordable weekend project that will transform your room.

Faux finishing requires no more preparation than any other home painting project; however, typical faux finish effects require multiple coats of paint, requiring dry time in between each coat, translating into days of work. WallMagic uses a patented dual roller approach that combines your colors on the wall all in one easy step, dramatically cutting painting time. Most kits include an instructional video with detailed step-by-step instructions and color selection guidance.

For rooms where you want to make a bold statement, use a strong solid color scheme like pure reds, blues and yellows. For a more mellow feeling, use cooler blues, greens and purples; they’ll provide subtle color that doesn’t overpower. If you want something neutral but updated, today’s shades of brown, beige, grey, white and taupe create a modern yet conservative look.

Once you’ve chosen your colors, the rest is easy. The WallMagic dual roller system includes a patented divided paint tray and a dual two-color roller. This allows you to simultaneously blend two or more colors onto the wall without smearing paint or overblending. “The dual roller does the work for you,” explains Kilpatrick. Simply pour a small amount of each color into the divided paint tray, load your dual roller, and start painting using a criss-cross arching motion. The dual roller is a foolproof way to create beautiful dimension without the mess, hassle and time. Edging is fast and easy and clean-up is a breeze. All roller covers are washable and reusable.

With a new faux finish and perhaps a few new accessories, you can update your room without spending a fortune. Look for WallMagic at most home center and paint stores, including Sherwin Williams, Lowe’s and Home Depot. For more information, visit www.wagnerspraytech.com or call (888) 925-6244 for expert advice on faux finishing.