Funky Faux Finishes
| The Finishing Touches |
| The Grand Forks Herald, April 30th, 2006 |
| By Ann Bailey |
From left to right: Sherry Funk sits in her home's sun room with her Himalayan Cat "Mr. Pants".
Funk, owner of Funky Faux Finishes, in Grand Forks, used a block pattern finish on the sun room
wall. Sherry Funk used a plastered stencil faux finish on her home's family room. (Photos: Ann
Bailey)
Funk, owner of Funky Faux Finishes, in Grand Forks, used a block pattern finish on the sun room
wall. Sherry Funk used a plastered stencil faux finish on her home's family room. (Photos: Ann
Bailey)
| This article was featured in the Grand Forks Herald, Sunday, April 30th, 2006. It was showcased in their special Home Improvement edition on the front page of the paper. |
Grand Forks woman uses her creative side on walls
By Ann Bailey, Niche Team Writer
For Sherry Funk, a wall isn't complete until it is finished.
The Grand Forks artist specializes in creating multiple faux finishes including brick, tile, or marble. The
Finishes can be applied on surfaces including walls, floors, furniture and cabinets.
Funk, owner of "Funky Faux Finishes," began dabbling in rag rolling and sponging on the walls of her home
about 10 years ago, then began creating her own finishing techniques.
"Before I knew it, I was asked to do it in other people's homes," she says. their interest in her work
encouraged her to go a step further and start a business.
"I started traveling all across the country to learn finishes and techniques."
Faux- which means false in French- are finishes that mimic one another. Funk can create finishes that
look like wallpaper, brick and glaze. The finishes in Funk's own home which include a "brick" wall and
"tile" floor look so real that running a hand across the surfaces is the only way to discern that they are
faux.
Creating the finishes takes time, proper technique and patience.
"You're mixing your own colors, your own glazes. Sometimes I've got my drills out and I'm mixing plasters
and different recipes at home."
"You really have to be trained in the materials you are using," Funk says, "I don't think there's a single
finish you can do that doesn't have three layers or more."
"Depending on the number of finishes that need to be applied, the job can take up to three weeks, she
says. That takes both persistence and endurance on her part.
"It's not glamorous in the least, but when you're done and see the beauty of it, it's a wonderful feeling of
accomplishment."
One of Funk's biggest challenges is to walk into a room that has several shades of the same color and
figure out the one that will pull everything together, she says.
Although she doesn't consider herself an interior decorator, she does believe she has an eye for
knowing what will work.
"I've always been a little right-brained. I'm very strong in color, style and design." She can be the most
creative when she can apply her finish on walls that are brand new, she says.
"I'm really happy when people call me when they're just building. If a wall is already textured you're
really limited in what you can do for them."
Still, Funk does tackle jobs in older homes. She suggests that homeowners who are planning to have
faux finish applied on their homes plan ahead because her materials must be ordered.
The variety is one of the things she likes best about her work.
"Every job is different." Meanwhile, she also gets satisfaction from creating a finish that will please her
clients.
"It is a real sense of accomplishment when you're done because you're creating something that others
will enjoy for years to come."
By Ann Bailey, Niche Team Writer
For Sherry Funk, a wall isn't complete until it is finished.
The Grand Forks artist specializes in creating multiple faux finishes including brick, tile, or marble. The
Finishes can be applied on surfaces including walls, floors, furniture and cabinets.
Funk, owner of "Funky Faux Finishes," began dabbling in rag rolling and sponging on the walls of her home
about 10 years ago, then began creating her own finishing techniques.
"Before I knew it, I was asked to do it in other people's homes," she says. their interest in her work
encouraged her to go a step further and start a business.
"I started traveling all across the country to learn finishes and techniques."
Faux- which means false in French- are finishes that mimic one another. Funk can create finishes that
look like wallpaper, brick and glaze. The finishes in Funk's own home which include a "brick" wall and
"tile" floor look so real that running a hand across the surfaces is the only way to discern that they are
faux.
Creating the finishes takes time, proper technique and patience.
"You're mixing your own colors, your own glazes. Sometimes I've got my drills out and I'm mixing plasters
and different recipes at home."
"You really have to be trained in the materials you are using," Funk says, "I don't think there's a single
finish you can do that doesn't have three layers or more."
"Depending on the number of finishes that need to be applied, the job can take up to three weeks, she
says. That takes both persistence and endurance on her part.
"It's not glamorous in the least, but when you're done and see the beauty of it, it's a wonderful feeling of
accomplishment."
One of Funk's biggest challenges is to walk into a room that has several shades of the same color and
figure out the one that will pull everything together, she says.
Although she doesn't consider herself an interior decorator, she does believe she has an eye for
knowing what will work.
"I've always been a little right-brained. I'm very strong in color, style and design." She can be the most
creative when she can apply her finish on walls that are brand new, she says.
"I'm really happy when people call me when they're just building. If a wall is already textured you're
really limited in what you can do for them."
Still, Funk does tackle jobs in older homes. She suggests that homeowners who are planning to have
faux finish applied on their homes plan ahead because her materials must be ordered.
The variety is one of the things she likes best about her work.
"Every job is different." Meanwhile, she also gets satisfaction from creating a finish that will please her
clients.
"It is a real sense of accomplishment when you're done because you're creating something that others
will enjoy for years to come."