Shimmering Metallics Dress Up Interiors

A rainbow of metallic colors and finishes are among the hottest trends for interior surfaces. Walls, ceilings and woodwork can all be enhanced with the shimmer of metallic and pearlescent paints. The look can dress up a room in a traditional style or can be used in a less formal transitional or contemporary setting as well. “Metallics are only as good as the color of the underpainting,” says Stephanie Mesner of Arteriors. Arteriors specializes in decorative, handpainted fine art murals and faux finishes.

“Metallic paints are made out of mica rather than metal now,” Mesner explains. “They can be used in waterbased paints.” The colors most often used are golds, bronzes, antique bronzes, silvers, chrome and pearl. All of the finishes are custom and mixed by the artist, Amiel Mesner, Stephanie’s husband and business partner.  Coincidentally, Ami’s father was an artist who wanted to learn how to make paints himself and became a paint chemist.

(Photograph by K. Moser, Encore Construction)

The Mesners demonstrated some of their painting techniques at Encore Construction’s Sudbury, MA showroom during a program devoted to Scandinavian design. A hallmark of Scandinavian design is the use of lighter colors to ward off the long winter months. In the photograph, the Mesners used a slate gray with cool blue undertones as the color beneath with the pearl finish on top. Ami first showed how to sponge an effect over the painted wall. Then, using a special tool, created a cross-hatch textured effect. Another technique the Mesners use is stenciling a darker metallic over a lighter finish. Many stencil patterns, techniques and colors suit the iridescent and pearlescent paints.

Walls are not the only surface to benefit from shimmering metallics. Ceilings are often the focal point for decorative and faux painting. Whether in a contrasting or complementary color and finish, painted ceilings are growing in popularity in the United States. Scandanavian homes often feature interesting ceiling colors and patterns. Update any space by bringing metallics and pearlescent paints into the decor.