Tuesday, 18 March 2014

Verdigris Patina For Exterior And Interior Projects

By Jaclyn Hurley


The beautiful blues and greens of the verdigris patina found on various metals left out in the elements have become quite popular for use in building design, landscaping and home decorating. While the naturally occurring process may take some time, there are various ways to speed things up. However, some interior design projects may be better suited for a faux finish that mimics this patina.

Verdigris refers to the color and texture that often forms on the surface of metals such as copper, brass or bronze. Its greenish color has rust-colored spots or blue flecks throughout. The Statue of Liberty is probably the most well-known example of this patina. Many visitors to the statue are surprised that its vivid colors have occurred through a natural process and that it has not been painted.

Exposure to air or seawater is most often the cause of this occurrence. It is produced through chemical processes such as oxidation. It sometimes takes years for the color to develop, but this largely depends on if the area is urban or industrial as well as which elements are naturally occurring.

This patina has varying shades of beautiful rust, blue and green colors, which have become popular with landscapers, building designers and interior decorators. Developing this finish by exposing metals to the elements takes time. However, landscapers and building designers can factor this process into their project planning. Interior decorators may not have this luxury, as they typically use elements not suitable for outdoor exposure. For these applications, other methods to speed up the process or mimic the desired look may be more appropriate.

The verdigris finish has become more visible in today's interior design trends. It adds a vibrant punch of color when working with the rustic elements many homeowners are looking for. Fortunately, designers have the options of using an artificial method to speed up the process or creating a faux finish.

Most artificial methods use only simple household ingredients, such as salt, white vinegar and dish soap. However, there are likely many variations that would result in a suitable verdigris finish. Smaller pieces used throughout the home, such as planters, lamp bases and picture frames, would be perfect for this type of treatment.

For large areas and for those pieces that are not made from metal, a faux finish may be the best way to achieve the desired look. Craft centers and home improvement stores would be the best places to find a kit that contain supplies for creating a verdigris finish. However, the desired effect can also be achieved using basic paints in shades of green, blue and metallic rust colors. This type of finish is best for accent walls, kitchen cabinets and even headboards.

The trend for using metals in home decorating continues to grow. Incorporating this finish into exterior or interior design projects is an easy way to add a bit of color that has a rustic flare. Deciding on which method to use would depend on the application and the size of the piece.




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