This grain-painted door is in the 1850 Greek Revival style Farnsworth House in Rockland, Maine. Owned by the Farnsworth Museum, the house is an intact example of an upper middle-class home with its original furnishings. You can take a virtual 3-D tour of the house by photographer David Clough here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=uxw11ibMupw
Decorative paint treatments, including faux finishes, were widely used in the Victorian era to mimic more expensive materials – chestnut wood in this case. The enlarged detail at right shows the skill of the decorative painter who created this effect.
In many houses, historic faux finishes have been painted over but remain under to paint. Such finishes can be recreated by a decorative painter, or a homeowner willing to learn the techniques required.
Paint graining can also be used to restore the character of wood that was originally stained and varnished but later painted over. Stripping the paint and refinishing the wood is not always possible but a talented decorative painter can make it look like you did.
Decorative paint finishes are discussed in Chapter 18 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online bookshop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
The classic volume on identifying historic house styles, “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester, is also available in our shop.
“Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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