Art of Upscale: How We Treat Bad Walls for Big Glam
Our Creative Process: Where Every Wall Begins Its Glow-Up
Before a wall becomes a vibe, before a ceiling becomes a mood, and long before your friends say, “Wait, why does this room feel expensive?” There’s our creative process.
It’s simple. It’s strategic. It’s deliciously design-nerdy:
Choose the color. Choose the finish. Approve the sample.
This is the moment where inspiration meets intention. Your vision gets translated into swatches, textures, and tiny sample boards that hint at their full-size destiny. Consider it the haute couture fitting phase—except for walls. Once you say yes, the transformation begins and we treat bad walls for big glam.
Created for JG Color Studio with Midjourney 
Team Photo by John Dole
Gilding Walls: The Drama, The Glow, The Gold!
First, if your space is begging for a little “main character energy,” gilding is the answer. Using delicate sheets of real gold, copper, or silver leaf, we bring an ultra-luxurious, luminous depth to anything from walls to ceilings to cabinetry that really wants its moment.
We meticulously prep the surface, brush on adhesive sizing, hand-lay the metal leaf (no blinking allowed), and finish with multiple clear coats for protection and that signature glow.
Customization: From bold yellow gold to soft champagne, warm copper, or cool silver—with the option to polish, distress, or glaze—we tailor your shimmer to match your space’s personality.
Applications: Statement walls, fireplace surrounds, glamorous niches, high-impact ceilings, or small details that deserve star treatment.
Investment: $8–$15 per sq. ft. depending on metal and finish. Small price, big sparkle.
Limewash: The Best Soft-Focus Way We Treat Bad Walls
Next Up: Limewash is the “quiet luxury” of finishes: earthy, atmospheric, and effortlessly editorial. Made from slaked lime and mineral pigments, it gives walls a velvety, organic depth that shifts with the light like a living surface.
We fully prep and prime, roll on a smooth base, then hand-brush two coats of lime wash to create those cloud-like layers designers swoon over. Finally, a protective seal preserves its matte, mineral personality.
Customization: Think chalky whites, soft stone neutrals, stormy charcoal, faded terracotta & earth-driven tones that feel timeless.
Applications: Bedrooms, living rooms, feature walls, ceilings—anywhere that deserves a natural, soulful ambiance.
Investment: Approximately $10 per sq. ft.
Faux Wash: The Limewash Look, With Extra Flexibility
Already want the romance of limewash without the mineral-based commitment? Enter the faux wash. Think of it as limewash’s glam, low-maintenance cousin. Using tinted glazes or diluted paints, we layer and blend to mimic the movement and softness of mineral wash—but with more control over color, coverage, and sheen.
We start with a solid base coat, then apply translucent glazes with brushes, sponges, or rags until the wall feels layered, nuanced, and deliciously dimensional.
Customization: Subtle neutrals, bold contrasts, tonal softness, moody ambiance—limitless palettes for any design direction.
Applications: Accent walls, entryways, contemporary ceilings—perfect when you want the look but need ultimate flexibility.
Investment: $8–$10 per sq. ft. A budget-friendlier beauty.
Custom Murals: For When a Wall Wants to Tell a Story
If a wall could dream, it would dream of becoming a mural. Hand-painted, bespoke, and created to scale, our murals turn interiors into narrative-driven art installations.
After prepping, priming, and base-coating, we provide concept mock-ups so you know exactly what magic is coming. Then our artists hand-render your design—precision, passion, and painterly magic included.
Customization: Abstract color fields, botanical motifs, whimsical children’s scenes, trompe-l’œil illusions, branding statements—if you can imagine it, we can paint it.
Applications: Restaurants, lobbies, offices, playrooms, bedrooms, accent walls—anywhere craving a one-of-a-kind statement.
Investment: $30–$50 per sq. ft. based on detail and complexity.
Plasters: The Textured Titans of Modern Design
Plaster finishes continue to dominate the 2026 design world: bringing depth, touchability, and artisanal energy to otherwise flat surfaces. We offer three sculptural favorites:
Concrete Plaster
Industrial, clean-lined, and effortlessly cool. After full prep, we apply PVC and quartz primers, then two hand-troweled coats for that signature modern minimalism.
Investment: $15–$18 per sq. ft.
Created for JG Color Studio with Midjourney
Marmorino Finish Plaster
Soft, stone-inspired elegance with a matte, organic finish. Three hand-troweled coats over a quartz undercoat give it depth without sheen.
Investment: $16 per sq. ft.
Venetian Plaster
The classic. Layered, smooth, and marble-like with subtle movement. Optional wax sealing adds durability and a satin glow—mica powders optional for that 2026 “quiet sparkle.”
Investment: Custom pricing based on finish.
American Clay: The Natural Luxe Upgrade
Lastly, Our favorite! Sustainable. Breathable. Warm. Textural. Architecturally magnetic. American Clay is the finish that wins both hearts and awards, thanks to its blend of natural clay, sand, and pigments that create a tactile, earthy, wellness-forward surface.
We prep and prime, then trowel multiple layers of clay, each blended and polished by hand. The result? A finish that feels alive—softly textured, naturally matte, and comfortable in any style, from wabi-sabi minimalism to organic modern to rustic luxe.
It regulates humidity, improves indoor air quality, and ages gracefully: like a linen shirt or a good Bordeaux.
Customization: Earthy ochres, grounding terracottas, cozy neutrals, sun-washed tones. Smooth, refined, or softly textured—it’s all up to your vision.
Applications: Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, wellness spaces, sustainable commercial projects—anywhere deserving of beauty with a conscience.
Investment:$12–$20 per sq. ft. depending on texture and tone.
Plaster finishes continue to dominate the 2026 design world—bringing depth, touchability, and artisanal energy to otherwise flat surfaces. We offer three sculptural favorites:
Tahona – American Clay & Design by JG Color Studio 
Juice Hut – American Clay & Design by JG Color Studio
Your Walls Are About to be the Main Character and we couldn’t be happier for you!
Whether you’re team gilded glam, team mineral matte, team mural magic, or firmly in the American Clay fan club (same)—each finish brings its own narrative, texture, and room-altering superpower.
Color is the emotion. Finish is the personality. Together, they create spaces that feel bespoke, intentional, and unmistakably you.
Ready to see your walls step into their 2026 era?
We’re ready when you are.
Do you want to help this season? Book a color consult virtually here or email jen@jgcolor.com to book your in person appointment.
Let's go Glam. Talk soon! -JG
We are looking forward to adding color to your life!
Painting soon? Read all about it in our Zero VOC Hero blog…
