How To Make Faux Bois Concrete Furniture

Create a faux wood grain with paint.

How to make faux bois concrete furniture.

This project is inspired by the very old art form over 150 years old of faux bois which means fake wood in french. Faux bois is an artistic imitation of wood usually made with concrete. Starting with simple steel rebar and hi tech cement mixes i take inspiration from the natural world around me and create lasting faux bois furniture that appears to have grown in place by the unseen hand of nature. Spruce up forgettable furnishings or bare walls with the faux bois technique which results in paint that looks just like wood.

Faux bois was most popular in the late 19th century and a good portion of it has dissappeared because of the passing of its select few experts in the art. To see her work please visit the gallery. Diane husson designs and creates original contemporary concrete faux bois furniture. In some parts of the united states and mexico faux bois may also be referred to as el trabajo rustico.

I amassed quite an assortment of early 20th century concrete faux bois furniture after i bought my house in maine more than a decade ago. Concrete faux bois up cycled chair. I thought that using this heavy unusual rustic artisanal furniture would add a touch of whimsy to the rather formal arrangements of the mostly english antiques found throughout the house. I have been working with concrete in many unique ways rather than the typical pour in a mold ways so this was just perfect to pu.

The history of three dimensional faux bois dates back to 19th century france when stoneworkers used a technique called ferrocement to create furniture planters and decorative structures from rebar wire mesh frames and concrete.