|


The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, Faux Finishing School was established in 1998, and we have successfully trained hundreds of professional faux finishers. Many well known instructors have been trained by Kathy Carroll. Our integrity and dedication to using only the “best of the best” has made us a leader in the industry. We are proud to be an online resource for all faux finishers and aspiring professionals. We will be your one-stop shop for all things faux.
We are excited that you have decided to learn, or improve your skills in, the faux finishing process. We understand that choosing the right faux finishing school is important. You have probably spent hours or even days researching faux finishing schools, faux finish classes, studios and instructors. Faux finishing classes are proliferating throughout the country. As it gains in popularity, more faux finishing schools are launched every day. How do you, the prospective student, choose the right faux finishing classes for you? We give you all the information you need to make the right decision for you.
Additionally, we’ll help you select the best faux finishing tools and supplies through shopping at .
The best news of all? We are dedicated to helping you, the professional faux finisher, find the best products, services, classes and support.

Sign up now for our up-to-date, informative newsletter all about the business and products of Faux Finishing:

Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes
504 East St. Charles Rd,
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Toll Free: 800-797-4305
Phone: 630-653-2400
FAX: 630-653-4671
kcarroll@fauxbykathy.com |


2008
Faux Finishing Classes Registration


|
 |

Faux Finishing Newsletter
Recipes for Faux Finish Success
Helpful Links for Faux Finishing
Networking
Student Testimonials

In a recent article, “THE FOG SURROUNDING GREEN,” Fine Paints of Europe attempts to debunk the misinformation about paint and VOCs and the misconceptions surrounding so-called ‘green’ paint.
The U.S. Green Building Council (www.greenhomeguide.org) stated, “The air in our homes can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. One of the major culprits? Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that are released from paint, particleboard and other home-improvement products. Most major paint manufacturers now make low-VOC paints, and some offer zero-VOC paints.”
Statements like this have produced concern in our industry. How do we, as painting professionals, address our clients concerns? All VOCs are not created equally as is their environmental impact. Comparisons are also misleading.
Most of the environmental impact of waterborne coatings occurs before it is applied. “Most of the negative impact of paint occurs away from the point of application during the production phase of a coating. Homeowners and green consumers are shocked to learn that waterborne coatings typically require three to four times the smokestack energy input required to produce solventborne coatings.” It continues with, “It is a misrepresentation of mythic proportions to represent that zero VOC coatings will not harm the environment.”
The environmental impact of coatings is a complex scientific issue. If the energy required to produce low VOC coatings produces even more environmental damage than other alternatives, they cannot be expected to protect the environment. It is more accurate to represent low VOC coatings as a less-damaging alternative than as the ultimate solution.
The entire article may be found at http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/fog-surrounding-green.aspx. For information on the U.S. Green Building Council, please visit www.usgbc.org. For access to most recent technical supporting documents prepared by Air Resources Board, please visit: http://www.arb.ca.gov/coatings/arch/docs.
Faux Finishing Certification:
The Real Story!

What is certification in faux finishing? Every faux finishing school in the country will offer a Certificate upon completion of a professional faux finish class. A "certificate of completion", however, does not a Certified Faux Finisher make!
Certification or Mastery Programs in faux finishing, currently available in Europe only, take years of undying devotion. Unfortunately, “certification” in the United States, no matter how attractively packaged, is just a faux finish school certificate. It does not make one a “Certified Decorative Painter”. Get the Whole Story
 What do you need to know or ask to ensure that you have chosen
the best faux finishing instruction? Here is a list of issues you
should consder:
#1-
Amount and Quality of Support
#2 - Faux Finish Product
Lines
#3 - "Sell-ability" of Finishes
Taught
#4 -Complete
Business Classes
#5 - Number of
Students in Class
#6 - Professional
Quality Tools
#7 - Number of Faux Finishing Samples
#8 - Sample Boards Quality & Size
#9 - Extra
Perks and Discounts
#10 - Detailed Instruction
Manual
Get the detailed information!


Want to hire a talented and qualified faux finish professional? Learn
what you need to ask to make sure that your prospective Faux Finish Artisan
is
properly
trained and will give you the best quality faux painting work.
More > |
 |
Faux Finishing & Decorative Finishes Classes
Creative Rock Forming Workshops Coming To Chicago Institute of Fine Finish’s a Faux Finishing and Decorative Arts School

• Want something new to Diversify your Faux Finishing Portfolio?
• Want to Add Decorative Concrete to your Decorative Finishing Skill set?
• Want to Do Something very Different with Vertical Concrete?
CIFF has The Decorative Concrete Class for you!!
Nathan Giffin, master of hand carved decorative concrete, is coming to Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes. Faux finishing and decorative painting professionals will learn how to sculpt and carve vertical concrete with his innovative methods, tools and materials. This is one of the newest techniques to improve your faux business bottom line.
Benefits
• Participate in the first class of Creative Rock Forming
• Ground floor opportunity with a completely innovative and new artform
• Be the first to offer Creative Rock Forming to your clients
Durability
• Same as concrete with lightweight aggregates allowing it to be manipulated and formed with simple tools
Flexibility
• The artist gets to control the medium
• Can go anywhere
Possibilities
• Can be applied to virtually any vertical surface
• Interior or exterior
• Wine cellar, den, theme room, pillar, archway, columns
His Students Say:
"Nathan not only 'perfects' the methods and techniques he teaches personally; he is passionate about seeing his client's (student’s) succeed.”
- David Rawls, CA.
"Excellent opportunity to advance your vertical carving skill and see how other first generation carvers are doing.”
- Tom Musto
www.TommyRockInc.com
"Nathan’s class was awesome."
- Eric Kelly
www.ClevelandRockandTile.com
For more information on Nathan Giffin and Creative Rock Forming, visit the website at www.verticalartisans.com.
Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, Faux Finish and Faux Painting School is an independent school for faux and decorative painting technique instruction in mid-America. Lead by Kathy Carroll, the decorative painting classes and faux painting workshops are designed for all levels of experience–beginner, DIYer, and professional faux painters. CIFF carries a wide array of professional decorative, faux finish and Venetian plaster products and tools.
For new classes, see our workshop schedule. Check out Learn Faux Now, the Web’s first faux finishing technique training classes where you can work in your home at your own pace with products and boards included.
What Faux Finish Classes Do We Offer?
What classes are offered in 2008?
View 2008 Class Calendar
Accommodations & Attractions
When You Get Here..
Faux Finish Student Testimonials
Faux Finishing Lingo.. What's that?
How to Choose a Faux Finish School
20 Questions you MUST ask a Prospective
Faux Finishing School

Below is a list of our faux painting
classes. Click on More Available Course for links to faux finishing course descriptions.
8/21/08-
8/23/08 |
Creative Rock Forming |
9/8/08-
9/10/08 |
Jump Start Your Business |
9/14/08-
9/21/08 |
Oikos Training in Italy |
9/25/08-
9/27/08 |
Professional Update |
10/1/08-
10/3/08 |
Elements of Venetian Plaster |
10/13/08-
10/16/08 |
Kitchen Cabinets and Classic Furniture Finishes |
10/27/08-
10/29/08 |
Flooring and Countertop Renovation! |
11/5/08-
11/7/08 |
Professional Wall Finishes |
11/19/08-
11/21/08 |
Bella with Flair |
12/1/08-
12/3/08 |
Jump Start Your |
| More Available Courses > |
|