The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, Faux Finishing & Decorative Arts 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 FauxbyKathy.
The best news of all? We are dedicated to helping you, the professional faux finisher, find the best products, services, classes and support.
Certified BOLDStone Trainer
Kathy Carroll is very honored to have become the very first “Certified Trainer” for BOLDStone. This certification allows her to be the only other person so far, other than BOLDStone President Fred Ricketts, that is able to train people to become Preferred BOLDStone Installers. Learning how to use BOLDStone is yet another way that you can enhance your business and expand your portfolio.
In order to receive her certification, Kathy had to go through several steps designed to ensure that she knew absolutely everything necessary about BOLDStone. She first attended a 2-day session that was offered in March. From there, she went on to learn from reading materials provided to her by the company and, after taking an extensive test, she spent an additional 3 days learning from Mr. Ricketts himself. The final piece to her certification was teaching a 2-day seminar herself, with Fred Ricketts as one of the seminar attendees.
During the seminar she was required to instruct and answer students questions, to make sure that she was fully ready to take on this responsibility. As evident in the following comments in a recent email that Kathy received from Mr. Rickets, she passed with flying colors. Mr. Rickets says of Kathy in his email “It was a pleasure working with you at the BOLDStone training seminar in California on July 8th and 9th. It does not happen everyday that I run across individuals like you. Your knowledge, enthusiasm, ethics, intellect, and artistic abilities have made you a desired, and wonderful, addition to the BOLDStone team.”
Intro to BOLDStone Pictures and Video
Take a look at what you can create with BOLDStone. Click on the pictures and video to learn more about why you need to add BOLDStone to your portfolio.
Why Become a BOLDStone Preferred Installer?
Now that Kathy Carroll has become a Certified BOLDStone Instructor, she will be offering classes at the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes. It is always the perfect time to add new techniques and materials to your portfolio, but you may be asking yourself, why should I become a BOLDStone Preferred Installer?
Becoming a Preferred Installer offers you the benefit of receiving leads for jobs in your area directly from BOLDStone. They will only refer these jobs to Preferred Installers to insure that they are sending the job to a capable and well-trained individual. BOLDStone also has an area on its website available to customers that lists their Preferred Installers, along with bio and contact information. In addition to this, Faux By Kathy will also have a BOLDStone area added to our site to list the same information for our Preferred Installers as well.
BOLDStone is an extremely versatile and cost effective option for your customers. The possibilities with this product are endless; it can be used on interiors, exteriors, floors, and much more either by spraying it or troweling it on. BOLDStone is 1/35th the weight of natural stone, takes 1/3 the time to apply it, and costs only 1/10th of natural stone.
BOLDStone is also a Green product. It is made using granite leftover from the mining process. Being composed of natural stone, it holds up to changing climate, weather, and wear and tear extremely well. As innovative as BOLDStone is, it is also a long-lived product. Although it has only been available in this country since 2005, it has been in use in Asia since 1945. This means they have had much more testing than most products currently on the market, adding an extra sense of security for both you and your client.
So Green, easy to use, affordable, and as Kathy says “Just plain cool.” Contact us today to learn more about becoming a BOLDStone Preferred Installer.
Our Clients Speak
ML Campbell saves the day with old Kitchen Cabinets refinish!
The townhouse is in DC and it 102 years old with 11' ceiling, incredible mouldings, skinny back staircases. I had beautiful marble subway tile installed a couple weeks ago along with a new stainless farm sink. Some new lighting and shades. The guys are a pleasure to work for, so that is way I go that extra mile for whatever work I do for them. The cabinets are custom oak and very plain. James hated them but considering the 3 floor renovation that will be taking place soon, he and Paul decided to paint them some how. So as you know ( and promised never to use again) I applied black oil thinned down and then removed it with steel wool. Then my painter sprayed the ML Campbell topcoat on. It dries very fast, he was able to complete 2 coats in just under 3 hours. He loves it and said he will never use oil sealer again and asked me yesterday to order 2 gallons for him for a job that is currently working on. Well let me say that it made all the difference in the world.
Unfortunately the carpenter couldn't make the time to install the new sink until after I finished painting, the ML held up great!! With all the banging and scrapping there were 2 little spots so I lighting sanding with 600 grit and with a small artist brush blended in the finish and Waah la.
Kathy thank you so much for helping me though out all all this and for your expert recommendations. Your on the money right. Now my pics aren't the greatest but I tried to take photos that show the luster of the finish, look next to the appliances and you can see the beautiful sheen from the ML.
I hope you like the photos
Elise
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.
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.
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”.
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Choosing a Faux Finishing School & Decorative Arts School
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
Kathy Carroll is very honored to have become the very first “Certified Trainer” for BOLDStone. This certification allows her to be the only other person so far, other than BOLDStone President Fred Ricketts, that is able to train people to become Preferred BOLDStone Installers. Learning how to use BOLDStone is yet another way that you can enhance your business and expand your portfolio.
The townhouse is in DC and it 102 years old with 11' ceiling, incredible mouldings, skinny back staircases. I had beautiful marble subway tile installed a couple weeks ago along with a new stainless farm sink. Some new lighting and shades. The guys are a pleasure to work for, so that is way I go that extra mile for whatever work I do for them. The cabinets are custom oak and very plain. James hated them but considering the 3 floor renovation that will be taking place soon, he and Paul decided to paint them some how. So as you know ( and promised never to use again) I applied black oil thinned down and then removed it with steel wool. Then my painter sprayed the ML Campbell topcoat on. It dries very fast, he was able to complete 2 coats in just under 3 hours. He loves it and said he will never use oil sealer again and asked me yesterday to order 2 gallons for him for a job that is currently working on. Well let me say that it made all the difference in the world. 
