Pro Faux

Setting the standards for decorative finishing with products and services.

Since 1990, Pro Faux has worked with students, colleagues, and manufacturers to set the standards for Decorative Finishing in the United States.

Greg Frohnapfel, Pro Faux’s Artistic Director, is a graduate of the London, England-based Pardon School of Specialist Decoration. He has been an interior design artist since 1974. John Catalanotto, Pro Faux’s Business Manager, has an extensive background in business and faux finishing.

Pro Faux has conducted 1000’s of workshops, seminars and commissions around the world. Their efforts have served as a catalyst for the resurgence of faux finishing in the United States. Through their teaching and consultation with decorative product manufacturers, they hope to maintain a high standard of custom decorative finishing in the United States. The Pro Faux Store now offers essential products for decorative artists for sale at their online store including ProFaux brand glazing liquids, primers, pigments, plasters, and varnishes.

The Ancient Art of Faux Finishing
Believe it or not, archaeologists have uncovered marbleized Mycenaean pottery dating as far back as 2200 BC. Additional techniques such as wood graining, Trompe L’Oeil and glazing found their way into Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations on wall murals, furniture and accessories. The Europeans developed faux finishing through a Guild System-skills were handed from Master Painter to Journeyman to Apprentice. Each passed skills to the next until, eventually, the apprentice became the Master Painter and the cycle began again. During the early 20th century many advanced marbling and graining techniques came into focus, as well as the development of specialty tools, glazes and methods. Today, faux finishing is enjoying a glorious renaissance and can be found in many fine homes, businesses, broadcast sets, theatres, marketing applications, graphic design and civic institutions.