In center photo, faux finisher Amy Douglass transforms her bathroom wall with plaster, showcasing the artistry of decorative painting.
Using specialized techniques, she mimics the look of natural materials like wood, marble, and stone, bringing unique texture and depth to walls and furniture. She’s been in the industry for 10 years, beautifying offices nurseries, kitchens, furniture, and more for local and out of state clients.
Born and raised in Reno, Douglass has been perfecting her craft since college, continuously exploring art in various mediums. "I've always loved making things beautiful," she says, recalling her early passion for art and how she went away for college before returning home. Douglass pursued an art major at Santa Clara University before studying fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
While faux finishing wasn’t always part of Amy’s long-term vision, it became an unexpected yet fulfilling career path, one that allowed her to pursue her artistic passions in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Initially, she aspired to create art from fabric, studying beading and clothing design at yet another school, Ecole Lesage in Paris. She loved her schooling but eventually faced a pivotal decision. She had to decide to continue in the high-paced, demanding world of fashion design or prioritize starting a family.
Becoming a stay-at-home mom proved to be just as rewarding. Douglass discovered her current profession while preparing for the arrival of her first daughter. "Before my first daughter was born, my mother had the nursery painted by a faux finisher. I remember thinking, 'Wow, I would love to do this—but I’m going to be a mom, so I won’t be able to pursue it,'" she says, shifting her focus toward motherhood.
As time went on and Douglass welcomed a second daughter, the opportunity to revisit her artistic ambitions presented itself in an unexpected way. When her daughters reached middle school, she learned that the faux finisher who had painted her nursery, Karen, was retiring. Her mother, an interior designer who had worked with Karen on multiple projects, encouraged her daughter to shadow the experienced artist. What was supposed to be a week of observation turned into six years of hands-on experience before Douglass eventually branched out on her own. She further honed her craft by taking several faux finishing courses in Los Angeles.
Now, with over a decade of experience in the field, Douglass paints with passion and precision, creating custom art for her clients. "The most rewarding part of my job is the clientele—they have all been so kind," she shares. She prides herself on her communication and reliability, ensuring each step of the process is transparent. "I always show up when I say I will, and I keep my clients informed by texting when I arrive and leave. You’d be surprised how many people don’t do that," she says. "I simply treat people the way I would want to be treated if someone were working in my home or business."
However, like many small businesses, Amy’s work was impacted by the pandemic. Sourcing materials became difficult, with her primary supplier discontinuing 85% of its color selection and shutting down its operations in Texas and Los Angeles.
"Now, I have to wait 10 days for a product to arrive from Florida. Otherwise, the shipping costs are just too high on an already expensive material," she explains. Previously, plasters were available in quarts for around $40 plus shipping, but now they are only sold in gallons, costing anywhere from $100 to $280. This shift has made it increasingly costly to create samples for clients. "I never used to charge for samples, but now I have to—unless one of my existing samples happens to match a client’s space," she says.
Her career highlights include working alongside Karen to paint a mural behind the altar at Our Lady of the Snows Church in Reno. She also enjoys working on nurseries, including recently a custom ocean-themed piece of furniture for a new mother. "I painted furniture and canvases for her. Honestly, my best memories come from my clients. I usually get to know them pretty well by the time a project is finished," she says.
Beyond murals and wall finishes, Douglass specializes in reviving old furniture. She wants homeowners to know that age shouldn’t be a reason to discard a well-fitting piece. "If you have solid wood furniture, I can transform it into anything you want, even crocodile texture," she says, recognizing that many beloved pieces just need a new touch.
When Douglass refinished her own oak cabinets, she realized that the transformation completely changed her love for her kitchen. Now, she offers this service to clients, providing an affordable alternative to costly remodels. Many homeowners initially assume that their countertops need replacing when, in reality, a cabinet makeover can make all the difference. "I had one client who was about to have their kitchen cabinets refaced until her husband saw the new materials and said, 'Our cabinets are much sturdier and stronger than this.'” They ultimately hired Douglass, saving over $9,000. "Their bid for refacing was $14,000, but my work cost them less than $5,000," she explains. Redoing cabinets instead of replacing them not only saves money but also prevents unnecessary waste in landfills.
For Douglass, her clients always come first. She never considers a job complete until they are fully satisfied with her work. “I always do what I say I will, and my goal is to make your space a place you love to come home to,”' she says. Just as she has transformed her own home into a space of beauty and comfort, she strives to do the same for her clients. A home should reflect warmth, tranquility, and personal style. No one should feel stuck with cabinets, walls, or furniture they don’t love, she says. Through her company, Faux Works, which can be found at fauxworksreno.com Douglass makes these transformations both accessible and affordable for many in the Reno/Tahoe area.
Reporting by Lauren Juillerat
