Crocodile leather trim. Decorative plaster under crocodile skin in the interior. Applying the base effect

Before applying the design effect, it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface. Surface type No. 2, technique 1.
Conditions for application:
air temperature: from 5°C to 35°C
relative air humidity - no more than 75% (recommended - 60%).

Applying the base effect

1 Apply the first layer in accordance with the MM6 design effect technique. Products for this are listed in the Base Layer section of the detailed estimate. Let the surface dry for at least 36 hours. After this, you can start gluing the stencil.

Applying glue to the stencil

2 The stencil should be fixed on a vertical plane with the white side up and surrounded with plastic film. A thin layer of Colle Aérosol Repositionnable glue is sprayed onto the surface of the stencil from a distance of twenty centimeters. If necessary, the nozzle can be switched to the position for spraying a wide spray.

Pasting a stencil on the wall

3 Mark the area where the stencil will be located using a level, tape measure and masking tape. Wait five minutes after applying the adhesive layer, stick on the stencil and strengthen it using a pressure roller.

4 Remove the green mounting film and select the stencil elements, checking the diagram.

5 The stencil is rolled again with a pressure roller, pressing on it.

Filling the stencil

6 Fill the stencil with LoftBeton putty. The stencil should be filled in two stages - first halfway deep. After 12 hours, after the first layer has dried, fill completely and level the surface with a spatula to the level of the stencil to obtain a smooth surface.

Applying the finishing effect

7 After Loft-Beton has completely dried (12 hours), sand the surface with fine sandpaper. Apply a coat of Suprime-100 primer and let it dry for 8 hours.

Extravagant, unique, exotic and spectacular. This is exactly the kind of decorative plaster with a leather effect. It is suitable for all those who want to make the interior refined and elegant, without being afraid to experiment with atypical solutions. People are much more likely to choose more simple solutions like "bark beetle" or more classic options like "Venetian". Creating “leather walls” is considered a very bold decision, because it radically transforms the interior.

Scope of application and texture options

The use of skin texture will be a very controversial decision for many. The fact is that if the walls are finished with “leather,” then it can be problematic to choose furniture to match them. And suitable furniture in the same style is not cheap. Leather-like decorative plaster is used only in the interior, and in most cases in non-residential premises. Often this finishing option is used in cafes, hotels, restaurants, etc. However, this does not prevent you from using such a solution for the interior of your own apartment.

Leather finishing is certainly an extraordinary solution used in unusual places. This could be a Chinese restaurant or an apartment in oriental style. It should also be understood that not all leather is created equal, and different animal skins can be imitated. The most popular are the following texture options:

Crocodile skin
Giraffe skin
Elephant skin
Snake skin
Stingray skin

Working tools for creating leather texture

Decorative plaster with a leather effect is created largely thanks not so much to the textured mortar, but to special tools and working techniques. Of course, there are special plasters for creating a leather effect, but they only simplify the work, because the whole secret is in the tools. As for the mortar itself, you should choose thin-layer textured plaster with good adhesive properties and a high level of ductility.

In addition to the standard set of tools (trowel, trowel, trowel, etc.), we will need special devices. A rubber stamp is one such tool. It is used 15 minutes after applying the plaster. They should press the still damp, but already slightly dried, material. However, such stamping may seem tedious, so there are more simple options imitation leather.

A special relief roller with a pattern is another essential tool for creating the desired texture. It is usually used when applying decorative plaster under crocodile skin. The pattern on the roller is looped, so a “continuous skin” is transferred to the wall. This method will be discussed in more detail a little later.

A very complex way to create skin texture is to use a stencil. Such stencils are applied to the wall even before plaster is applied to it. After some time they are removed, creating leather patterns. After drying, the plaster is processed with a plastic trowel, smoothing out all surface irregularities. With this method we will get a slightly voluminous drawing.

There are also special tools to create the giraffe skin effect. But this technique is very complicated, because it requires drawing each element of the texture, which takes too much time. Also, such work requires special skills, so a beginner is simply not able to do it on his own.

Crumpled paper, although not a special tool, is still worthy of mention. It is also pressed against the wall covered with mortar, as is done with stamps. When she climbs up, a stamping appears on the wall, creating the effect of pressed skin.

Crocodile skin - we create it ourselves

Decorative plaster crocodile skin is created using a special roller. But first you need to carry out preparatory work. They are quite typical. First, the wall is cleaned of old coatings and then leveled. A perfectly smooth surface such as for painting is not required. However, there should also be no bumps or depressions. After this, a primer coating with quartz filler is applied. This will help the layer of decorative material to be stronger and not fall off after application.

Decorative plaster with the effect of crocodile skin is done after the soil has dried. It is enough to apply a coating with a thickness of no more than 2 mm (thickness up to 5 mm is allowed). As previously written, you need to use thin-layer textured plaster. It can be tinted in advance, but then the decorative effect of the skin will not be so expressive. It is best to paint the coating at the end, then it will be possible to create a play of color, which will give the surface a more natural look.

Decorative plaster is applied using a trowel and leveled with a spatula. Again, a perfectly smooth surface is not required, because we will be changing the texture. Let the applied coating dry a little, and then we work with a roller. We make the wiring with a roller from top to bottom or bottom to top. The scales on its surface will transfer to the wall. However, in this case, joints are formed that do not look very nice, although not very noticeable. They are removed using a rubber stamp with larger cells. They are used to go over the joints, which will help correct the uniformity formed by the roller.

After the stamp, sagging and imperfections also remain, like from joints. It is best to remove them with a brush, drawing some of the scales by hand. To enhance the effect, the dried surface can be coated with glossy varnish, pearlescent paint, or a special composition based on colorless wax. However, before finishing, you should sand the wall to remove all remaining defects and sagging from the decorative plaster.

The finishing layer will create an additional color or shade (the second option is more desirable). It is applied with a regular roller, taking away excess material from the surface with a cloth. Decorative plaster with a crocodile skin effect will look natural after the last layer, be it varnish or paint.

Master class on creating a reptile skin effect

Other textures of decorative plaster under the skin

As already reported above, decorative plaster helps to imitate the skin of various animals. Most often, people are interested in crocodile leather, but it is worth focusing on other options.

Bull leather is created using ordinary thin tracing paper and a roller. You just need to thoroughly crumple the tracing paper, and then level it and apply it to the damp wall. After this, the tracing paper is rolled with a roller, transferring its shape to the wall. All the curves made on tracing paper will be transferred to the wall, and after proper painting, the surface will look like bull skin.

Elephant skin is made even easier. Moreover, almost any textured plaster is suitable for such a texture. To work, we need regular gauze. It is applied to the decorative mortar on the wall with its entire surface. The gauze can be pre-folded in several layers. Then another layer of solution is applied to the gauze, with which it is pressed and fixed in one place. Let the solution dry a little, and then tear off the gauze. The resulting pattern will resemble the dry skin of an elephant.

This is the easiest way to create a leather effect. You should use the simplest and cheapest textured plaster, since due to the application method it will have a high consumption. It is advisable to choose a mixture that can be applied with a roller. It will be more convenient this way. You can apply the second layer with a spatula, but it is a little more complicated.

Painting to add realism

Decorative plaster with leather effect necessarily requires painting. Although the solution can be tinted beforehand, it is better to use white material, which will be colored in the end. It is the correct painting that plays a decisive role in creating the chosen texture. And the point here is not only in choosing the right color, but also in creating shine with in the right tone drawing. If you just paint everything with a roller one color, then even the most professional job done before painting will end up looking terrible.

Typically, painting is carried out in several layers. At the first stage, varnish is applied or acrylic paint. Immediately after this, a foam float is passed over the coating so that the color is not uniform throughout. To do this, it is enough to make the wiring in wave-like movements.

After drying, another layer of varnish or paint is applied to the wall. This layer should be darker than the previous one. Again we go over the surface with a foam float. This is done in order to collect excess paint on the wall. At the last stage, a translucent or glossy varnish is applied. Last option necessary when creating the texture of reptile skin. If we are talking about elephant skin, then it is enough to go over it with a roller, only once with regular paint of the desired color.

Subtleties and tips

When everything has already been said, I would like to focus on some points that can greatly simplify your work.

When working with a roller with a reptile skin pattern, it must be constantly moistened and washed. If you work with a dry roller, it can tear off the still damp plaster. You need to wash it in order to clean the solution adhering to it. Otherwise, the solution will ruin the entire drawing.
If you need to apply decorative plaster under the skin on a column or on corners, then you should buy two textured rollers. You will work with one, and cut off the work surface from the second. It will be flexible and can be used to machine corners and radius surfaces. Not very convenient, but very practical.
How intensively do you need to sand the created texture before painting? It is believed that the surface should be treated with sandpaper so that no more than half of the relief is removed.

Applying the base effect

Applying glue to the stencil

Pasting a stencil on the wall

4 Remove the green mounting film and select the stencil elements, checking the diagram.

5 The stencil is rolled again with a pressure roller, pressing on it.

Filling the stencil

Applying the finishing effect

7 After Loft-Beton has completely dried (12 hours), sand the surface with fine sandpaper. Apply a coat of Suprime-100 primer and let it dry for 8 hours.

Very often, in a stylish interior, designers use natural material similar to crocodile skin. Beautiful leather furniture in the photo, finishing is an object of elegance and status. Most often, such delicacy is awarded to furniture finishing. Wall panels made from natural raw materials will cost a fabulous budget, and why exterminate crocodiles for this purpose if decorative plaster today is able to make any dream come true.

New building mixtures and various devices will quickly and easily help you imitate any animal skin on a wall indoors. Natural fabrics and fur are gradually becoming a thing of the past, because designers are creating artificial masterpieces no worse than their natural counterparts.

Even furniture trim looks great with a leather substitute, and today finishing a wall with leather won’t be much of a problem; over time, many different technologies have appeared that you can use yourself. Moreover, you can do the finishing yourself by additionally studying any video on this topic.

Technology of applying decorative leather to the wall

A strengthening primer with a quartz addition is applied to the prepared surface; it will be easier to purchase a ready-made mixture for plaster under the skin.
When the primer has dried, it is necessary to apply a layer of one and a half to two millimeters. This base layer will serve as the basis for shaping the structure using special tools. The impression can be made with a special shaped roller under the skin or with a regular construction stencil. On the stencil, each side repeats each other, and you can order a stencil at a hardware store.
In the places where the joint has formed, we make an additional impression with a special rubber stamp. Using the same flexible stamp, you need to create a texture on radius surfaces.
After the entire surface has dried evenly, you will need to sand it with sandpaper, capturing all the decorative trim. This way, you can remove all the sagging and imperfections. Then experts recommend using a brush to remove dust from the surface. The plaster mixture can be taken ready-made, tinted with color, or you can paint the finished surface. If the mixture is already colored, then you need to apply only a diluted varnish or a special coating so that there are no smudges left.
When painting, you need to disperse smudges so that they do not appear in the pores, and you also need to get rid of stains with more saturated light. At the end of finishing, you need to apply a decorative layer with mother-of-pearl with a roller. If you want to enhance the effect genuine leather, then apply to the surface an additional tinted composition with a shade of marsh color, approximately the same as a real crocodile. To avoid gaps and get a uniformly colored surface, you need to use a special sponge.
After applying the top layer, we expose the texture and show the bottom layer in places. According to the recommendations of the masters, we additionally decorate the surface by applying glossy varnish, so we can achieve a wet effect.

Crocodile skin plaster in the interior

The decorative covering under the skin looks very catchy and pretentious. Naturally, any interior with such a design turns out to be stylish and luxurious, any room with such walls will be a bold step, and the original design will leave a vivid impression of itself. Design for suitable for skin for an interior designed in safari style or for modern styles art deco and art nouveau.

Today, chic and luxury are returning to interior design and, of course, the use of decorative finishing is not limited to its use only in furniture. An interesting option is tiles made to look like leather, wallpaper, panels. But the most successful execution is considered to be decorative plaster imitating crocodile skin, because the designer always has the opportunity to slightly change the texture, relief, and perhaps come up with color solutions from orange shades to black. A successful design solution would be to use such finishing for an office, hallway and kitchen.

If you are planning to decorate your walls with crocodile skin, then the main thing is not to overdo it in the interior with such finishing. It is better to limit yourself to some accessories, for example, door handles, rugs, pillows, than to turn your room into a leather world with leather-like floors and walls, because even a small element of a leather pattern on the wall will help make the atmosphere in the room warm and cozy.

Decorative plaster under the skin is becoming increasingly popular in interior design. A well-made coating looks expensive and is not cheap. In order to save money on the services of a master, you can learn how to make imitation leather with your own hands.

First of all, you need to level the walls. Minor defects will not be a hindrance, since the finishing coating for the skin of a crocodile, snake, stingray or elephant involves the application of a relief pattern. It is enough to make the surfaces smooth and vertical.

To level the walls, gypsum-based finishing putties are used. After drying, all surfaces must be treated with primer intended for textured plaster. You need to prime in 2 layers, drying each layer for several hours. The manufacturer indicates the time required for drying on the packaging of the mixture.

To apply decorative plaster with leather effect you will need the following:

textured mixture “Jungle”, “Africa” or other brands;
a special roller with a crocodile or snake skin pattern;
spatula or trowel;
plastic grater;
paint and roller;
wax or varnish.

In addition to a roller to create a texture that replicates the skin of reptiles, you can buy a stencil or stamp with such a pattern. You will have to imitate elephant skin or crushed ox leather with your own hands.

How to make textured plaster under the skin

Moisten the prepared surface with water. Ready-made mixtures may seem too thick, but they can be diluted with water unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Textured plaster should be applied in a layer 2-5 mm thick, trying to distribute it evenly.

The base for imitation leather is applied to the walls with a wide spatula or trowel. The strokes should be wide and long, they should be performed with equal force when pressing on the tool. Only in this case will the layer be of the same thickness. Dry the applied layer for 1-2 minutes until it sets slightly.

To make a texture reminiscent of a crocodile shell, proceed as follows:

Moisten the surface of the roller with water. This is necessary so that it does not stick to a thin layer of plaster.
Starting from the top edge of the wall, slowly roll the roller over the surface. The movement must be continuous and in one direction only.
Roll the next strip with an overlap of 1-2 cm onto the area with the finished pattern. If necessary, correct the pattern manually, drawing scales at the junction with a stick.
Carefully go around the outer corners with a roller or stamp.

The alligator pattern can also be made using a stencil. Film with a ready-made scale pattern is sold in construction companies. It needs to be secured to a wall moistened with water, then apply the plaster solution with a spatula, pressing it forcefully into the slots of the stencil. Dry the surface a little and carefully remove the film. Convex scales will remain on the wall. The stencil is reusable, so it needs to be attached next to the finished area, aligning the parts of the design. Repeat the process.

How to imitate bull or elephant skin

Even ordinary finishing putty on plaster is suitable for such imitations. But it is better to use mixtures to create textured surfaces. They have a fine-grained structure, which allows for a higher quality coating.

Plaster with the effect of the skin of large mammals differs from imitations of reptile scales. It does not have pronounced pattern elements, and tanned cattle leather is usually completely smooth. When using it to decorate furniture, manufacturers resort to creasing and the formation of small, beautiful folds.

When decorating a wall with crinkled leather, you can use thin and durable paper such as parchment or tracing paper:

Apply a thick layer (5 mm) of plaster to the wall and leave to dry.
Moisten a large sheet of paper with water. Crumple it, forming arbitrary folds.
Press the crumpled tracing paper against the wall. Roll with a rubber roller so that the folds and unevenness of the paper are imprinted on the plaster.
Carefully separate it from the wall, trying not to smudge the drawing.
Repeat the process on the adjacent site.

To prevent the wall from looking like it was made up of identical pieces, you can prepare several sheets of tracing paper and use them in turn. In this case, you need to combine the folds, as if continuing the pattern. The seams at the joints can be smoothed with a brush.

Imitating elephant skin is also not difficult to make. To work, you need to prepare a large piece of gauze. Apply a thin layer of textured plaster to the wall.

Moisten the gauze and stick it to a fresh, undried surface. The fabric should not be flattened; natural folds will add even more believability and volume to the imitation. Apply another layer of solution on top, and then remove the gauze without waiting for the layer to dry. The grainy pattern with folds successfully imitates rough skin animal.

Painting a wall like leather

Decorative plaster “crocodile skin” or other imitation will be even more believable if it is painted accordingly. To do this you will need acrylic paint in at least 2 shades. First you need to apply a light layer. Painting is done with a regular short-nap roller.

After the wall is dry, you need to prepare a dry rag and dilute the paint in a darker shade. Apply it to the wall with a roller, painting all the depressions of the relief. Use a dry cloth to wipe the wet surface with force, removing some of the fresh paint from the raised areas.

Crocodile skin can be further decorated by applying greenish areas to the edges of the scales with a foam sponge. After this, dry the wall for 24 hours and cover it with a thin layer of wax. Polish until shiny. If desired, the wax can be replaced with clear varnish.

When decorating walls with expensive types of leather, you need to remember that you will also have to buy the appropriate furnishings for such a room. This design is well suited for design in the Art Deco style, ethnic or colonial interior.