How to make real looking rocks?

18 years ago

Does anyone know what colors to use to make tufa look more like real rocks? Or what color combinations?

What's worked best for you, and can you show a picture?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

clairdo2
18 years ago
Would love to make them too. Can anyone give us an idea of how to go about it.
0
rockhewer
18 years ago
Here's a link for you. There is also a great thread in this forum about painting a rock to look very real. Go through all the pages to find it. There's a wealth of information in those pages.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fake Rock
0
Related Discussions
Making rock garden look more 'finished' while growing in
Q
Comments (11)
There's no rule that says you have to stick to "alpines" when establishing a rock garden, so why don't you fill in the gaps with annuals this first year? Granted, some are out of scale with your rock plants and might inhibit their growth by taking over, but portulaca, for instance, is a great plant that looks right at home in a rock garden, blooms all summer, and reseeds (although I've never had it become weedy). Nasturtiums can be direct seeded into the garden and will spread over rocks to soften edges; they also bloom better if grown in leaner soils and not irrigated so much. Gomphrena globosa, in purples and reds, is sun and heat tolerant and will provide some visual interest without taking over space you want your perennials to occupy in future years. I'm sure there are lots of others, but this would be a great way to buy some time while your slower growing plants get established. Whatever you do, don't try to rush things by planting aggressive perennial groundcovers like Vinca major or Asiatic jasmine; trust me (the voice of experience), you'd live to regret it!
...See More
How to Make Rocks Look Natural?
Q
Comments (2)
I'm with Rob about the burying of rocks, I would like to add that if the rock has a rounded side and a flat side, setting the flat side down usually looks more natural, and the rock won't need to be buried quite as much, but so much depends on the types of rocks. You can use different types of rocks and mix the grain if you want to make the garden look more like an old flood area where the stones were brought together by water flow. This is how my most recent rock garden was designed, although the colors and textures were similar. The only type of fence structure I like in my gardens is the 4" round or square posts set upright, side-by-side, at differing lengths, but it stays low, no higher than 24", and tends to meander. I would have had some pictures of this last garden to show, but ding-a-ling me took pix with no film in the camera, but I have some other rock gardens on my Webshots albums, these made with our local limestone. Here is a link that might be useful: My Gardens and More
...See More
How can I convert my clay slope into a REAL rock garden??
Q
Comments (7)
I garden in Ohio clay as well. As stated, it is extremely fertile and if you think about it, this state abounds in its lushness and green. Clay isn't all bad. The fact your rock garden is on a slope is your ace in the hole. I don't care how compact and course clay seems, the drainage issue is solved. It drains! Being in the Appalachian foothills, I can say that there really aren't many level areas on my property and the area in which we installed our rockery is rather steep. It was the dumping area for coal ash and cinder from the furnace and it is also underlain with a spring or two. What was once the problem area of the landscape is now a rock garden, because we knew that was a good way to utilise all the qualities of this area and turn those sows' ears into silk purses. I love how it lends itself to a rockery. Some of the clay soil even gives way to grey horse shoe court material. You could throw pots from it. Of course the major thing to remember with clay soil is to wait the magic number of days after a rain when it has reached the optimum level for digging. Too soon and it is slime and too late and it is concrete. It is hard to be that patient, but hey it develops character in a gardener. Then choose your plant material wisely. Some plants actually do just fine in dense, clay soil and prefer it over the soft, friable and moist loamy stuff where they get too soft and leggy and lank. Good Luck!
...See More
How to paint river rock for an updated look?
Q
Comments (11)
I've read that river rock doesn't take paint well. I've no experience myself. But I would google about it particularly about cleaning and preparing the rock and grout for paint. I've seen a particular paint mentioned here several times as the best for painting stone and masonry - perhaps a search will bring it up, but I can't remember. I would think masonry paint, but I also see ordinary latex mentioned a lot. I'm with you, I think the river rock and wide bands of mortar are not attractive at all. I am not sure painting will help much - I'd be more inclined to cover the stone up with wood or stone tiles.
...See More
tufaenough
18 years ago
Hi Rock
That thread seems to be gone.
I think it was started in Garden Accoutrements and carried over here.
But a search finds nothing.
I know I saved some of those posts but I've misplaced them as well.
There was very good instruction on creating the granite look.
Does anyone still have those pots?
0
wannadanc
18 years ago
try it again - lots and lots of great stuff there

Here is a link that might be useful: It worked for me.......
0
rockhewer
18 years ago
Yep TE, it seems to have gone away. That's a shame because that explanation of painting a cement rock to look like granite was a great one. I more or less memorized it so I could do it, but I did not save it. I just learned how (with a great little free program) to save things like that post to a pdf file, pics and all.

Too bad we can't save things like that one, Marley's (Buddfly), Buckyforce's and others wonderful tutorials to a more permanent place here on GW. It'd be so nice to be able to point new folks to those to help with their questions.

If any one has that granite rock post saved (with pics) you can email it to me at the addy I have registered here at GW. I have web space and I'd be glad to use some to archive any such post or tutorial folks think should be saved.

So this is a plea to ask that person who originally posted "How to paint cement to look like granite" repost it or anyone who has it send it to me to archive it. Thanks.
0
tufaenough
18 years ago
Hi Rock
I think I found it.
I searched yesterday and came up empty but you jogged my memory where you mentioned original poster. It was Steve. I searched for Steve and sure enough.:)

Here is a link that might be useful: Great info on making and painting rocks.
0

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 9 Tips for Making Your Shelf Display Look Great

By Eclectic Creative

Learn the tricks stylists use when arranging objects on a shelf

Full Story

BEDROOMS 7 Ways to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger and Work Better

By The Inman Company

Max out on comfort and function in a mini space with built-ins, wall mounts and decorating tricks that fool the eye

Full Story

141

ART From the Artist: How to Make a Real Mobile

By Marco Mahler

It’s all in the balancing points: A top mobile designer shows how to create a Calder-inspired installation of your own

Full Story

100

KIDS’ SPACES 8 Homework Areas That Make Back-to-School Rock

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Give your kids an academic edge with an area that makes studying easier and more enjoyable at home

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE Have It Your Way — What Makes Architecture Successful

By Spry Architecture

Universal appeal doesn't exist in design. The real beauty of any home lies in individualization and imagination

Full Story

110

DECORATING GUIDES How to Make Your Home Feel More Like You

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Show your real style through a favorite color, everyday accessories, art, collections and more

Full Story

LIFE How to Make Your House a Haven Without Changing a Thing

By Alison Hodgson

Hung up on 'perfect' aesthetics? You may be missing out on what gives a home real meaning

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE 11 Real-Life Gingerbread Houses

By Samantha Schoech

Storybook scrolls, frothy trim and sweet colors make these homes look good enough to eat

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Make All White Look So Right

By Lisa Frederick

All-white rooms are harder than they look. Here's how to blend white tones for pure perfection in bathrooms, kitchens and more

Full Story

BUDGET DECORATING Budget Decorator: 8 Ways to Make Old Furniture Look Brand New

By Laura Gaskill

Learn stripping, staining, painting and reupholstering basics to make bargain-basement furniture worthy of center stage at home

Full Story

How to make real looking rocks?

Comments (6)

clairdo2

rockhewer

Related Discussions

tufaenough

wannadanc

rockhewer

tufaenough

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US