These pictures appear to look like wallpaper. But they are creative paint finishes. Better known as faux. 

Faux: A French word meaning fake. Also, a term loosely defined as simulation of real substance. 

These are faux finish samples & mural samples. 

 COLOURWASH FAUX  Colourwashing is a wonderful, romantic finish that uses three colours to create a soft, semi-translucent blend of colour with the subtle illusion of texture. 

 DRAGGING FAUXES   Dragging gives a softly textured and distinguished look to walls or woodwork. We simply drag a dry brush vertically down the still-wet glaze colour. For a denim or woven fabric look. 

 Dragging- ( like just about every kind of faux finish technique ) the types of patterns to create are endless. This pattern is known as weave or basket weave.   

FROTTAGE FAUX  This faux finish is taking the world by storm. Because it is relatively inexpensive and yet casts a real classy look of antique leather. 

 TEXTURED FAUXES  There is more then one way to achieve this texture. Shown here is a textured surface done in a METALLIC FAUX  Metallic and Pearlescent paints create an alluring look with a metal luster or translucent veil over decorative surface.
 

 Stripe fauxes often uses an eggshell and satin finishes which creates an elegant look. Common in dining rooms.

    Venetian Plaster, which can be colour matched to hundreds of colours, produces a three-dimensional surface with an attractive marble-like appearance.    

 Ragging creates a lacy, elegant look by using a water-dampened cloth rag to either apply colour to, or remove it from, the base colour. 

 Sponging creates a pattern by using a water-dampened sea sponge to either apply colour to, or remove it from, the base colour.

  Faux stone: A plastering technique applied over pre-lined seams with 'painters tape'. The texture and colouring is of choice. Common around fire places, entrance ways, foyers, & restaurants.