If you have grown tired of your dull flat walls, you may wish to give them some texture with a decorative painting technique. Faux finishes add depth and movement to wall surfaces, adding movement and depth. Many homeowners feel intimidated browsing through the paint aisles of their local home improvement store, thinking that only a professional could create the displayed results. However, there are several painting methods that even the most artistically challenged can use to spice up their walls. With the right materials, a little practice, and patience, you can employ these faux finishes to enliven every room of your home.
Preparation and Basic Materials
Before beginning, it is important to prepare the walls you will be working on. Use a sponge or cloth to wash the surface with soap and water. Once it has dried, repair any cracks or holes with a drywall patching kit. This will give you an unblemished area on which to work. It is also recommended that two coats of primer be applied to the walls so that the old color will not distort added shades. Having taken these steps, you can assemble your basic materials. All of the following painting techniques require a 1/4” nap roller, a paint tray, latex gloves, professional-grade painter’s tape, drop cloths, paper towels, and a practice board. You will also need enough latex interior satin wall paint to cover the wall and latex glaze. A visit to the paint department of Lowe’s, Home Depot, or a similar home improvement store will provide you with all of these supplies. While shopping, consult specialists for advice on color choices and the best materials for your specific project. Once you have taped all the edges of your walls and have laid the drop cloth, you can begin painting.
Stippling
Ideal for walls with minor imperfections, stippling creates a sense of depth with its freckled finish. To begin, paint the entire wall with the base color of your choice. Once it is completely dry -- after four hours or more -- you can prepare your stippling materials. On top of the basic supplies, you will also need a stippling paintbrush, which has very stiff bristles designed specifically for this technique. Mix one part of latex paint to five parts of glaze in a paint tray. Dip the stippling brush into the glaze mixture and dab off any excess with paper towels. You can now begin blotting the glaze onto the wall, using the ends of the brush to gently tap the paint on. Begin in the top corner of the wall, covering a small area at a time. Rotate the brush occasionally to create a random pattern. As the brush dries, reapply more paint and blot it again. If you wish to apply a second coat, wait to do so until the first layer has dried.
Ragging
This technique gives walls a soft appearance reminiscent of fabric. It is especially effective when a darkly tinted glaze is applied over a slightly lighter base coat. you will need lint-free cotton rags and a plastic bucket in addition to the basic materials list for this technique. Begin by blending one part of paint to five parts of glaze. Immerse a piece of the cotton in this mixture and wring it out thoroughly. Ball up the cotton so that it creates an interesting pattern, practicing on a piece of scrap cardboard as necessary. Dab the glazed rag onto the wall repetitively, turning it and reshaping it occasionally to add interest. If the texture becomes blotchy, simply let it dry and dab on the base coat again. Once this has dried, you can reapply glaze as necessary.
Sponging
Another simple texturizing technique, sponging can be used to add several layers of complimentary colors to the wall. Buy a natural sea sponge and a bucket to be filled with water for this project. Cut the sponge in half to achieve a flat surface, removing a couple of smaller pieces with which the corners will be painted. Blend paint and glaze in a 1/5 ratio in your paint tray. Soak your sponge into the bucket of water and ring it out well before dipping it in the paint. Lay it on paper towels to remove excess glaze before applying it to the walls. Beginning in an upper corner of the wall, gently press the sponge onto the wall. Work in a small area, rotating the tool occasionally. As the sponge dries, repeat the process of dipping and drying it. Work your way down and across the wall, stepping back intermittently to ensure conformity. Once the first coat has dried, you can use another shade of tinted glaze to repeat the process and create further depth.
Colorwashing
Colorwashing creates a beautiful feathery finish that gives a room a relaxed fluid feel. Assemble 2’ and 4’ latex paint brushes for this project as well as the aforementioned materials. Combine the paint and glaze, again in a proportion of 1/5. Dip your dry paintbrush into this mixture, wiping off any excess paint with paper towels. Start creating tiny crisscrossed areas with the brush, working out from the top corner of the wall. Move sporadically, turning the brush occasionally or changing the size for a random effect. Take care not to overload the brush when you refill it with paint or the effect will be lost. Any mistakes can be covered with the base paint and redone. Once you have applied the faux finish to the entire wall, allow it to dry. You can now introduce a third glaze color at a ratio of one part paint to fifteen parts glaze. Apply it in the same manner and allow it to thoroughly dry.
These are just a few of the simple yet stunning ways you can add texture to your walls. They take only a little more time, effort, and materials than basic painting to achieve far more impressive results. Experiment with these faux finishes or explore other painting techniques to transform your dull walls into pallets of visual interest. Above all, remember that there is no wrong way to do these techniques; all that matters is that you enjoy the result. Consult the experts and consider all of the color combinations available to achieve walls that set the tone of your life.
