I will have some vacation time to take this summer and I would like to spend it painting a couple of rooms in my house to freshen them up and create a new look. Besides the traditional roller painting method, what are some of my other options for applying new color to these interior walls and ceilings?
Tobi Fairley, an interior designer based in Little Rock and with an office in Dallas, offers some insights on painting techniques worth considering:
Stripes
Decorating a room using stripes created with the help of painter's tape and a steady hand can offer a simple and clean look or a pop with contrasting colors. Another option is to use two colors from the same family to create a unique but slightly monotone effect. Attention to detail and precision is essential in this type of painting technique and requires patience.
"For a more subtle look, use gloss and matte paint in the same color for sophisticated stripes," Fairley advises. "Or try a pattern like chevron or alternate wide and thin stripes for a fun look."
Marbling
As with painting stripes, creating a marbling effect on walls may require time, but the result can be worth the additional effort.
Using at least two and as many as four colors will help create a more authentic look. Some marble is white with black or gray veins, while others have a wider range of colors, requiring more color layers to achieve the desired look. When using paint to create the veins, adding a bit of glaze to the paint will create a marbled effect. Be sure to have an assortment of sponges and brushes to create a natural marble look.
"Marbling is so popular right now, and can be found on wallpaper, fabrics and upholstery," Fairley says. "Some of the marbled looks also mimic the design of geodes or stones."
Ragging
Ragging is another painting method to consider. To achieve this effect, use a base color with a second color that is slightly darker. Prepare the room by removing or covering the furniture. First, paint the walls with the base color and let it dry. Next, lightly apply the slightly darker hue, along with a small amount of glaze to a clean rag, applying it to the wall in patting motions.
This method is not as precise as marbling and striping. Applied freehand, it is more forgiving of a few mistakes.
"A related look to ragging is ombre, like the graduated color that was so popular in hair color recently," Fairley says.
"Try a lighter color at the top of an accent wall and gradually move to a much darker color at the bottom of the wall," she says. "Smooth out any lines or demarcation areas with a damp sponge."
Color blocking
Color blocking offers a playful, fun look. One method of color blocking is to use painter's tape to create a set of shapes on the wall. Then within the painter's tape try using a variety of color or multiple shades of the same color to create blocks of color.
Color blocking can be either very precise or more loosely blended depending on the style and look desired.
"Another technique I like is to define the edges of the room with a thin line of a dark color that is a contrast to the walls," Fairley says. "It's a tailored look that is gorgeous when you use black to outline white walls at the edges."
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 07/26/2014