Vertical bands of colour instead of a headboard: how ingenious! Painting vertical stripes on a wall is an eye-catching way to enhance and energize your space.
1. To achieve the desired effect, it is essential to work on a clean, smooth surface. Take the time to prepare the wall properly. First, clean the wall and fill in any holes or cracks. Then apply a base coat of primer, followed by a coat of the background paint colour you have chosen.
2. Make sure you mark out your pattern on paper, experimenting with different widths of stripes. It is easier to make changes this way, rather than after the paint is on the wall. Consider the width of the wall when deciding how wide to make the stripes. These should vary between 4" and 12". Once you have decided, make a scale drawing showing the distance between each stripe.
3. Starting in a top corner of the wall, take a measuring tape and level, and mark out the position of the stripes with a pencil along the top. Do the same along the bottom of the wall.
4. Use a level to help you join up the markings with a light pencil line. Check your measurements at different points along the lines. A laser level will make this task easier. Take your time and make sure every line is aligned correctly; if it is not straight it might show once painted.
5. Stick masking tape along the outside of the lines and press down firmly, so as to obtain clean edges. This will ensure that the paint does not run. Using masking tape, mark the areas that are not to be painted with an “X”
6. For a neat, straight edge, use a brush to paint along the masking tape, then paint the rest of the area with a roller. Rollers give a nicer finish. One coat should be enough.
7. Remove the masking tape before the paint dries, peeling it carefully from the opposite side.
8. Do any necessary touch-ups with a small brush.
Colour 101 by RONAMAG on Monday, April 1, 2013
Decor column by Harold Vétéré on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Decor column by RONAMAG on Monday, March 11, 2013
