Softening
Your Walls with Color Wash
by Pamela Cole Harris
Home and Garden Makeover
If
you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color
wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color washing
can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls. And
it’s so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator,
can do it.
There
are two techniques for color wash application: sponge or brush.
Each requires a slightly different glaze formula.
Sponge
Technique:
Color
Wash Glaze: Mix together 1 part latex paint and 6 parts water
in a bucket.
1.
Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which
will not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor with plastic
drop cloths (especially if you are as messy as I am).
2.
Prime the wall with a low luster latex paint and allow it to dry
completely before the next step.
3.
Dip the sponge into the color wash glaze and squeeze lightly.
4.
Beginning in a lower corner, apply the glaze to the wall in short,
overlapping strokes. Change the direction of the strokes frequently.
Work on a small portion of the wall at a time (3 foot by 3 foot
is a good size).
5.
Repeat moving upward until all the wall is covered.
6.
Allow to dry completely.
Brush Technique:
Brush
Color Wash Glaze: 1 part flat latex paint, 1 part latex paint
conditioner (available at your local home improvement center),
and 2 parts water. Mix in a bucket.
1.
Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which
will not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor with plastic
drop cloths.
2.
Prime the wall with a low luster latex enamel paint and allow
it to dry completely before the next step.
3.
Allow the paint to dry.
4.
Dip a paintbrush in the glaze and remove the excess against the
side of the bucket.
5.
Apply the paint in a criss-cross pattern.
6.
Brush over the surface repeatedly to soften the look of the paint.
7.
Wipe excess glaze away, if necessary. (Better get the industrial-sized
package of paper towels!)
There you have it! A soft paint look perfect for your newly decorated
room...And since you have the technique down to a science, why
not come and do my family room? Powder room? Closet?
©
Pamela Cole Harris
Pamela
Cole Harris has been a writer and designer for 35 years. Enjoy
her tongue-in-cheek approach to inexpensive interior design at:
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com
and http://www.diy-homedecor.com