Softening Your Walls With Color Wash

<h1>Softening Your Walls With Color Wash</h1>Author: <a title="Hanit" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/hanit/49753.htm">Hanit</a> 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 itï¿½s 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 painterï¿½s 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 the entire 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 painterï¿½s 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 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 crises-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 roomï¿½And since you have the technique down to a science, why not come and do my family room? Powder room? Closet?

About the Author: For More Free Resources visit <a href="http://www.thedesignbuild.com" target="_blank">www.thedesignbuild.com</a> Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/softening-your-walls-with-color-wash-362597.html" title="Softening Your Walls With Color Wash">Softening Your Walls With Color Wash</a>

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 itï¿½s 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 painterï¿½s 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 the entire 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 painterï¿½s 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 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 crises-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 roomï¿½And since you have the technique down to a science, why not come and do my family room? Powder room? Closet?

For More Free Resources visit www.thedesignbuild.com

Rate this Article:

5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/softening-your-walls-with-color-wash-362597.html

Article Tags: Interior Decorating, Home Decoration, Home Decorating, Interior Designing

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How to Apply Faux finish Color Wash

Play

How to Create a Color Wash Paint

Play

How to Paint a Block Wall Faux Finish

Play

How to Fix a Color Washing Slip Ups

Play

How to Paint a Colorwash Faux Technique

Latest Interior Design Articles
More from Hanit

While decorating your home, don’t underestimate the importance of a good mirror

By: Paul Ingersole | 26/12/2009
If you need to find mirrors for your decorating project there are a few things you should do. First, understand what it is you want to accomplish with the mirrors. Do you want it to be strictly functional or will it serve some kind of decorative purpose?

Does your Bathroom Mirror look like a piece of crap?

By: Paul Ingersole | 26/12/2009
So the first thing you need to do when deciding on which bathroom mirrors to purchase is to decide exactly what you want and figure out what style or look you are going for. What you decide will dictate exactly what types of mirrors you will buy and even where you will go look for them.

Rooster Kitchen Decor Is An Enjoyable Addition For Any Kitchen

By: Gene B. Pineda | 26/12/2009
One of the "funnest" ways to decorate a kitchen is with rooster kitchen decor. A rooster theme certainly is one of the most popular themes for kitchen decor, making it very easy to find every type of accessory conceivable. Rooster kitchen decor, while great as a solitary theme, can also be paired with other themes such as country or farm.

Wood Flooring Offers Warmth, Beauty and Durability

By: Caitlina Fuller | 25/12/2009
Oak flooring that was laid centuries ago is still going strong in many homes and structures around the world. Oak floors maintain their strength and color for years and years and they blend inviting warmth with long-lasting durability that many people find very appealing.

Ceramic Floor Tiles - Versatile, Long Lasting and Easy to Maintain

By: Caitlina Fuller | 25/12/2009
If you are planning on installing new floors in your home but are not sure of the type of flooring you want, consider ceramic floor tiles. Tiles made of ceramic are ideal for flooring in a kitchen, bathroom and recreation room as they are hard wearing and easy to keep clean.

Inexpensive Large Wall Clocks Decorating Ideas

By: Gail Richardson | 25/12/2009
Are you an adventurous person? Do you like to decorate in a little bit different way than everyone else? Well so do I . Decorating the interior of your home should be seen as just one more exciting encounter. You'll have no problems finding information about decorating the interior of your home. There are many magazines published every month which provide information and instructions for decorating the interior.The inexpensive large wall clocks can be focal points all by themselves. Be different

Cheap Home Decorating Ideas With Paint ..10 Tips For a Good Paint Finish

By: Gail Richardson | 25/12/2009
Do you need ideas to brighten up a room ? I love to paint. Painting is one of the cheapest ways to change the whole look of a room. Anyone can paint if they just abide by a few tips. I will give you 10 tips that should help you get a good paint job.First decide what color you want to paint your room. Somethings to consider are how much light filters into the room and how much time you will be spending in this room.Definitely pick out..

Small Spaces Huge Looks..7 Tips For Decorating Small Rooms

By: Gail Richardson | 25/12/2009
When it comes to decorating small rooms it can be a challenge to get the look you want. Furniture for small rooms can be your biggest obstacle to overcome. Beds for small rooms can be hard to find. Well lets start with decorating small living rooms first. Everything you need to know about small room decorating with big class. Study these 7 tips below to help with any room project.Gail J Richardson Http://www.dimedecorating.com/691/

Increase Your Response on Ebay, Starting Right Now!

By: Hanit | 21/03/2008 | Ethics
Your auction is up and running. You’ve got bidders seeing your auction and looking things over. Now you just need to push them over the edge. This article will cover various ways to increase your bids from prospective buyers

How to Protect Your Ebooks and Software From Being Stolen!

By: Hanit | 20/03/2008 | Online Education
There are many systems that can lock your software or document, allowing you to control access to that file. But the problem arises with assuming that this will stop all theft. A well thought out, thorough protection system can deter theft, but it cannot stop it 100%.

The Google Feedback Loop for Quality Traffic

By: Hanit | 20/03/2008 | Online Education
**For this to work, you need some kind of tracking for your website/web pages that tells you which search engines send people to you for what keyword searches.