Decorative Paint Technique: Leather Wall Instructions

Materials and Tools:

plastic bags
paint tray
2 foam rollers and handle
china bristle brush
latex glaze (Studio Finishes 405) – Benjamin Moore
cheesecloth
latex paint, eggshell sheen: (base coat: Richmond Gold HC-41); (top coat: Maryville Brown HC-75) – Benjamin Moore
water bottle
top-coat glaze: Special Effects translucent color glaze (Mocha) – McCloskey

Steps:

1. Prepare the walls for painting; apply the base coat (Richmond Gold), and let dry.

2. Mix one part Maryville Brown with one part water and one part glaze (Studio Finishes 405). Roll the mixture onto a scrunched-up plastic bag, and dab it lightly on the wall. Control the amount of paint on the bags, or it will drip. To avoid repeated patterns, move the bag around in your hands each time you add paint.

3. Don't apply too much pressure, or there won't be any texture. The idea is to keep the subtle contrast between the two colors, so don't overwork it. Use a dry brush to remove any excess paint on the walls. Let the walls dry completely.

4. Carefully apply the Mocha glaze with a foam roller to bring the two colors together, and add lots of luster. Use a damp cheesecloth to smooth any dark edges the roller creates. Let dry.