Faux Finishing and Stenciling

After

Host Amanda Rosseter and paint design expert Beth Cupari transform two rooms using two simple and inexpensive painting techniques.

Colorwashing

Colorwashing creates a casual and multidimensional look by using a T-shirt or rag to apply the paint.

Materials and Tools:

Latex interior wall paint in a flat or satin finish
Painter's tape
Paint trays
Liner
9" roller suitable for flat surfaces
2" brush for hard to reach areas
Roller
Three t-shirts or rags
Bucket of clean water

Steps:

1. When colorwashing a wall, be sure to start with a clean surface that's in good condition. Any blemishes will show through the thin layer of color.
2. Test the colorwashing application techniques on a piece of scrap particle-board before starting the project.
3. Mask off any areas that you don't want painted such as the ceiling and base boards.
4. Pour paint into the paint tray and dip the T-shirt into the paint.
5. Wring out the excess paint and apply the paint to the wall in a large circular motion.

Figure A

Stenciled Border

1. For this ivy patterned border, use one paint color.
2. Secure the stencil in place on the wall with painter's tape along top and bottom edges.
3. Blot paint over stencil with sea sponge.
4. Blot in between uses to remove excess paint residue.

After

Combing

Create a formal, textured wallpaper finish with the combing paint technique.

Materials and Tools:

Two contrasting interior latex wall paints in a satin or semi-gloss
Painter's tape
Paint trays
Liner
9" roller suitable for flat surfaces
2" brush for hard to reach areas
Roller
Squeegee
Scissors
Rag

Steps:

1. When painting with the combing technique, use contrasting colors. Two shades apart on a color chart is a good rule to follow.
2. Mask off anything you don't want painted such as the molding, floor, baseboards, doors, and outlets.
3. Paint along the edges of the tape with a small brush before rolling to cover the hard to reach the areas.
4. Use a good quality roller cover and apply the paint with a "v" painting technique. Work in a 2' by 2' area and paint a v-shape (figure A). Next, paint an "s" shape over the v. Fill in the remaining area with the roller, pulling down in the same direction to keep the paint seamless and evenly coated.
5. Let the paint dry according to manufacturer's directions.

Figure B

6. Cut a squeegee with scissors to create a tooth pattern in the rubber.
7. Thin the second color paint in a ratio of one part water to one part paint.

Figure C

8. Overlap the previous section slightly and add the paint with a roller. Work in strips or small sections at a time because the paint dries quickly. Tip: Start the combing process in a less visible part of the room to allow for practice.

Figure D

9. Start at the top of the wall and pull the squeegee down.

Figure E

10. Wipe off the squeegee to remove the paint residue and pull the comb over the same section again to create small grooves in the paint.