Donna Babylon, an interior-design expert, shows that diamonds truly are a wall's best friend. Diamonds cover imperfections in a wall as well as create the illusion that a small room is larger, which is perfect with rooms that have a low ceiling or are very narrow.
Materials:
measuring tape
masking tape
chalk line
calculator
pencil
putty knife
cheesecloth
1 gallon paint
glazing medium
plastic bucket (for mixing paint and glaze )
rubber gloves
Steps:
- Start by taking two measurements for the wall to be painted--the height measurement and the width measurement. This task is easier to accomplish with a friend to help you hold the tape measure.
- Once you have the measurements, divide the length of the room by an odd number. This will determine how many diamonds will be placed along the wall. It is important to know that this odd number should correspond to the desired measurement between the two side points of the diamond (Odd number = desired width of diamond).
- Do the same for the height measurement. Dividing this measurement by any number will give you the number of rows of diamonds the wall will have. This number should also translate to the length of the diamond--Any number = desired length of diamond (figure A).
- Now it's time to mark off the diamonds by using a template (figure B). Pre-mark the template with the measurements. The first and last marks on the wall should be half the width of the diamond. Once the first half-width has been marked off, mark off full diamond widths across the wall before finishing with a half-width.
- Repeat this process for the height. Again, the first and last marks should be half the diamond height. After the first half-height, mark off full diamond heights down the wall before finishing with a half-height.
- Now it is time to connect the dots. Use a chalk line to connect the two half-points in the upper left corner (figure C). Continue snapping lines down and to the right along the wall, connecting the next point across to the next point down. Do this across the entire wall, then repeat this step from the top right corner and moving left.
- Tape off the diamonds with masking tape and a putty knife. Place the tape along the outside edge of an individual diamond. The putty knife enables you to smooth the tape and tear a clean edge. Make sure the tape meets at each point so that you have very distinct diamonds (figure D).
- Now that the diamonds are all taped off, mix the paint and glazing liquid.
- Crumple cheesecloth into a big ball (the more wrinkles the better) and dip it into the paint.
- On the wall you will see large diamonds and small diamonds. Apply the paint in the large diamonds in a circular motion with the cheesecloth. Be sure to keep the paint inside the lines, but it's OK to ensure coverage by painting onto the tape.
- By using dabbing and circular motions, the coverage should be lightly discolored. You don't want the color in the diamonds to be too solid and uniform. If you do make a mistake and get paint into a blank diamond, have a damp cloth ready to wipe the paint away. A damp cloth will take the paint off, but work quickly to remove it.
- Reveal the fruits of your labor by simply removing the tape (figure E).
Resources More Splash Than Cash Decorating Ideas
by Donna Babylon
This book is an easy-to-read guide for tasteful decorating on a budget--perfect for anyone wanting to spruce up their home without breaking their wallet.
Windsor Oak Publishing, March 1999
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests Donna Babylon
Author / Designer / Owner, Windsor Oak Publishing
Toll-free: 888-919-8227
Fax: 410-848-3293
E-mail:
Donna@WindsorOak.com
Website:
www.moresplashthancash.com
Also in this Episode
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