Fabulous Finishes Remodeling House Ideas 01

Remodeling House Ideas : Fabulous Finishes Remodeling House Ideas 01

Plain white walls are blank canvases full of possibilities. Instead of decorating them with wallpaper or pictures, why not paint your own one-of-a-kind finish? Three techniques—color washing, ragging, and sponging—are perfect for beginners. All produce quite different results: color washing creates the delicate look of watercolor; ragging offers soft texture; sponging has a marbled effect. Be sure you practice on objects other than the intended surface to help you master these methods.


EMULATE THE PROS

Know what products will and won’t do—and buy materials the professionals choose. Favor Polyvine, a water-based glaze that stays wet three times longer than other manufactured glazes. Buy 2-inch-wide low-tack tape. Professional painters use it to tape off ceilings because, when peeled off, it won’t take half the surface with it.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. As tedious as it sounds, hours spent in preparation will yield a better-than-expected result. That means: tape off sidewalls, ceilings, and baseboards; clean and wash surfaces, and
get rid of loose paint chips; fill and sand holes and cracks; lay drop cloths to protect furniture, rugs, and collectibles.

THINK 45 DEGREES

The angle at which paint is applied can determine the difference between noticeable lap lines and a well-blended surface. Painting horizontally and vertically, unless glazes are immediately worked in, can result in unwanted stripes. Instead, pros recommend using the 45-degree method, brushing or ragging or sponging on an angle.

PICK THE POSITIVE

it is easier to add paint than to subtract it. Known as positive techniques, color washing, ragging, and sponging share a common methodology. Translucent glaze is piled atop a base coat by one person using brushes, sponges, or rags. Conversely, a negative technique requires two people—one to apply, the other to remove.


SAMPLE IT

An hour or so experimenting with colors and finishes on 20-by-20-inch poster boards will save days of work. Why not pick a tone on tone—one shade slightly darker than the first—and try your hand. Italians named these faux finishes well, calling them arte povera, or poor man’s art.