If Walls Could Talk - 9/7/2005 - Home Interior Walls Ceilings

If Walls Could Talk

by Debbie L. Sklar

Through the use of paints and glazes available today, you can create some of the simplest or the most elegant finishes to your walls in little time.

There's everything from sponging and ragging techniques to creating fabulous faux finishes to help bring your home into the future.

For example, some of the hottest trends to date are through the use of glazes and dragging tools. There are now available to us rollers that create the texture and the glaze. The roller does the work.

Also available are pearl-like glazes. You can create Old World looks on your furniture pieces or accessories through the use of crackle paints and varnishes or give our walls that aged look through the use of stucco antico ¾, a true Venetian plaster; that is tinted to the color of choice and rolled right onto the walls. This stucco can be left natural for a rustic look or polished for a more sophisticated environment.

From sponging to ragging and rolling, the use of glazes and texturizing tools has evolved. You can use feather dusters to create a soft clouding look or combs to create the look of denim. If you set your mind to it, almost anything is possible! Most decorating centers and do-it-yourself stores have easy to follow pamphlets giving you step-by-step instructions.

Remember that fresh color can update a room, disguise a fault, or open up a small space. Choose one of today's soft new colors, led by blue, aqua, and true lavender, to transform your home interior.

While blue is by far the most important color of the decade, shades of cool, pale or luminescent yellow are gaining popularity. The return of true greens with blue undertones reflects another strong color trend. Softened hues of orange and red are also being introduced as energizing, accent colors.

Overall, color directions for this year are fresh and clean. Don't use more than three colors per room and take care to select colors that work together throughout the entire house. You can convey a happy, relaxed atmosphere by selecting warm colors like lemon yellow, coral and orange. Warm colors create a cozy atmosphere and blend nicely with neutral or natural shades. Cool shades of blue, green and purple are restful. Try using cool colors in a sunny room or where brightness and glare needs to be toned down.

Choosing the right wall paint color depends on personal taste, the amount of natural light, artificial light, flooring colors, and furniture colors. Keep your interior trim color simple and the same throughout your home. Unify your trim and ceiling by painting them the same color. Though this effect is subtle, it keeps all of your rooms related to each other. For moldings and doors, ask the paint store to mix a blend of your color choice cut with white. A common formula for this is one part color to three parts white

The experts report that a good paint job is at least 50 percent preparation. Scrape minor cracks on walls and ceilings, fill them with spackling compound, let dry, sand and fill again. Before you start painting, seal every gap or crack with the best quality latex caulk you can find. Look for trouble spots around doors, windows, corners or where walls meet floors and ceilings.

Invest in good premium paint, brushes and roller covers. Bargain paint is no bargain if you're looking for better coverage, longer wear and a more washable surface.

Select a professional quality 3-inch wide synthetic-bristle brush. It's best to use an l/2-inch nap roller cover when applying flat paint; 3/8-inch nap for semi gloss and l/4-inch nap for high gloss finishes.

In order to determine how much paint you'll need, simply calculate the surface area to be painted. Multiply this by the number of coats you expect to apply. Read the container label to find out how much area the paint will cover. Divide the area per container into your total surface area to determine how many containers you'll need. Spreading paint too thinly lowers its durability so don't skimp.

In the end, it's up to you what color and texture you want to use to liven up the walls in your home. Have fun, use your imagination and wear something old when you pick up that paintbrush!