Easy Decorating and Painting Tips

Unique  walls don't have to cost a fortune and can be easy to paint with new faux finish techniques. Use a faux finish to turn a dull looking wall, mantel, or window seal into marble,  make a drab piece of furniture look antique, or elegantly texture walls with beautiful colors. 

To began this fun challenge, think of your walls as a blank canvas. Use it as an open invitation to create a subtle, elegant, lively, or serene ambiance.  With your imaginative use of paint, you can transform a room into tricky geometric patterns or a decorative backdrop. If you are new at painting and feel a bit nervous, relax! With faux painting, there is a lot of forgiveness.  Artistic talent is not a prerequisite for decorative faux painting, rather having the right tools and taking the time to plan are more important. 

The decorative effects that can be created with painting are infinite. The first thing when faux painting that you want to consider is the technique you want to use.  You can paint stripes, create a pattern  with a comb or brush, make an all over imprint that can match your furniture, bed linens or window curtains.  Next, you'll need to choose the kind of paint to buy. Do you want latex or alkyd? You can also choose eggshell, satin, or a semigloss finish. If you are painting a new surface, always prime the surface before applying the base coat. Always use the same type primer as your base coat.  Whether you use colorwashing fresco, rubbing, stippling, ragging, sponging, spattering,dragging, stenciling or combing techniques, your choices are endless for the decorative look you want to archieve.

Remember, before you paint, always have the paint brushes and tools you need. Tools for different types of techniques can be found in your local paint, home improvement, or craft store.  Always remember to apply drop cloths, and protective clothing.  General equipment for basic painting will always include a bucket and rack, curved painter's tool, drop cloths, edge guide, labeling system, measuring devices, mixing containers, and stir sticks, paint tray, painter masking tape, plumb bobs, rubber gloves, sandpaper, tack cloth and a stepladder. Although there are numerous brushes and rollers available for decorative painting, you really do not need many of them for every job.  Most decorative painting tools include artist brushes, burlap, cheese cloth, chip bushes, cosmetic sponges, eraser tools, feathers, flogger, foam brushes, graining combs, house painter's brushes, jersey rags, Mattel, narrow masking tape, novelty graining tools, paper towels, rubber stamps, sea sponges, softener, stippling brush, stencil brushes and a vainer. Depending on what type of finish you want, these tools can usually be found at your local paint or craft store.

Most  painting techniques feature a combination of colors.  Understanding color and learning how to apply it to a room is not difficult. I can't tell you how many times customers come to the Linen Locker with a color swatch of paint. They show our decorators the color of a room and then they proceed to tell them they need to match the color to new linens for that room.  Most often, the linens are window curtains.  Other times, they have refinished a bedroom and are looking to match bedding to an already painted room. If you are redoing an entire room, the first step should be to pick out your linens. It is much easier to match a color to bedding or curtains than it is to match bedding or linens to paint. With the latest techniques in mixing paint, a good paint store can match almost any color you need to your linens.  Assuming you already have your bedding, or window curtains, start your painting project by choosing a color in the bedding or curtains that you would like to use. Take a panel of your curtains, or a sham of the comforter set to the paint store.  You will not only save yourself many hours of searching for the perfect color for your linens, but you will save yourself additional cost by not having to purchase new linens to match you newly painted walls.

To understand color can be as difficult as you want to make it. Most of our customers are not interested in the color wheel and color combinations.  The color wheel is most often used by professional decorators  and expands color choices by allowing you to work out different color schemes.  Most of our customers only are interested in matching their bedding or window treatments to paint colors.  However, if you want to understand color values,  hues, or color intensity,  you can find wonderful books at your local library that explain how to paint by using various combinations. Either way, you are sure to have hours of enjoyment and the final product will leave you with a sense of satisfaction.

It may be that painting isn't for you. No problem! With today's beautiful choices of wall paper, you can update your walls with the faux finish look just by painting the new and improved canvas wall paper that is located at your paint and home improvement stores. Using wallpaper in a room can be easier than faux painting. Your choices can also be endless with color and styles.  Many home improvement or paint stores carry lovely textured paper that can be painted with you choice of color. Just hang your paper and apply the same rules when choosing your colors. Always remember to choose you window curtains or bedding first, then match you paint to your linens.

By using the following simple details, tools, and materials for your decorative painting projects, you will see how easy it is to add a very special touch to your home.  Your touch is always the best touch. So think about your project, test it on poster board, and have fun.

Note: Fabric swatches can be mailed  to match paint color on Croscill Home Fashions Bedding, Thomasville Bedding, Veratex Linens, Lawrence Bedding, Southern Textiles Bedding,  and Home Source Bedding.