Softening Your Walls with Color Wash

Copyright © 2005 Pamela Cole Harris
Home and Garden Makeover
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com

If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a
color wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color
washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco
walls. And it’s so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired
decorator, can do it.

There are two techniques for color wash application: sponge
or brush. Each requires a slightly different glaze formula.

Sponge Technique:

Color Wash Glaze: Mix together 1 part latex paint and 6 parts
water in a bucket.

1. Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which will
not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor with
plastic drop cloths (especially if you are as messy as I am).

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex paint and allow it
to dry completely before the next step.

3. Dip the sponge into the color wash glaze and squeeze lightly.

4. Beginning in a lower corner, apply the glaze to the wall
in short, overlapping strokes. Change the direction of the
strokes frequently. Work on a small portion of the wall at
a time (3 foot by 3 foot is a good size).

5. Repeat moving upward until all the wall is covered.

6. Allow to dry completely.

Brush Technique:

Brush Color Wash Glaze: 1 part flat latex paint, 1 part latex
paint conditioner (available at your local home improvement
center), and 2 parts water. Mix in a bucket.

1. Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which
will not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor
with plastic drop cloths.

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex enamel paint and
allow it to dry completely before the next step.

3. Allow the paint to dry.

4. Dip a paintbrush in the glaze and remove the excess against
the side of the bucket.

5. Apply the paint in a criss-cross pattern.

6. Brush over the surface repeatedly to soften the look of
the paint.

7. Wipe excess glaze away, if necessary. (Better get the
industrial-sized package of paper towels!)

There you have it! A soft paint look perfect for your newly
decorated room...And since you have the technique down to a
science, why not come and do my family room? Powder room?
Closet?

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Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer and designer for 35 years
(Yikes, has it been that long?) Enjoy her tongue-in-cheek
approach to inexpensive interior design at:
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com and http://www.diy-homedecor.com