Archive for the ‘Painting’ Category

Common Ways to Texture Drywall

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

People have had textured ceilings almost since ceilings were invented.  It makes sense that at some point someone was going to have the bright idea to come up with ways to texture drywall too.  It may come as a surprise to learn that mastering these techniques isn’t much different than learning how to apply wall paint in creative ways to get the look you want.  The first thing you need to know is what you need to get started and a couple of ideas for your technique.

Let’s start with the materials and tools you will need to master the ways to texture drywall.  Go the home improvement store and be prepared to pick up drop cloths, a paint roller pan, and ribbon mixer.  Add to that list the following items, paint roller handle, an extension and cover would be helpful, as well as 5 gallons of drywall compound.  You will also need ribbon mixer and an electric drill if you don’t already have one.  Some people like to add a mud pan, taping knife, and crow’s foot stomp brush to the list, but that depends on how in depth you are planning to go.

Ways to Texture Drywall

In order to implement the ways to texture drywall, you have to get your drywall compound to the correct consistency.  Thin out the mud with water until it is the consistency of a milkshake.  This is where the ribbon mixer comes in on your electric drill.  Your next step will be to prepare the room you are changing with drop cloths.

Your next step is to pour some of your thinned mud mixture into a roller pan.  With your roller, apply the mixture to the wall.  The faster you move, the mud will leave small, closely spaced peaks in the finish.  The slower the movement of your arm, the higher those peaks will be.  Go ahead and play with it a bit to determine the look you like more.

Experimentation is the key element to successfully using the ways to texture drywall.  It’s up to you to try different tools in your quest for perfection on your walls.

Popular Faux Finish Painting Ideas

Monday, February 11th, 2008

The one thing every person wants to do is make their home an extension of who they are, their personal tastes, and unique from everyone else’s homes.  One of the most inexpensive and easiest ways to personalize the inside of your home is with faux finish painting ideas.  People have become seriously creative when it comes to using unique materials to apply paint for a more interesting look.  Gone are the days of simply painting your walls a solid color.  With the sheer number of shades and tones of colors and the modern techniques for applying the paint, you have tons of choices and options.

Let’s take a look at some of the newer painting ideas to hit the home interior scene in recent history.  For those who prefer an interesting look, color blocking has a lot going for it.  Using several complimentary paint colors, levels, and straight edges you can paint sections of a wall different colors.  Many people like this look in the baby’s room or an open air sunroom or indoor patio.

Faux Finish Painting Ideas 

Another unique look you can create with paint alone is shadow striping.  We have all seen the elegant wallpaper found in fine restaurants and nice hotels with stripes of varying shades of the same color.  Often this wallpaper is made from silk or other pricey material. You can alternate hues on your walls in the dining room or bedroom to give your home the look and feel of a high price hotel or lovely European home.

Silk wallpaper isn’t the only home adornment that many of us can’t afford.  If you like the natural look of terracotta tiles and have priced them to discover that they are way out of your price range, the good news is you can use paint to replicate the look.  You will need some stencils, the right paint shades, and tons of patience, but it’s worth it for the appearance you want in your kitchen or mudroom.

Faux finish painting ideas are what have kept the average person in the black when it comes to decorating their homes.  For any expensive wall dressing you may like, there is a faux idea that works just as well.