Sponging

A super easy way to add texture to your walls, sponging is a snap. Follow the instructions below to achieve this fast and fabulous faux finish.

1. Choose your two favorite colors of Devoe latex flat or satin paint. If you want the look to be more subtle, stick to one color family.
2. Apply two coats of the lighter color. This will be your base color.
3. Wait 2-4 hours for the base coats to dry. When you’re ready to pick up again, mix the second color in a container using two parts of paint to one part water.
4. Take a coarse sea sponge and soften it in warm water, making sure to squeeze out any excess water.
5. Dip one side of the sponge into your paint/water mixture and dab the sponge on your wall. As you dab, keep moving so you don’t overwork one area. Keep in mind that the harder you press down the sponge, the heavier the print.
6. Voilà—your wall has been sponged.

Stenciling

In decorating, it’s all about the details. Add something special to your room by stenciling a design in choice areas of the room. There is an endless variety to choose from—everything from ancient designs and floral patterns to fun letters and images. Let this punch of detail reflect your personal style.

1. Until you get the knack of it, use store bought stencils, and experiment later with homemade ones.
2. Tape the stencil on a piece of paper to practice painting before you head to your wall.
3. When you’re confident in your stenciling abilities, gently stick your stencil to the wall using low tack masking tape.
4. Pour a small amount of paint onto a saucer.
5. Use a dry clean brush and apply a VERY small amount of paint to the brush.
6. When you have completed the stencil, gently remove it from the surface and, if you need to, clean away any misplaced paint.

Striping

Striping can add interest and sophistication to a room, while highlighting two beautiful colors. With the help of a ruler and some masking tape, you can achieve this classy look.

1. Apply a base coat of paint and let it dry for 48 hours. (This color is going to be one of your stripes.)
2. We suggest keeping the stripes between 4 and 12 inches—otherwise they get too narrow and busy, or too wide and heavy-looking.
3. Measure all four walls and divide them by the width of your stripes. You may have to fudge your desired width a little until they fit evenly.
4. Mark around the top of the room with a pencil and ruler. Start this opposite of the least seen corner and adjust as necessary. Accurate, straight lines are really important—use a plumb line and lightly mark with a pencil every 12 inches down to the baseboard.
5. Press low-tack tape down along the pencil marks on the outside perimeters of each stripe you’re going to be painting. Right now, it’s going to look like you have two different widths of stripes—remember that the one that looks wider is the one you paint.
6. Mark each thin stripe with a light "X", with tape or pencil to make sure you don’t paint in that area.
7. Using a roller, paint the stripes a second color or deeper tone of the base color.
8. Remove the tape immediately and wipe away any paint that has seeped beneath the tape with a damp paper towel.

Color Washing

Color washing is a simple, free form method that adds subtle color variations and a soft, natural glow to your walls. Additionally, it’s a great finish to disguise small imperfections in the wall itself.

1. Make a glaze by combining 50% latex paint with 50% wallpaper paste.
2. Apply a base coat of satin or semi-gloss latex paint and allow it to dry overnight.
3. First Glaze: Working with your glaze in 3 sq. ft. areas and using a 4 inch brush, randomly apply sweeping strokes to your wall. The most effective method is to swing your arm from the shoulder and apply criss-cross strokes. Allow some of the base coat to remain untouched.
4. Second Glaze (optional): This step is not necessary but adds more softness to the end result. After the first glaze has dried, repeat step 3 but with a second glaze, and continue to allow some of the base coat to peek through.
5. The last step is really important. Visually soften and blend all of the brush strokes. While the glaze is wet, apply powerful sweeping strokes (this requires applying pressure) with a clean and dry block brush. Move the brush in light random patterns over the entire surface and eliminate all visible brush strokes.