The art of paint effects | Home Improvement Advice

You don't have to be an artist to make an impression with paint effects! Whatever kind of ambience you want to create, you can do it using paint effects.Fun and quirky, chic and classic, bold and boho ? here is all the decorating inspiration you need. The only limit's your imagination.

If you think Monet is on the money, you'll love the nuanced hues you can achieve with colour washing using two different colours. One should be darker than the other for the best results. Apply an even base coat,?and let it dry. Then take your second, lighter colour and thin it with transparent glaze. In true Impressionist style, apply the second coat using random, 'scribbly' brushstrokes. Allow the darker, base coat to show through here and there ? you're not aiming for solid colour. If you really enjoy yourself, find out about decorating courses you can take to broaden your skills.

Dragging is another beautifully subtle technique. As well as for walls, you can use it on wooden?cabinets and chests of?drawers for rustic charm. After painting on your base coat and letting it dry, you apply coloured glaze. A dry?paint brush is dragged through the wet glaze to create a 'wood grain' effect. As the glaze needs to be wet to achieve the right finish, don't try to cover too large an area in one go, or get someone to assist you.

If you prefer a more opulent look, try combing. It's deceptively simple and works best?if you use two contrasting colours, but you do need a smooth surface to work on. As before, allow your base coat to dry before applying the second colour, diluted with glaze. Take a rubber paint effects comb, which you can buy from good DIY stores, and drag it across the wet glaze to make whatever kind of pattern you want. Use rich, velvety tones for a touch of Rococo flamboyance. The beauty of painting effects is that you can create very different looks by mixing and matching tones, shades and even metallics.

If you're not afraid to stand out from the crowd, why not create a feature wall using spattering? Make your own masterpiece of abstract art by selecting a dramatic base colour and then spattering as many colours as you dare over the dry base coat. As with all great art, the technique takes a little mastering. But basically, it involves dipping your paint brush in paint and flicking it at the wall. You might want to tap the top of the handle against a ruler held up in front of the surface, for more control. It pays to experiment using sheets of old card so that you can adjust the distance, the amount of paint on the brush, consistency etc. until you achieve the desired effect. But be warned ? this and other paint effects can be messy.?Maybe that's?not your idea of fun ? so?contact this professional decorator if you live in Birmingham.

Now the boring bit. Whichever paint effect you choose, preparation is key. Before starting, sand down the surface, fill any little holes/cracks, and wash with sugar soap or mild detergent. When completely dry ? you're ready to start!

Source: http://www.home-improvement-advice.co.uk/the-art-of-paint-effects

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