Colour Washing

Colour washing is perhaps the most popular faux finish, and also one of the easiest. It creates the illusion of faded plaster walls and adds depth and texture to the walls. It can be used on any surface walls but is also ideal to cover any minor imperfections in your walls.

You will need:
- Base coat - white acrylic paint
- Top coat - your choice of colour - satin
- Roller and tray
- Paint brush
- Mixing container

Here's how:
1. For the base coat, apply 2 coats and allow to dry.

2. Mix water with paint (2:1). Mix well and pour into a paint tray.

3. For the top coat, work in sections of about 1 x 1 metre, applying the diluted paint in random crisscross strokes. Make sure to keep a wet edge to avoid lap lines. Colour washed walls are perfect in any room, however, if you use them in bathrooms, kitchens or hallways they should be given a coat of matte varnish for protection.

Design Tips:
The top coat is translucent to allow each coat to show the one below.

Always work from the top of the walls down, as the diluted paint is very runny.

If you wish to add more depth and texture to the walls or if the colorwash looks too bold try adding a second colour. Simply add a second colour wash layer in a different colour.

  source: meredith publishing