Paint Pizzazz: Decorative Painting Techniques

Overview: Three wall finishes, materials and techniques

For less than $100, you can transform a room in a single weekend. All it takes is some paint, glaze and masking tape. We’ll show you how to create three distinctly different decorative finish designs using simple tools and techniques. Even though the three finishes look unique, they’re all created by masking off sections of the wall and applying a glaze finish.

The techniques for masking and glazing are easy to learn and don’t require any special skills. However, you will need a good bit of patience since each finish entails multiple layers of glaze and careful applications of masking tape. You only need to paint one wall to achieve a dramatic effect. You could complete a wall in a day, but it’s better to set aside a weekend to allow plenty of drying time between coats of glaze.

The first step in each finish is to paint the wall with the base coat color. For this you’ll need typical painting supplies like a stepladder, drop cloth, paintbrush and roller. In addition, each of the designs requires slightly different tools and materials, and we’ll tell you about these as we show you how to create each pattern.

Note: For more ways to spice up bland walls, search for “venetian plaster,” “wainscot,” “wallpaper” and “stencil” in the Search Box above.

Random rectangles: The effect

Four layers of glazed boxes overlap to create this contemporary design. We chose golden hues, but you could produce the same effect using different colors. In general, use a darker or more opaque color for the first layer of boxes, and lighten the color and increase the transparency for each of the three succeeding layers. Where layers overlap, new shades and colors will appear. That’s why it’s essential to create a sample board before you start.

We used latex paint thinned with glaze for the first layer and thinned semi-opaque metallic finishes for the next two layers. Before you commit to applying the finish to the wall, choose your colors and mix the glazes. You can buy the paints, glaze and sponges at paint stores.  Then make a sample board by painting a piece of drywall, hardboard or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and applying the glaze. Overlap sections of glaze on the board to see the effect. Of course, if you like the way our wall looks, just copy our formula. When you’re happy with the choice of colors, you can start on the wall.

Overlapping rectangles

Random Rectangle Appearance and Formula

Recipe for rectangles:

Base coat color: Benjamin Moore Semolina 2155-40, eggshell.

First set of rectangles: One part Benjamin Moore Dash of Curry 2159-10 thinned with 3 parts Benjamin Moore Latex Glaze Extender Clear 408.

Second set of rectangles: One part Modern Masters Tequila Gold ME661 thinned with two parts Glaze Extender.

Third set of rectangles: One part Modern Masters Gold Rush ME658 thinned with two parts Glaze Extender.

Fourth layer of rectangles: One part Modern Masters Flash Copper ME656 thinned with one part Glaze Extender.

Random rectangles: The technique

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Photo 1: Make the rectangles

Mark rectangles on the wall using a level and a watercolor pencil. Then frame the rectangles with masking tape.

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Photo 2: Spread and pounce

Spread random 6-in. swaths of glaze with the end of a sponge. Pounce with the second sponge to spread the glaze.

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Photo 2A: Close-up of sponges

We used "hump-backed" sponges, which are available at paint stores.

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Photo 3: Apply additional layers

Add a second, third and fourth layer of overlapping boxes, using a lighter-colored glaze for each layer. Let the glaze dry at least two hours between layers.

Choosing the size and position of the boxes may seem daunting, but don’t worry. The wall will look better with each layer you apply. Buy a watercolor pencil at an art supply store in a color that matches your color scheme and use it to mark the walls. The watercolor lines will disappear as you apply the glaze to the boxes. We drew square and rectangular boxes that ranged in size from a 34 x 14-in. rectangle to a 48-in. square. Photos 1 – 3 show the process. Draw the fourth layer of boxes to enclose any base coat color that hasn’t been covered by previous layers.

Tape off a series of boxes. Then, using the following steps, you’ll spread a thin layer of glaze within the taped-off boxes to create a cloudy effect. Wet the sponges and wring them out before starting. Then use one sponge to spread a few 6-in.-long swaths of glaze on a small section of a box. “Pounce” the flat side of a second dampened sponge onto the glaze to spread it out. Rinse the pouncing sponge in clean water occasionally to get rid of built-up glaze. Work quickly across the box so that you never have to overlap onto an area of glaze that’s already dry. Complete all the boxes with the first glaze color and let the glaze dry at least a couple of hours before starting on the next layer.

Draw another set of boxes on the wall that overlaps the first set and repeat the glazing process. Repeat these steps for the third layer. Complete the wall by covering any unglazed base coat with the fourth layer of glazed rectangles.

Dabbing an inside corner

Corner Technique

Finishing right up to an inside corner with a sponge is difficult. You’ll get uneven coverage or a buildup of glaze that looks bad. A better technique is to finish within a few inches of the corner with the sponge. Then, while the finish is still wet, use a dry brush in a pouncing motion to work the glaze into the corner.