Decorating With Paint and Wallpaper

When designing a room, one of the biggest surfaces you'll have to consider are the walls. With paint and wallpaper, you can make them an unobtrusive backdrop or a lavish focal point! Design options are almost limitless when it comes to paint and wallpaper. Paint can be as basic as one color in a matte or gloss finish, or as elaborate as a decorative paint finish, such as a faux finish, a stenciled design, or even a mural. Wallpapers run the gamut from classic stripes and floral patterns to natural textured materials, such as grass cloth.

Before deciding on paint or wallpaper, it’s a good idea to assess the condition of your walls. For the best results for either paint or wallpaper, smooth walls are best. Holes and cracks should be filled and sanded. Old wallpaper should be removed before painting. If your walls have some imperfections, wall treatments, such as textured wall papers or special painted effects can help hide them.

Decorative Paint Techniques
Although solid colored painted walls are a classic choice that will never go out of style, it’s hard to resist some of the special effects that can be achieved with paint. Here are some of the most intriguing wall treatments achieved with paint.

Sponging and Ragging
This paint treatment uses a sponge or rag to add or remove wet paint, producing a layered and textured look. It involves using two or more colors – usually in the same color range. For exampl, first, a base color such as yellow is painted, then using a rag or sponge, a darker yellow (or lighter yellow) is layered on.

Combing
The combing technique also involves layering two or more colors. First, a base color is applied, then, while the first color is still wet, a second layer of color is applied and a comb (or brush) is dragged through the top layer of paint revealing the base color. The comb can be dragged either vertically or horizontally or in both directions to create even more texture.

Glazing
Glazing features a base paint color that's glazed over with another paint that has been diluted with thinner producing a luminous translucent finish. It has a more subtle effect than sponging and ragging or combing.

Stenciling and Stamping
Stenciling and stamping uses paint to create decorative patterns on the wall. There are many precut stencils and stamps in a multitude of designs or you can design your own.

Marbling and Graining
These painting techniques require a little more artistry than some of the other special painted finishes. They mimic the look of marble and wood and, when done well, can pass for the real thing!

Working with Wallpapers
Wallpaper comes in an infinite number of styles, colors, patterns and textures making it one of the most versatile decorating resources. Here are some of the most common types of wallpaper.

Vinyl Wallpaper
Vinyl is one of the most popular wallpaper materials because it can take a beating. It can stand up to moisture, grease and fingerprints and comes in every style, color, pattern and texture imaginable.

Paper Wallpaper
This is the original material used to make wallpapers, but it's less common today because it’s not as durable as vinyl. However, some of the most beautiful designer wallpapers are still made of paper. Paper wallpapers are often hand painted or silk screened with beautiful patterns and designs.

Flocked Wallpaper
Flocked wallpapers have patterns with a felt-like fiber that resembles velvet. They're one of the oldest styles of wallpaper and have been considered old fashion and passé until a recent resurgence. New, more contemporary styles and designs are bringing them back into fashion.

Embossed Wallpaper
Embossed wallpapers feature raised designs in intricate patterns often resembling the intricate moldings and details from the Victorian era. These wallpapers are rich looking, durable and can be painted and repainted several times. They also are great for camouflaging wall imperfections.

Natural Wallpapers
Natural wallpapers are a great way to bring texture to a room. They come in a variety of materials such as grass cloth, hemp and burlap as well as a variety of colors.

Fabric Wallpapers
Fabrics wallpapers are made from cloth that is backed by paper. Some of the most common fabrics used include silk, suede, and felt, however any fabric can be used by sending it to a workroom to have a paper backing applied. Also fabric can be applied over padding that is glued to the walls. Fabric on walls is quite beautiful, but can be difficult to install and is hard to clean.

Web Resources

• 10 Tips For Picking Paint Colors from HGTV
  Color is one of the most important elements in design, but picking paint colors can be overwhelming. Here are ten great tips to help you make some successful color choices.
• The Healthiest Paints For You from MyHomeIdeas.com
  Wondering how the latest low-VOC and no-VOC paints stack up? Here are some reviews that rate price, performance, odor and drying time of healthy paints from Benjamin Moore, California Paints, Devoe Paints, The Freshaire Choice, Pittsburg Paints and Sherwin Williams.
• Select The Perfect Wallpaper from BHG
  Here are some great tips from Better Homes and Gardens on how to choose the perfect wallpaper - how to choose the right pattern, scale, and color, as well as how to calculate the number of rolls you'll need.
• How To Hang Wallpaper from This Old House
  Want to hang wallpaper yourself? With some patience, precision and this guide from This Old House, almost anyone can do it.
• Decorative Painting from BHG
  If you want to learn more about the different decorative painting techniques, such as combing and ragging, and step-by step instructions on achieving these looks yourself, check out this decorative painting guide at Better Homes and Gardens.
• 10 Ways To Redecorate With Paint from Sunset Magazine
  Great tips on how to use paint to define a space, showcase a feature, highlight the unexpected, resize a space and many more great ideas on using paint to redecorate.