Decorating & Design
August 8, 2019
11 Paint Projects To Elevate Your Home This Weekend
Nothing transforms a space as quickly and easily as a fresh coat of paint. From adding a pop of color to a window frame to adorning stairs in an unexpected hue, it’s time to look beyond your walls with these dramatic paint projects.
The project: Though this taupe and blue panel is made of silk, you can get the same look with paint in order to highlight a mirror or piece of art.
Keep in mind: Use a laser level to create straight lines. Apply wide painter’s tape to outline the shape, then fill in with a roller.
The project: Paint the inside of a glass-fronted cupboard to make whatever collection you store inside really shine.
Keep in mind: You’ll get the biggest impact by choosing a shade that contrasts with the cabinet’s exterior color. Be sure to paint every surface — even the underside of shelves. Choose a furniture or cabinet paint for durability.
The project: Highlight the baseboards.
Keep in mind: Don’t be afraid to go for a contrasting color. Use a drop cloth to protect your floor and painter’s tape to create a clean line between the baseboard and the wall.
The project: Give a paint update to drapery and upholstery. These mid-century modern dining chairs get a playful look with a stripe of color.
Keep in mind: Use masking tape to create clean lines. Thin chalk paint (one part paint, 10 parts water) and use a small brush to work the hue into the fabric.
The project: Create a black outline just above a chair rail for a crisp, architectural look.
Keep in mind: Use a laser level to make a straight line. Benjamin Moore color and design expert Sharon Grech recommends a good-quality painter’s tape like FrogTape. Remove the tape while the paint is still damp so it doesn’t bond to the wall.
The project: Liven up a window frame with a pop of color.
Keep in mind: Be sure to buy the appropriate paint for your window frames, whether they’re wood or vinyl. Sharon recommends painting multiple, thin layers of paint using an angled sash brush for maximum control.
The project: Recast the interior of your front door — you spend more time with it than the exterior!
Keep in mind: This is a warm, dry-weather job, as you’ll need to keep the door open for the day. When closing the door at night, Sharon says: “Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to prevent stickiness while the paint cures. It will wipe off easily the next day.” If you’re painting both sides of the door, remember to check the color swatch inside and out because it will look different in sunlight.
The project: Create a modern take on a chair rail with a band of contrasting color.
Keep in mind: Traditionally, the bottom portion of wainscotting is either wood or painted a pale hue, making this reversal particularly stylish.
The project: Paint the ceiling to add depth and character to a space.
Keep in mind: Begin by using an angled brush to paint corners and edges. Then fill in the rest with a roller, going slowly as you approach the walls to avoid splatter.
The project: Paint the stairs for an unexpected but impactful dose of color.
Keep in mind: Paint every other stair tread with each pass so you’re able use the stairs as you work. When that coat is perfectly dried, go back and tackle the unpainted steps. Then do it all again the next day! Use floor paint for durability.
The project: Update your floor.
Keep in mind: This is a great way to spruce up hardwood or veneer that can’t be sanded and restained. Use a floor or marine paint but, first, lightly sand the floor, wash and dry it. “The paint won’t adhere if there is any oil or grease,” says Sharon.
House & Home August 2019
Produced by Kai Ethier and Jennifer Koper