Change room size with paint

Change room size with paint! Put that sledge hammer down and drop the crowbar. That's right, sometimes all you need is a brush, roller and the right paint color to give the illusion that the walls have moved. Simple adjustment can bring the greatest results. Here are a few paint tips to get you started.

The photo above shows a large room with ceilings 12 to 13 feet high, to make the area cozier a warm color was applied to make the ceiling appear closer, the walls which were painted in a lighter warm tone appear to have shorten up the walls, also giving the perception they have moved forward.

If your looking to lift your ceiling, using a light color will give the feeling of height. If your feeling a little cramped in your room, try painting a light color on your walls. Light colors will make a small area seem larger. Cooler colors will also create the feeling of space.

The key thing to remember is darker colors will advance and lighter will retract. Walls will seem like they have moved by adding this method. Learn more about these color affects at http://activerain.com/blogsview/502785/a-lesson-in-color-receding-and-moving-towards-colors

Crosshatch Faux Technique

A crosshatch faux technique was used to create this subtle aged look. This technique can be used on the interior and exterior. To accomplish this look, paint is applied wet on wet. I applied a deep warm green and a mid warm green on a lighter cooler green base. The base and top coats were a eggshell finish . No glaze was added to the paint. A 4in. roller was used to distribute the darker green first, then a 3 in. brush was used to apply  the mid tone green using the crosshatch technique. I applied the the mid tone green in a random pattern with the same brush. The cross hatch was softened and the edges of the faux were kept in a irregular pattern. The end result will have a soft mottled appearance.

Note - With the Crosshatch technique you are basically painting X's on the wall and blending the two colors together.
 I moved right along, cutting in top and bottom,
rolling in the opened areas. Try not to let the outer edges of the paint dry. Work a couple of feet at a time and dont add too much paint into your corner. This would create a pie crust look. To avoid this, I make a point of adding paint or glaze several inches from any corner and slowly bringing the paint or glaze to the corner.

 

 The greatest thing about this technique is, it is easily repaired. Go back into the area and follow the above, blend in the area and your finished. If this is your first attempt, choose colors which are various tones of the same color. This will keep you from adding other colors which may make an  unwanted color. For the more experienced colorist, use your imagination.  Enjoy!

A Fall Night

Click to enlarge

I painted this picture in 1988. The inspiration to paint the picture came one night while I was in my car waiting for a friend.  I could not believe the brilliant colors of the leaves around the street light. The leaves were glowing in all the surrounding darkness. What a creepy but beautiful contrast. As the leaves fell from the trees, they were caught in the light only to disappear into the night. Without light there is no color. That scene remained in my mind until one night in the fall of 1988, I decided to put it on a canvas. It reminds me of the never ending cycle of the seasons and how the fall goes out in such glory.

How to - paint touch ups

Time for paint

 

     The holidays are right around the corner, family is coming over and you would like to make a good impression. There are a few areas on your home interior walls that need touching up but you cannot find the matching paint, what do you do? Don’t panic! The following techniques will help achieve professional results.

      Take a deep breath and relax, check to see if there is any of the original paint in your supply room. If you can not find the original paint try the next step. Next  take a small sample of the paint color from the wall to the paint center and have it matched. Take a razor knife and score the sheet rock making a square the size of 2 x 2 inch. After cutting into the wall peal the first layer away from the wall. I recommend picking an inconspicuous area, behind a door is a great place to start. If you have found the paint, mix it well and try a test spot on the wall to see if it blends in. If it bends in your ready to proceed.

Clean area

    Spackle the area where the sample was taken, when dry, sand and wipe clean. Now take your newly matched paint and apply it to the areas as needed for touch ups. I found a 4 inch mini roller with a standard ½ in. nap is great for this application. The mini rollers have become very popular and can be found in most paint supply centers. Also, pick up a roller tray and a small tarp to catch any drips. Pour a little amount of paint into the roller tray and then apply paint to the roller. Try not to add too much paint to the roller.

Spot prime

     If you have any spots that have crayons or magic marker I recommend using Cover Stain Primer in a spray can. Read the instructions first and then apply a small amount to the area. When your primer dries you are ready to paint. Clean the other areas as needed.

     I found the roller technique better than using a brush. The brush tends to make a band aid appearance which is very obvious; your walls will appear to have a bad rash. Using the roller tends to blend the paint in much better. Before starting test a spot of paint and use a blow dryer to see how it blends in. If the spot of paint disappears after it dries then you’re good to go.

Apply paint

     Roll over the area that needs the fresh paint and run the path of the roller a least 12 inches on all sides lightly feathering the outer areas. (In this demonstration I used a light color so you can see what I’m explaining better ) Move your roller vertically up and down the wall. This works great for all paints but sheen paints need a little more finesse.

   If you’re touching up an area which is perpendicular to a window using eggshell, satin, semi-gloss finish it will be very noticeable. By using this technique you will have a better chance of the paint blending in. Another tip: There are shadow areas in all rooms which are next to door frames, windows, hanging pictures and furniture; these are great areas to bring your paint towards to hide the new touch up.

Feather all edges

    When the touch up is very close to an adjoining wall move you’re roller towards the wall corner. We are trying to fool the eye and make the touch ups less obvious. It is very important that the paint match is as close as the original paint. The sheen and color needs to be the same for this to be successful.

Nice and clean

   When I find spots at eye level I roll the paint as high as my arm will go and also as low. By doing this the touch up will be hard to find.  Two coats may be required over a primer. Purchase good grade paint and the results will be very nice.

    Note: If you see spots coming threw your finish work reapply the spot primer and when dry touch up the area again. Enjoy your Holiday's!

The Color Purple

                                                                     The Color Purple

          Mystery, magic and creativity are some of the words often associated with the color purple.

 The storm has passed and the water is still. Clouds cradle the moon as if it was a prized pearl with it's illuminating glow leading us into another day.

Original acrylic paintings created by Ron Markowitz.

Orange Memories

                                                            

     I lived in New Jersey for several years and witnessed some of the most awesome displays of the leaves changing color in the Fall. It was like mother nature's fireworks changing with each passing day. Little did I know what a profound effect it would have on my life. 

     In my opinion, orange is the most iconic color of fall. When the trees explode into brilliant colors, we are reminded that fall is here. As we stare at this beautiful color show, we remember the things we loved the most and still cherish today. I remember running door-to-door on Halloween night, collecting delicious candy in my orange pumpkin, glowing jack o’ lanterns greeting me at every door step, and candy corn in my grandmother’s candy dish which I could not keep my hands out of.

     A few more of my orange memories include the smell of hot pumpkin pie fresh out of the oven, sweet potatoes, carrots and don’t forget that beautiful roasted turkey glazed with honey. Many of us had to rake the falling leaves from our yards and sometimes the pile of leaves would be four ft. high. During break time a tall glass of OJ was the perfect refreshing energy drink that put a smile on all our faces.  Once the break was over we would throw our selves into the pile of leaves and roll around till we were dizzy.

      How can anyone resist playing in those piles of leaves?  Sometimes the leaves would lift off the ground and chase each other around in the wind creating a kaleidoscope of color. It’s their last dance before winter arrives.

      No sooner than the trees are bare, we continue the celebration of fall with all the colorful decorations and food in our homes. Family and friends come together to share old stories and enjoy one of the most cherished meals of the year and give thanks.

      Living in Florida there are few natural reminders of fall. This is why color plays such an important role in our lives. I welcome all the warmth and vitality of the color orange. 

Orange Glazed Walls

How to - Rag technique

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How to - Rag technique

     This is one of many ways to use a rag for faux techniques and one that is easy and looks great! For this project you will need a quart of glaze ( water base ) and a quart of Sherwin Williams #6773 latex eggshell finish. The faux walls were base coated with a Sherwin Williams HGTV # 6478 eggshell finish and ragged with SW 6773 also eggshell finish. Tape off all areas not to be painted. If you have a steady hand there is no need for taping the ceiling.

       Mix one part glaze with one part paint. Apply mixture to a damp rag just enough to lightly coat. Apply mixed glaze onto the wall with a brush in a triangular pattern and move the glaze around with your rag. Leave some areas open.
     
       A clean damp rag was used to remove some of the glaze to create open areas and a random pattern.The folds in the rag will leave interesting marks by moving your hand at various levels of a clock. 

     Work the glaze as if you were building a puzzle. No straight lines. When your close to the corners move your glazed rag into the corners sparingly ( Don't fill the corners with excess glaze) Skip spots in corners to keep a random look.

     Note: Apply glaze to your rag at the beginning. Rinse the rag slightly when it gets loaded with glaze. The second rag should be damp and kept clean so you can remove excess glaze and apply pattern. Turn your hand randomly to keep from applying the same pattern.
      
     If this is your first attempt with this technique it would be best if you practiced on a piece of construction board. Enjoy your finished faux walls.
      
    

Pieces of time

Let's face it, without realizing why we do the things we do,
we tend to surround ourselves with great memories, pieces of time that bring us back instantly over and over. Some of us are able to take our possessions to create these moments.


 Leslie R. is very creative and has a great outlook on life, it shows in her decor. The guest bath has a faux rag technique with blue green glazes which mimics sea water. The towel rack has starfish hung on sisal string against the hand towels. The ceramic fish tissue holder adds to the fun. Key West here I come.

We all need a place to escape, relax and have peace. Leslie loves the beach and this room shows it with all the accent pieces. This room has a lot of light, it is airy, colorful and fun. This is for the guests and Leslie wants them to enjoy being there. 

The faux walls were base coated with a Sherwin Williams HGTV # 6478 eggshell finish and ragged with SW 6773 also eggshell finish. I applied the glaze in a triangular pattern and moved the glaze around with a damp rag leaving some base areas open. A clean damp rag was used to remove some of the glaze to create open areas and a random pattern.The folds in the rag will leave interesting marks by moving your hand at various levels of a clock. Work the glaze as if you were building a puzzle. No straight lines.

Note: Apply glaze to your rag at the beginning. Rinse the rag slightly when it gets loaded with glaze.

The second rag should be kept clean so you can remove excess glaze and apply a pattern. Turn your hand randomly to keep from applying the same pattern.

If you would like to create your own escape contact us at arrayofcolorinc@yahoo.com

LOOK UP!!!

      LOOK UP!! What do you see in your own home? Probably a white ceiling, we       call it the forgotten wall. If you would like to add a WOW factor into your living area, try adding       some  color to your ceilings. Step out of the box and try something new. If you have difficulty             deciding on a color, you could use the same color that is on your walls. More and more, clients are      adding color on their ceilings, especially when I offer to repaint them at no charge. Sometimes            they need a little push, it usually takes a week to live with and become comfortable with, but the         results are an overwhelming  success.