Ornamenting a wall with interesting patterns such and stripes and chevron design may seem daunting, but it can actually be manageable for most with the help of a little planning. Following a few basic rules and guidelines improves your chances of having final results that are presentable and clean. Let’s take a look into some designs that can add interest to your blank walls.
Stripes
Stripes are interesting additions to a wall because of their ability to change the perceived scale of the room in which they’re implemented. Stripes that connect over multiple walls can make a space feel constrained but stripes on just one wall or that vary from vertical to horizontal on adjacent surfaces can make for interesting effects and lead your eyes around the space in pleasing ways.
If you have a new base coat in mind for your wall, put that down before marking any points or laying tape. Then, once you’ve picked out a color for your stripes, it’s time to start laying out plans on the wall itself. Measure the height and width of your wall. Depending on which direction you want your stripes, you will divide the measurement by the number of stripes you’re thinking of painting (an odd number if you want the first and last stripe to be the same color).
Connect the points and mark your stripes. Find a ruler or other straight edge and use that to lay guidelines for where to tape. Painter’s tape will keep the paint from seeping underneath and your lines crisp without ruining or picking up the base coat. For application, a paint brush will work but a roller and pan is preferable to avoid obvious brush strokes.
Roll on your stripes. Don’t be afraid to paint over the tape. After all, that’s the reason you put it down. The paint should overlap the tape to ensure crisp lines. Once your first coat is down, let your work sit for a few hours, and once dry, determine if you need to do another coat. If satisfied, peel the tape away from the stripe, so any residual paint on the tape doesn’t mar your base coat. Admire your work. You’ve made stripes.
Chevrons
Chevron patterns have a similar visual impact to stripes and also work best as accent patterns to make a section of wall stand out. To paint a chevron, first determine how much of the wall will be covered. Once you’ve divided up your wall space, plot your points onto the wall. Measure out points with equal spacing from one another, keeping in mind the distance you want from one peak to another. After you’ve laid out peak points, measure straight down the wall the width that you’d like your chevrons to have.
If painting more than one chevron, these new points are guidelines for subsequent peaks. If not, they serve as a useful way to find valleys for the initial stripe. To create valleys, use a ruler to find a new point halfway between each of the bottom points you just made. These new points are the valleys for the first chevron. Begin laying tape so that it connects peak to valley diagonally. Once taped, begin rolling paint. When done, wait a few hours for the paint to dry, and pull off the tape to admire your handiwork. You’ve made chevrons.
Need help with stripes and chevron style painting? Pro Painters is a painting company that has been serving the Houston area for twenty years. We offer a five-year guarantee on all work performed and can guide you every step of the way, no matter how small the job. Call 281.990.0717 for a free quote.
