Sorry the reply took so long. Working does tend to cut into the day,
! If you want to do something that will give the appearance of texture without actually adding texture a colorwash is probably the easiest way to go. Simply put, the most bang for your buck. This can be anything from one color added to what you have to many colors added.
Go to Wal-mart, K-mart, whatever, buy yourself some poster board. Paint them in the same color as you bathroom is already painted. This will give you lots of practice boards. Then go to the craft department and buy stencil paints, they are about .48 cents a bottle. For a nice country theme, I would buy an off white, varying shades of tan, some close to what you already have on the walls, some much deeper. Next you are going to want some glaze.
The color washing process is wonderful and easy, but will require some practice. Use either a brush, don't go buy some expensive brush, use a 3 or 4" chip brush from Menards or some such store, should be about $3. or a sponge, which ever you prefer. You can buy a perfectly usable sea sponge from Wal-mart in their paint dept. for about $5. DO NOT pay $25. from an art store, you are not doing marbling and don't need to invest that money.
I mix one part paint with at least 4 parts glaze (I'll get to the glaze part - relax
) and either brush on or wash on with the sponge. Soften with a rag or another sponge if it looks a bit too strong to you. Now here's where it gets fun and creative.
If you start with your base color and add that creamy off white on top of it, you will get a fresco effect, very pretty! One layer will do it, very in today!
Or, alternately, base color followed by a shade a bit deeper will add depth to the room. Try both please and see what you like.
Now, you can try adding more colors. either by waiting for the first layer to dry and blending on top. Or blending colors together at one time, I still use one brush but then remember I was doing it for a living and didn't want to try holding 5 brushes
Now you see why I'm telling you to buy lots of poster board. The practice opens up lots of possibilities and is so much fun!!!!
Glaze! Don't use water. I don't care what the DIY shows on tv tell you! Water is a drying agent, it will give you harsh lines and make you feel like you are working against youself. Use a quality glaze. Personally I hate the glazes sold for homeowners at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. as well. They only give you a snap or working time of 3-5 minutes. Not very much blending time at all. I recommend that you bite the bullet, and buy some professional glaze. I will give you the sites to visit to buy it. The glazes I used gave me more than 1 hour blending time. Very workable.
Faux like a pro. Make that into a website and you got it. Also if you visit a site called Lasting Impressions With Paint they sell a glaze by Adicolor. It's amazing. Both glazes are a bit pricey, but a little goes a very long way. Faux like a pro, will dry to a flat finish, Adicolor will dry to a satin sheen. Both will give your walls an incredible durable finish.
Sorry this got sooooooo long. Got to fly to work. Hope this helped.
Sandy
