A small, remodeled bath with cheerful yellow and creamy off-white stripes raises the room's energy level. Although the stripes were lined up to keep them orderly in the prep stage, the hand-painted edges are a tad untidy to keep the look casual and to meld with the relaxed charm of the vintage-style decor.
All You Need
- Paint for base coat
- Paint for stripes
- Level with a printed ruler
- 2- or 3-inch paint brush
- Colored pencil
- Painter's tape
Step-by-Step
1. Tape off moldings, trim, and ceiling. Choose your colors and widths. The colors may contrast or be differing values of the same color.
2. Start at the top of the wall and make a series of measurements marks moving horizontally across the top. In this project, the stripes are 6 inches wide with 4 inches between each. If you want to avoid a stripe around a corner, it's acceptable to fudge your measurements a bit. Or you can allow the stripe to fold around the corner, depending on your preference.
3. When the measurements are completed, use a level to draw lines from ceiling to floor. Draw lines lightly and use a colored pencil if possible. Protect the moldings and trim with painter's masking tape.
4. For a charming, hand-painted look, simply paint the stripes on the wall, starting at the edges and filling in. It works best to start at the top and paint in about 12-inch sections. If necessary, apply a second coat after the first is thoroughly dry. Carefully remove painter's tape while paint is still wet.
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