Stripes and polka dots can add a touch of whimsy. Sharon Grech explains how to use both in your space and what kind of look you can achieve.

Stripes:

Stripes are very fashionable in today’s home décor with their clean lines and sleek style. Stripes add visual interest by attracting the eye – vertical stripes create the perception of height which can make a room appear taller while horizontal stripes create the illusion of width thus making a room appear larger. Stripes inspired by animal prints are all over furnishings, carpets and even walls, bringing a more organic look and feel to the traditional stripe!  Zebra stripes in particular are very current and are appearing in all rooms, both traditionally-styled as well as contemporary.

A painted bar-code stripe can make a very sophisticated wall feature and is easily customized to adapt to your space with your choice of paint colour and stripe dimension.  Contrast is sooooo important – while bold graphic stripes and geometric patterns in black and white make great additions in accessories like cushions and artwork, the contrast can be a bit too much for a whole room on the walls.  So I recommend a more subtle colour palette when adding a striped effect on all the walls in a room.  Having said that however, I have used a bold bar-code treatment from floor to ceiling in one corner of a room to great effect!  In a small dose like that, any combination of striking colour can work!  Another room that often cries out for colour is the bathroom.  Why not surprise your guests with a playful, contemporary striped pattern on the powder room walls?  It is the perfect space to be courageous with colour!  

How-to:

1. Choose a selection of colours that coordinate with your room décor, I suggest 3 or 4 colours.

2. Base coat wall with two coats Benjamin Moore Aura Matte in base coat colour (colour you will see most of)

3. Randomly determine stripes in various widths, and tape vertically on wall with a good painter’s tape.  (We used ShurTape’s Frog Tape)

4. Eyeball or use a level to ensure lines are even.  We used the width of the tape as a spacer between stripes.

5. Apply paint using a small roller and tray set for each colour.  Start with the widest stripe and end with the narrowest.  Two coats are often necessary to achieve the maximum depth of colour.

Polka-Dots:

Are you seeing spots?  Well if you haven’t, you soon will because polka-dots are spot-on-trend in home fashion this year!  We’ve been seeing them on everything from shoes to handbags, throw cushions and waste-paper bins.  So why not try out the classic pattern on your walls?   There are many ways to create a fun polka-dot look with paint, and with your choice of colours, the spots can add a playful touch to any room in the house.  The kids’ bathroom or playroom is an ideal space for a splash of bold colour.

How-to:

1. Choose a selection of colours that coordinate with your room décor, I suggest 3 or 4 colours.

2. Base coat wall with two coats Benjamin Moore Aura Matte in base coat colour (colour you will see most of)

3. Trace circles to your chosen size on thick upholstery foam and carefully cut out with a sharp exacto knife. I recommend one size of circle per colour.

4. Pour paint onto a foil pizza pan or a plastic drop cloth and spread around to an area just larger than your foam circle.

5. Dip foam into the paint ensuring the surface area of foam is covered in paint, but not dripping

6. Position foam onto wall and press firmly to “stamp” the paint colour onto the wall.  Repeat with this colour randomly, reapplying paint as required.

7. Repeat with other colours and sizes until desired effect is reached.

Tips and instructions courtesy Sharon Grech

Benjamin Moore

www.benjaminmoore.ca