3 minute read
3 WAYS TO PLAY WITH PAINT
Long days stuck indoors can inspire that uncontrollable urge to shake things up and a quick coat of paint can work wonders. So whether you choose creamy chalk paint, attentiongrabbing metallics, or a surface you can scribble on, these three easy-to use paints can give your home a new look, perfect as 2023 is now in motion!
Chalk Paint
If you want an easy project and almost immediate gratification, chalk paint is the way to go since it doesn’t need any sanding or priming. Just scrub the surface with a warm, soapy cloth and dry well. Plus, you can use chalk paint on almost anything – wood, metal, glass, concrete, plaster and even fabric.
This rich, ultra-matte paint covers a multitude of sins, which has made it a very popular option for restoring large pieces of wood furniture that are worn, don’t match, or are covered in years of paint or stain. (A spray version of chalk paint can make it easier to evenly cover delicate spindles, scrolling, and trim work).
The neutral shades of chalk paint are a pillar of farmhouse décor, but they also vibe well with a coastal aesthetic or a cozy cottage core look. In contrast, bolder hues like turquoise, coral, indigo, or marigold feel global and bohemian. These strong statements add a pop of color to a headboard in child’s bedroom and or a playroom bookshelf without feeling childish. Painting a smaller item like a bench or a side table in an unexpected hue injects a sense of energy into normally staid spaces.
Metallic Spray Paint
High shine metallic spray paint (which is also sometimes called foil spray paint or metalcast coating) is a showstopper. Shimmering gold, silver, copper, pewter, and rose gold are common. Additionally, shiny shades of red, purple, teal and chartreuse are just as fascinating.
Metallic spray paint works well on plastic, wood, glass, metal, and clay. Just apply a few thin coats and let it dry according to manufacturer’s instructions. It’ll be ready within hours.
A well-placed metallic accent can add star quality to any interior, but it works especially well in contemporary, global, bohemian, and Hollywood Regency interiors. It emphasizes form and can make even a child’s plastic animal figurine look sculptural, so use it to emphasize the edge of pretty jewelry tray, the curves of a shapely pair of candlesticks, or the shape of a vase or terra cotta flowerpot.
A little goes a long way, so apply judiciously to give accent pieces a glamours glow. Let gold gleam from the inside of lampshades and family snapshots sparkle from silvery frames. Tired drawer pulls feel fresh in glimmering bronze. Even humble glass candle holders and mason jars feel luxurious in glistening copper and rose gold.
Chalkboard Paint
The charm of a doodling wall has made chalkboard paint a fun and durable favorite in kids’ rooms and playrooms. Bright, new colors expand your options if basic black isn’t your style.
If painting a wall seems too big, just start small. An accent wall, door, or strip of paint in an office or playroom alcove can serve as a mini chalkboard. Just make sure the section you paint is smooth if you plan to write on it. A light sanding helps the paint stick. After a couple of coats and time to cure, you’re good to go. This scratch-resistant matte paint is even more fun off the walls. You can apply it to wood, metal, glass and concrete, so get creative and have a great time with your project.
Need ideas? Start here! Paint a tray and use it as a menu board in the kitchen. Add a single stripe to a vase to make it look like pottery. Apply matte black to the inside of cubbies or the outside of drawers for a contrasting look. Use chalkboard paint to label flowerpots on the porch or leave memos in the mudroom. Cover the glass in a picture frame or a tarnished mirror with chalkboard paint so you can write seasonal greetings all year long. L&H
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