FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e AUGUST 15, 2019 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 43
In cities across the country, vibrantly
hued murals are oft en created to bring
color and life to buildings, community
gathering places and more.
Th e bold energy of large-scale murals,
like one created by mural artist Matt W.
Moore with the help of Scotch Painter’s
Tape, refl ects a growing trend toward
a more adventurous design. It’s a style
that you can easily adapt and make your
own with existing decor elements that
are already in your home. Explore these
ideas to help spark creativity for your
next project.
Make a statement
Th ere was a time when it was considered
daring to paint one wall in a room
a diff erent color. However, these days,
statement walls are replacing the more
subtle accent wall. A wall fi lled with geometric
shapes or a colorful pattern is an
eye-catching enhancement that can be
added to just about any space.
Generally, the wall you use should be
the natural focal point of the room. Be
conscious of architectural details that
may distract from the design. Doors and
fi xtures like fi replaces can be incorporated
or worked around, but windows are
usually too disruptive, so it’s best to avoid
if at all possible.
Although the idea is to create a standout
feature, keep colors in line with the
rest of the room to maintain a sense of
cohesiveness. Similarly, avoid overcrowding
the room with furnishings and intricate
wall art that will take the attention
away from your statement wall.
Revamp furniture
Refi nishing old furniture is an aff ordable
way to outfi t a newly designed room.
For an on-trend look, invite some visual
interest with patterns. You might choose
a single color stripe to contrast a lighter
or darker hue, or create a pattern using
shapes like circles or diamonds.
Tables are especially well-suited for
creative painting, but don’t limit yourself.
Wooden seating can also be an attractive
option. If you’re painting the seat, it’s a
good idea to add a protective coat aft er
the paint design is dry to reduce wear.
Another option: paint a piece such as a
buff et or armoire a solid color in a standout
shade then use white or another soft
color to create patterns on the door or
drawer panels.
Consider accent pieces
Paint embellishment doesn’t have to
be limited to hard surfaces; textiles can
also benefi t from a bold paint makeover.
Accent pieces like pillows, lamp shades
or rugs are easy places to add colorful
designs on a small scale that can easily
be swapped out if and when you’re ready
for a new look.
Be sure to use paint suitable for fabric.
Before diving into the full project,
it’s a good idea to test a small spot to
Defi ne
Your
Own
Design
determine how the material will react to
the paint. Some fabrics will soak up or
bleed the paint, and while this eff ect has
an artistic merit of its own, you’ll want
to have a sense of the fi nished look to
ensure you can achieve the design you
want.
Find more home improvement inspiration
and resources at ScotchBrand.com/
PaintersTape.
Tools of the Trade
Before starting any paint project, set
yourself up for success by gathering all
the tools you’ll need:
Brushes or rollers: Th e tool you use to
apply paint will have a signifi cant impact
on the fi nished look, so investing in quality
brushes or rollers can make a noticeable
diff erence.
Roller tray: If your project calls for
a roller brush then a tray is necessary
to allow for even distribution of paint
across the roller and more even application.
Consider investing in inexpensive
tray liners that can be thrown away when
the job is complete to help make cleanup
easier.
Painter’s tape: While every job is
unique, they all start the same way -
preparation. Before starting any painting
project, it’s important that you’re choosing
the right tape for your job, so you end
up with a better result. For more sensitive
projects like geometric shapes and
stripes, consider an option like Scotch
Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape that seals
out paint while delivering sharp lines
and a clean removal. Th is tape is ideal on
surfaces that require a little extra care,
such as wood fl oors, wallpaper, cabinets,
painted drywall and freshly painted
walls.
Painter’s plastic: Protect large surrounding
areas like the fl oor and furnishings
with plastic coverings to prevent
unwanted paint drippings. You can also
fi nd products that dispense painter’s tape
and plastic at the same time, allowing for
quicker, easier application than applying
each product individually.
Pro Taping Tips
• Make sure the surface is clean, dry and
dust-free so the tape sticks properly.
• Apply tape directly on the surface,
pressing down as you go without
stretching the tape.
• Press down fi rmly with a smooth edge,
like a putty knife or credit card, to
secure the tape.
• Let the tape set for about 30-60 minutes
before painting.
• Wait until the paint is dry to the touch
before removing the tape.
• Use a putty knife or razor blade to score
along the edge of the tape to help prevent
cracking along the paint line.
• Lift tape slowly by pulling it back on
itself then removing at a 45-degree
angle.
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