How NOT to paint a striped wall

1/11/2011 10:00:00 PM

One of the two main walls in our living/dining space is done! I'm so dreading this process, as I hate measuring, taping, and actually climbing up to accomplish those. (uuggh still one wall to go!)

So here's my list of how NOT to paint a striped wall:

1. Do not use ordinary masking tapes. 
Yep, just what I used. We don't have those high-grade painters tape here, or maybe we do, I just don't really care to ask 'coz I'm pretty sure this is way cheaper. I pressed the h*ll out of those to avoid bleeding. (I'm lazy to do the caulking or painting the original color first blah, though it's the way to go for smooth lines)
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall


2. Do not ask for help from people who's currently watching their shows. 
They tend to stop every other minute!
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall


3. Do not stare at the taped walls for too long, it will definitely slow down your progress. 
I have this sickness of stopping in the middle of something and just stare. You know, to stall and avoid actually doing some work
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall


4. Never ever pose for the camera while rolling the paint. 
It will definitely go over the line! Don't ask why I know.
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall


5. Don't be too messy. 
It's a pain to remove oil-based paint! I tend to sport this look until I'm done with painting projects, which would last for more than a couple of days. That's my version of painted nails.
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall
Mixed the colors on my hand to see how I came up with the gray stripes. :)


Are you aware by now that this isn't actually a serious post? Please tell me you are! This is just the story of how this wall came about last night. I LAVET! Can't wait to paint our entry mirror/table yellow for that pop of color against this wall.
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall

Now please excuse me, I need to finish the other side. TODAY. NOW. STAT. I can't wait to cross this wall off my list!
how not to paint a striped wall, stripe wall, switcheroom, DIY wall

20 comments

  1. Well, even if you did all that, your wall still looks great! I love the gray.

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  2. Your wall came out beautiful. Very professional looking job! Congratulations on having the will power to paint stripes. I've considered it and decided I don't have the patience :D

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  3. This looks so great! I really love the difference of the two shades....not too subtle but not overpowering either.

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  4. Thank you! I really love how it turned out. And YES, I'm officially done with that wall!

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  5. looks good and the black door too. you go!

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  6. Hi Elle! Thanks again for stopping by earlier today. I'm loving your blog! Those stripes look very professional! I bet you already posted something about that sweet leopard print floor covering (rug, painted, ?), but in case you didn't what IS IT? :)

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  7. Thanks Donna!

    Meredith, you seriously like the floor? :) It's what we have since I can remember! We're all tired of it right now but it's just expensive to tackle that. I guess it can actually be pretty from an outside point of view. We're just used to it. :) You can see the floor here in our unsightly before pictures! http://www.switcheroom.com/2010/12/what-heck.html (Please don't judge. haha)

    Thanks for dropping by everyone.

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  8. Oh, I didn't answer your question, sorry. The floor I think is some sort of tile, or marble, from 1,000,000 years ago. Or I guess 30 years ago is more precise. :)

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  9. love your version of "painted nails" ;)

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  10. Thanks Lindsay! I'm not even slightly embarrassed to sport that look! I'm even proud 'cos it make me look I know my way around handy stuff. :)

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  11. Hi There!
    I LOVE these stripes!
    Can you please tell me what two paint colors/finishes you used?
    Great stuff here... Thanks so much!

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  12. Can you tell how you got the lines so precise? What is drawn on the wall to make those temporary lines and how did you keep the stripe edges so perfect?

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  13. @Sarah - I just mixed our left over whites with a little black and yellow to get the grey. It's semi-gloss.

    @Shauhncy - I just used a pencil to draw the lines, and put a tape before painting. I just pressed the tape really hard to avoid bleeding. But there are better ways to stripe a wall, you can check this link out for different techniques. Thanks! http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/11/how-to-paint-perfect-stripes-on-walls/

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  14. i love your blog im totally inspired, building my own home too hope to pick from you

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  15. hi! we will just be moving to our new home and find your blog very helpful in decorating our new crib... hope to get more tips in creating a kitchen cabinet maybe or decorating 40sq. meter townhouse. ;)

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  16. Before you head to the paint store, you’ll need to decide on the look you want to create. Do you want vertical or horizontal stripes? Are you using two shades of the same color or creating contrast with two very different hues? Will the stripes be wide or thin, and will they be the same width? Once you have a plan, you can go grab those gallons of paint.

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Thanks for dropping by. I'd love to hear what you think! :)

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