Country Living Country Paint: Traditional Decorative Paint Techniques - Hardcover

Levie, Eleanor; Murphy, Rhoda

9780688150990: Country Living Country Paint: Traditional Decorative Paint Techniques

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688150993 ISBN 13: 9780688150990

Publisher: Hearst, 2001

Practical how-to instructions are combined with simple design ideas in a guide for country home owners that explores how different paint finishes result in varied effects and how color choice can make or break a room.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

What could be more simple than bunching up an old rag and dabbing it over a freshly painted wall? That's all ragging really is. Perhaps it began as a poor man's marbling, to imitate fabric wallcoverings, or maybe a painter trying to correct a mistake discovered a charming new texture--regardless of its development, ragging is undeniably pleasing. Its telltale blurred appearance gently injects pattern into a decor.

There are many versions of ragging--in the first, which is similar to sponging, the paint is pounced onto the wall with a balled-up rag. In the second, wet paint brushed onto the wall, then blotted off with a wadded rag. Then there is rag-rolling, where a twisted rag is used either to roll paint onto the wall, or to roll wet paint off. In each of these variations the effect is obvious, and so ragging always looks its best if the basecoat and topcoat are tonally similar.

When you are selecting a rag to apply or remove the paint, it's wise to experiment on pieces of basecoated cardboard until you find a texture that will give you the effect you are looking for. Try old sheets, cotton T-shirts, chamois cloths, etc. But don't confine yourself solely to textiles: try paper bags, paper towels, or plastic wrap. The possibilities are almost endless. Obviously, you should use the same type of material for a whole project, otherwise your ragged walls won't have a consistent appearance. One word of warning: rags soaked in oil-based paints are a fire hazard, so don't throw them out until they are thoroughly dry.

Review:

Rich, vibrant tones are showcased in combinations that will make you reconsider the "safe" whites and off-whites. Included are clear instructions for various techniques, such as sponging, antiquing, crackling and more. -- Ashbury Park Press, May 7, 1998

Sometimes the simplest way to transform a room is with paint, whether it's on the walls, the ceiling, the furniture or the floor.

You supply the motivation. Country Living Country Paint: Traditional Decorative Paint Techniques by Eleanor Levie and Rhoda Murphy will supply the inspiration. The book walks you through choosing colors and then gives ideas for what to do with them.

Paint techniques covered include color washing, aging walls, sponging, ragging, striping, stenciling and even doing murals. But you might skip all this and read the last chapter first-preparing to paint. -- Orlando Sentinel, April 25, 1998

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