We have a serious thing about interiors. But you knew that, didn’t you? It’s a fact that’s pretty obvious if you’ve been following our Interiors Pinterest board lately (sorry for the spamming, we can’t help it!), not to mention the sheer amount of stories we write each week dedicated to the topic. We love everything about it: the way one statement piece can instantly make a room pop, the way even the simplest detail like finding a shade that looks just-so can be a serious game changer.
In our on-going mission to model our pads on every image we’ve ever pinned, there are a few décor basics we want to get right. You know, the interiors equivalent to learning how to dress for our bodies or getting to grips with the key wardrobe essentials to invest in. In home styling terms, nailing super chic painted walls is on the top of our list – because really, how hard can choosing the right one and applying it properly really be? There’s something about a good paint job that can be downright miraculous.
As OTT as that may sound, when your job shooting incredible women in the biz essentially sees you touring some of the most stylish homes, well, you pick up a few things and as different as the pads we’ve visited are, great painted walls is the thing we spotted in just about every single one. Great furniture kind of goes without saying when you’re dealing with women in the creative world, but a slick paint job is the thing our eyes always narrow in on. Some are bold and punchy, others are muted and paired back, but they’re all there and done really well.
The whole paint thing is something we’ve always been in a bit of a vicious cycle with though: we’re either moaning about how much it costs to get the good stuff or totally geared up to spend serious ££ (we don’t do middle ground, can you tell?). There’s also the whole being-a-dab-hand-with-a-roller thing that, if you’re anything like us, is precisely where the tricky part lies. And like, do we really need to buy Farrow & Ball? Do we really like Elephant’s Breath and Skimming Stone or is it just because we’ve heard everyone else raving about them? Instantly, all of those articles going on about the propensity of social media to cause a sudden bout of FOMO just made a whole lot more sense.
But anyway, it got us thinking – how can we create that quality look at home with as little faffing as possible and without, well, basically doing it all wrong? And in so, as part of our quest to finally nail this, we reached out to Caravane, the super swish French interiors mecca to give us the 411 on all we need to know.
Play with colours and patterns: When re-painting your house, you’ll have the opportunity to coordinate the colour schemes in your home, which can change and influence the entire feeling of a property. Be imaginative and daring with your paint as without this, you run the risk of your home looking boring. Mix contemporary with vintage. Choose a colour that meets your needs and is practical, with someone that shows off your personality. Throughout the design process, take inspiration from your own life experiences, travels, embedding meaningful memories into your home.
The applicator you choose for your paint roller will have a big impact on the final results. Most walls usually require a 3/8-inch to ¼-inch nap size – 3/8-inch for smooth walls and ¼-inch for more textured walls. The general rule is that when you increase the sheen, you need to increase the nap size. Next, be liberal when filling up your paint role. . After pouring the paint into the tray, role the brush into the liquid and roll it off several times. This will squeeze the liquid into the nap and make sure the paint soaks all the way through, giving you an even roll on the wall. If you’re planning on painting more than one room, you should definitely invest in a paint roller with an extendable arm. Not only will help you reach high and low corners, it helps give an even coverage and a flawless overall result. With a bristle brush, load the paint on a third of the way up the brush to prevent it from drying and fraying the bristles.
Think about the type of room you’re planning on painting: Matte and flat finishes cover imperfections in the surface so make a great choice for ceilings, walls and particularly bedrooms, dining and living rooms. The best thing is that they’re perfect for covering up over time. A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. This is great for use in areas of the home that are used most like bathrooms, the kitchen and kids rooms.
Keep an even finish by maintaining a wet edge: One of the most crucial tips when it comes to create a quality finish is to maintain a wet edge for each section. The trick is to plan your painting sequence in advance and move fairly quickly so that you’re always applying a new strip of paint on top of that edge. If you stop for a break in the middle and come back, the paint will dry and you’ll notice an overlapping mark where the dry paint and new layer have joined.
Keep your paint and brushes in tiptop shape: If you’re having a painting break for a few days, simply wrap your roller and brushes in a bin bag and pop them in the fridge. Simply pull them out 10 minutes before you want to start painting and they’ll be wet and ready to use again. After you’ve finished painting, store your cans at 55°F to 90°F in a safe place. Before you do it, make sure to hammer the lid down to prevent air from getting in and ruining the quality.