wallpaper hack
From Habitat magazine - issue 28
Check out this easy wallpaper hack. All it takes is a kitchen sponge.
If you like the pattern on a particular wallpaper but it’s not the right colour or scale, why not use it as inspiration for your own paint project? We took two of the latest wallpapers from the Resene Wallpaper Collection (designs 34244-2 and 34244-3), and did our own painted version.
Our inspiration
You will need: Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Quarter Friar Grey – enough to do two coats on your wall, Resene testpots or tins (depending on the size of the area you’re decorating) of Resene Triple Friar Grey and Resene Half White Pointer, kitchen sponges, ruler, level, pencil or chalk, pen and scissors, small brush.
Prep: Paint the background wall colour. We used Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Quarter Friar Grey.
Clever mimicry of a current wallpaper design using Resene Half White Pointer and Resene Triple Friar Grey sponge prints on a Resene Quarter Friar Grey wall. The pots are painted in Resene Quarter Friar Grey and Resene Triple Friar Grey, the ladder has a distressed effect using Resene Half White Pointer and the floorboards are in Resene Colorwood Greywash.
Step 1: Mark a half-circle out of two or three sponges, using a bowl or plate as a template. Use more than one sponge so that you get a variation in texture over the patterned wall.
Step 3: Brush the paint onto the sponge. If you dip the sponge in the paint, it will pick up too much paint.
Step 4: Using the grid as a guide, press the first sponge randomly into the grid area you are decorating. This way, you get a mix of texture from the various sponges. Repeat with the other sponges, filling in the spaces.
Step 5: If you need to touch up the pattern, use a ripped piece of sponge to dab on the paint until you are happy with the look. Allow to dry. Rub out the pencil or chalk lines of the grid.
Styling: Megan Harrison-Turner
Pictures: Bryce Carleton