Country Paint Decorating Techniques: Sponging & Ragging

Question

In a country design scheme, the colors define the style direction. Cool blues and misty whites define French country while earthy browns and yellows are associated with Tuscany design. Shades of green, blue and red identify the American country palette. Apply country colors though either the sponging or ragging painting techniques for a contemporary, textural twist on your country design. Both techniques require a dark base coat with the faux treatment applied in lighter colors, usually within the same shade. Prepare your walls with primer before applying paint.

Answer 1

1
    Select a darker shade within your color palette for your base coat. A middle range tone is suitable for the sponging technique. Apply one coat of the base coat color. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.

    2
    Use a sea sponge for sponging to create a mottled, aged effect. Dampen the sea sponge with water and wring out the excess moisture. Dip one side of the sponge into the lighter color paint and gently swipe the paint side of the sponge on the edge of the paint tray to remove excess paint.

    3
    Dab the walls with the paint side of the sponge. Do this in quick, twisting motions to create a random, dappled pattern. Press the sponge to the wall and immediately pull it away. Turn your wrist slightly to the right and dab again, slightly overlapping the sponged on paint. Repeat, turning your wrist to the left and right to create an irregular appearance-

    4
    Continue to sponge the walls in this fashion. The mottled effect is created by pressure, the amount of paint on the sponge, how long you apply the sponge to the wall and how closely you apply your sponged "spots." Allow the coat to dry completely. If desired, apply a second sponge application in a lighter tone to create extra depth.

    Ragging

    5
    Apply your base coat to the walls in the color of your choice. For higher contrast, use a mid-range tone. For a subtler, more textural effect, use a slightly lighter shade. Allow the base coat to dry for 24 hours.

    6
    Mix the glaze for the second application. Add clean water to a half a gallon of the base coat color until the color is several shades lighter. You may also use a premixed glaze, tinted to a lighter shade.

    7
    Apply the glaze to the walls in small amounts. Start with a 3- by 3-foot square area and apply the glaze with a roller. Dampen a clean cotton or linen cloth.

    8
    Roll the cloth into a sausage shape and wring out the excess water. Use the palm of your hands to then roll the cloth, keeping its sausage shape, in W patterns across the glazed area. The cloth removes some of the glaze, creating a pattern resembling a "relief" finish, in which the base coat shows where the rag removed the glaze. The lighter-colored glaze that remains stands out in relief against the darker color.