Go Faux: Denim

Denim Ain't Just for Pants Anymore!

Est. Time: Halves of Two Days

JQ:

When you're not quite sure that you want to wallpaper, and plain ol' paint seems just too boring, then texturizing is just what the doctor ordered!

There are a number of different types of texturizing techniques that you can use that will give the depth and character to your walls that they've been missing. A denim textured wall is a fun and funky alternative that can compliment almost any decor. This technique, referred to as a negative paint technique, can also be used on furniture or fabric.

First off, a Little Note:

This denim technique works best with two people because this process will be difficult to accomplish by yourself. So, invite a girlfriend or loved one over and put 'em to work, too!

Jane Tip: You can either mix a topcoat of paint with a glaze or buy it pre-mixed at home improvement or paint stores. The instructions here use a pre-mixed paint. If you opt to mix yourself, just be sure to read the instructions for the proper paint/glaze ratio.

Sectioning Off

This project requires that you work in alternating, smallish sections as the paint needs to be wet to create the denim effect. After you complete a section, the paint will have to dry overnight so that you can apply tape and begin work on the section next to it.

Divide the room in to 40" sections after you apply the white or ivory base coat. This is why this project works wonderfully with a partner. One of you will apply the glaze while the other uses the brush to "comb" through it.

Jane Tip: A stiff paintbrush can be used in lieu of the wallpaper brush, but it's width makes covers a lot of ground (or in this case, wall) faster.

Project Steps

Ready to 501 your walls? (Sorry, little denim humor...)

It is important to note that this color is going to create the white part of the jean look. But beware! Whatever paint color you had underneath decades ago may rear its ugly head. To avoid this from happening you will want to prime the walls with a light yellow, white or cream base coat. You may even want to add a second coat if the old color is especially vibrant.

Jane Tip: It's best if you wash your walls thoroughly with a water-TSP mix (tri-sodium-phosphate)-available at any local hardware store-look at the label for the proper recipe concentration) prior to applying any paint whatsoever. Make sure the walls are completely dry prior to applying the primer.

Using chalk and a tape measure, divide the room into vertical 40" sections.

Apply the denim glaze with a paint roller to one of the sections.

This is the KEY step - and where your second person will come in handy. While the paint is STILL WET, take the wallpaper brush and brush through the paint using a vertical stroke. These lines do not have to be perfectly straight because denim is never perfect looking, either. (Besides, it adds to the character.) So, while one person is rolling on the denim glaze, the other person should be using the wallpaper brush to create the denim effect. Wipe the brush often with the wallpaper brush to avoid paint build up.

Once the vertical strokes have been made, do the same thing in a horizontal pattern to truly establish the "look" of actual denim.

Jane Tip: Don't stop brushing in the middle of the wall! This will cause the paint to build up and will be nearly impossible to fix.

As the wallpaper brush removes some of the paint, the primer coat will be exposed. This is indicative of the negative painting technique-removing paint to expose what's underneath.

Use your paint brush to dab along the edges and corners to blend in the look with the rest of the wall.

As an added step that will really finish off the look, before the glaze has had time to dry completely, roll with a check roller (Ralph Lauren makes a good one in their line). This is the most time consuming part and it will create the final distressed jean look that you are looking to achieve. Another benefit is that this will give you a good arm workout because you will need to press with some force in order to get through the layers of paint.