Using a brush, carefully paint around the edges of the wall, creating a border. With a roller, roll on paint in a large “w” pattern, overlapping with the painted border; continually rotate the “w” shape until the entire section of wall is a uniform colour. Tait recommends working from the top of the wall to the bottom, to get the most even colour, and, since the tint can vary slightly from can to can, painting the entire room before starting on the second coat.
Don’t be surprised if two coats of paint isn’t enough for a dark colour; on one job, Tait had to apply two layers of primer and then three coats of paint to get an even, deep finish for the raspberry-coloured walls.
When you’ve completed your final coat of paint, it’s time to remove the tape. “I wouldn’t wait more than two or three hours after you’ve put on your final coat,” Tait says. Let the paint dry completely, then remove the drop cloths, hang your pictures back up and admire your handiwork.
Troubleshooting
- If you have drips, make sure you are rolling the extra paint off on the ridges in the paint tray; if you’ve made the classic beginner’s mistake of overfilling your paint reservoir so that it covers some of the ridges, do the best you can, then lay out a piece of newspaper and use that to roll off the extra paint.
- If your paint looks washed out in places, you need to apply another coat. This is especially true with dark or high-pigment colours, like reds, which Tait says are some of the hardest colours to cover or apply.
- If you’ve left the paint to dry too long, removing the painter’s tape can remove some of the fresh paint with it, especially if a lot of paint got on the tape. If this happens, use a utility knife to gently score the paint along the edge of the tape and pull it away. Use a small paintbrush if touch-ups are needed.
When to call in the pros
One word: Safety. If it’s an awkward space that you don’t feel comfortable painting (i.e. dangling over three flights of stairs), call in the pros. They have the equipment to do it safely.
Read more in Decorating and Decorating 101
3 Comments
I really miss Canadian Home and Country. The website is good but nothing beats relaxing and looking through a well-liked magazine. Have you any plans for publishing this magazine in the future. I always had a subscription and looked forward to every issue.
Shirl604--I'm another person who really misses receiving the latest issue of Canadian Home & Country magazine every month and would love to see it published again.I also miss Country Home magazine.What's happening with so many magazines or are they just getting too expensive to print and for readers to buy.I am hesitant about subscribing to anything now but it is certainly much cheaper than buying them at the store every month.
I would like to echo Island 44's and others' sentiments. Canadian Home and Country was my favourite magazine, not just favourite decorating magazine. I truly miss having it in my hands. There are other Canadian decorating magazines, but they just don't relate to my lifestyle or design sensibilities and they target a completely different audience. PLEASE bring back MY magazine!!!!! I know so many people who loved CH&C magazine and were shocked at it's elimination last year. Please let anyone who has any power at Transcontinental know that this magazine was much loved and is much missed by it's subscribers.