How to Paint a Tuscan Kitchen Wall
Tuscan design takes its cues from the natural landscapes of Italy, combining warm earth tones with natural textures, such as stucco or stone. With its yellow- or tan-based color scheme and natural, rustic feel, many homeowners choose to replicate a Tuscan theme in the kitchen. You don't need to apply stucco or plaster to the walls to bring a little Italy to your home -- a simple paint technique that replicates the look of stucco is all you need to create the feel of a Tuscan villa. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Sponges
- Spackle
- Spatula
- Painter's tape
- White or cream paint
- Red, yellow, orange, tan or brown paint
- Paint brushes and rollers
- Glaze medium
- Rags
Instructions
-
-
1
Prepare the walls for painting. Wash the walls with a sponge and water, and allow to dry. Repair any damage or nail holes using spackle and a spatula, and remove switch plates and electrical covers. Tape off the windows, baseboards and ceiling.
-
2
Paint the walls using white or cream paint. Allow to dry completely.
-
-
3
Mix the darker paint with the glaze medium, according to the manufacturer instructions. The glaze medium is a clear liquid substance that is slightly thinner than the paint; the more glaze medium you blend with your paint, the lighter the color will be.
-
4
Apply the glaze mixture to the wall in small sections using a small paint brush, dipped very lightly in the mixture at the tips of the bristles. Apply it in an overlapping X pattern, allowing some of the base color to show through.
-
5
Use a damp sponge or rag to remove some of the glaze before it dries. Experiment with the sponging and ragging technique until you get the look that you want.
-
6
Build up the darker color in stages. Add layers of color to the wall until you achieve exactly the shade you want. Daub the finished wall with a damp rag to soften the darker shade.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The most common colors for Tuscan-inspired walls are red, orange, yellow and brown or tan shades. The glazing technique will dilute the color a little bit, so you can control the intensity of the color by adding or removing more glaze. Choose the color that best complements your cabinetry and floors.
If your glaze starts to dry while you are still working, spray a light mist of water on the surface to keep it workable.
Experiment with your colors and technique on a practice board before attempting to paint your walls.
When you move from each section of glaze to the next, carefully blend the two sections together to keep the look cohesive.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
