How to Sponge Paint a Border

Use this quick, easy technique to spruce up a room or a wall.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic Paints
• Acrylic Paints
• Kitchen Sponges
• Scissors Or Shears
• Chalks
• Felt-tip Pens
• Yardsticks
• Rulers

1. Choose the area you want to paint and decide on a design.

2. Mark your border, if you wish. Mark the desired height, then use a yardstick and chalk to join the marks so you end up with a faint, easily removable line that runs all the way across the wall or around the room.

3. Rinse a fresh sponge, then wring it out and squeeze it in a towel to dry.

4. Use a felt-tip pen to sketch a design on the sponge.

5. Cut out the design with sharp scissors or shears.

6. Pour a small amount of paint onto a smooth, flat surface such as a glass pie plate.

7. Flatten the sponge gently onto the paint and pat it around so coverage is even, then pat it onto the wall.

8. Use a ruler - hold it above or below so you don't smear the paint - to find your next target, then repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice first. Use a quick, firm motion with no twist or slide to avoid smearing.
• A border design can have several parts in different colors, but just do one color at a time.
• Consider a stencil if you want something more intricate.
• Sponges are porous and eventually will become saturated. When you start to lose texture, rinse the sponge well and squeeze hard between towels.

on 11/22/2005 Use a natural sea sponge.