Stripes!

I am almost finished with my pearl glazed stripe job for a new client. The client(s) are a very cute husband and wife, late 60’s, early 70’s maybe… who got my name from the local hardware store where I buy a lot of my supplies. This job has been a very nice commute for me…. 10 minutes from my home! This is a rarity for me. I’m usually on the road for a good 45 minutes minimum…each way, for most of my jobs. I even get to come home for lunch this week! Normally, I scarf down a sandwich or container of yogurt while on my ladder. The wife originally wanted 3" pearl glazed stripes, alternating with Linen White stripes. The room is not very big… maybe 13′ x 15′ with a little hallway off of that. I was able to convince her to go up to 4.5". The smallest stripe width I normally like to do is 6", and really prefer 8"-10". Too many narrow stripes are hard on the eyes, I think.

Here I have painted the walls with Ben Moore’s Linen White, in an eggshell finish. I have faintly marked out all of the stripes w/a watercolor pencil, using a level. You can’t see this. The blue tape "dots" are so I know NOT to glaze that stripe.

Can you say "Blue Tape?!" I used 4 rolls for this job. Gee, I see the tape looks wavy here, but you will see… the stripes are straight, not wavy! The walls ARE very old and not in great shape in this house. The homeowners were advised that all the imperfections would show and they were fine with that. The wife really had her heart set on the stripes and was not willing to entertain any other options, even if the option would hide the imperfections. Here I have taped the outside edge of each stripe I will glaze. I use 3M’s blue tape with the orange core. It says "for delicate finishes" on the wrapper. I’ve had very good luck with this tape. Now those of you who do this for a living may give me some flack for taping 2 days after I base coated, but… this is what I do. I find it is just not cost effective to have the paint cure on the walls for 2 weeks before attempting this. Also, my clients like to have their rooms back and not be under construction any longer than necessary. I generally have my St. Catherine medal in my pant pocket, say a little prayer, give her a kiss, and tape away. St. Catherine of Bologna is the patron saint of painters/artists. Now, I am not a particularly religious person, but I do love my St. Catherine and she truly seems to be looking out for me.

Here is the finished look. I do love the stripes. I used Ben Moore’s White Pearl in their Metallic line. It’s really a glaze, although I think they bill it as a paint. I used a mohair 4.5" roller to apply the glaze. Stripes always make a room look much bigger and this tone on tone look is very elegant. I still have to finish up a little of the adjacent hall tomorrow and some trim work, so all my stuff is still scattered about the room. I’ll see if I can get a better room shot tomorrow when I return. The homeowners are really thrilled with the outcome so far. Stripes… always a crowd pleaser! 😉