But you don’t have to call the plasterer in to get the desired effect that you see popping up all over Instagram influencers’ houses.
HOW TO CREATE A PLASTER WALL EFFECT
See: Kitchen trends 2020 - these latest designs are ahead of the curve With some clever tips and techniques, you can actually achieve the look with paint alone. Here, Annie Sloan (opens in new tab) shows us how to create four different plaster effect walls for an easy and on-point refresh.
1. INDUSTRIAL PLASTER EFFECT WALL IN THE KITCHEN
Updating your kitchen is the perfect project for painters of all abilities. To achieve this plaster effect, inspired by Moroccan ‘Tadelakt’, apply Chalk Paint onto a base of Wall Paint using thick strips of cardboard. Drag, wipe and scrape the paint along the wall, building up layers of colour and tone, until blended to your liking. Once dry, finish with a thin layer of Clear Chalk Paint Wax to seal and protect your handiwork. The products used were Chalk Paint in Graphite, Chicago Grey and Athenian Black over Wall Paint in Original. Cabinets in Athenian Black. Pots and jugs in Amsterdam Green. Wooden shelves treated with Dark Chalk Paint Wax. Tea towel in Ticking in Graphite. See: The expert home staging tips that you can do yourself
2. RUSTIC PLASTER EFFECT BATHROOM
Ensure your tub time is unique and chic with an avant garde statement wall. The plaster effect look is relatively easy to achieve with three Chalk Paint colours, Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer and some patience. For a cohesive tonal look throughout the rest of your bathroom pick a shade from your plaster effect palette to paint your bathtub and floorboards. In this case, Chalk Paint in Scandinavian Pink was used for the bath and a wash of Old White on the floorboards. Both were then given a coat of Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer to finish. For the wall, begin by painting the entire wall a warm rich colour – in this instance, Scandinavian Pink. Once dry, apply a neutral earthy shade in random areas – here, Chalk Paint®in Honfleur. While those patches of Honfleur are still wet use crumpled newspaper to spread the paint around, giving a textured rough-luxe look. Allow to dry before taking the lightest colour (here Old White) mixing with water, and using a damp cloth to wash over the wall. Allow this to dry for a cloudy look, then apply more diluted Old White Chalk Paint along the top of the wall (overload a brush and then allow the paint and water mixture to drip down from the brush tip). Finally, once dry, use Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer to protect.
3. TERRACOTTA PLASTER EFFECT WALL
Transform your garden room or dining area into a Mediterranean-inspired oasis. To create this plaster effect, first apply a base layer of Chalk Paint in Scandinavian Pink to the entire wall. Once dry, add sections of diluted Henrietta over the top in random areas. 50:50 Chalk Paint and water should be a good starting ratio but adjust as you go for more variation in opacity and character. Paint the mix on in small sections and whilst still wet use crumpled up newspaper to rub some of the paint away and create texture. Allow to dry fully and give a final wash of Paloma all over to give that powdery, romantic, plaster effect. This wall is in Annie’s garden room. If the wall is sheltered there is no need to use lacquer, but if you’re in a particularly wet or sun-exposed area consider using Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer for a muted, soft look or Gloss Lacquer to suggest Venetian egg gloss plaster. Both provide full UV protection to prevent colours fading and add durability. See: These are the 15 most popular paint colours, according to Instagram
4. VENETIAN PLASTER EFFECT WALL
This luxuriously textured wall has been transformed with a palette of colours appropriate to a rustic-glam look. Firstly, Annie painted the wall with Chalk Paint in Old White. Then, thick streaks of Chalk Paint were applied using a strip of cardboard. Tip: to help thicken the paint and expedite this process, put your Chalk Paint® in the fridge or other cold area prior to usage. Replace the piece of cardboard when it becomes soggy. Annie used Duck Egg Blue, Country Grey, French Linen and Original to give texture and interest. She then applied touches of Brass Leaf to heighten the suggestion of faded grandeur. Annie applied the Brass Leaf with Gold Size where the sun hits the wall for added impact and so that the character of the wall develops throughout the day, depending on the light. Finally, Annie used Gloss Chalk Paint Lacquer to protect and give that sheen typical of Venetian Plaster. See more: The 14 most common decorating mistakes that first time homeowners make
