Freshen up a child’s bedroom by painting a wall in checks – the hottest pattern around right now
Checked wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Half Secrets, Resene Green Spring and Resene Paddock. Right hand wall in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Paddock with floor in Resene Walk-on in Resene Half Secrets.
Checks are the height of fashion right now for soft furnishings so why not expand the theme and paint them on the walls? Then, go crazy with wall hooks for a spruced up take on a child’s room that will see them through many years.
DIY checked wall
Paint two coats of Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Half Secrets and leave to dry. Instead of using painter’s tape, a more organic edge was created using the roller freehand. As a guide, string up lines hanging from the top of your grid equal distance apart. We did ours every 40cm, which is the width of two 20cm rollers. To create a watercolour effect, mix Resene FX Paint Effects (60%) with Resene Paddock (40%), which will give you a semi-translucent finish. Paint the vertical stripes, then the horizontal stripes to give the basic checked pattern. Wait for this to dry. Mix your base colour Resene Half Secrets with the remainder of the Resene FX Effects and go back over the vertical lighter lines for one coat, this will give you the variation where the checks intersect for a more 3D look. You can also rub into this layer with a muslin cloth to play on the watercolour look.
Hook ’em up
Prime wall hooks in Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to make sure the paint adheres properly. We used 12 wall hooks in various sizes to create this look. Paint two hooks in each colour (from left) in Resene Norway, Resene Polo Blue, Resene Pukeko, Resene Golden Tainoi and Resene Indian Ink. When deciding on placement start from the bottom left side hanging one hook at a time and alternating colours and sizes so it feels balanced. Ensure the bottom hooks are low enough for your child to reach and hang their bags and jackets. The higher hooks could be used for pieces of art or sculpture to hang, but the colourful hooks are an artwork by themselves, so make sure to leave some empty.
Wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Paddock and floor in Resene Walk-on in Resene Half Secrets. Wall hooks, $34.50, from Freedom. Painted (from left) in Resene Norway, Resene Polo Blue, Resene Pukeko, Resene Golden Tainoi and Resene Indian Ink.
Painting tip
Prime the wall hooks first to make sure the paint adheres properly.
More colours to try (left to right): Resene Charlotte, Resene Foam, Resene Island Spice.
For more kid’s room decorating ideas, pick up a free copy of habitat plus – kids’ spaces from your local Resene ColorShop or reseller – or, view it online at www.resene.com/habitatplus. It’s packed full of ideas for how you can bring out the best in your child’s play and sleep spaces.
Project by: Amber Armitage. Photography by: Melanie Jenkins.
EXPERT PROJECTS
Create the home of your dreams with Shop Your Home and Garden
SHOP NOW
