How to paint stripes for a retro-inspired kids room

When creating a fun kid’s room, start with a loose theme to tie it together, but mix it up. We decided on checks and stripes, but wanted a modern vintage feel, so we painted a striped wall that feels more retro with a mix of fat and thin stripes.

Layer the stripes with artwork that plays to the theme, then add a mirror framed in stripes of a different scale.

**Walls** painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue, Resene Secrets and darker stripe in Resene Unite. **Trim** stripe painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Roadster. **Floor** painted in Resene Walk-on in Resene Meringue and Resene Concrete Wax. **Bench seat** painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Sunbeam, from Resene ColorShops. Blair bed, $649 (king single), from Mocka. George Street linen duvet, $399 (set); checked blanket, $395; L&M throw, $185; Miffy & Friends Mr Maria star light, $449; Miffy & Friends Mr Maria crown, $49.90; Robert Gordon x Claire Ritchie mug, $45.90 (for two); and Jellycat: The Magic Bunny book, $41.90; all from Allium. Tasselled rug, $1800 (2m x 3m), from Nodi rugs. Carter bedside table $59; Elly lamp, $17; bear toy, $9; farm donkey plush toy, $9; mushroom plush toy, $9; dog plush toy, $9; and two-tone mirror, $45; all from Kmart. Home Time Sailing artwork, $302 (framed), from Endemic World.

A great way to start your Resene colour palette is to base it on an artwork. We started with the classic red, white and blue from the artwork and built it up from there. To tie in with the yellow bedding, we also painted the bench in the lovely warm Resene Sunbeam.

**Walls** painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Meringue, Resene Secrets and darker stripe in Resene Unite. **Floor** painted in Resene Walk-on in Resene Meringue and Resene Concrete Wax. **Bench seat** painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Sunbeam, from Resene ColorShops. Rex backpack, $44.90; Printworks photo album, $110; both from Allium.

How to paint the stripes

Start by painting the entire wall in Resene Meringue, then measure out the soft stripe, taping off every 12cm.
Measure the top and bottom and pull the tape tight to ensure a straight, crisp line.
Paint the stripe in Resene Secrets. Paint two coats, allowing the paint to dry between each one.
Remove tape, then tape off either side of every second stripe in Resene Inspire. We did our thinner stripe 3cm wide, measuring over the area painted in light blue rather than the white stripe. This paint detail makes the overall effect look more like wallpaper than paint and is worth this last step for the final result

Stylist’s tip: Buy quality brushes and painter’s tape for the best results.