B4 • Friday, October 11, 2024
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
TWICE AS NICE:
Step-by-step tips for painting a room two colors
BRANDPOINT
If your walls could talk, what would the paint color say about you? You’re bold? Calm? Sophisticated? Whatever the answer would be, painting a wall multiple colors is an affordable, yet impactful, way to uniquely express your personality. A twotoned wall is an interior design technique that utilizes two paint colors on the same wall, allowing you to express your individual style and add dimension to a flat surface. No matter your comfort or skill level, follow these steps to achieve professional-level results and showcase your creativity.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT
nate gaps and seal edges. And, be sure to tape adjacent surfaces, including baseboards, ceilings and walls.
Prepare to paint To get ready for painting, gather all necessary supplies, like a drop cloth, primer, a paintbrush, a roller and painter’s tape. Remove as much furniture as possible, covering any large items with a tarp. Using a sponge, wipe the walls with warm soapy water, then repair any cracks or holes with putty and sand the surface smooth. If you’re painting over a dark color, apply a primer as a base coat to ensure an even foundation. Measure and mark To create a dynamic color-blocking effect on your walls, start by determining
Paint the light color
where the colors will meet and mark the spot with a pencil or chalk, using a straight edge for precision. Color blocking can be executed horizontally or vertically, or with additional creative options like diagonals or geometric patterns. A horizontal scheme splits the wall, making the room
30-year mortgage rate increases to 6.32 percent REUTERS The average rate on the popular U.S. 30-year mortgage rate increased to 6.32 percent this week, its largest one week increase since April, as a string of stronger-than-expected economic data caused investors to scale back bets on further Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 20 basis points higher than a week earlier when it averaged 6.12 percent, mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac said on Thursday. It averaged 7.57 percent during the same period a year ago. The 30-year rate closely tracks the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. That jumped last week after job growth in September blew past predictions and the unemployment rate fell, prompting traders to price in smaller, and fewer, Fed rate cuts over coming months than previously anticipated. The reversal comes after mortgage rates declined steadily since May as investors geared up for the Fed to begin a rate-cutting cycle, which it began last month. Financial market bets currently reflect an expectation that the Fed will reduce its policy rate, now in the 4.75 percent-5.00 percent range, to a range of 3.50 percent-3.75 percent by the middle of next year.
feel longer, while a vertical approach enhances the sense of height and openness, especially in open floor plans.
sential for achieving clean lines. It’s treated with exclusive PaintBlock Technology to seal tape edges and prevent paint bleed critical in this type of projApply painter’s tape ect. Apply the tape along Regardless of your cho- the marked line to create sen approach, using paint- sharp edges where each er’s tape, such as FrogTape color begins and ends. Use brand painter’s tape, is es- a firm plastic tool to elimi-
To achieve full coverage, apply the light base color one coat at a time, starting by “cutting in” along the tape with a paintbrush and then using a roller to fill in the rest of the section. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next, using as many coats as needed for the desired look. Paint the dark color After completing the light color, repeat the painting process by cutting in along the tape with small brush strokes and using a roller to fill in the
rest of the section. Keep adding coats until you achieve the finished product you have in mind. Remove the painter’s tape For best results, remove the tape while the paint is still wet, pulling slowly at a 45-degree angle to reveal a room that pops with personality. Two-tone walls can transform a space to reflect your style with just a simple change. With the right supplies, techniques and color selections, you can create a look that you’re proud of, regardless of your skill level. For more step-by-step project tutorials, tips and tricks and creative inspiration, visit FrogTape.com.