Decorative painting has become standard for walls.  Today, textured looks have overtaken simple faux glazing techniques - such as ragging, sponging, and stippling - in popularity.  Multilayered glazes, embedded with materials like glass and metal, and Venetian plaster are relatively easy to execute one you know all the little tricks; they do, however, require a lot of more planning, preparation, and practice than the old standbys.

Textured looks also require a finer design sense, says decorative painter Nicola Vigini, who teaches the craft at Vigini Studios in San Antonio.  Because these finishes can require as much as 12 to 14 layers, people sometimes get carried away with color.  "Beware of intense color," he says.  "The base coat and the glaze coat should blend; they should not have a high contrast, otherwise it looks gaudy.  Reduce the number of colors.  Keep it simple.  Less is really more."  Caroline Woldenberg, a decorative painter in Atlanta and a teacher at The Finishing School there, agrees.  She notes that some of the hottest textures seen today are not more than four layers.

Planning and Preparation

What you do before you even start the decorative painting can make a big difference in the finishes product.  spackling imperfections, for instance, accentuate certain areas of the wall.  "Spackle absorbs paint unevenly, creating what we call hot spots of flashing," says Sean Crosby, a decorative painter and teacher at The Finishing School in Floral Park, New York.  "To prevent this, wipe down the wall with a damp rag to reduce the dust, and spot-prime with a good-quality primer."  Then add a base coat.

Choosing the correct paint is another key to a successful project.  Satin or semigloss paints are advised because unlike other paints, which absorb the glaze, they allow the glaze to ride over the surface, creating the decorative effect.  "Do not buy cheap paint," says Crosby.  "Look for paints that have more pigment, less inert fillers.  There are no shortcuts in saving on a gallon of paint if you have to work twice as hard to get the effect."

To determine what is best for you wall, make a series of sample that include the same primer, base coat, and glazes you will use on the project.  Crosby routinely makes tests on large pieces of poster board, or even on a small section of a wall.  "You cannot tell a color's intensity unless you have a large surface," he says.  "this also allow you to see how it looks in existing light."  Sample let you gauge the humidity of the room, too, say Crosby.  This is crucial in determining drying time, a key in decorative painting.

Trade Secrets

One of the main differences between a professional and amateur job, the three painter agree, is in the repeat of the pattern, which should look asymmetrical.  "Jigsaw the glaze.  Put it on in puzzle-like pieces so it looks organic, and it is harder to see where you begin and end." says Crosby.  "This works well except where you are doing a striated or striped look."  They you would apply glazes for a symmetrical look.

Mismatched corners are another telltale sign of the neophyte.  "They should not be darker or lighter than the rest of the all," Crosby says.  "People usually have trouble keeping the corners consistent with the rest of the finish."  Crosby suggest buying smaller tools, including brushes, knives, and sponges for the corners or cutting larger tools to fit inside tight spaces.

Working with a partner is also encouraged - even if your helper simply critiques