My bathroom has needed a makeover for some time, and I finally decided to do it. I wanted to brighten things up. I went to the paint store and picked out “Tomato Soup” and a muted “mustard yellow” for the trim. It looked faaabulous on the little paint chips. Really!
I called the painters to see how it was going. I asked him how it looks. He said that if I have a window in my office, I can just look to the Northwest. That glow in the sky would be my bathroom. :eek:
It’s REALLY FUCKING BRIGHT! I need to tone down the tomato soup, but I don’t want to completely re-do the whole paint job. I’ve seen some decorating shows where they put some sort of wash over the base color and it tones it down. I’ve never done this and was hoping one of youze creative people has some experience, or perhaps another technique for turning the lights off on my walls.
It is so bright, it may confuse the lost souls with the gateway to hell.
LOL, I’ve never done it myself but in the paint aisle of your “home superstore” there should be a section on faux finishes. There’s usually a flip book type thing of different effects/washes to choose from and it’ll tell you which components you need for each. Judging from what I see on Trading Spaces et al you need an Elmer’s Glue-like glazing compound which you then mix with another paint. (Or metallic-look compound for glittery looks). Not sure what would work best with red!
Interesting color choices for a bathroom…were you going for a McDonalds sort of feel?
There are a couple ways to fix this - you could do a wash, and it’s not hard. Buy a glaze - you can find this stuff at Home Depot, or Menard’s, or whatever paint center you have locally. You can buy glaze that will either lighten or darken the paint. Mix the glaze with your original paint color, then simply brush it on and wipe it with a damp cloth.
Or you could sponge over the red - again, you can go lighter or darker. Get paint two or three shades different from your original red, and a damp sea sponge, then just “tap” the new color over the old. In fact, you can do both lighter AND darker shades sponged on.
I am one of those creative DIY people who refuses to follow actual instructions - but you can get the paint pro at your store to give you more exacting instructions. I’ve had very good luck just winging it, myself.
If you mix a glaze with your original paint, it will be exactly like your original color. Glaze does not lighten your paint color (although it will look like it while it’s wet), it just makes it easier to manipulate the paint.
Get a darker color paint and a glaze. Mix one part paint and 3 parts glaze. Pick a spot and paint an X. Move that X around with a sponge (or, as I do) with a wadded up plastic bag. I use a pouncing motion. When you’re satisfied with how that looks, move over (or down, or up) and make another X, etc. That should tone the color down and give you an interesting finish.
The glazing technique sounds good. I’ll go a little darker than what’s on there. My “tomato soup” looks more like “tomato soup with milk” than “tomato soup with water” (with a twist of neon, evidently!), which is what I originally envisioned.
Does it come out shiny or can you choose a flat finish as well? I have satin finish on these walls…
The satin finish on your original wall is perfect. It will make it easier for you to move the glaze around. If you mix the glaze with flat paint, it’ll have a flat finish. I personally prefer to mix it with satin because I just like the satin look.
I love that pillow! I’m hoping to get a new sewing machine for Christmas so I can reupholster my couch in a similar manner. If you watch Queer Eye, I want it to look like the “Chofa”.
You should come to the HGTV boards. There are lots of good decorating ideas there, as you might imagine.
Will you post a picture of your finished bathroom? (please, please) I’d love to see it! I am addicted to decorating.
