- 1). Mask off the floor trim, crown molding, window and door frames using one-inch painter's tape. Remove all furniture in the room, if possible. Drape plastic sheeting over any remaining furniture and accessories. Always cover curtains with plastic. Place a drop cloth on the floor. Smooth the drop cloth to remove all wrinkles which can cause a painter to trip and fall--and spill paint.
- 2). Determine if a base coat needs to be painted. Roll on the base coat; use latex paint that has an eggshell or satin finish. Trim out the edges of the wall with an angled trim brush. Glide the brush along the edge of the perimeter of the wall surface. Allow the base coat to dry 24 hours before adding squares.
- 3). Cut out different size templates from cardboard. Use a large piece of poster board cut into square shapes. Use a watercolor pencil to trace the shape onto the walls. Overlap the square shapes or keep them separate. Include squares that are cut off by edges of the wall for a more natural appearance. Always use a level to ensure the square's top and bottom of the square runs parallel with the ceiling and floor line.
- 4). Paint in the squares. Use painter's tape for each side of a square for a more precise and sharp line. Match up the tape to the watercolor line's of the square. Burnish the tape with an old library card or finger to avoid paint seeping underneath. Brush on latex paint, stain, metallic paint or glaze for a variety of different looks. Some squares will have to dry before additional overlapping squares or nearby squares can be painted.
- 5). Remove all tape from the walls and perimeter of the room. Clean up all drop clothes. Keep plastic sheeting, if paint free, for use on future projects.
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