How to Paint Walls Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic design uses items from older design periods or newer items that are intentionally distressed to create an elegant vintage aesthetic. A good Shabby Chic design cultivates an aged look without appearing decrepit. Shabby Chic items should appear distressed but still be in good, usable condition. You can use these design principles on wall surfaces to incorporate your Shabby Chic look throughout a room. With the right approach, you can make a wall look elegantly distressed for a Shabby Chic vibe.

Painter's tape
Canvas drop cloth
Flat interior latex paint
Synthetic-bristle paintbrush
Medium-nap roller
Sponge applicator

Instructions

- 1
  Protect the wall trim with painter's tape.
- 2
  Lay a canvas drop cloth on the floor in case of accidental drips.
- 3
  Paint the edges of the room using a synthetic-bristle paintbrush and flat interior latex paint. Starting with the edges is called "cutting in," and this provides a better looking final finish.
- 4
  Paint the rest of the wall surfaces using a medium-nap roller and flat interior latex paint. Wait about two hours for the base coat to dry.
- 5
  Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until there are no bare patches on the wall. Let the final coat sit for 24 hours.
- 6
  Saturate a sponge applicator in water. Sponge applicators are sold at most hardware stores and art supply stores. These are better suited for painting than common household cleaning sponges.
- 7
  Wring out the sponge applicator so it is just barely moist.
- 8
  Dip the sponge in flat interior latex paint. Choose a paint that is slightly lighter than your main wall color. Sponge-painting with a lighter hue makes the wall look faded and slightly aged for a better shabby chic appearance.
- 9
  Dab the sponge on the wall, applying mottled light colorization to the entire surface. Let the paint dry for 24 hours before removing the painter's tape and canvas drop cloth. With a subtle faded appearance, your faux distressed wall will fit any Shabby Chic décor.

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