A Geometric Kid’s Room – A How To

A client requested a playful and fun children’s room with a geometric motif. This post emphasizes the strength of planning a project ahead of time in order to save hours of application. The design was completely mapped out, the colors were pre-mixed, and the detail method of creating the patterns was as efficient as could be.

In this project spotlight, Pierre Finkelstein of Grand Illusion Decorative Painting shows you the steps used to create this magical space.

HOW TO CREATE THIS FINISH

Use our step-by-step instruction below

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Here is a list of the tools & supplies you will need to achieve this technique. Supplies available at fauxbrushes.com are linked below and listed at the bottom of the page.

Blue Tape
Matte Medium
Basecoat
Pointed Glazing Brush
Square Paint Brush
Vellum paper
Pouncing Wheel
Pouncing Block
Straight Edge
Pencil
Varnish

CREATING THE PALETTE AND DESIGN

STEP 1 – CREATING THE PALETTE AND DESIGN: If a client says “I want a mural for my kid’s room”, the first thing is to decide on a color palette. What parts of the bedroom decor are fixtures? When painting a kid’s bedroom, it is important to listen to the child but also know they will grow out of themes quickly. For that reason, GIDP decided on a geometric design. First, a color palette was chosen.

A custom maquette was created for the client’s approval. A few changes were made to the final design.

The colors and design were refined onsite.

Sketches were also created to outline the design elements.

PROPER PREPARATION

STEP 2 – PROPER PREPARATION: First up in prep, the primed wall was taped into sections according to the sketches. Alternate rectangles were painted with different acrylic Basecoats in pre-mixed values. For maximum saturation, 3 coats if not 4 coats were needed.

Final colors were applied.

TRANSFERRING THE GRID

STEP 3 – TRANSFERRING THE GRID: A geometric grid was drawn on a large sheet of vellum paper to help outlay all of the patterns.

A pounce pattern technique was used to pounce a grid pattern. The tiny holes were made with a pouncing wheel, forming a grid. Using a pouncing block, the grid pattern was transferred to every rectangle. This allowed for the quick placement of the pattern.

PAINTING THE DETAILS

STEP 4 – PAINTING THE DETAILS: After the patterns were pounced on the wall, taping began with blue tape. It is so important to burnish your tape when doing these intricate patterns… the last thing you want is bleeding paint.

This arduous process went on for a few days of taping, burnishing, painting, reversing tape, and burnishing. Another way to ensure a clean tape removal is to apply a thin layer of a fast-drying acrylic Matte Medium. This will create a thin barrier that will completely prevent bleeding.