I always thought I knew how to paint stripes.
I always thought that my days as a stripe painting rock star were around the corner if I just applied myself.
I also thought I could be the hula hoop champion of fourth grade….and then I lost in the final round when we were supposed to double hula hoop and then one of the hoops oddly got caught on my charm bracelet and fell to the ground….
….along with my dreams of hula hoop stardom on the Electric Company.
A hula hooping championship was out of my reach…but painting stripes….how hard could it be?
But every time I went to paint….the wall would just stare at me and I would get all intimidated and I would have visions of wiggles and bumps and completely not straight stripes.
*sigh*
And then I started decorating a gatehouse….on a budget….that had a kitchen with a wall that didn’t stare at me anymore.
It spoke to me.
About gray and white stripes.
And manners written in orange letters.
{gulp}
So I read this post from one of my favorite bloggers….
….and took the plunge.
And just in case you have a wall that’s calling for stripes….here’s what I learned along the way.
Here are my top five tips for painting stripes.
Tip Number 1: Determine the width of your stripes
Read this before starting any stripe project.
Pin it or write it down so you remember because this tip will make all the difference:
An odd number of stripes is perfect.
To determine the width of my stripes….I measured from ceiling to floor. The room height was 96.25.
Then I used Beth’s tip: for skinny stripes divide by 9….for medium stripes divide by 7….for thicker stripes divide by 9.
I wanted medium stripes so I divided 96.25 by 7 and each stripe was 13.75.
I included the base molding because my bottom stripe and top stripe were both white…..on purpose.
If you want to save taping…make your top stripe and bottom stripe (remember…you have odd numbers) whatever your base color is.
So much less taping.
Tip Number 2: Score your tape
It has an edge lock protector.
Take a card (I used my Kroger super saver card) and run it along the edges…..pressing firmly.
That way you can make sure that all the tape is firmly attached to the wall and your stripes will not be wiggly or bumpy or paint splattered.
Tip Number 3: Tape properly
Mark the stripes you are not going to paint. I know this seems elementary….but when you are in the middle of painting….it’s easy to forget.
Also…make sure that you tape the inside of the stripes you are not going to paint.
All the stripes you are painting should be taped on the outside.
Tip number three comes from experience…..and a lot of re-taping. 🙂
Tip Number Four: Pull tape towards wet paint
After you paint the stripes…for the crispest, cleanest stripes….pull the tape right away.
And when you remove the tape…pull it off in the direction of the wet paint.
That way….any drips of wet paint go back onto the stripe.
Tip Number Five: Your paint will look darker next to a lighter color
This is so important.
When picking a paint color for your stripe….go lighter.
For example, I painted the base coat SW Alabaster. When I picked my gray….I went with a really light gray SW Silverplate. I knew that the white paint would make the gray look so much darker.
SW Silverplate on the wall against the white looks so much darker.
Tip number five comes from experience…and a lot of re-painting.
I love this simple ice bucket DIY, on Wood Grain Cottage's web site. https://www.thewoodgraincottage.com/2013/07/11/diy-ice-bucket/
You know I could use an extra $75 to good ol'd HD. I'm loving this DIY cooler project ... maybe next year when we have a minute to relax on our patio! :) https://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/06/diy-cooler.html
I love all the things you can do with pallet wood and this room was totally transformed. https://www.mandyjeanchic.com/2012/12/free-toilet-room-makeover.html
I have the perfect idea for the gift card! https://cityfarmhouse.com/2013/04/diy-hand-dipped-glazed-pots.html
https://thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-paint-stripes OK, so I've posted THIS POST! Your tutorial on painting stripes makes me think maybe, just maybe, I could DO THIS! And I love Home Depot . . . :)
What a great giveaway! Love Sashas organization tips and DIY here: https://www.lemonademakinmama.com/2013/07/around-house.html :)Monica
I would love to make a hand painted sign.....I'm just not sure if I have the patience for it. https://savedbylovecreations.com/2013/07/diy-rustic-hand-painted-signs-from-reclaimed-wood.html
Definitely this post on stenciling: https://retroranchrenovation.blogspot.com/2012/07/fos-fear-of-stenciling.html
You make it look so easy! I want to try stripes in my entryway!!
In a tribute to Electric Company...your tutorial (which you swear you're not good at doing) was AWWWEE-SOME, "Awesome"...hope you get the reference...I couldn't help but remember the Electric Company segment where they sounded out the words and all you saw were the sides of their faces with words coming out. Okay, on with it...because of your awesome tutorial, I pick you! https://thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-paint-stripes
Yours of course! https://thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-paint-stripes :) Kelly
I just got a beautiful old wood desk from my neighbors who are moving out of their house, and I absolutely love it. However, it is stained very dark brown, which is nice but won't fit in with my decor, so I'm hoping to paint it like this: https://thatwinsomegirl.blogspot.com/2012/07/vintage-campaign-desk-reveal.html
Well, your stripes are by far my favorite. Like I said yesterday...I have never met a stripe I didn't love! And here is my big summer DIY...it is major for us. We tackled our front porch! There is lemonade being served if you are so inclined to stop by! https://afewmineradjustments.blogspot.com/2013/07/lemonadeinvitation-and-apology-front.html
I'm hoping to try stripes in one of our bathrooms soon. Thanks for the tips! I am wanting to paint our front door and railing and a gift card would come in handy. Thanks for the chance. Here's a link to a door painted a fun color using Behr Premium Plus Ultra: https://iheartorganizing.blogspot.ca/2013/06/june-monthly-challenge-we-painted-front.html
your stripes are sooo stinkin cute, especially with the manners added! i am shamelessly linkin to one of my own projects, where i updated my 1970's stone fireplace using a grey wash...enjoy! https://erin-artandgardens.blogspot.com/2013/02/painted-stone-fireplace-before-and-after.html
I like this idea very much not that I can paint in a straight line......................lol
Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!
Love all your tips and the beautiful results of all your projects! Came across some inexpensive burlap in all sorts of colors from onlinefabricstore.net then found this site illustrating clever burlap art with unlimited design possibilities! https://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-burlap-farm-art.html
I painted two-tone green stripes in my townhouse kitchen years ago. The blue painter's tape back then didn't have edge guard and it was tricky to get perfect lines. I could use the $75.00 gift card on an upcoming DIY project. Since we can post a link to any DIY project, I'll share my latest DIY project--my purple front porch makeover. So colorful and fun. Here's a link: https://afternoonartist.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/making-an-entrance-part-iii-colorful-porch-makeover/
I love this nightstand project from liz marie blog. First time I heard of rub 'n buff and now it's one of my go-to faves! https://www.lizmarieblog.com/2012/12/urbane-bronze-nightstands/
Your brilliant no-sew valance! :D https://thistlewoodfarms.com/no-sew-valance
Karianne, is the Gatehouse your play room or are you going to start a store? I know I ask the darnedest questions. Am I allowed to leave two links if I can't pick just one? This link is to one of my most all time favorite DIY posts....... wait there are so very many of them..... this is truly difficult for me. https://inmyownstyle.com/2011/07/bathroom-remodel-update.html You should read it all, cause I am so very impressed with the way she did the bath/shower surround over or added to it..... just gorgeous. I look at it frequently cause it is my inspiration photo for someday doing mine.
This summer I'm focusing on my flower gardens and found this diy link to be the most helpful to me. It made a huge difference right away -- https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/07/how-to-edge-flower-beds-like-pro.html
KariAnne, By the way, there's a typo in your post about the thicker stripes... I think you meant to say "divide by five" - not by 9.
KariAnne, Your tutorials just keep getting better and better! Your mom would be proud. :) I put some red dye in my environmentally sustainable dish soap. It's beautiful and perfectly safe to use for our fish, as opposed to most of the store-bought kind with red dye: https://anniehearts.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-make-red-dish-soap Thanks for the opportunity to win! Annie XO
Why, THIS one is my favorite tip so far...I was just about to tackle stripes and now I know to go odd. :-) https://thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-paint-stripes ~Sarah
Karianne, I want to copy this pretty wreath but make it Halloweeny-ish. https://www.keepingitstepford.com/2013/03/diy-easter-or-spring-wreath.html
Wow, Miz karianne...this is really awesome information! I seriously admire your "go forth and conquer" attitude.....Lawsy, I wish I had just half your resolve. I recently saw something that Diane, from In My Own Style, has created on her blog to help countless numbers of wannabe's, like myself, to be successful. Here's the link to How to Paint Anything: https://inmyownstyle.com/category/how-to-paint-anything
Awesome stripes Karianne! My favorite summer DIY was what a difference paint made in my laundry room. https://www.meaningfulspaces.com/laundry-room-reveal/
So many great ones out there but I've gotta say, yours is my fave!! Love the stripes and the cute messages as well. So creative!! https://thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-paint-stripes
I am wanting to paint stripes in the powder room. Your article today has been helpful. Thanks love your blog!
As usual, such a great post and great tips. I so enjoy your blog. x
I can't find the blog's exact post but it's yours about the painted master bedroom floors so i'll post this link to your master bedroom https://thistlewoodfarms.com/farmhouse-bedroom It's what made me decide to paint out living room floors and started my whole living room makeover!
Yours of course. Thanks for the easy yet informative how to! I could do this now.
Great tutorial! Love all your paint projects like the painted concrete, but this was a memorable transformation: https://thistlewoodfarms.com/painted-gray-armoire
Two projects on the list -- striped walls for a bathroom re-do at my daughter's house, (but then you probably already knew that -- why else would your tute be so timely???) ;>) But what I'm really excited about is making and painting a "big girl" bed for my 2.5 yr. old granddaughter using Kristi (https://www.addicted2decorating.com/cheap-easy-diy-wood-headboard-from-cedar-fence-pickets.html) as inspiration. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
I have a friend visiting from Texas in October and that gift card would go a long way in redecorating our guest bedroom! Your "shop your house" posts have been helpful on that as well. Here is my latest painting project: https://www.justagirlblog.com/pantone-color-of-the-year-valspar-emerald-green-frame/. Updating an old frame. I've got a few that could use a boost and a bright color would be fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway!
Lovely stripes! They turned out awesome and totally made the kitchen! :) Here's one of my fav's: https://thistlewoodfarms.com/after-is-always-so-much-better.
I like the painted outdoor furniture - frugal brilliance! https://inmyownstyle.com/2013/06/how-to-paint-outdoor-furniture.html PS your stripes look great!
You are so clever! And so funny! I do so enjoy your blog. Thank you for the opportunity to win the gift card. I spend lots of time (and money) at the Home Depot. If I were to win I would like to make this shutter console table. https://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/build-a-shutter-console-table/index.html
Hi, Karianne! Thanks for a chance to win. I would love to paint a piece using this technique... https://shizzle-design.com/2013/05/vintage-dresser-in-chesapeake-blue.html. LOVE IT!
I really like this tutorial. https://lumberjocks.com/projects/34415
Shouldn't it read "….for thicker stripes divide by 6?" Another neat tip for painting stripes from I Heart Organizing is to paint some of the base color over the paint before you do the accent color :https://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/07/seeing-stripes-in-dining-room.html The tutorial I would like to do this summer is for a fire pit-https://stowedstuff.com/2013/04/how-to-build-a-fire-pit.html
You always make it look so easy! I guess that's because you have great ideas that are actually executable by normal people, ha ha! I love that wall! ~Diane
My favorite would have to be making a memo board. It is exactly what I was needed in my craft room. www.thistlewoodfarms.com/how-to-make-a-memo-board
i love this moroccan inspired bench makeover, although i’m not sure I’m artistic enough to do it myself: https://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/15113-rustic-bench-gets-modern-moroccan-inspired-makeover
I love the look of this dining caddy from https://www.atthepicketfence.com/2013/08/diy-stenciled-dining-caddy-with-mason-jars.html
Love all the tips here! I don't know if it's specifically a summer project, but I could more easily build it if it's not raining :) This headboard! https://www.sweetfrenchtoast.com/2012/03/05/how-to-diy-barn-door-headboard/
Hello! I just started reading your blog and just love it! This strip painting tutorial is awesome too. Question though, how did you paint the letters/manners? I would love incorporating this into a nursery but with either cool sayings like "dream big" or something but am nervous about getting the words straight. Is that tutorial somewhere on your site?