Painting

Interior Decorative Painting Tips

Tuscan Accents

Tuscan Accents is a two-color finish resembling antique Italian finishes in its unmistakable warmth and character. Bringing to mind old world charm, it will add a sense of history to your home's decor. Choose from gorgeous colors that were inspired by the beautiful cities and countryside of Italy. This time worn look appeals to a classic decorating style and will contribute to an environment of sophistication and total comfort.

Materials and Tools Needed

Here's everything you'll need for this painting technique.

Valspar® Signature Colors® Tuscan Accents Base Coat Valspar® Signature Colors® Tuscan Accents
Paint Roller with 3/8" or 1/2" nap and Paint Tray Tuscan Finish Smoother
Color Washing Brush Painter's Tape and Drop Cloth
Practice Board (optional)  

Tuscan Accents Paint Technique

Step 1. Apply Signature Colors Tuscan Accents Base Coat with 3/8" or 1/2" nap roller and allow to dry for 24 hours. Do not use a substitute base coat. Using the Color Washing brush, apply Tuscan Accents in small crisscross X patterns. Work in 3' x 3' sections using random strokes and filling in all white space. Use a light touch and vary your strokes to create random X patterns.

Valspar Signature Colors Tuscan Accents

Step 2. In the same 3' x 3' section, without reloading the brush and while the painted section is still wet, blend the X pattern brush strokes using long, sweeping motions going both vertically and horizontally. This ensures a blended, smooth appearance.

Valspar Signature Colors Tuscan Accents

Step 3. Wait 10 minutes or until the surface has started to loose the "wet look." Use the Tuscan Smoother to "open" the raised white particles on the surface. Hold the smoother at a 30° angle to the surface. Using a light touch, sweep the smoother over the surface in random patterns using both sides of the smoother. Use a lighter touch and vary the direction of each stroke. If scratches or streaks occur, you may be attempting to smooth too soon or are pressing too hard.

Valspar Signature Colors Tuscan Accents

Shown in TUS2 Tuscan Gold 1

Color accuracy will vary based on monitor and printer calibrations. Please visit your local retailer to view actual color samples before making final painting decisions.

Tips for Success

Try your technique on a practice board before you try it on the walls.

For a simple transformation or quick update, this technique is easy to paint over. No sanding or stripping of the underlying faux finish is needed. Just apply a topcoat of paint and you're done!