Supplies

• Behr paints: Fountain Sprout 2059-70 (base coat) and Spirit Whisper 420A-2 (top coat). Semigloss is preferred, but any sheen will work.
• 9-inch paint roller and tray for base coat
• Low-tack painter's tape (optional)
• Yardstick (optional)
• Colored pencil to match the stripe color
• Long carpenter's level
• Trim brush

 

Base coat: Fountain Sprout, 2059-70

1. Using a paint roller, base-coat a clean, dry wall with Fountain Sprout; let dry. Apply a second coat if needed and allow to dry. Use painter's tape to mask around doors, windows, the ceiling, and the floor if desired.

 

2. Measure the width of the stripes. Divide the wall into even increments. The stripes shown here measure 5 inches, but you may need to adjust the width to fit your wall or for the look you want. Using a colored pencil that matches the stripe color, make a light hash mark at each increment.

 

3. Draw the vertical lines. Using a carpenter's level, lightly extend the hash marks vertically from ceiling to baseboard. Periodically measure the stripes to make sure they remain parallel and even.

 

4. Cut in the left edge. Cut in along the ceiling with a trim brush and Spirit Whisper. Paint the left edge of the stripe, covering the pencil line. Reload the paintbrush as needed so the color is opaque and even.

 

5. Fill in the center. Paint the center of the stripe using long, vertical strokes.

 

6. Cut in the right edge. Edge the right side of the stripe, covering the pencil line. Cut in along the baseboard. Repeat for each remaining stripe. Touch up any uneven spots.