Before & After: An Exciting Paint Project Gives This Bedroom a Cool, Contemporary Update
There was already a lot to love about Dian and Tim’s primary bedroom. It got great natural light and, like the rest of their Chicago condo, had a lovely mix of architectural charm and modern updates. (Built in the 1880s, the condo building was rehabbed in the early 2000s.) But when it came to giving the white walls a coat of personality, Dian was so overwhelmed by the color choices that she didn’t know where to begin.
“I’m drawn to colors that feel restful, classic, and cozy,” she says. “But I’m not afraid of bold gestures.” We can work with that! Designer and visual artist Sara Weissler suggested a two-pronged paint project that would give the bedroom extra flourish: Tempe Star SW 6229, a deep and moody blue by Sherwin-Williams® for the ceiling; and Hazel SW 6471, a whimsical green-blue for an eye-catching half-wall behind the bed. Not only do the colors pair beautifully, but they also add intriguing visual elements while keeping the room calm and serene.
“Using color on the ceiling is always a fun surprise,” Sara says. “The walls in this room are nice and tall, which brings the viewer’s eye from floor to ceiling, and all the room’s turns and corners create a visual path through the space.” The ceiling fan blades also got a coat of Tempe Star so they won’t distract from the main attraction. Finally, the half wall creates a visual “destination” for the eye, anchoring the bed and creating the illusion of a headboard.
This is a great project to level up your painting game. Creating a crisp half-wall starts with a laser level — exciting, right? Set it atop a ladder or piece of furniture to achieve your desired height, then trace the laser line with a pencil and tape off the wall where you want the color divided.
Make sure to paint over the tape a little, both to secure the seal and to avoid any gaps in color. Before the paint dries — a lot of people get this wrong! — gently peel the tape and marvel at the crisp line you’ve created.
For showstopper effects like a half-wall and a painted ceiling, brush up on your corner skills. (See what we did there?) Getting a clean finish in these snug spots isn’t as hard as it might seem. Shimmy your brush into the corner to saturate it with paint, then keep brushing outward a few inches. Repeat until you have a stack of these strokes, then smooth them over with long perpendicular strokes to even out the coverage. (Later, your roller will smooth things out even further.)
Now, Dian’s bedroom has just the right amount of drama while still feeling peaceful and cozy. “It looks so much more put together,” she says. “The Tempe Star ceiling is dramatic and sooo smooth. It really adds a contemporary feel.”
