I was thinking of doing this in our new livingroom, but I'm not quite sure if I want to. I figure that I could do some research online, but getting info from you guys who might have actually done it would be more helpful. So anyways...was it easy? Did you paint a light color and then sponge a darker color? Or did you paint a dark color and then sponge a lighter color? And then how did it turn out? Here is a picture of the current color...gee...I hate it! And that nasty carpet too! Can't wait to get that outta there!!

By Kathym on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 12:29 pm:

I sponge painted my foyer about 5 years ago...used a lighter than darker color...made sure my sponge was very damp...I didn't want obvious sponge holes!!! Sponging is so easy...if you don't like the result wipe off what you've done and then start over. I then stenciled a floral vine over the door and mirror. Still looks great and I get many complements. The trickiest part is corners and near the ceiling..I cut my sponge smaller to fit into the nooks and crannies. Good luck!

By Cat on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 12:33 pm:

I've never done it, but good luck! Of course, we want to see after pictures.

By Rayanne on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 12:38 pm:

Kathy, post a picture. It sounds beautiful!!!

I tried to sponge clouds in my DD's room and it didn't turn out great, so I ended up painting them on. Gd luck though.

By Vbw1978 on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 12:42 pm:

i did the clouds in marcus old room i used a plastic wal mart bag to do it was soooo easy

By Ladypeacek on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 12:59 pm:

I also did a sponge room, I know this will sound horrible but my mother worked 3rd shift when she was working and light walls made it hard for her to sleep, so i did a red on the wall and then silver sponging and then she had sort of a china theme with it with the big vases. It was nice even though i hate red! I also did the light blue with white in dds room a few years back, that was real nice too.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 01:49 pm:

I have sponged, rag rolled, glazed and faux finished (marblized/faux leather/murals/etc).
You will get different results by using either a dark or lighter base coat. Personally I like three colors better than two. My office has one wall that is green, purple and cream and it looks like a monet painting.
I suggest you pick the colors you want and get out some paper or scrap wood and try different methods before doing a wall.
Paper towels make a nice feather like texture, a car wash sponge makes a subtle sponge look, a sea sponge makes a more pronounced look. Remember to alternate your sponge so it doesn't look uniform.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Yvonne

By Emily7 on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 01:49 pm:

The blue & white make it look like clouds. I am going to be doing my guest bath white with tan.
Yellow, gold, and a little red looks like a sun setting. You can also use a rag or plastic garbage bag for a different look.

By Mara on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 02:18 pm:

Just wanted to say that my livingroom is the exact same color as yours is now! I also hate my livingroom being this color. We just moved here under a year ago and I even picked the color out! LOL I realized that I did'nt like it after about 2 weeks of living here. I think I'm going to change my color soon.

By Mommyathome on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 03:11 pm:

Definitely post pictures!!
I've seen sponging on Trading Spaces and it looks fairly easy. More time consuming than anything.
I think that when you sponge, you actually sponge with both colors. I don't think you paint the wall with one color and then sponge with the other. I think it's just done by sponging both colors. That way it blends nicely. However, I could be wrong LOL. That's just what I've seen on TV! (Isn't TV always 100% true??? )

By Peggy13 on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 10:22 pm:

I've sponged many a room - I usually paint one color - then sponge a few complementary colors over top of it. It really doesn't take that long - get the kids to help! My favorite wall that I've sponged is the wall going down the stairs to the bsmt - it's great for the fingerprint factor!

By Kathy on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 06:17 am:

Yeah....I did get a chance to look at some sponging websites and it seems that my pre-conceived ideas about sponging were all wrong. LOL But that is ok...we'll figure it out! We will be at the new house all weekend long and I am looking forward to painting in a different way than we had done for both of the girls' rooms. I will definitely post pictures when we are finished painting and all moved in.

By Vicki on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 07:51 am:

I had the foyer rag rolled and they painted the darker color first, then used a glaze that was 2 shades lighter than the paint and ragged it on. We have a 2 story foyer and there was no way that I would have tried to do all of that on a ladder!! I think there are several different ways to do and no one way is right or wrong. It is all about the effect you want!! Have fun with it!!

By Texannie on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 08:38 am:

I have ragged, sponged, paper toweled, and my favorite, used a feather duster. I agree with Vicki, there is no right or wrong way to do it. I do usually have a base color and then do my treatment on top.
I have white poster board is a great surface to practice on.
btw..my son was 8 when he helped me paint the bathroom using a feather duster. It's that easy!!

By Trisa on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 08:53 am:

I want to do the feather duster in my bedroom
when we move. I have never tried it but if an
8 year old can do it I should be able to. Did you do it all the way up the wall or did you do it halfway then put border up?

By Texannie on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 09:36 am:

I did it all the way up, you need to tape it off so you don't get the ceiling. You could use a border too..just depends on what you want.
I cut my feather duster down and just sort of smacked and swirled it around.
A friend of mine kept hers long and it looks completely different. She did hers farther apart. It looks very leafy.
Just experiment to get the effect you want.

By Children03 on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 11:33 am:

Yes, I have sponge painted several rooms. You usually have a base color that you paint on the wall first and then you use your second color for sponge painting (usualy mixed with a glaze) and to do the sponge paint I used a Sea sponge. I used the glaze the first time but the second time I just used the base paint and the second paint. I didn't use a border at the top but yes, make sure you tape and use an edger.

By Andi on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 12:19 pm:

I talked to a paint guy the other day about sponging the nursery and decided it was going to be way to complicated so I decided to roll on the paint. He was telling me how you mix glaze and paint together and don't forget to tape off everything since you wil be sponging you can't just cut in with a brush like you do when you roll on paint.
I would love to see how it turns out when you are done and I would love to hear if you thought it was easy or hard.

Good Luck!

By Yjja123 on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 12:49 pm:

Andi--
I have sponge painted and done faux finishes in my home and in other peoples homes and have never taped off anything. I just use a smaller sponge for corners. Sponge painting is extremely easy! It is basically foolproof and goes quite quickly. As for glaze that too is not a big deal. My kitchen wall is glazed with around 15 different colors. Glaze is fun because it is slightly transparent so you can layer it for even more creative looks. You can buy glaze already mixed or if you want a custom color you can mix your own. I think your paint guy exaggerated a bit. It truly is a very easy project--my kids have helped me do rooms---if my kids can do it you certainly can!
Yvonne

By Texannie on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 01:07 pm:

Andi, I agree. I think he way exaggerated too. I don't tape either...sometimes the ceiling if I am using the feather duster. The glaze is a no brainer. I have also done it without glaze but added a little water to the paint.