Step 2: Prepare your Wall

Step 3: Apply Base Colour

Apply 2 coats of acrylic base colour and allow it to dry thoroughly.

We have used Dulux Think Pink as the base.

Step 4: Apply Colour Effects

Roll on the Colour Effects with a standard roller, 10mm sleeve, cutting in where required with a paint brush.

If working alone, paint a manageable area, approximately 1 metre across the wall – this will maintain a wet edge. If two people work together, the first person applies the Colour Effects using the standard roller and the second person follows with bunched up plastic bags.

We have used Titan as our Colour Effect. 

Step 5: Distressing and Sanding

Whilst your Colour Effects coat is still wet, dab the wall with bunched up plastic bags. This will remove parts of the top paint to reveal the base colour beneath it.

Change the shape of your bunched plastic regularly. Use both the inside and outside of the bag for an irregular mottled effect. We have used black plastic rubbish bags. Wear gloves to keep clean. The dabbing action needs to be strong to create the texture.

Once the paint is thoroughly dried, lightly sand to soften the effect. Sand in one direction with ‘Norton No Fill’ sandpaper 180 grit.

Our combination included: Base colour = Dulux Think Pink and Colour Effects = Titan.

Step 6: Alternative Colour Combinations for Distressing

You can recreate the distressing effect by using colour combinations of your choice. Here are some other suggestions of paint combinations that you could try:

Base colour Nougat with Colour Effect Florentine Blue or

Base colour Scotch Mist with Colour Effect Classic Ochre or

Base colour Royal Mauve with Colour Effect Dresden.

Note: Keep in mind that the colours you see on your screen may be different to the actual paint colour. (This is due to different monitor settings and resolutions.) We recommend that you test all colour schemes with colour cards and test pots.