House to Home with Debbie Travis

Decorating expert and television personality Debbie Travis appears in The Telegram’s My Home each week.

Here’s how to replicate the look.

Prime the surface with a high adhesive primer and let dry. Using ¼” low-tack masking tape, tape off slightly irregular rectangles. Use a spirit level to make sure the rectangles are straight. This will be the colour of the grout. Mix 3 coloured glazes, white, light and medium sand shades: each 1 part waterbased glazing liquid to 1 part paint. Apply the darker sand glaze first using a small roller and move in horizontal strokes. Cover 3 or 4 rectangles at a time. Follow with the lighter glaze, and finally the white glaze. The colours will blend together. Dab over the paint with a soft rag to further blend the colours. Fold a piece of plastic wrap horizontally then open it and press it over the wet glaze to create tiny creases, different for each block. Remove the tape and let dry. Go over the grout lines with white paint and an artist’s brush. Make the grout lines slightly irregular and more authentic looking.

Dear Debbie;

Can you help me with updating my stone fireplace? I’ve heard of painting it, but not sure that is the best solution. Sue

Dear Sue;

Your fieldstone fireplace is ageless, but it can appear heavy in a contemporary setting. It’s a big job to remove the stone. Instead, lighten it up by making a new surround using plywood or fibreboard to cover part of the stone, and also the stone that rises above the mantel to the ceiling. You won’t harm the stone and it can be revealed in the future.