Go graffiti for a fun, fresh look on basement walls

Q. My teenage kids want to decorate the basement, which is their hangout, and do not want any input from me. We gave them a small budget to cover the cost of paint and a few necessities, such as oversized cushions. I remember you did a graffiti wall on one of your television shows and would love to show them that I can be fun. Can you help?

A. Oh yes, I remember that graffiti wall well. It was for a teenage girl’s basement bedroom — lots of fun to do. Show these pics and instructions to your kids, and let them go at it.

For this room, I chose four paint colors: medium yellow for the base coat, then accent colors pale yellow, blood orange and mint green for the paint effect.

Mix three colored glazes with the accent colors: 1 part paint and 1 part glazing liquid. Work in 4-inch-by-4-inch sections so you can create the effect while the glazes are still wet. I applied the blood-orange glaze first, covering 60 percent of the medium-yellow base coat. Use a 3-inch brush and short vertical and horizontal strokes.

Next, apply the yellow glaze to 30 percent of the surface, then the mint green to 10 percent of the surface using the same brush strokes. Gently blend the glazes together with a dry brush moving in the same directions.

Take a sheet of newspaper with some interesting printing and press it into the wet glaze. While the glaze is drying, move to your next section, keeping a wet edge. When the glaze is tacky, remove the newspaper carefully, leaving a transfer image behind. Inscribe words or symbols into the wet glaze with a cork.

These bright colors produce a funky finish. But the paint effect reads very differently with other color combinations.

Dark blue with grays and a bit of white creates a sophisticated mood. Glam it up with a metallic shade. Layer sea green, blues and moss green for a tranquil setting with lots of natural texture.

Q. I work at home and have converted a guest bedroom into my home office. I conduct much of my work via video conferencing and would like to know how to decorate so the background behind me is not distracting. Are there color guidelines? Should woodwork be monochromatic?

A. This is an interesting challenge for all those who work in a home office. It doesn’t set a professional tone to have your clients staring at you with the features of a bedroom or a kitchen in the background.

If you do video conferencing, the background should link to your subject. The best way to manage this is with a decorative screen. The side of the screen that faces your video camera becomes your office wall. It can be a white board to back up your advice or a bulletin board to pin up helpful visuals. Link it directly with your work.

If charts aren’t your thing, select a paint color that is neutral and won’t divert attention. A movable screen gives you the flexibility you require. Tuck it away or against the wall when not needed. Decorate the reverse side with a beautiful fabric that complements your guest bedroom.

Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is written and produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email decorating questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Travis at instagram.com/debbie_travis or facebook.com/thedebbietravis, or visit her website, debbietravis.com.

These bright colors a funky finish. But the paint effect reads very differently with other color combinations.”

‰ Debbie Travis, House to Home