ON THE CURVE

Create architectural interest with an ombrépainted arched curve that becomes home to floating shelves. To create the arch, determine the placement of top shelf; mark with a horizontal line, 25mm wider than the shelf on either side. From the line’s ends, draw plumb lines to the skirting. Insert a pushpin into wall at the centre of the horizontal line. Tie opposite ends of a string to the pushpin and a pencil – distance between the two should be exactly half the distance of your horizontal line. Use pencil to draw an arch that connects the vertical lines, and mask off the outside edge with small bits of painters tape to match the curve. For the ombré effect, paint four sections in coordinating hues. Once dry, apply a second coat to the bottom section. Add glaze medium to thin paint, then brush and blend top half of bottom section into bottom half of adjacent section where the colour transitions. Repeat this process for each of the remaining colour sections, gradually increasing the ratio of glaze to paint each time. Hang the floating shelves, as directed, using floating shelf brackets.

PLAN YOUR SHELF PLACEMENT SO YOU CAN SCREW INTO WALL STUDS. IF THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE, USE HEAVY-DUTY PLASTERBOARD ANCHORS RATED FOR THE CORRECT WEIGHT. ADD A GLAZE MEDIUM TO PAINT TO SOFTEN THE TRANSITION BETWEEN ONE COLOUR AND THE NEXT.