'Do-it-yourself' decorative interior painting

Nursing Homes, Feb, 1997 by Walt Gozdan

Inexpensive techniques for putting the "home" into your nursing home

Though this is changing, it is still an unfortunate fact that too many nursing homes tend to look more like hospitals than homes. That impression is easy - and relatively inexpensive - to change by adding decorative painting touches to enhance the surroundings. The techniques involved can be performed by staff, or even by residents who retain the capabilities and interest.

These popular techniques of decorative painting include sponging, ragging and stenciling. They can be used in virtually any room or common area to improve the quality of life for your residents, and to give your nursing home a marketing edge over less personal-appearing and more sterile-looking facilities. Some of these techniques are so simple, even a novice can learn them. A skilled maintenance staff can master them in no time at all.

Color Considerations

Regardless of the type of patterned painting being done, it's important to note that color is a vital part of any decorating job, particularly in a nursing home facility. Elderly people, especially those who may be easily agitated or disoriented, are very sensitive to color. Bold or highly reflective colors tend to overstimulate them, which can lead to disruption.

The elderly may also have difficulty distinguishing colors of the same value or intensity. A room done in a blue/green scheme, for example, may appear to be a uniform dull gray to those with poor eyesight.

The solution is to use a color scheme that is neither entirely pale nor bold. Experts at the Paint Quality Institute suggest using muted or pastel colors as a base, which have a calming effect, and a richer yet not overly bright color on top.

First Things First

As always, before starting to paint, proper care must be taken to prepare the surface. Taking the time to do this first will help stretch the life of the paint job.

Make sure that the walls are clean - free of dirt and grime. Using a sponge, just wipe the walls with a simple solution of household detergent and water, then rinse with clean water.

If there are any holes that need to be patched, use a water-based, all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk to fill the cavities. Smooth the caulk with a wet finger, since it can't be sanded once it's dry. (Spackle traditionally was recommended for this purpose, but caulk does not have to be sanded and is readily paintable once it dries.)

Next, apply masking tape or painter's tape around windows and door frames, as well as where the walls meet the ceilings and floors, because decorative painting, easy though it may be, can be a bit messy. It's always wise to cover furniture and residents' belongings with a drop cloth or a plastic tarp to protect them from spatters.

Sponging

Sponging will create an attractive mottled, irregular pattern. It's a very simple way to add visual interest and style to a room.

Begin by applying a light or pastel-colored solid basecoat and allowing it to dry completely. Then select one or more slightly darker shades of paint that will be sponged on later. (For best results, use a sea sponge, not the ordinary cellulose type.)

Moisten the sponge with water so that it is only slightly damp. Then dip the sponge into the paint, being careful not to overload it.

Start sponging in the center of the wall by gently tapping the sponge against the surface. Then begin working out toward the corners, turning the sponge frequently for visual disparity. (Should the sponge become clogged with paint, rinse it out and wring out excess water before continuing.)

If more than one color will be used, be sure that a substantial amount of the basecoat shows through after the first color is applied, and let each color dry thoroughly before adding another.

Ragging

Ragging creates a brocade-like pattern on walls. Often, two or three shades of the same color are applied on top of a solid basecoat from the same color family.

Instead of a sponge, the application "tool" for ragging can be cheesecloth, old sheets, rags or clothing - almost any absorbent fabric (preferably cotton) that is relatively light in weight.

After applying the basecoat and allowing it to dry completely, dampen the cloth with water, then bunch it in one hand, making sure there are plenty of folds to provide a pattern when applied to the wall.

Dip part of the rag in the paint, then lightly blot it against the walls. For pattern variety, blot in different directions, or use several rags made of the same material.

Again, if more than one color is being ragged on, all the previous colors should be dry before continuing.

Stenciling

A stencil allows for more variation than other types of decorative painting techniques.

Start by choosing a stencil. Stenciling kits are available in home decorating stores and come in many patterns. From hearts and flowers to geometric borders, the choices are almost limitless. Keep in mind, though, that choosing a continuous, repeating pattern reduces the need for precise measuring and spacing.

Next, select a color scheme for the room. Due to the nature of the nursing facility, the Paint Quality Institute recommends painting the wall with a flat or eggshell finish paint in a light or pastel color, then choosing complementary or contrasting colors for the stencil. Paint for the stencil colors should be applied with a special stenciling brush (a small, blunt-bristled brush, also available at home decorating stores).