Textured paint is a great way to hide imperfect walls, while giving interesting character to a room. It's regular paint that has been mixed with sand or other substances to form pebbled surfaces and other textures when applied to a wall. One variation of textured paint is stucco paint, which is paint that's so thick it's almost like plaster, allowing you to shape it however you want.
Basic Textured Paint Application
Textured paint, like any other kind, requires a solid, clean surface to adhere to. Pull out any nails and patch any holes with patching plaster. If there's a glossy sheen on the wall, or just a lot of dirt and grime, run over it with a power sander to get a clean, plain surface. Apply thin, textured paint as you would any other paint, cutting in the corners and putting the rest on with a roller. For thick stucco paint, apply it with a trowel and plaster it across the area of the wall at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.
Stippling
"Stippling'' is the process of using textured rollers to put designs into stucco and other thick paints. The rollers are available at your local paint store in all kinds of variations, with lines, circles or random designs that are imprinted into the paint as you roll over it. Test it on some scrap wood before you put it on the wall to make sure you like the effect.
Peaks
One classic look for textured paint is for it to be shaped into many small peaks, like the rippling on the surface of a wind-blown pond. To accomplish this, spread the textured paint thickly on the wall. Press a rubber trowel down into it, setting the flat part of the rubber there. Then pull it straight out, pulling away some of the paint. Move one trowel-width over and do it again, continuing throughout the room.
Troweling
Create a series of circular swirl marks all over your wall in the textured paint. Press a flat metal trowel into the paint, and gently turn it in a circle, keeping the flat part of the trowel pressed into the paint. Move the trowel over and do it again, with the circles next to each other.
