Create a Story Stick
Once the base coat is down, measure off and mark on a yardstick the edges of 1- and 3-inch stripes, separated by 2- and 11-inch gaps; to set off the stripes, wrap the stick with short lengths of tape. Label the left and right ends of the stick.
Mark Out the Pattern
Place the story stick against the wall horizontally and use light tick marks to indicate the locations of the stripes.
Mark Out the Stripes
Use a level as a plumb line to draw the stripes’ edges with pencil, as lightly as possible.
Tape Off the Stripes
Separately, first on the wall and then on the dresser, put down painter’s tape along both edges of the stripes to be painted. Let the tape extend at the top and bottom of the wall and dresser for easy removal. Draw arrows on the tape pointing toward the area to be painted.
Paint the Stripes
Use a 1-inch paintbrush to fill in the narrow stripes and a small foam roller to paint the wide stripes.
Roll Lightly
To discourage bleeding, load the roller lightly, running it over a paper towel to reduce excess. While the paint is still tacky, slowly peel up the tape at an angle. Repair any blips with an artist’s brush—and see if this project doesn’t make you smile.
