DIY A Textural Basket Weave Accent Wall With An Artistic Paint Style

You might have heard of faux grasscloth, denim, or linen walls, but what about taking the faux fabric effect a step further with faux basketweave walls? This unique result requires the same technique used to achieve the woven strié paint look, with a twist. Instead of using horizontal brushstrokes to paint over a coat of vertical ones for a minute woven pattern (also known as double-process strié faux painting), you just need to alternate between horizontal and vertical brushstrokes in alternate squares. This will create the illusion of a large plaited pattern where horizontal and vertical brushstrokes appear to be laced over and under each other. It's a brilliant and unusual accent wall idea to liven up your home that's so satisfying to create, there's real danger it could become addictive. 

Although this painting method involves less steps than the popular linen effect, it can still be relatively complex for first-timers, so finding a helping hand is highly recommended. To get you started, you'll need to prime your walls by choosing the product that best fits your surface type. When it comes to paint, you'll need acrylic or latex paint in two different colors. Highly contrasting colors will create a more striking effect, while similar shades will produce a subtler result. The base coat should have a satin or semi gloss finish that highlights the rough striations of the topcoat. For a more dramatic look, choose a topcoat with an even higher sheen. You need to mix this paint with an acrylic or latex glaze that will water it down, making it more transparent, so the basecoat color can pop out from underneath. 

So, you've primed your walls, bought your two paint colors and glaze, and are ready to get down to business. The first step is easy — just paint the base coat evenly with a regular roller. Once that's dry, mix the glaze and the topcoat paint in a 5:1 ratio. Your partner should apply the mix generously with a roller, from top to bottom, as you work your way through, using a brush to alternate between horizontal and vertical strokes. For a perfect woven effect, vertical strokes should extend a couple of inches beyond the bottom edge of the horizontal strokes. These, in turn, are painted over that extension and should extend slightly over the width of the vertical strokes. The next vertical stroke will be painted over that extension, and so on. Be careful not to let too much paint accumulate on your brush, wiping it clean with a cotton lint-free rag every two passes.

The type of brush you use will hugely influence the outcome, but thankfully, finding the most adequate type comes pretty intuitively. Do you want defined striations or do you prefer a more delicate effect? For the former, pick a coarse-bristled brush and drag it at an acute angle, applying a good amount of pressure. For the latter, do the exact opposite, dragging a soft-bristled brush more gently farther from the wall. This paint style is more effective with brushes at least 4 inches wide. Though a smaller brush could produce an interesting, smaller pattern, it would be a much more ambitious undertaking.

Faux painting techniques can make a big difference in your home, but a basketweave texture is much more eye-catching than the subtle elegance of a simple strié wall or the smudged charm of sponge painting. Its larger, demarcated pattern makes imperfections and irregularities more evident, but that's also part of its charm — almost like a hand-painted mural. The key to successfully integrating this artistic paint style in your home is to use it in small doses and make it a focal point, such as in an accent wall. The best placement for one is usually in whichever area your eye is naturally drawn to when you enter a room. Still, considering the inherent unevenness of faux basketweave, you'll want to stir clear of asymmetrical, slated, or otherwise awkward shaped walls to avoid too much visual confusion. 

If you're using bold colors, carry those shades into your décor through smaller furniture pieces or accessories, like pillows and rugs, to achieve a cohesive look. If, on the other hand, you love the basketweave look, but are not the biggest fan of contrasting, conspicuous accent walls, go for neutrals. Choose a soft, muted color for the entire room, like a pastel coral or a grey green. When painting your basketweave accent wall, use that same color for the topcoat, leaving the base coat white. This way, you'll get the pleasing faux texture of the strié without sacrificing harmony and tranquility. The playful, freehand quality of this painting technique also makes it a great fit for nurseries and children's rooms.