From Builder White to Alive

Such was the case for one family in Ames, Iowa. "Our house was so boring!" says Peggy Lewis of the suburban two-story she recently moved into with her husband, John, and their two teenage sons. "All white, the place just felt lifeless and uninvigorating."

Then Peggy happened to meet decorative painter Patricia Mohr Kramer and mentioned her situation. The two immediately hit it off and started making plans to paint personality into the Lewises house. Their efforts prove that a freshly built house can develop spirit and charm. All it takes is paint, a few techniques, and a lets-get-started attitude.

Ironically, it's those boring white walls that respond quickest to the first touch of paint and glaze. Many new-home wall surfaces have a slightly dimpled orangepeel texture that begs for attention. These surfaces make the most of the color undulations and imperfections that are part of many paint techniques, Kramer explains. Sponging, washes, glazes, and freehand paintingthey all look terrific.