Isn’t amazing how people like to take things that are new and make them look old? Well that’s exactly what painting with crackle finish will do.

You probably have seen small pieces of furniture painted with crackle. It has that aged look of weathered paint. It’s a very popular painting technique, but have you ever seen a whole room painted with the crackle look?

My partner Shari Hiller and I did just that. Follow these simple steps to make a new wall that will look old, on purpose.

Materials:

Latex satin wall paint

Crackle medium

Paint brush (latex paint)

Roller/roller cover

Drop cloths

Masking tape

Step 1: What base coat do I use?

Apply a base coat of latex paint to your walls, allowing the paint to dry at least overnight. You want to select a color that will show through the crackle effect in the topcoat. Use a satin finish for the base coat.

Step 2: What’s next?

To do this technique you need to apply a medium crackle finish. It looks like a clear paste with the consistency of paint. Craft stores sell crackle finish in small pint containers, and paint stores sell it in larger quart or gallon containers.

For small projects like flower pots or picture frames, you can apply the crackle all at once. For larger projects, like furniture or walls, work one section at a time. Begin by masking off any part of the project that you do not wish to crackle with masking tape.

Use a brush or roller depending on the size of your project to apply the crackle and allow it to dry. Read the manufacturer directions for specifics, but it generally takes 30 minutes to an hour to dry.

Apply the topcoat of paint as soon as the crackle finish is dried. If you wait too long, you may need to reapply the finish.

Step 3. That was easy, is that it?

Not quite now the fun begins. The topcoat of latex satin paint can be applied over the crackle finish two ways.

A natural sea sponge provides smaller random hairline cracks, while a paint brush will provide much bigger cracks that generally flow in the direction you brush. A brush works best for large surfaces such as walls. But any way that you apply it, you’ll get a workout.

Start in one corner of the room and begin applying the topcoat with the brush. Work quickly; once you’ve applied paint to a section, move on. The crackling will begin immediately, so once you’ve applied paint, if you go back and apply more or run the brush through it again, you will be erasing the cracks and making a big mess.

As we were brushing the paint onto the wall, we brushed as far out as we could reach and worked our way from the ceiling to the floor. Then we moved over to a fresh section, blending the brush strokes into the previous section.

All that’s left to do is remove the masking tape and clean out your paintbrush.

Just like you folks, Shari and I learn as we go. One of the best ways to learn is to read the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label. They really do help. I’d certainly be lost if I didn’t read the labels.

Matt Fox writes this column with Shari Hiller. They also co-host the Home and Garden Television show “Room by Room.” For more information, visitwww.hgtv.com