Create an Ombré Wall

By Alena Meier

Photography by (headshot) Jessica Beck, (project) Rosita Colson

The trend of gradually blending one color hue to another, known as ombré, has shown staying power across fashion, beauty and interior design industries. With unlimited versatility (thanks to colors and saturation), it can be used as a wraparound effect or as a bold statement. Of course, you can get the look on a roll of wallpaper for a pretty penny … or you can do it yourself! Here, you’ll learn the steps to paint your own ombre wall—one with deep teal hues that create an immersive and ethereal atmospheric haze effect, reminiscent of the raw power of crashing waves beneath a moody sky, brushstrokes echoing the shifting weather and the transformation of nature’s palette. It may be just the thing to inspire your indoor days this season.

You will need:

• Paint (light, dark and intermediate colors)

Meier used Simply White, River Blue and Naples Blue by Benjamin Moore in her project. Ask your local paint store consultant about quantities depending on your specific wall size.

• Paint roller with a replacement cover for each color

• Roller trays (1 for light, 1 for dark)

• Paintbrush

• Spray bottle

Directions:

• Begin by prepping the wall with a cleaning and light sanding. Tape off the baseboard, ceiling and any electrical outlets to protect them from paint. Plan for lighter and darker areas, avoiding specific shapes and measurements. This is the time to embrace the abstract nature of this kind of mural.

• Using the roller, apply your light color. Usually, two coats are required to achieve an even application (allow drying time between the coats of paint).

• Swap the roller cover and roller tray and apply your dark color.

• Create a wet edge between your colors by spraying water on your brush and running it along the border of where your dark and light colors meet. Using your intermediate color mixed with light color and a paintbrush, blend the colors, maintaining a vertical stroke but constantly changing its height for an organic effect.

• Use the same technique for your intermediate color mixed with dark and follow the previous steps until you’ve created a consistent transition from dark to light.

Now it’s time to style it! Opt for organic wood textures like live edge, solid monochrome accessories (for example, a variety of white vases), coastal textures for botanicals and metallic accents like brass to take this already stunning wall to the next level.

Pro tip

Use foil or cling wrap to prevent your brush and roller trays from drying between applications.

Alena Meier is an interior designer, stylist and artist living in Atlanta. Alena’s signature style is contemporary, understated luxury focusing on quality of life. Having lived in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Alena brings a unique global perspective to the spaces she creates.