Horizontal Stripe How To

 What You'll Need~ 

Tape Measure

Calculator, Sharpie Marker

Level ( Laser Level $110.00 at Home Depot, if you do a lot of projects it's well worth the $$!)

3M painters tape, 1.5" width - use the orange label which gives you a nice clean edge

Paint Brush

Roller with Tray

Paint- your choice of finish; quantity- depends on the size of job, but usually a quart will be just enough to do a large bathroom, small mudroom and small bedroom

This is how I start- 

•   I measure the height of the wall from the top of baseboard to bottom of crown, this is the actual wall area
•   Then I figure out approximately what the width of the stripe I want- do I want thin stripes, medium size or bold???
•   Once I figure width, I do the math!-yuk!  I like to have the same color on the top and the bottom so that the stripes are equal in size.  In order to do that you need have an uneven number of stripes, 7,9,11,or 13 stripes. 
•   So the standard height is about 88inches.  If I do 11 stripes I'll divide 88 by 11 which will each be 8" wide stripes.   If I want bolder stripes, I'll do 9 stripes and those will be roughly 9 3/4" thick.  
•   Then I make a template by laying a piece of tape on the wall from bottom of crown to top of baseboard.  I'll mark with a sharpie the width of the stripe and I'll use this as a guide moving it from wall to wall. (see picture)
•   Start laying out the tape using the level.  I move the template to each wall unless i'm using a laser.  If i'm using the laser,  I just move the laser around to each wall. I put the laser on a ladder and match the light to the marker on the template
•  After the tape is laid, I take a credit card and push down the tape so the paint won't seep thru.  This is a MUST if there is a  strong contrast in color.
• roll out 2 coats of paint let set up a bit and then pull the tape!

Lay a piece of tape from the ceiling line or bottom of crown to the top of baseboard.

 Make sure you make the template on the far edge of the wall, either right side or left side, so it's easy to remove when you're done laying out the horizontal tape.

I make marks on the template indicating the size of the width the stripe using a sharpie marker.  Using a sharpie makes it possible to see the mark on the dark tape.

I make notes on the tape showing which area will be painted so I can lay the tape accordingly

Now I lay out the horizontal tapes for the stripes, using a level to get them plumb.

Again I make sure I'm laying the tape on the ride side of the marks I made! 

I usually get all the taping done them go back and use a credit card to press them down real well.

   

Upclose picture of painting the stripe

Notice that I follow the marks indicated on the template

Finished project!

This was done in a vestibule to a closet/bathroom area, the client wanted something updated but not too overwhelming.

Basecoat was Ben Moore 'Mountain Peak' 2148-70
  flat finish

Stripe was Ben Moore Super white
  eggshell finish.

The slight difference in sheen dresses it up but doesn't look too glitzy!