Century old technique makes comeback in modern homes

Looking for an elegant alternative to latex paint or traditional wallpaper for your next redecorating project?

Textures and metallics are two of the hottest trends in wall fashion today. And thanks to new products, it's easy to combine these trends to create textured metallic effects that will transform any room in your home from ordinary into extraordinary! Here are a few ideas from the decorative painting experts at Modern Masters(R).

Shimmering Venetian Plaster --For centuries, artisans have used a technique known as Venetian Plaster to create the look of "Old World" marble on walls and other surfaces. Today, Venetian Plaster is one of the hottest trends in wall fashion. And it's easy to achieve a shimmering marble finish with Modern Masters(R) Venetian PlasterTM finishing system. Tintable to an endless array of colors, simply apply the texture coat, apply the skim coat and add a translucent metallic shimmer to the texture by applying Modern Masters Venetian PlasterTM Satin Topcoat in Pearl or Gold tint. It eliminates the need to burnish the plaster -- saving you time and effort -- and creates a one-of-a-kind look that's simply extraordinary.

DID YOU KNOW?...

• Many home-improvement projects are unsuitable for expectant mothers. Painting exposes you to fumes as well as requires a lot of bending, stretching and climbing ladders. Any project that involves using a product with strong fumes should be avoided, which often means no staining or clear coating. •Also, avoid projects that require heavy lifting, which could strain your back and womb. It can be frustrating being relegated to the sofa instead of hands-on with the project. But, it's okay tackle safe tasks like planning, choosing color swatches and supervising the work.

Add sparkle to unwanted textures. Do you have orange peel texture on your walls or popcorn texture on your ceiling? Don't remove it. Instead, add a little shimmer with one of the 40 paints in Modern Masters(R) Metallic Paint Collection(TM). The water-base paints are as easy to apply as ordinary latex paint and give you a wide range of options -- from sheer, translucent Pearl White or Flash Blue to precious metal shades like Gold Rush or Copper Penny -- to create a multidimensional look that make textures sparkle.

Make textured wallpaper shine. Paintable wallpaper is available in a variety of styles and textures. For a dramatic, one-of-a-kind look, select a paint from Modern Masters(R)' Metallic Paint CollectionTM instead of ordinary latex paint. Designer shades like Cranberry Mist, Champagne or Shimmering Sky will highlight the highs and lows of the textured wallpaper and create a stylish and sophisticated look that will be difficult to find anywhere else.