BLOG: Frosted glass

BY: Johané Neilson

Not a fan of window dressings but desperate for some privacy? Frosted spray paint can help.

This beautiful idea appeared in the April 2009 issue of Home magazine and I remember how impressed I was with the simple elegance of the frosted finish on this window combined with the grey walls. I like that the frost effect still lets in natural light and won’t gather dust!

You can achieve a simple design like these stripes with masking tape and a bottle of either Krylon or Rust-Oleum frosted glass spray. The Rust-Oleum Frosted glass is available from Builders Warehouse for around R79,99.

The door in my living room that leads to the balcony needed a cover of some sort – I considered a blind, but because I am renting I didn’t want to have a blind custom made. My door has a white frame with two glass window panes. I had an “aha” moment when I thought of a frosted finish as a cost effective alternative to a blind. I wanted to frost the word LOVE on the top rectangular pane and keep the smaller bottom pane plain. This poster from Quirky Me was my inspiration.
Sadly, my husband did not love the idea and we settled on a design of bunting flags for the door.

First, make a flag template and cut as many flags as you will need from contact adhesive.

Next, stick your design on the clean glass surface you are going to spray.
Tip Make a masking tape border around the edge of window pane before you start for a pretty finish.

Follow the instructions on you frosted glass spray bottle and spray the glass in even strokes from left to right, top to bottom. You might need two coats to get an even finish.

Wait for the paint to dry and remove the contact design carefully to reveal your design. Be careful not to “tear” the paint layer as you remove the contact.
This is what the finished door looks like.

I love the gorgeous, diffused natural light that comes into the room!

You can use the left-over spray for smaller projects. I made some frosted lanterns from Consol glass jars with different patterns. The frosting is not permanent and a lovely medium to play with. Hope you have as much fun as I did!