How to Texture Walls - Santa Fe Texture

Learn how to texture your drywall after it has been mudded and taped. This video demonstrates a Santa Fe texture.

Tools needed:
• Topping joint compound
• A 3" putty/drywall knife
• An 8 - 12" drywall knife
• A hawk (ghetto like mine or store bought)
• Plastic bags
• Sanding sponge or sanding supplies

Need to mud and tape your drywall? Check out part 1 and 2 of how to mud and tape your walls:

I appreciate any tips, tricks or suggestions you have. I don't claim to be a professional and I'm always learning but I hope this video encourages you to give this a try for yourself - it's really not too bad. I was very intimidated by mudding and taping until I tried it myself. Happy DIYing!

[foxxyrocker]

Tango, it may not look like much now, but that's because the old wall color is showing. After some primer and paint, it'll look pretty good.
Nils, I love your DIY hawk (that's what the flat mud holder is called). I was going to build something like that, but with the amount of mudding I do, my hubby decided to buy me one.
You did a pretty good job there, I did almost the same texture in my bedroom, and I love it. It's textured to hide imperfections, without being too much or too trendy. It's a classic that will probably never look cheesy like stomped or sprayed on texture.
A few tips and ideas for anyone who wants to give this a try: a knife with rounded corners will help to keep the edges from leaving lines in the wet mud. When you smooth the globs, you can change the direction of your knife every stroke to get more rounded "holes" in the top coat for a more organic or natural look, and you can very the size of the globs of mud to vary the size of the holes. You can also add an extra layer once the first is dry, using the same technique, to add depth and interest to the texture, it'll slightly fill in some the first holes, and add new holes on top, but it isn't necessary, it just depends on what you like. When the mud is dry, you can scrape over the top of the mud to remove any spikes or ridges that stick up, faster and easier than sanding. After painting, you can go in with a color slightly lighter/darker (off the same color card) to highlight the high spots or shade in the lower spots to really bring the texture alive, adding a bit of water to the paint helps to blend it in. Last but most important- Primer, primer, primer, before you paint! Especially if there is old paint under the top coat- paint and mud absorb wet at paint differently, so using primer will give your paint a more uniform color and hide old stains, and it will make your paint job last years longer. I love me some primer. I never paint without priming first anymore. I painted my kitchen ten years ago, and it still looks great.

[theresap]

I am so glad I found this video. I’ve been struggling with matching my knock down texture. I made my own “tool” and result is great

[jacquelynbruce]

Nils, we used your Santa Fe technique in a little outdoor cottage. I am wowsers with the trowel, if I do say so myself and it turned out like an expert plasterer was on the scene.  Thank you so much.  Hooray for DIY

[markm]

Great job. Not only well done and just what I wanted, but this texturing hides a multitude of sins. Thanks. You have a nice way about your presentation. No pretentiousness and very friendly.

[mikaylacatlett]

FINALLY! Found a demo on Santa Fe texture, simple and easy DIY!!! Thanks Nils!!

[schmushenmush]

It took me a lot of searching to figure out what this texture was called, and how to do it. Finally found your video with a perfect example of to do it. Thanks.

[melissareinhardt]

Good video. I like that you were honest about it being your first time trying and you want to encourage first timers. I own a home remodeling company for about 5 years now and can do homes from top to bottom on my own, but was a nurse for like 13 years before that. My clients get a kick out of it. And I remind them that it’s just patients and courage and they could do most home improvements on their own as well. Thanks again for the video. Great job.

[markmcmann]

Great video... I used your technique... It was my first time doing Santa Fe texture... my patch came out perfect!

[parkermj]

Best how-to video i've found so far on this type of texture. Thanks!!

[mistigypsy]

Thanks for sharing! I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel and this helped me a lot!

[widnastankewsky]

Thank You for your video! The texture is exactly what I am looking for! The previous owners painted over wallpaper several times. Needless to say, your technique will hide a multitude of sins and it looks like a lot of fun! Thanks!

[rebeccalepper]

I'm a DIY gal too as I like to do things myself (that way I know it gets done right lol). You made the process look fairly simple so base on your videos I'm going to give it a go. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[toonybrain]

DIY guy, you're doing a great job.

[aham]

Brilliant! This is exactly what I needed after trying to do this with a trowel alone : ) Thanks!

[joshkarr]

This is a great demonstration, Nils! You can get a hawk from Lowes or HD for about $10-15 instead of making your own, but I was looking for a way to make a large job go faster without spraying...this seems like the sweet spot for my purposes. Thanks for sharing!

[ravenbw]

I love love love this! It reminds me of an old Italian/European even Moroccan/ middle eastern style home even a little coffee shop. I so wanna do this!

[susangloisten]

Great Job on the texturing and how you videoed it.  I've been looking for how to do the Santa Fe look so thanks!

[LRNDIY]

I didn't have any issues with that, actually. I wonder if it had to do with the consistency of the mud or the water levels or something. Hopefully a light application of the top coating will take care of it. Good luck!

[kimcup]

Thanks for this video. I SO wish we could have seen it after it was painted! But this is a great video.

[dannychapman]

Thank you for this video. It's very helpful because I'm a d.i.yer and this is the exact look I was going for in my bathroom as well.