Jazz up a wall with a Geometric Stencil

tRenDy tueSDayS

I totally love all the wallpaper designs hitting the racks these days, but who wants to wallpaper?  I know I don't.  I really needed something to add some pizzazz to my fireplace wall, so instead of just painting it a different color I decided to do a graphic mid-century stencil to give it the illusion of high-end wallpaper and I didn't even have to change the base color.   I left the wall the same celery green color and did an el cheapo, el matcho accent color with the same paint I used on the trim and mantle.  I needed to do this baby quick so I committed the stencilers unforgivable sin, yep, I used a roller! I know that isn't the "proper" way to do it,  but I am not always proper! Anyhow, I love it! It gave the room such a cool vibe! I totally recommend you give it a try if you need to add something special to a room. It is a bit challenging but if you have any patience at all you'll do just fine.

What you will need is: Blue tape,light hold spray adhesive... I purchased mine at a nearby fabric store for $6 bucks. You will also need a long level, and of course your paint and stencil brush.If you want a translucent look you will need to thin your paint with a glaze medium. I used an even part paint & glaze. Also if you need longer working time the glaze keeps the paint wet longer. I have also heard of some people using water to thin a water base paint but I have never done it that way...YET. Ok now to the work!

First off decide where is the best area to place your first stencil. Some people like to start dead center and work out and away, but for my project, I simply started in a top corner and worked down and to the right. Now that you've figured out your starting point, you can begin.

1 -spray the back of your stencil with the spray adhesive.

2- place the stencil on the starting point use your level to make sure your stencil is straight. Now tape the corner edges to the wall and gently push the stencil to the wall (this will help to keep the paint from bleeding in between the cut outs).  3-Once stencil is secure to the wall, you can begin painting. I used a roller for this project but you will get a nicer finish if you use a stencil brush a round flat blunt brush. Ok now dip your brush in the paint and then dab most of it off onto a paper towel. In a circular motion begin applying the paint to the stencil with the heavier paint on the outline and thinner application toward the center of each cut out . Continue until all cut outs have been painted.

4 -Allow stencil to dry about 5 -15min or more depending on the weather and if and how much glaze you used. Carefully remove stencil from wall without smearing the paint. Now if  the paint on wall and on the stencil is dry , move on to the next area always using your level to make sure it is straight. Stenciling around an opening like a window can be a bit challenging so you have to be patient, this can be done a lot easier if you cut the stencil to work around the opening...just make sure you've completed all the wall areas that you need the stencil in one whole piece before cutting up your stencil. I am way too cheap to cut up a stencil that I plan on using again and again so I very carefully bent the stencil to get around my window.

Also, I recommend getting a stencil with a separate edge stencil that allows the pattern to continue off the wall-you can do this as you work through the wall or go back at the end after you've painted the main sections , that's what I did.
Helpful Hint-have wet paper towels around just in case you have to wipe off an area that you did an oops! Works like a charm. Ok, that's it! Have fun!!!  this room is a work in progress. I am now working on window treatments and cleverly hiding ugly tv cords... can't wait to show you the finished product!

This stencil came from Royal Design Studio. I learned about it from Mandi at Vintage Revivals and if you visit her page you can get a coupon code to get yourself a little discount.

xo,

eLAINe