Stencils are a great way to add creative flair to boring interiors. These visual elements are popular because they're relatively easy to master, and they don't require huge financial investments. In addition, many homeowners simply like the chance to personalize their decor schemes.
Making stencils isn't a complicated process. Many people find designs online and either purchase a precut stencil to match or print the images out on stiff, durable stock before cutting them out with a hobby knife. The stencil stock you choose ought to be made of a thick, water-resistant paper or plastic that won't curl when it's exposed to paint. It's essential to choose a material that won't let pigment bleed through as you apply color to the open spaces.
If you're creating your own stencils, be sure to trace your ideas out on paper first. Keep this master template for reference just in case one of your copies gets damaged later. Use a pencil to transfer the design as many times as you like so that you can apply the images quicker.
Always prepare the walls before taping the stencils in place. Stenciling works best when the target surface is clean and flat, so go over the existing paint with some fine-grit sandpaper and a cleaning cloth before doing anything else. If you try to stencil over surfaces that are too rough or too bumpy for the templates to lie flush with the wall, you'll find that paint drips behind the gaps and ruins the nice, crisp edges that you were going for.
When placing stencils, pay attention to the overall space. While most people use stencils to create borders or decorate corners, you can very easily cover entire accent walls or apply images in the low parts of vertical surfaces to create the appearance of added height.
Stencils can also be rotated to vary the progression of a design or flipped to create alternating mirror patterns. As long as you concentrate on one or two designs per space, you'll be able to modify and rotate specific components without creating something that feels cluttered.
Color choices go a long way, so grab a few swatches to compare your options. You may even end up asking your painters for assistance repainting the walls in some rooms so that they match your new thematic ideas. You can vary the effects of the same stencil design by alternating colors or choosing a similar hue to make the result more subtle.
Practice on a piece of scrap or some paper before painting, and always use a small brush. Dip the brush so that it only picks up a minimal amount of paint, and apply it inside the exposed areas using a circular, tapping motion. Consult with one of your Westport painters for more tips and ideas about designs and placement.
