Wallpaper is making a comeback! You can create the look yourself by stenciling your walls with a custom pattern and custom colors. This is an easy weekend project that can be accomplished inexpensively. I wanted a chic, luxe feel so I used shiny gold paint, but you can use any color to get the look you want. Customize it your way with your own design, or print out our downloadable medallion stencil at www.denadesigns.com/blog/2015/wallstencil.
Gather:
Black permanent marker
Mylar sheet
X-ACTO knife
Ruler
Pencil
Level
Low-tack masking tape
Acrylic paint (I used Golden brand “Iridescent Gold” Acrylic Paint)
Plate or palette
Airtight container
Rags or paper towels
Stencil brushes, either flat-tipped or domed
Damp sponge
Create:
1. With a permanent marker, draw or trace your stencil design onto a Mylar sheet.
2. Use an X-ACTO knife to carefully cut out the design.
3. Plot your pattern. With a ruler and pencil, lightly mark guidelines on the wall. Use a level to check all verticals and horizontals.
4. Beginning at the bottom most corner of the wall, adhere your stencil to the wall with low-tack masking tape.
5. Spread newspaper on the floor to catch any spills or drips.
6. Put a small amount of acrylic paint onto a plate or palette. Store the remaining paint in an airtight container.
7. Dip the dry stencil brush into the paint and dab it on a rag or paper towel. You don’t want excess paint to run down the wall.
8. Holding the stencil brush perpendicular to the wall, apply the paint. For a speckled effect, lightly tap; for a smoother effect, use a circular motion.
9. Repeat steps four through seven until the wall is covered.
10. If any paint accidentally drips or gets onto the wall, you can clean it up with a damp sponge before it dries. The wall should be dry in about 12 hours.
