All-Over Stencil Patterns

Do you live in a small apartment with scarcely enough room to hang pictures on your cluttered walls? Perhaps your bathroom is in need of a makeover because the paint is beginning to turn colors. Or maybe you are tired of staring at the faded wallpaper hanging in your living room for more than 10 years. 
No matter your reason for wanting to redecorate an individual room in your home, or your entire house for that matter, all-over stencil patterns can help achieve the look you want.

All-over stencil patterns, which are used to create the look of hand-applied wallpaper by repeating specific designs, are easy to use and can be applied on a variety of textures and surfaces.

Unlike the hard work involved in wallpapering, which includes removing old paper, cutting even pieces and making sure the patterns line up with each other, the only job you will endure when stenciling with all-over stencil patterns is painting over the designs when the colors begin to fade. Therefore, whether you want a classic border design or a colorful retro pattern, all-over stencil patterns are a fun and inventive way to create the look of decorative self-applied wallpaper. 

Selection of All-Over Stencil Patterns

•    Faded Damask: recreates classic wallpaper; shows soft etching
•    Crossed Garland: diagonal lines help to visually expand a small space
•    Vase and Pearls: soft colors combine with a romantic design to create an elegant pattern
•    Basketweave: ideal for closing in large areas
•    Small Flourish: blends well with a variety of colors
•    Ribbon Lattice: 3 inch squares formed from an interlocking design
•    Other options: 
o    Mini Brocade
o    Lacy Leaves
o    Victorian Grillework
o    Brick Wall
o    Kyoto
o    Cordova
o    Floral Fret

Applying All-over Stencil Patterns

Even though decorating with stencils sounds simple, especially when compared to applying real wallpaper, it is only as easy as you make it. To make your stenciling experience both fun and stress-free, it is important to recognize the different steps involved in applying all-over stencil patterns.

To Begin:
1.    Choose colors best matching the room or area you are decorating
2.    Choose an applicator, such as a stencil brush, sponge or foam roller
3.    Spray the stencil with repositionable stencil spray adhesive
4.    Practice your technique and test your colors
5.    Begin your project after you have practiced with a few areas of the stencil and are satisfied with the results

The Stenciling Process:
If you are decorating an entire wall with an all-over stencil pattern, you should begin at the top center of the wall to ensure pleasing results.

1.    Spray stencil adhesive to the back of the design (allow glue to set for 30 seconds before sticking the pattern to the wall)

2.    Begin the paint application after the pattern is applied to the desired area

3.    Before moving the design to its next location, make light pencil dots in the registration marks located on the stencil. This allows you to repeat the design in all directions

4.    Once you come across a corner, press the stencil into the corner of the wall you are completing, allowing the remaining piece to dangle, press the suspended area of the pattern into the corner of the next wall and complete the design

Repeat these steps until you have created your decorative, hand-painted wallpaper design. Once your project is complete, sit back and enjoy your creation!


Sources:
 “All Over Patterns.”  Royal Design Studios:  Reinventing the Art of Stenciling.  20 Sept 2006.
http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/dept.asp?a=& ;dept=1008&dept_name=Allover+Patterns
“Artful Stenciling Samples.”  Classic Wall Works.  18 Sept 2006.
http://www.classicwallworks.com/stenciling.html< br />“Creating Wallpaper and Floor Patterns with Stencils.”  Lowe’s:  How-to Library.  18 Sept 2006.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo& p=HomeDecor/Create_Stenciling_Pattern.html
“Floor Stencil Instructions.”  MB Historic Décor.  18 Sept 2006.
http://www.mbhistoricdecor.com/floorinstructions .php
“Newbie needs help with allover pattern in powder room.”  Stenciling…the Art and Technique. 
28-29 June 2005, 27 July 2005.  Murals.com: Decorative Painting Message Forum.  18
Sept 2006.  http://www.muralsplus.com/discus/messages/953/6296 4.html?1122487248
“Stencil Designs.”  Plaid.  Plaid Enterprises, Inc.  18 Sept 2006.
http://www.plaidonline.com/apSD.asp