Inexpensive Home Decorating With Stencils

By Cathy Johnson
Published on May 1, 1986
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As I was looking through some pictures of Victorian rooms, I remembered some stenciling I'd done. This technique, I felt, would be a perfect way to add color and pattern to our plain walls, and it would cost very little.
As I was looking through some pictures of Victorian rooms, I remembered some stenciling I'd done. This technique, I felt, would be a perfect way to add color and pattern to our plain walls, and it would cost very little.
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In a larger room, I like to use several designs, making sure they're all compatible and that the colors either match or harmonize.
In a larger room, I like to use several designs, making sure they're all compatible and that the colors either match or harmonize.
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Once the stencils are decided upon, it's time to choose the paint. If the surface to be decorated is varnished or coated with an oil-based enamel, you'll need to use an oil-based stencil paint. Otherwise I'd suggest buying acrylic stencil paints because cleanup will be easier and they smell better, too.
Once the stencils are decided upon, it's time to choose the paint. If the surface to be decorated is varnished or coated with an oil-based enamel, you'll need to use an oil-based stencil paint. Otherwise I'd suggest buying acrylic stencil paints because cleanup will be easier and they smell better, too.
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I selected my designs with two criteria in mind: They should be to scale in each room and should enhance the Victorian character of the house.
I selected my designs with two criteria in mind: They should be to scale in each room and should enhance the Victorian character of the house.

It’s easier than you might think to add a truly personal
touch to any room in your house.

Try to imagine a plain white room with an uncurtained
window centered on one of the walls. How dull! Now paint
that imagined window frame sky blue, stencil a green vine
to surround the window, and scatter blue morning glories

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